Kantronics KAM User manual

KAM
KPC-4
KPC-2400
KPC-2
KPC-1
Installation
Manual
Version 3.0 Sept. 12, 1991
RF Data Communications Specialists
1202 E. 23rd Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66046
Order number [phone]
Service number [phone]
9 am - noon, 2 pm - 5 pm Central Time, Monday-Friday

The KAM, KPC-4, KPC-2400, KPC-2 and KPC-1 are Kantronics hardware and software designs incor-
porating the AX.25 Version 2 Level 2 Packet protocol as adopted by the American Radio Relay
League. This manual contains information from earlier KPC-1, KPC-2, KPC-2400, KPC-4 and KAM
manuals and addendums, modified as appropriate. In addition, Kantronics acknowledges the use
of material from the original Tucson Amateur Packet Radio Corporation (TAPR) TNC-1 manual
granted by OEM agreement.
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. We so-
licit your comments and/or suggested corrections. Please send to Kantroncis Inc., 1202 E 23rd
Street, Lawrence, KS 66046.
Printed in the U. S. A.
© Copyright 1989 by Kantronics Inc., 1202 E. 23rd Street, Lawrence, KS 66046
All rights reserved.
Contents of this publication or the firmware described herein may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the copyright owner.
NET/ROM is a registered trademark of SOFTWARE 2000
Commodore, C-64, C-128 and VIC-20 are trademarks of Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
TRS-80 Color Computer and TRS Model-100 are trademarks of Radio Shack, a division of Tandy
Corporation
Atari 850 is a trademark of Atari Inc., a Warner Communications Company
IBMPCjr is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation
Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Installation Manual
Table of Contents
Page
Radio Frequency Interference Statement .............................................. 1
RFI Suppression ....................................................................................... 1
Precautions .............................................................................................. 2
Back Panels .............................................................................................. 3
Connecting the TNC to Your Computer
RS-232/TTL Jumper .......................................................................... 4
TNC to Computer Connection ............................................................. 4
Cable Wiring ..................................................................................... 4
Other Common Computers ................................................................ 8
Commodore C-64, C-128 or VIC-20 .......................................... 8
PCjr ....................................................................................... 8
Radio Shack Color Computers .................................................. 9
TRS Model-100 ....................................................................... 9
Atai 850 Interface ................................................................... 10
Connecting Your Radios .......................................................................... 11
DB-9 Radio Connector ....................................................................... 11
8-Pin DIN Radio Connector ................................................................ 12
5-Pin DIN Radio Connector ................................................................ 14
AFSK Output Level ................................................................................... 15
KAM – AFSK Output - VHF ................................................................. 15
KAM – AFSK Output - HF ................................................................... 15
KPC-4 – AFSK Output ........................................................................ 16
KPC-2 – AFSK Output ........................................................................ 16
KPC-1 – AFSK Output ........................................................................ 16
KPC-2400 – AFSK Output ................................................................... 17
Interfacing Hand-Held Radios ................................................................. 18
In Case of Difficulty ................................................................................. 22
TNC Does Not "Sign-On" to Computer ................................................ 22
You Are Unable to Make a "Connect" .................................................. 22
Cannot Transmit on Any Port .............................................................. 22
Cannot Return to Command Mode ...................................................... 22
Kanterm Program Problems ............................................................... 23
TNC Won't Transmit on HF – VHF is OK ............................................... 23
Assembly and Disassembly of the TNC ................................................... 24
Hard Reset ............................................................................................... 25
Calibration/Equalization ......................................................................... 26
Watch Dog Timer ..................................................................................... 28

Scope Monitoring (KAM only) .................................................................... 29
Dumb Modem Mode (KPC-1, KPC-2 and KPC-2400 only) .............................. 30
Performing a Loop-Back Test (KPC-4 only) ............................................... 31
Modem Disconnect (KAM and KPC-4 only) ................................................. 32
SWDETLED Modification (KPC-1 only) ....................................................... 33
Sample Terminal Programs ..................................................................... 34
Specifications ........................................................................................... 36
Part Lists, Parts Location Diagrams, Schematics
KAM ................................................................................................. 37
KPC-4 ............................................................................................... 42
KPC-2 ............................................................................................... 45
KPC-2400 ......................................................................................... 48
PACTOR Option Addendum ..................................................................... 51

RFI
1
Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment complies with the limits for a class B computing device in accordance with the
specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of the FCC rules. These specifications are designed to mini-
mize radio frequency interference in a residential installation; however, there are no guarantee that
radio or television interference will not occur in any particular installation. If this equipment does
cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equip-
ment off and on when the radio or television is on, the user encouraged to try to correct the inter-
ference by one of the following measures:
Reorient the radio or TV receiving antenna
Relocate the computer with respect to the receiver
Move the computer away from the receiver
Plug the computer into a different outlet, so that the computer and the receiver are on diffe–
rent branch circuits
If necessary the user should contact the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for addi-
tional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the FCC helpful:
How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402 by or-
dering Stock No. 004-00000345-4.
RFI Suppression
In moving to the world of digital communications via computer, a new dimension of RFI may be
encountered. In spite of the equipment manufactures' diligence, each new piece of electronic
equipment will react differently in each separate environment. Every amateur station will have irs
own unique layout, equipment variation and antenna installations. Experience has shown that
these differences are related to the total RF environment and my be causative factors in RFI in-
duced problems. The suggestions given here may assist in resolving RFI problems you may en-
counter in your "unique" station.
1. Use shielded cable for all connections between equipment.
2. Make all interconnecting cables as short as practical. A balance should be maintained between
cable length and equipment proximity. At times simply moving the video monitor one foot fur-
ther from an interface or other device will solve the "screen hash" problem.
3. Antenna runs should be kept away from equipment control lines and/or interconnecting cables.
If it is necessary for such lines to cross each other, they should do so at 90 degree angles.
4. Ground leads should be as short as possible and go to a GOOD EARTH GROUND.
5. Interconnecting cables appearing to act as radiators or antennas should be looped through a
toroid. Be certain toroids, if used, are designed for the frequency in use.

PRECAUTIONS
2
PRECAUTIONS
The TNC is grounded through its connections to your transceiver. Make sure your trans-
ceiver is properly grounded and your computer has equal ground potential. Follow the
grounding instructions in your transceiver manual.
Cables provided with the TNC are shielded. If you decide to use other cabling, be certain it
is also shielded. We do not recommend the use of unshielded RS-232 ribbon cable in the
ham shack environment.
Pin 25 of the DB-25 connector on the KAM, KPC-2 and KPC-2400 has 12 volts and should
never be connected to your terminal or computer port. Pin 18 in the KPC-2 is used by fac-
tory personnel only. Under no circumstances should you connect this pin to your terminal
or computer output port.

BACK PANELS
3
Back Panels
KAM
KPC-4
KPC-2
KPC-2400
KPC-1

CONNECT COMPUTER
4
Connecting the TNC to Your Computer
RS-232/TTL Jumper
Jumpers are appropriately labeled on the PC board. Refer to the parts location diagram for help in
locating them. Also refer to the Assembly and Disassembly section for information on obtaining ac-
cess to the interior of the TNC.
KAM Jumper K7
KPC-4 Jumper K10
KPC-2 Jumper K2
KPC-2400 Jumper K2
KPC-1 Jumper K2
This jumper is provided to change the TNC from RS-232 to TTL operating voltage levels. All TNCs
are shipped from the factory in the RS-232 position. If your computer operates at TTL level volt-
ages, reposition this jumper prior to placing the TNC in service.
TNC to Computer Connection
The TNC is connected to the serial data port of your computer and a terminal program must be
loaded into your computer. The serial port provides a place for data to be sent to or received from
the TNC. The terminal program is the software which runs in the computer, allowing it to commu-
nicate with the TNC. This is also sometimes called a communication program.
A few computer systems include a terminal program on the system diskette or in the initial soft-
ware package, usually named COMM, TERM or a similar name which conveys the idea of communi-
cating. Some computer system require that a terminal program be obtained separately. Several
simple terminal programs have been included in the Sample Terminal Programs section to assist
you. In general, any program which allows telephone modem communications with the computer
will be suitable for use with the TNC. A special program will be needed for the display of WEFAX
pictures.
There are generally four variables to be set in your terminal program. These are baud rate, parity,
word length (also called data bits) and the number of stop bits. If your terminal program provides
for these variables, use the following settings to talk to the TNC:
Baud rate: 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 4800 or 9600
Parity: None
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 1
The 25-pin connector on the back panel of the TNC is for connecting to the computer. (The KPC-4
has a 9-pin connector.) When facing the back of the back of the TNC the connector on the right
side is labeled COMPUTER. See page 3 for back panel diagrams.
Cable Wiring
A cable is provided with five pre-wired lines for the connector. You must provide the connector to
attach these lines to your computer serial port. In most cases, unless the terminal program you
use requires hardware flow control, you need only connect three of these lines – Transmit Data,
Receive Data and Signal Ground. For hardware flow control, also called RTS/CTS handshaking, all
five wires in the provided cable are required.

CONNECT COMPUTER
5
Since there are so many computers on the market, it is impossible to provide interfacing informa-
tion on all of them. The following chart shows what pins are used in the TNC by name and number
and the corresponding pin to connect to for the most commonly used computer connectors. A
general rule, if you have a computer not covered here that has a serial data port, wire pins of the
same name together. Limited information on some of the other common computers will follow.
Transmit Data (TXD), Receive Data (RXD) and Signal Ground (SG) must always be
wired in order for the TNC and the computer to exchange any data. Many terminal pro-
grams also require the use of hardware flow control from the TNC. For hardware flow
control Request To Send (RTS) and Clear To Send (CTS) must also be wired. Check the
documentation toyour terminal program to see if any other wires are required. DO NOT
CONNECT ALL 25 (9) WIRES.
Some programs want to see Data Set Ready (DSR) to know that the TNC is there before operating.
If this is the case, wire both DSR and Data Terminal Ready (DTR). Or sometimes you can satisfy
the program's need by jumpering these two pins at the computer end of the cable. Data Carrier
Detect (DCD) is needed by some BBS software to know that a connection has taken place. This
would require wiring DCD. Some phone modem programs also want to see a connection before al-
lowing you to even talk to the TNC. This case can usually be solved by jumpering DCD to DTR at
the computer end of the cable. If your computer requires DSR and also DCD, it is perfectly accept-
able to jumper all three pins (DTR, DSR and DCD) together on the computer end of the cable.
Note: DCD, DSR and DTR connections are not pre-wired in the provided cable.
The TNC is wired as DCE (Data Communication Equipment). DCE equipment always send its data
on the RXD wire. DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) talks on TXD. This means that, if a computer is
wired internally as DCE and attached to the TNC, it will need to have TXD from the computer
wired to RXD on the TNC and RXD from the computer wired to TXD of the TNC. Otherwise they
will both be talking on the same wire and never hear what is said. If properly implemented by the
DCE computer, hardware flow control may be used by connecting RTS from each device to CTS on
the other device.
Caution: Make sure the power to the transceivers, computer and TNC is OFF before connecting
any cables.

CONNECT COMPUTER
6
DB-25 Connector
Male (Looking at Pins)
Female (Looking at Holes)
DB-9 Connector
Male (Looking at Pins)
Female (Looking at Holes)
TNC (DCE)
Prewired
RS-232
Computer (DTE)
Pin Name
DB-25
Pin No.
DB-9
Pin No.
Cable
Color
Direction
DB-25
Pin No.
DB-9
Pin No.
FG*
TXD
RXD
SG*
RTS
CTS
DCD
DSR
DTR
1
2
3
7
4
5
8
6
20
N/A
3
2
5
7
8
1
6
4
black
white
red
orange
green
brown
yellow
blue
purple









1
2
3
7
4
5
8
6
20
N/A
3
2
5
7
8
1
6
4
mark
space
test
+12 V
11
18
18
25
(KAM) To external scope, if desired
(KAM) To external scope, if desired
(KPC-2) DO NOT CONNECT TO COMPUTER
DO NOT CONNECT TO COMPUTER
*FG (Frame Ground) and SG (Signal Ground) are tied together in the TNC. The shield is on pin 1
of the DB-25 and on pin 5 of the DB-9. The black wire is not connected in the KPC-4 serial cable.
The functions of these lines are explained below:
DB-25 Pin 2
TXD
DB-9 Pin 3
Transmit Data. This line is the serial data from the terminal which is to be transmitted to the other
station by the TNC. It is this line which is used for all communication from your terminal to the
TNC, including commands.
DB-25 Pin 3
RXD
DB-9 Pin 2
Receive Data. This line is used by the TNC to send the data it receives from the other station to
your terminal. This line is also used to send TNC messages to your terminal.