Kantronics KAM Plus User manual

KAM Plus
Reference Manual
Version 7.0 – March 21, 1994
Version 7.1 – August 29, 1994
Version 8.0 – May 1995
Version 8.2 – May 1995

2
Table of Contents
Introduction to Commands
ome Abbreviations .......................................................................... 3
Entry ................................................................................................ 3
Format ............................................................................................. 3
Parameter Types ............................................................................... 3
Commands ............................................................................................... 5
Operation of the KAM Plus ...................................................................... 46
Tuning in the ignals ......................................................................... 46
AMTOR Operation ............................................................................. 47
A CII Operation ................................................................................ 51
CW Operation ................................................................................... 52
G-TOR Mode ..................................................................................... 54
NAVTEX Operation ............................................................................ 59
Packet Operation ............................................................................... 61
PACTOR Operation ............................................................................ 63
RTTY Operation ................................................................................. 65
Kantronics PBBS ...................................................................................... 67
Setting up other functions of your KAM Plus .......................................... 70
PBB ................................................................................................ 70
KA-Node ........................................................................................... 70
Gateway ........................................................................................... 70
PBB ysOp Functions ....................................................................... 70
Remote Access to your KAM Plus ........................................................ 72
Host Mode Operation ........................................................................ 73
KI Mode Operation ........................................................................ 73
WEFAX Operation .............................................................................. 73
Hard are Information ............................................................................. 74
Precautions ...................................................................................... 74
Connecting to the Computer .............................................................. 74
Connecting to your Radios ................................................................. 75
AF K Output Level ............................................................................ 77
Hand Held modification ..................................................................... 77
Watchdog Timer ............................................................................... 77
Assembly and Disassembly of your KAM Plus ....................................... 77
Hard Reset ....................................................................................... 78
Calibration / Equalization ................................................................... 78
pecifications .................................................................................... 80
ASCII Chart .............................................................................................. 81

3
Introduction to Commands
Some Abbreviations
<Ctrl- x >: This represents a single control character sent from your terminal program to the KAM
Plus. To send this character, press and hold the control key and type the second key ( x ) while hold-
ing the control key down. If another letter follows this (i.e. <Ctrl-C>T) do not continue to hold the
control key down while pressing the other letter. If your keyboard does not have a control key,
consult your computer/terminal manual to determine which key performs the control key function.
If your terminal does not have a key that performs this function, you will need to change the Pa-
rameters in the KAM Plus that define these special Ctrl key characters.
$ preceding a number denotes a hex number (base 16)
<CR>: carriage return, $0D, decimal 13, <Ctrl-M>, ENTER key
<LF>: line feed, $0A, decimal 10, <Ctrl-J>
I/O: Input / Output
Entry
A command is entered to the KAM Plus by typing the command name and its argument (setting or
value) in the Command mode. The prompt for the Command mode is cmd:.
The command name and the argument must be separated by a space, and the KAM Plus takes ac-
tion when a carriage return <CR> is typed. All commands may be abbreviated to the shortest
string indicated by the CAPITAL letters in the command reference.
You may examine the value of any parameter by typing the command name followed by a <CR>.
The DI PLAY command allows you to display sets of related parameters as a group.
Format
All commands are listed alphabetically in this manual. On the first line of a command will be the
command name followed by any arguments used with the command. Arguments shown in square
brackets ([ ]) are optional. If a command accepts several different values, or a range of values, the
permissible values will be shown in parentheses (). Arguments may also be shown separated by a
vertical bar ( | ). This indicates that you may choose ONE of the items separated by the bar.
ome of the commands in the KAM Plus are dual-port commands, allowing you to set one value
for the HF port of the KAM Plus and a different value for the VHF port. This is indicated by a dual-
port default value (e.g. (192/63)). The value shown before the slash bar is the value used for the
HF port of the KAM Plus, and the value after the slash is used for the VHF port. There are a few
exceptions to the HF/VHF convention, in which the value before the slash applies to non-packet
modes of Operation, and the value after the slash is for Packet Operation. These are noted in the
description of the command.
Parameter Types
n (range): Any number within the range is permissible.
n ($00 - $FF): Any HEX number - normally used to define an A CII character. When entering a
HEX number, be sure to type the $ ymbol to indicate a hex number follows. ee the A CII chart
at the end of the manual to determine the code required.

4
flags (choiceA) | choiceB): Many commands allow a choice of two or more possible entries
(e.g. ON | OFF). For ON/OFF choices, you may also enter YE or NO. Other commands accept one
of several choices (ON | OFF | TO | FROM). Enter the appropriate word to indicate your choice.
callsigns xxxxxx-n: Many commands require a callsign or alias as an argument. These parame-
ters are normally set to Amateur callsigns, however any combination of 6 numbers and/or letters is
permitted. You may optionally include an "extension" ( ID, econdary tation Identifier) which is
a decimal number between 0 an 15 (inclusive) used to distinguish two or more stations on the air
with the same amateur call. IDs of 0 are not displayed by the KAM Plus.
The commands which can used when INTFACE is set to the default NEWU ER, are underlined.

5
Commands
8bitconv ON | OFF
Default ON
When ON, transmission of 8-bit data is allowed in PACKET and A CII Modes. When OFF, the 8th
data bit is set to 0 before transmission and all data received in these modes will have the 8th bit
set to 0.
ee also: parity
ABaud n ( n = 0, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 4800, 9600)
This command sets the baud rate for communication with your computer or terminal. It is set au-
tomatically when you press the * during the KAM Plus autobaud routine.
ee also: reset, restore
AMtor [ xxxx [ xxx ]] characters (or 4, 5 or 9 digits)
Immediate command
This command places the KAM Plus in AMTOR TANDBY Mode. Entering AMTOR xxxx[xxxxx] will
cause the KAM Plus to start a link sequence to the station specified. Entering AMTOR without a
ELCAL will allow your KAM Plus to respond to a link request from another station, or to transmit
Mode B (FEC) AMTOR. To transmit Mode B, type [Ctrl C][T] to begin transmission and type
[Ctrl C][E] to end the transmission. You may also copy Mode B transmission in this mode, if
ARQBB is OFF.
ee also: arqtime, autostrt, canline, fec, lamtor, misschar, mygroup, myselcal, pmode, rephase,
txdtor, txdfec
ARqbbs ON | OFF
Default OFF
When ON, the PBB in your KAM Plus may be accessed by another station using AMTOR, G-TOR or
PACTOR ARQ. When OFF, the PBB may only be accessed on PACKET. Note that if ARQBB is ON,
you will not be able to transmit FEC from the tandby modes.
ee also: arqid, pbbs
ARQId n ( n = 0 – 31)
Default 9
This command sets the time interval in 1 minute increments for an automatic CW ID when operat-
ing AMTOR, G-TOR or PACTOR ARQ. The CW ID will be transmitted at the speed set by the
CW PEED command and he text of the ID is set with the CWIDTEXT command. etting ARQID to
Ø disables the automatic.
ee also: arqbbs
ARQTime n ( n = 1 – 10)
Default 2
This command sets the timeout interval when attempting to link to another station in AMTOR ARQ
Mode. The interval is set in increments of 64 ARQ cycles (approximately 28.8 seconds).
ee also: amtor

6
ASCBaud n ( n = 20 – 500)
Default 110
This command sets the default baud rate used when entering A CII Mode with no baud rate speci-
fied.
ee also: ascii
Ascii [ n ] ( n = 20 – 500)
Immediate command
This command places the KAM Plus in A CII Mode. If you specify the optional value n , the KAM
Plus will enter A CII at the specified speed, otherwise it will operate at the speed set in A CBAUD.
ee also: ascbaud, autostrt, canline, hbaud, pmode
AUtocr n (n = 0 – 255)
Default 0
A carriage return <CR> character is sent to the radio after n characters are typed in a line. when
operating RTTY, A CII, AMTOR, G-TOR or PACTOR. etting AUTOCR to Ø disables automatic car-
riage returns.
AUTOLf ON | OFF
Default ON
When ON, a line feed is sent to the terminal after each carriage return. This command affects only
data sent to the terminal, not sent over the radio.
ee also: crsup, lfsup
AUTOStrt ON | OFF
Default OFF
When ON and operating in RTTY or A CII Mode, the KAM Plus will receive information only after it
has received the MYAUTO T identifier. It will then continue to receive until it receives four "N"s sig-
nifying the end of message, or 30 seconds of no signal.
When ON and in AMTOR Mode or FEC Mode, only AMTOR ELFEC messages which contain any of
the ELCALs in MY ELCAL or MYGROUP will be received. Loss of lock will cause the KAM Plus to
stop receiving data.
ee also: fec, myautost, mygroup, myselcal
AX25l2v2 ON | OFF
Default ON/ON
When ON, Level 2 Version 2 protocol is implemented for PACKET operation. When OFF, Level 2
Version 1 protocol is used.
ee also: relink, retry, tries
AXDelay n ( n = 0 – 255)
Default 0
This command specifies a period of time to wait, in addition to TXDELAY, after keying the radio be-
fore data is transmitted. If you operate through a voice repeater, this delay may be required to al-
low the repeater's transmitter to turn on. Each unit represents 10 milliseconds.

7
AXHang n ( n = 0 – 255)
Default 0
When operating through a voice repeater, this command should be set to the hang time of the re-
peater. If the KAM Plus has detected activity within this time interval, it will not use the AXDELAY
setting, since the repeater should still be transmitting. Each unit represents 10 milliseconds.
Beacon (Every | After) n ( n = 0 – 255)
Default Every 0/Every 0
When set to EVERY, a beacon packet will be transmitted every n minutes. When set to AFTER, a
beacon packet will be transmitted ONCE after n minutes of no channel activity. etting n to Ø will
disable beacon transmissions.
ee also: btext
BER v8.2
In use BER test (???)
BIts n ( n = $00 –$FF)
Default $00
This command specifies the bits to be inverted when receiving a RTTY or A CII signal. This may
enable you to decode some scrambled RTTY/A CII signals. Transmitted RTTY and A CII is not af-
fected by this command.
BKondel ON | OFF
Default ON
When ON, the KAM Plus will echo a backspace-space-backspace sequence to your terminal when
the DELETE character is received from the terminal. When OFF, the KAM Plus will echo a backslash
character ( \ ) when the DELETE character is received.
ee also: delete, redisplay
BLt n EVERY | AFTER hh:mm:ss [ TART hh:mm:ss] ( n = 1 – 4) v8.0
Default EVERY 00:00:00/EVERY 00:00:00
This command sets the interval between beacons for the associated string. n identifies which LT is
used (1 – 4). If EVERY is specified, the LT will be transmitted at the interval specified by the
hh:mm:ss parameter. This is set in hours:minutes:seconds, and all characters must be specified.
The values before the / apply to the HF port and the values after the / apply to the VHF port. If
the optional key word TART is given followed by a time (in 24 hour format), the beacons will not
be transmitted until the specified time. The beacon will then be transmitted according to the set-
ting of the EVERY parameter. (NOTE: If the current time is past the start time, the beacon will
start at the next scheduled interval based on the start time.)
If AFTER is specified, the beacon will be transmitted once after no activity is detected on the chan-
nel for hh:mm:ss time. electing AFTER does not allow the optional TART parameter.
For example, setting BLT3 EVERY 00:15:00 TART 03:30:00 would cause the third string (LT 3) to
be transmitted every 15 minutes, with the first transmission each day occurring at 03:30:00.
BReak ON | OFF v8.2
Default OFF
If ON, a modem break will cause return to Command Mode.

8
BText text (0 – 128 characters)
BTEXT specifies the content of a BEACON packet. To clear the BTEXT, enter a single % character
(BT %).
ee also: beacon
BUDCalls [+ | -] callsign(s) | NONE NOT IN v8.2
Default NONE
A list of up to 10 callsigns for use with BUDLI T or CONLI T. To delete or add individual entries
precede the callsign with a - or + respectively.
ee also: budlist, conlist
BUdlist OFF | TO | FROM | ON
Default OFF/OFF
When OFF, all packets are eligible to be displayed as monitored packets. When ON, only those
packets TO or FROM stations listed in the BUDCALL will be monitored. When TO, only those pack-
ets addressed TO stations in the BUDCALL will be monitored, and when FROM, only those pack-
ets FROM stations listed in the BUDCALL will be monitored.
ee also: budcalls, monitor, suplist
CAlibrat
Immediate command
The CALIBRATE command is used to generate a signal which may be used as an aid in tuning the
transceiver for operation with the KAM Plus. Use of this command is detailed in the Calibra-
tion/Equalization section of this manual. The letter X will return you to the Command Mode.
CANline n ( n = $00 – $FF)
Default $18 (Ctrl-X)
When entering commands or data to the KAM Plus, you may cancel the current line you are typing
(back to the last un-passed carriage return) by sending a [Ctrl-X] to the KAM Plus from your termi-
nal. When operating non-packet modes, a [Ctrl-X] will clear the transmit buffer of any character
you have typed which have not already been transmitted over the radio.
ee also: canpac, cpactime, pass
CANPac n ( n = $00- FF)
Default $19 (Ctrl-Y)
When entering commands or data to the KAM Plus, you may cancel the entire packet (back to the
last un-passed ENDPAC character) by sending a [Ctrl-Y] from the terminal to the KAM Plus. When
in Command mode, [Ctrl-Y] acts as a cancel output character, turning off any output from the KAM
Plus. Typing another [Ctrl-Y] re-enables output.
ee also: canline, cpactime, sendpac

9
CD INTERNAL l EXTERNAL l SOFTWARE
Default INTERNAL/INTERNAL
When set to INTERNAL, the KAM Plus will detect a signal when any energy is present on the audio
input to the KAM Plus. When set to EXTERNAL, the signal detection is supplied by an external de-
vice, connected to the XCD pin of the radio port. When set to OFTWARE, the firmware in the KAM
Plus will detect a signal based on the presence of PACKET data on the audio input. This setting al-
lows open-squelch Operation. Proper equalization is important for correct operation of software
carrier detection.
When operating RTTY or A CII, the KAM Plus will use only INTERNAL or EXTERNAL. If this com-
mand is set to OFTWARE, the KAM Plus will act as though it were set to INTERNAL when operat-
ing these modes.
ee also: swp
CHeck n ( n = 0 – 255)
Default 0
This command specifies the time interval, in 10 second increments, used to check the condition of
a PACKET connection if no data is passing between the connected stations. If AX25L2V2 is ON, the
KAM Plus will send a "check" packet every n × 10 seconds to insure the other tation is still re-
sponding. If AX25L2V2 is OFF and n × 10 seconds has passed with no data being transferred, the
KAM Plus will send a disconnect to the other station. etting CHECK to Ø disables the automatic
check function.
ee also: ax25l2v2, kntimer, relink, rnrtime
CMdtime n ( n = 0 - 15)
Default 1
This command sets the permissible time (in 1 second increments) between characters when at-
tempting to exit from the Transparent Mode. WARNING: etting CMDTIME to 0 will prevent you
from exiting the Transparent mode.
ee also; command, trans
CMSg ON | OFF | DI C | PBB
Default OFF/OFF
When OFF, the custom text stored in CTEXT will not be sent to a connecting station. When ON, the
custom text will be sent. When set to DI C, the custom text will be sent, and then your KAM Plus
will disconnect from that station When set to PBB , the custom text will be sent to the connecting
station and then the connection will automatically be transferred to your PBB , if it is available. If
the PBB is not available, the KAM Plus will disconnect from the station.
ee also: ctext, pbbs
CODe [AMTOR | RTTY] [ITA2 | U | LCRTTY | APLINK | MAR ]
Default AMTOR ITA2/RTTY ITA2]
This command allows you to select the alphabet used to send and receive RTTY and AMTOR. ITA2
uses the International Telegraph Alphabet Number 2, U selects the U. . character set (not avail-
able in AMTOR), LCRTTY provides a complete upper/lower case character set, and APLINK uses
the full printable character set developed by G3PLX and W5 MM (currently used on APLINK BB
systems). When set to MAR , special characters can be used as required by the Military Affiliate
Radio ystem. ( ee the MAR Feature section of this manual.)

10
COMmand n ( n = $00 – $FF)
Default $03 (Ctrl-C)
This command sets the character used to enter the Command mode from the Convers mode, or to
exit from the Transparent mode. It also defines the lead-in character for non-packet mode direc-
tives.
CONList ON | OFF
Default OFF/OFF
When ON, the KAM Plus will recognize only those packets received with a callsign that appears in
the BUDCALL list. All other packets are completely ignored. When OFF, packets originating from
any station are accepted.
ee also: budcalls
CONList [ON | OFF][NONE | {+|-} callsign,callsign,...] v8.2
Default OFF NONE
If ON, only responds to stations in list.
CONMode CONVER | TRAN
Default CONVER
This command sets the mode the TNC will be placed in AUTOMATICALLY when a connect occurs if
NOMODE is OFF.
ee also: canline, connect, convers, nomode, trans
Connect call1 [VIA call2,call3,...call9]
Immediate command
This command is used to initiate a PACKET connection to another station. Each callsign may have
an optional ID specified as -n where n = 1 to 15. Call2 through call9 are used to specify digi-
peaters required to connect to a distant station.
This command can also be used to reconnect through a different set of digipeaters to a distant
station you are already connected to.
ee also: conmode, conok, maxusers, nomode, retry, ring, streamsw, xmitok
CONOk ON | OFF
Default ON
When ON, connect requests from other TNCs will automatically be acknowledged. When OFF, a
connect request from a distant station will be answered with a <DM> packet, causing that station
to get a busy message from you. When this occurs, you will see a connect request message
on your terminal.
ee also: conrnode, connect, intface, maxusers, monitor, nomode, users
CONPErm ON | OFF v8.2
Default OFF
Forces connection present stream to be permanent.