Kantronics KAM XL User manual

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KANTRONICS
KAM XL
Reference Manual

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................................................2
Contact Us:..............................................................................................................................................................................5
REVISIONS............................................................................................................................................................................6
Disclaimer Notice....................................................................................................................................................................6
Kantronics Warranty Registration........................................................................................................................................... 7
IMPORTANT.......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
License Agreement..................................................................................................................................................................8
LIMITED WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Return/Repair Procedures...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Radio Frequency Interference Statement .............................................................................................................................. 13
RFI Suppression ................................................................................................................................................................ 13
FCC Declaration of Conformity:........................................................................................................................................... 14
CE Marking Considerations .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................... 15
KAM XL features: ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
GPS compatibility: ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
APRS digipeater:............................................................................................................................................................... 15
Large PBBS:......................................................................................................................................................................15
E-mail:............................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Control and Sensing: ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Remote access: .................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Other operations:............................................................................................................................................................... 16
Software control:............................................................................................................................................................... 16
Configurations:.................................................................................................................................................................. 16
Installation............................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Package Contents .............................................................................................................................................................. 17
Additional Parts Required for a Multi-Mode Radio Station.............................................................................................. 18
Front panel of the KAM XL............................................................................................................................................... 18
Rear panel of the KAM XL................................................................................................................................................18
CONNECTING THE KAM XL TO A POWER SOURCE...............................................................................................19
CONNECTING THE KAM XL TO A COMPUTER........................................................................................................ 19
The Terminal Program ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
CONNECTING THE KAM XL TO TRANSCEIVERS.................................................................................................... 24
AUX PORT (RS232 –DTE)............................................................................................................................................. 26
CONNECTING A GPS DEVICE ..................................................................................................................................... 26
Interface Communication modes of the KAM XL.................................................................................................................27
Terminal Mode.................................................................................................................................................................. 27
Kantronics Host Mode....................................................................................................................................................... 27
KISS Mode........................................................................................................................................................................28
XKISS (Extended KISS) Mode......................................................................................................................................... 29
COMMUNICATION MODES IN THE KAM XL ............................................................................................................... 30
Packet Mode...................................................................................................................................................................... 30
AX.25 Protocol for Amateur Packet Radio:...................................................................................................................... 30
Remote Access.................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Other Packet Modes of Operation .........................................................................................................................................37
PBBS (Personal Mailbox) ................................................................................................................................................. 37
PBBS Commands.............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Advanced PBBS Configuration......................................................................................................................................... 45
Remote SYSOP Access to the PBBS ................................................................................................................................ 46
KA-NODE............................................................................................................................................................................. 47
Overview........................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Configuring The KA-Node................................................................................................................................................ 47
Using a KA-Node.............................................................................................................................................................. 48
Using the XCONNECT Command ...................................................................................................................................48
Remote Commands of the KA-Node................................................................................................................................. 49
K-NET................................................................................................................................................................................... 51
K-Net Configuration.......................................................................................................................................................... 51

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Networking terms.............................................................................................................................................................. 52
K-Net SYSOP Commands ................................................................................................................................................ 53
K-Net USER commands: .................................................................................................................................................. 57
GPS NMEA, Weather station Interfacing ............................................................................................................................. 60
Overview........................................................................................................................................................................... 60
GPS Equipment Requirements.......................................................................................................................................... 60
Cabling a GPS Unit to the KAM-XL................................................................................................................................. 61
Configuring the GPS Commands ...................................................................................................................................... 61
Other GPS Features...........................................................................................................................................................62
GPS Command Summary..................................................................................................................................................64
Advanced GPS/APRS Digipeating....................................................................................................................................65
Improving Efficiencies of Advanced Digipeating............................................................................................................. 65
Overview of UI Digipeating Commands........................................................................................................................... 65
Configuring Digis for HF/VHF Gateway Operations........................................................................................................ 66
OTHER FUNCTIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 68
TELEMETRY................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Copying NWS EMWIN Weather Broadcasts....................................................................................................................68
DAMA............................................................................................................................................................................... 69
HF Modes (Non-Packet) ....................................................................................................................................................... 71
Tuning in to receive signals............................................................................................................................................... 71
Exiting non-packet modes................................................................................................................................................. 71
CW ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 71
Receiving CW ................................................................................................................................................................... 71
Tuning in CW a signal....................................................................................................................................................... 71
Transmitting CW............................................................................................................................................................... 72
CW Directives................................................................................................................................................................... 73
RTTY .................................................................................................................................................................................... 74
Receiving RTTY ............................................................................................................................................................... 74
Tuning RTTY signals........................................................................................................................................................74
Transmitting RTTY........................................................................................................................................................... 74
RTTY Directives............................................................................................................................................................... 74
MARS Feature................................................................................................................................................................... 75
ASCII .................................................................................................................................................................................... 77
Receiving ASCII ............................................................................................................................................................... 77
Tuning ASCII signals........................................................................................................................................................77
Transmitting ASCII........................................................................................................................................................... 77
ASCII Directives............................................................................................................................................................... 77
AMTOR (includes LAMTOR, FEC, SELFEC, NAVTEX)..................................................................................................79
AMTOR Operation............................................................................................................................................................79
Calling CQ......................................................................................................................................................................... 79
Answering a CQ................................................................................................................................................................ 80
Mode B (FEC) Operation.................................................................................................................................................. 81
Mode B (SELFEC) Operation............................................................................................................................................... 81
Receiving Mode B SELFEC ............................................................................................................................................. 81
Transmitting Mode B SELFEC......................................................................................................................................... 81
LAMTOR (Listen Amtor) operation..................................................................................................................................... 81
Notes on AMTOR operation .............................................................................................................................................82
AMTOR directives............................................................................................................................................................ 82
NAVTEX .............................................................................................................................................................................. 83
NAVTEX/AMTEX Theory............................................................................................................................................... 83
NAVTEX/AMTEX Operation ..........................................................................................................................................84
NAVTEX directives.......................................................................................................................................................... 85
PACTOR (PTL, PTFEC) ...................................................................................................................................................... 86
Pactor Operation................................................................................................................................................................ 86
Tuning Pactor signals........................................................................................................................................................ 86
Monitoring Pactor FEC ..................................................................................................................................................... 86
Calling CQ or Transmitting FEC....................................................................................................................................... 86
Linking to another station..................................................................................................................................................86
PTLISTEN Mode.............................................................................................................................................................. 87
G-TOR (and GMON) ............................................................................................................................................................ 88

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G-TOR Operation.............................................................................................................................................................. 88
Tuning G-TOR.................................................................................................................................................................. 89
Monitoring G-TOR............................................................................................................................................................ 89
Linking to another station in G-TOR ................................................................................................................................ 89
Speed changes ................................................................................................................................................................... 89
PBBS Access in G-TOR.................................................................................................................................................... 90
Summary of GTOR Directives.......................................................................................................................................... 91
PSK31 ................................................................................................................................................................................... 93
Tuning PSK31 Signals ...................................................................................................................................................... 93
Transmitting PSK31.......................................................................................................................................................... 93
Exiting PSK mode.............................................................................................................................................................93
PSK31 Directives ..............................................................................................................................................................93
Command Reference............................................................................................................................................................. 95
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................................... 95
Entering Commands.......................................................................................................................................................... 98
COMMANDS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 99
Appendix A: Installation ..................................................................................................................................................... 181
Precautions ...................................................................................................................................................................... 181
Connecting to Radios ......................................................................................................................................................181
Interfacing Hand-Held Radios......................................................................................................................................... 182
Port 1: HF and Packet......................................................................................................................................................183
Transmit level.................................................................................................................................................................. 184
Appendix B: Advanced Information ................................................................................................................................... 185
Disassembly and Assembly............................................................................................................................................. 185
Hard Reset....................................................................................................................................................................... 185
Updating/Uploading new BIOS (Firmware) ................................................................................................................... 186
Calibration....................................................................................................................................................................... 187
PTT (Push-to-Talk) Watchdog Timer .............................................................................................................................189
Jumpers............................................................................................................................................................................ 190
Appendix C: Replacing the Lithium Battery....................................................................................................................... 192
Appendix D: In Case of Difficulty ...................................................................................................................................... 193
Appendix E: Additional Information...................................................................................................................................195
Messages from the KAM XL........................................................................................................................................... 195

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Contact Us:
Kantronics
14830 W. 117th St.
Olathe, Kansas 66062
Orders/Inquiries [phone]
FAX [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]
Website: www.kantronics.com
Service/Technical Support [phone] (8 AM to 12PM and 1 to 5 PM Central
Time, M-F)
FAX [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]

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REVISIONS
Revision
Date
Description
B
2006-5-18
Updated Kantronics address
C
2006-08-22
CE mark removed pending RoHS compliance.
D
2011-07-31
Updated contact information, text revisions, formatting.
E
2015-05-28
Updated to a searchable format.
The Kam XL is a Kantronics hardware and software design incorporating the AX.25 Level 2 Version 2
Packet protocol as adopted by the American Radio Relay League.
We have attempted to make this manual technically and typographically correct as of the date of the
current printing. Production changes to the TNC may add errata or addendum sheets. Your
comments and/or suggested corrections can be sent to us (see our contact information).
This document was compiled in the U.S.A.
The Kam XL is manufactured in the U.S.A.
© Copyright 2000-2015 by Kantronics. All Rights Reserved.
Contents of this publication or the firmware within the Kam XL may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the copyright owner.
KAM XL, Pacterm, K-Net, and G-Tor are registered trademarks of Kantronics Co., Inc.
KPC-3 Plus is a registered trademark of Kantronics Co., Inc.
KPC-9612 Plus is a registered trademark of Kantronics Co., Inc.
NET/ROM is a registered trademark of SOFTWARE 2000.
APRS is a registered trademark of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.
HyperTerminal is a registered trademark of Microsoft.
PSK31 is a design of Peter Martinez, G3PLX.
Special Thanks to Peter for his consultation and direction of implementation of PSK31 in the Kam XL.
Disclaimer Notice
We have attempted to make this manual technically and typographically correct as of the date of the
current printing. Production changes to the KAM XL may add changes to the manual at a later date.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Contents of this publication or the firmware within the KAM XL may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the copyright owner.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome, see our Contact Us information.
Printed in the United States of America.

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Kantronics Warranty Registration
Please take the time to (print this page) fill out the warranty registration form and mail it to
Kantronics, including a copy of your sales receipt, to register your purchase. Refer to the warranty
policy in this manual for further information.
Mail form and sales receipt to:
Kantronics
14830 W 117th Street
Olathe, KS 66062
Warranty Registration
Last Name: First Name:
Call Sign: .
Mailing Address:
City:
State: Zip/Postal Code: Country:
Telephone: E-Mail:
Product: KAM XL Serial #:
Date of Purchase: Dealer:

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IMPORTANT
READ THIS PAGE BEFORE INSTALLING THIS KANTRONICS PRODUCT
This product contains SOFTWARE on Programmable Memory (ROM) and/or diskette, which is
protected by both United States copyright law and international treaty provisions.
If you install or use this product, you will be deemed to be bound by the terms of the SOFTWARE
license shown below. If you do not wish to be bound by such license, return the (unused) complete
product package to your supplier for refund. The supplier may deduct restocking/re-packaging costs.
License Agreement
1. License. In consideration of payment of the License Fee, which is included in the price of the product, the Licensee
(you) is granted by the Licensor (Kantronics Company, Inc. - Kantronics) a non-exclusive right to use the
SOFTWARE and associated documentation. No ownership rights to the SOFTWARE or its Documentation are
transferred from Kantronics to you.
2. Term. This License Agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this Agreement by destroying the
PROM or diskette or CD and documentation. You may not rent or lease the SOFTWARE, but you may transfer the
SOFTWARE and accompanying written materials on a permanent basis provided you retain no copies and the
recipient agrees to the terms of this Agreement. Kantronics may terminate this Agreement without notice if you violate
any terms or conditions of the Agreement. In the event of termination of the Agreement, provisions relating to
Kantronics’ disclaimers of warranties, limitation of liability, remedies, or damages and Kantronics’ proprietary rights
shall survive.
3. Object Code. The SOFTWARE is delivered in object code only. You shall not reverse compile or otherwise reverse
engineer the SOFTWARE.
4. Limited Warranty. This product is covered by the standard Kantronics Limited Warranty, which is enclosed.
5. General. This License Agreement constitutes the complete Agreement between you and Kantronics.
The SOFTWARE and/or Documentation may not be exported or re-exported in violation of any export laws or regulations
of the United States of America or any other applicable jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Kansas, United States of America.
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government of the United States is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph
(c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer SOFTWARE clause of DFARS 252.227-7013.
Kantronics may in its sole discretion, provide you with upgrades of the SOFTWARE and/or Documentation if you have
provided Kantronics your completed Warranty registration with a copy of your receipt showing the amount you paid.
LICENSEE ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES TO BE
BOUND BY ITS TERMS. LICENSEE FURTHER AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS THE COMPLETE AND
EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LICENSEE AND LICENSOR AND SUPERSEDES
ANY PROPOSAL OR PRIOR AGREEMENT, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Any questions concerning this Agreement or any other matter relating to Kantronics, Kantronics products, or business
practices, may be sent to us by any of the means on our contact information page.

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LIMITED WARRANTY KANTRONICS CO., INC.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Effective January 1, 1997
To receive notice of future updates, new product information and prompt warranty service, please fill in the
Kantronics Warranty Registration form COMPLETELY and return it along with a copy of proof of purchase (to
establish purchase date) by any means to us (see our Contact Us page).Warranty Registration form and proof of
purchase may be e-mailed to [email protected]m.
NOTE: Return of the Warranty Registration form and proof of purchase is a pre-condition to warranty
coverage.
1. WARRANTY. Kantronics warrants to the first consumer purchaser (“you”), for the Applicable
Warranty Period (as described below), that the Applicable Product (as described below) will be free
from defects in material and workmanship.
2. REMEDY. Kantronics agrees that, for any Applicable Product found by Kantronics to be in
violation of the warranty of Section 1 hereof within the Applicable Warranty Period, it will, at its
option, repair or replace the defective Applicable Product at no charge to you, excluding in-bound
shipping charges.
3. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. Repair or replacement of the Applicable Product, as provided herein, is
the sole remedy available to you against Kantronics, and in no event will Kantronics be responsible
for any other liability or damages or for incidental, special, or consequential damages, regardless of
whether purported liability is predicated upon negligence, strict tort, contract, or other products
liability theory and whether or not Kantronics is warned about the possibility of such liability or
damages. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR
EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
4. DISCLAIMER. This Limited Warranty is in lieu of all other warranties expressed or implied and
no representative or person is authorized to assume for Kantronics any other liability in connection
with the sale of its products. KANTRONICS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE FOR ANY APPLICABLE PRODUCT. IF, HOWEVER, YOU ARE A
CONSUMER WITHIN THE MEANING OF 15 U.S.C. 2301(3), THE ABOVE DISCLAIMER OF
IMPLIED WARRANTIES IS EFFECTIVE ONLY FOR PERIODS OUTSIDE THE APPLICABLE
WARRANTY PERIOD. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG
AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY
TO YOU.
5. APPLICABLE PRODUCTS AND PERIODS. Kantronics products are of two types - (1)
hardware units and (2) firmware and software for operation of these units, whether incorporated into
the units themselves or separate from the units as adjuncts or accessories to the units. Hardware units
and the media containing firmware, software and documentation are sold to the consumer purchaser
and become property of the purchaser. Firmware and software are licensed for use by the consumer
purchaser in return for a fee included in the purchase price of the units and do not become the
property of the consumer. (See separate License Agreement provided with these products). The
products to which the warranty of Section 1 hereof applies (herein “Applicable Products”) and the
periods during which the warranty shall apply to such products (herein, “Applicable Warranty
Period”) are as follows:
Applicable Products:
UNITS:
KAM XL, KPC-3 Plus, KPC-9612 Plus, MT1200, MT1200G
Applicable Warranty Period: One (1) year from date of purchase.

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MEDIA:
EPROMS, CDs, manuals (however bound), specification and other supplemental pages or
any other media on which firmware, software or documentation are supplied
Applicable Warranty Period: Thirty (30) days from date of purchase.
6. EXCLUSIONS. This Limited Warranty does not apply to the cosmetic appearance of the
Applicable Product; to broken or cracked cabinets; to any accessory not supplied by Kantronics
which is used with the Applicable Product; to any product that has been subject to misuse abuse or
overvoltage; to any product that has been modified by non-Kantronics personnel unless specifically
authorized in writing by Kantronics; or to any product damaged or impaired by shipping (whether
or not caused by poor packaging), neglect, accident, wiring not installed by Kantronics, improper
parameter settings which are cleared by performing a hard reset, or use in violation of instructions
furnished by Kantronics or of generally accepted industry practice. Kantronics does not warrant that
the functions contained in any software will meet your requirements or achieve your intended
results; or that operation of any software will be uninterrupted or error-free or without effect upon
other software used with it. Responsibility for the selection of the hardware and software program to
achieve your intended results rests with you.
7. REMEDY PROCEDURE. Should you need to make a warranty claim, first contact the dealer
from whom you purchased the product. If the dealer is unable to assist you, contact us prior to
returning an Applicable Product to receive a Return Authorization Number. (As a practical matter,
problems can often be solved in such a manner without the product having to be returned to
Kantronics for repair or replacement.)
Return of any Applicable Product for the enforcement of rights under this Limited Warranty shall be
at your expense. Any product returned for warranty service, which Kantronics determines to be
without defect or not covered by this Limited Warranty shall be subject to the minimum charge for
labor and the product will be returned to you at your sole expense. Please note, no warranty service
will be provided until Kantronics has been furnished with your Warranty Registration card and copy
of proof of purchase establishing purchase date.
8. NON-ASSIGNMENT. This Limited Warranty is not assignable by you. Any attempt to assign or
transfer any of the rights, duties, or obligations hereof is void.
9. OTHER RIGHTS. This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have
other rights, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.