Kantronics KAM Installation instructions

KAM
KPC-4
KPC-2400
KPC-2
KPC-1
Commands
Manual
RF Data Communications Specialists
1202 E. 23rd Street, Lawrence, Kansas 660 6
Order number (913) 8 2-77 5
Service number (913) 8 2- 76
9 am - noon, 2 pm - 5 pm Central Time, Monday-Friday

The KAM, KPC- , KPC-2 00, 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-2 00, KPC- 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 solic-
it your comments and/or suggested corrections. Please send to Kantroncis Inc., 1202 E 23rd
Street, Lawrence, KS 660 6.
NET/ROM is a registered trademark of SOFTWARE 2000
Commodore, C-6 , 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.

Commands Manual
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction to Commands
Some Abbreviations .......................................................................... 1
Command Structure .......................................................................... 1
Entry ..................................................................................... 1
Format .................................................................................. 2
Parameter Types
n (range) ............................................................................... 2
n ($00-$FF) ........................................................................... 2
flag Choice A | Choice B .......................................................... 3
callsigns xxxxxx-n ................................................................... 3
text ....................................................................................... 3
dual port ................................................................................ 3
Commands ...............................................................................................
Directives
Ctrl-C Directives ................................................................................ 53
KA-NODE and PBBS Directives ............................................................ 55
Messages rom the TNC .......................................................................... 58
ASCII Chart .............................................................................................. 65

INTRODUCTION TO COMMANDS
1
Introduction to Commands
Some Abbreviations
Ctrl-x = Ctrl is the control key and x represents any alpha character. This is a two key combination.
Press the Ctrl key and while holding it down type the letter x (this can be capital or lower case, but
will be shown as capital). Release both. If your computer keyboard has no key labeled Ctrl, consult
your computer manual to determine which key performs the control key function.
$ preceding a number denotes a hex number (base 16)
<CR> = carriage return, $0D, decimal 13, Ctrl-M
<LF> = line feed, $0A, decimal 10, Ctrl-J
I/O = Input/Output
Computer and terminal are used interchangeably to describe whatever device is attached to talk to
the TNC.
Commands Structure
There are many commands which affect operation of the Kantronics TNCs. Some commands affect
performance under specific conditions, some change parameters affecting general operation and
other direct a one-time action.
The user changes parameter and issues instructions to the TNC by typing commands composed of
English-like word abbreviations and variables which are numbers or strings of characters chosen by
the user. You will probably never change some of these parameters.
Default values are stored in the EPROM and are the settings used at power-on. If you change any
setting or value and PERM it, the new setting or value will be stored in the EEPROM and will be the
value used at future power-on. Parameters which you change but do not PERM will revert to fac-
tory defaults at the next power-on. A hard reset can be done to the factory defaults, as described
in the Installation Manual. If using the optional Battery Backup or SmartWatch all changes parame-
ters are backed up immediately.
Entry
A command is entered to the TNC by typing the command name and its argument (setting or val-
ue) in the Command Mode. The prompt for Command Mode is:
cmd:
The command and argument must be separated by a space, and the TNC takes action when a car-
riage return <CR> is typed. All command entries may be abbreviated to the shortest unique string.
In the command list which follows, those required entries are denoted by capital letters.
You can examine the value of any parameter by typing the command name followed by a <CR>. A
special command, DISPLAY, allows you to see the values of all parameters or groups of related pa-
rameters.
Once you go into Packet Converse Mode or WEFAX Mode a Ctrl-C (see COMMAND) needs to be en-
tered to return you to the Command Mode. In the Packet Transparent Mode a special sequence is
needed (see CMDTIME). In the KAM there are other modes from which you need to enter a Ctrl-C
followed by the letter X to return to Command Mode.

INTRODUCTION TO COMMANDS
2
If packets have been printing on the screen you may have forgotten which mode you are in. If you
wish to see the cmd: prompt do a Ctrl-C, to be sure you are in Command Mode. If the prompt
does not appear, then you are already in Command Mode, just type a RETURN [↵] if you wish to
see the cmd: prompt.
ormat
All commands are listed alphabetically. On the first line of a command will be the command name
followed by any arguments required. Any optional arguments will be shown in square brackets [ ].
If the command accepts several different values, or a range of values, the permissible arguments
will be shown in parenthesis ( ). The permissible arguments may also be shown separated by a
vertical bar |. At the far right of the first line will be the version number which introduced this com-
mand. The second line will show the default value, which TNCs this command applies to, and what
modes of operation are affected by this command. Example:
COMmand arguments (permissible arguments) version
default units modes
If the command applies differently to different units, the unit name will be in italic and listed sepa-
rately.
Parameter Types
n(range)
Any number within the range is permissible. The unit of measures (seconds, ms, baud, count, etc.)
for the number will be described in the description. These are decimal numbers.
n($00 – $FF)
Several parameters are numerical codes for characters which perform special functions. The code
is simply the ASCII character code for the desired character. (See the ASCII Chart at end of this
manual.) Most of these characters have control characters as default value. Control characters are
entered by holding down a special control key on the keyboard while typing an x, then release
both keys. These special characters cannot be sent in Packet unless preceded by the pass charac-
ter (see PASS) or unless you are operating in the Transparent Mode.
These numbers are shown in hexadecimal (hex) form (base 16). They can be entered either in
decimal or in hex. A hex number is distinguished from a decimal number by preceding it with a "$"
prefix. The "digits" of a hex number represent powers of 16, analogous to the power of 10 repre-
sented by a decimal number. The numbers 10 through 15 are denoted by the hex digits A through
F. For example:
$1B = (1 × 16) + 11 = 27
$120 = (1 × 16 × 16) + 2 × 16 + 0 = 288
Permissible values are shown as: (n = $00 – $FF). This is true if 8BITCONV is ON as defaulted. If
8BITCONV is changed to OFF, then permissible values are $00 – $7F. See the ASCII Chart at the
end of this book for character codes and hex/decimal conversion.
If a streamswitch (STREAMSW) character or any other special character is defined as "$" then you
will need to enter values in decimal, or precede the $ with the PASS character in order to enter
hex numbers.

INTRODUCTION TO COMMANDS
3
flags ChoiceA | ChoiceB
Many parameters are "flags", meaning they have two possible values, ON and OFF, or YES and NO.
All of the command descriptions show ON and OFF as the options; however YES (y) and NO (n)
may be typed instead. A few parameters are really flags, but rather than indicating that something
is "on" or "off", they select one of two ways of doing things. Some of these parameters have the
values EVERY or AFTER indicating operating modes for data transmission. The possible choices are
separated by a vertical bar. Some of the flag parameters will allow many choices, such as
ON | OFF | TO | FROM
callsigns xxxxxx-n
Several commands require callsigns as parameters. While these parameters are normally Amateur
callsigns, they may actually be any collection of numbers and/or letters up to six characters; they
are used to identify stations sending and receiving packets. A callsign may additionally include an
"extension" (SSID, substation id), which is a decimal number from 0 to 15 used to distinguish two
or more stations on the air with the same Amateur call (such as a base station and a repeater).
The callsign and extension are entered and displayed as call-ext, e. g. K0PFX-3. If the extension is
not entered, it is set to -0, and extensions of -0 are not displayed by the TNC.
text
There are some commands which have a parameter text string. This string can be any combina-
tion of letters, numbers, punctuations or spaces up to 128 characters. In order to be used all
string parameters must contain at least one non-space character. You can even put characters with
special meanings, such as a carriage return, into the string by preceding them with the PASS char-
acter. The string ends when you type a (non-passed) carriage return.
dual port
KAM and KPC- only. Some parameters can be set differently for the two radio ports. In the com-
mand descriptions, these parameters are indicated by two default settings separated by a slash,
for example MAXFRAME 1/ . The first parameter is used for the HF radio port (or Port 1 on the
KPC- ) and the second parameter is used for the VHF port (or Port 2 on the KPC- ). There are sev-
eral ways these double parameters can be set.
MAX 2/3 sets HF (Port 1) Maxframe to 2 and VHF (Port 2) Maxframe to 3
MAX / sets HF (Port 1) Maxframe to and leaves VHF VHF (Port 2) Maxframe unchanged
MAX /7 sets VHF (Port 2) Maxframe to 7 and leaves HF (Port 1) Maxframe unchanged
MAX 6 sets both HF (Port 1) and VHF (Port 2) Maxframe to 6
All commands having independent values for the HF (Port 1) and VHF port (Port 2) are set in the
same manner except for HBAUD on the KAM (see HBAUD).

COMMANDS
4
Commands
8bitconv ON | OFF
default ON All Units All Modes
When ON, transmission of 8-bit data is allowed in the Packet Convers Mode and ASCII Mode. If
you wish to obtain 8-bit data transmission but do not want all the features of Transparent Mode,
set this command to ON. This feature may be most useful for transmitting non-ASCII character
sets. If OFF, the 8th data bit is stripped. This setting corresponds to the Word Length or Data Bits
setting of your communications program. Some terminal programs will not operate properly with
8BITCONV ON. If your terminal operates properly in Command Mode (cmd:) and seems to quit
working in Converse Mode then turn this parameter OFF.
See also: parity
ABaud n (n = 0, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2 00, 800, 9600)
KPC-1 (n = 0, 300, 1200, 9600)
default 0 All units All Modes
The parameter n sets the baud rate used for input and output through the serial port of the TNC
to the computer If Ø is used, the TNC will run an autobaud routine upon power-up. This routine
looks for a '*' character from the attached computer to set the ABAUD parameter. If you wish to
use a different baud rate, or to perform autobaud every time the unit is powered up, you must
change the ABAUD parameter before PERMing. If you change the baud rate in your computer or
terminal you should change and PERM the baud rate in the TNC first, then issue the RESET com-
mand, then set the new baud rate on your computer. Otherwise a hard reset will be required to
erase the ABAUD setting and reinitialize the TNC to perform the autobaud routine. (See Hard Reset
section in the Installation Manual.) Note also that a hard reset will erase ALL stored parameters in
your TNC and return it to factory defaults. If you have the the Battery Backup or SmartWatch op-
tion, any change in ABAUD is stored automatically.
See also: perm, reset, restore
ALias ON | OFF NOT IN KAM V 5.0
default OFF KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default OFF/OFF KAM//KPC- Packet
When ON, the callsign specified in MYALIAS can be used for digipeating.
See also: digipeat, hid, myalias

COMMANDS
5
AMtor [xxxx[xxx]] characters (or , 5 or 9 digits)
immediate KAM AMTOR
This command places the TNC in AMTOR Mode. Entering AMTOR xxxx[xxx], where xxxx[xx] is a
selcal, will place the TNC in AMTOR master mode, and the TNC will initiate a ARQ call. Entering
AMTOR without xxxx[xxx] will place the TNC in standby mode for reception of either ARQ or Mode
B (FEC or SELFEC) signals. You may initiate a Mode B (FEC) transmission by using the Ctrl-C direc-
tive followed by a letter T. ARQ signals received must contain the SELCAL you have entered in the
MYSEL or MYSEL7 commands to be decoded.
See also: autostrt, canline, fec, lamtor, misschar, mysel , mysel7, pmode, rephase, txdamtor,
txdfec; Ctrl-C Directives section
ASCBaud n (n = 20 – 500)
default 110 KAM ASCII
This command sets the default ASCII baud rate used when entering ASCII mode with no baud rate
specified. This baud rate is also used if PMODE is set to ASCII. While in ASCII Mode pressing
Ctrl-C Ø will set the baud rate to that specified by ASCBAUD. FCC rules currently limit the baud
rate at 300 when operating below 28 MHz.
See also: ascii, Ctrl-C n in the Directives section
Ascii [n] (n = 20 – 500)
immediate KAM ASCII
This command places the TNC in ASCII Mode. The parameter n sets the transceiver baud rate. For
example, use ASCII 150 if you wish to go on air at 150 baud. When the n parameter is omitted,
the value specified by ASCBAUD is selected. Commonly use standards are either 110 or 300.
Selecting any other value requires that the station you are trying to communicate with have similar
selection capability. FCC rules currently limit the baud rate at 300 when operating below 28 MHz.
See also: ascbaud, autostrt, canline, hbaud, pmode; Ctrl-C directives in the Directives section
ARQBbs ON | OFF V 5.0
default OFF
?????
ARQId [n] (n = .....) V 5.0
default 9
?????
ARQTime n (n = .....) V 5.0
default 2
?????

COMMANDS
6
AUtocr n (n = 0 – 255)
default 72 KAM RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR
A carriage return <CR> character is sent to the radio after n characters are typed in a line. For
example, with n = 72 a <CR> is automatically sent after 72 other characters have been typed.
The character count is reset to zero whenever a manual <CR> is sent from the keyboard.
AUTOLf ON | OFF
default ON All units RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR/Packet
When ON, a line feed is sent to the terminal after each carriage return. This parameter should be
set ON when overprinting occurs and the terminal being used does not automatically supply its
own linefeed after a carriage return. This command affects only the data sent to the terminal, not
sent in packets.
AUTOStrt ON | OFF
default OFF KAM RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR
When ON and in RTTY/ASCII Mode, the KAM will receive information only when preceded by the
MYAUTOST. A series of four "N"s signifying end of message, or thirty seconds of no signal will
cause the TNC to stop receiving data. No further information will be received until a new
MYAUTOST activates it again.
When ON and in FEC Mode, only AMTOR SELFEC (Selective FEC) messages beginning with the
MYSEL or MYSEL7 will be received. Loss of lock will cause the TNC to stop receiving data. No
further information will be received until a new MYSEL or MYSEL7 activates it again.
See also: myautost, mysel , mysel7
AX25l2v2 ON | OFF
default ON KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default ON/ON KAM/KPC Packet
This command provides compatibility with all known packet units implementing AX.25 protocol.
When ON, Level 2 Version 2 protocol is implemented and the TNC will automatically adapt to
whichever version the connecting station is using. When OFF, Level 2 Version 1 is implemented.
Set this command to OFF if you need to digipeat through other units which do not digipeat version
2 packets. You may also find benefit from setting this command to OFF when using several digi-
peaters (not nodes) to send packets, or when conditions are marginal between the two stations in-
volved. NOTE: Changing this setting after connecting to another station will have no effect on the
current connection.
The major difference in V1 and V2 protocol is the method used to handle retries. In the connected
mode, if a packet is sent and not acknowledged, Version 1 will resend the entire packet and then
disconnect if the RETRY count is reached. Version 2 will first send a poll, the response to this poll
will determine if the packet was received. It is possible that the ack was collided with and there-
fore the packet does not need to be resent. If the packet was not received, it will be re-transmit-
ted. Each time a poll is answered, the RETRY count is reset to 0. If the RETRY count is reached,
Version 2 will attempt to re-connect unless RELINK is OFF. If the re-connect attempt is unsuccess-
ful, the Version 2 will issue a disconnect.
See also: relink, retry, tries

COMMANDS
7
AXDelay n (n = 0 – 255)
default 0 All Units Packet
Each increment specifying 10 millisecond intervals. This value specifies a period of time to wait, in
addition to TXDELAY, after keying the VHF transmitter before data is sent. This delay can be help-
ful when operating packet through a standard "voice" repeater, or when using an external linear
amplifier which requires extra key-up time. Repeaters using slow mechanical relays, split-sites, or
both, require some amount of time to get RF on the air. NOTE: This command does not apply to
the HF port in the KAM.
AXHang n (n = 0 – 255)
default 0 All Units Packet
Each increment specifying 10 millisecond intervals. This value may be used to improve channel uti-
lization when audio repeaters with a hang time greater than 10 msec are used. If the repeater
squelch tail is long, it is not necessary to wait for AXDELAY after keying the VHF transmitter if the
repeater is still transmitting. If the TNC has heard a packet within the AXHANG period, it will not
add AXDELAY to the keyup time. NOTE: This command does not apply to the HF port in the KAM.
Beacon (Every | After) n (n = 0 – 255)
default Every 0 KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default Every 0/Every 0 KAM/KPC- Packet
Each increment specifying 1 minute intervals. A value of 0 turns the beacon OFF. Setting a value
greater than 0 activates the beacon under the conditions specified. If the optional keyword EVERY
is used, a beacon packet will be sent every n minutes. If set to AFTER, a beacon packet will be
sent ONCE after the specified interval with no channel activity.
The beacon frame consists of the text specified by BTEXT in a packet addressed to "BEACON".
Beacon messages will be digipeated via any addresses specified in the UNPROTO command.
See also: btext
BKondel ON | OFF
default ON All units All Modes except WEFAX
When ON, the sequence backspace-space-backspace is echoed when the DELETE character is en-
tered. When OFF, the backslash character "\" is sent to the terminal when the DELETE character is
entered.
See also: delete, redisplay
BText text (0 – 128 characters)
default (blank) All units Packet
BTEXT specifies the content of the data portion of the beacon packet. Any combination of charac-
ters and spaces may be used with a maximum length of 128. Entering a single % will clear BTEXT.
See also: beacon

COMMANDS
8
BUDCalls [+ | -] callsign(s) or NONE
default NONE All units Packet
A list of up to 10 callsigns for use with BUDLIST or CONLIST. To delete or add individual entries
precede the callsign with a - or + respectively. For example to delete WD0EMR type
BUDC -WD0EMR.
See also: budlist, conlist
BUdlist OFF (NO, NONE) | TO | FROM | BOTH (ON, YES)
default OFF KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default OFF/OFF KAM/KPC- Packet
When OFF, BUDLIST will allow monitoring of all packets even if the BUDCALLS list has callsign in it.
When BOTH or ON, only those stations whose calls are listed in the BUDCALLS will be monitored.
Packets addressed to or from those callsigns will be monitored. If BUDLIST is TO, only those
packets addressed to a station in the BUDCALLS list will be monitored, those from that station will
be not monitored. When set to FROM, those packets from the stations in BUDCALLS will be moni-
tored, but not those packets addressed to the BUDCALLS list. Note that suppressed calls (see SUP-
LIST) take precedence over BUDLIST. For instance if you have W0ABC in your SUPCALLS with SUP-
LIST TO, and you have W0DEF in your BUDCALLS with BUDLIST BOTH, then packets from W0DEF
to W0ABC will NOT be monitored.
See also: budcalls, monitor, suplist
CAlibrat
immediate All units
The CALIBRATE command is used to generate a square-wave signal which may be used as an aid
in tuning the transceiver for operation with the TNC. Use of this command is explained in the Cali-
bration/Equalization Section of the Installation Manual. The letter X will return you to Command
Mode.
CANline n (n = $00 – $FF)
default $18 (Ctrl-X) All units All Modes except WEFAX
This command is used to change the cancel-line input editing command character. When in
Convers or Command Mode entering a Ctrl-X will cancel all characters input from the keyboard
back to the last un-PASSed carriage return (unless PACTIME has expired and CPACTIME is turned
on).
When using the KAM in any mode except Packet, typing the CANLINE character will clear the
transmit buffer – that is, all characters waiting to be transmitted, which have not yet been sent,
will be discarded.
See also: canpac, cpactime, pass

COMMANDS
9
CANPac n (n = $00 – $FF)
default $19 (Ctrl-Y) All units Packet
This command is used to change the cancel-packet command character. When in the Convers
Mode entering a Ctrl-Y will cancel all keyboard input back to the last unpassed SENDPAC character
(unless PACTIME has expired and CPACTIME is turned on).
This character also functions as a cancel-output character in Command Mode. Typing the cancel-
output character a second time re-enables normal output. For example, if you've told the TNC to
do a DISPLAY, a Ctrl-Y will stop the display and a second one re-enables the cmd: prompt after
the next <CR>.
See also: canline, cpactime, sendpac
CCitt ON | OFF
default ON KAM RTTY
When ON, the European RTTY code (ITA2) is used in the RTTY Mode. This code differs from US
TTY codes in the following four characters:
ITA2 US TTY's
BELL
'
+
=
'
BELL
"
;
default OFF KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
When OFF, standard Bell 103 or Bell 202 tone pairs are selected. When ON, the CCITT v.21 or v.23
tone pairs are selected. The specific pairs are determine by the settings of the HF and HFTONES
commands. The following chart shows the relationship of these three commands:
CCITT H H TONE TONE PAIR
off
off
off
off
on
on
on
on
off
off
on
on
off
off
on
on
off
on
off
on
off
on
off
on
1200/2200 (Bell 202)
1200/2200 (Bell 202)
1070/1270 (Bell 103)
2025/2225 (Bell 103)
1300/2100 (CCITT v.23)
1300/2100 (CCITT v.23)
980/1180 (CCITT v.21)
1650/1850 (CCITT v.21)
See also: hf, hftones

COMMANDS
10
CD Internal | External | Software V 3.0
default INTERNAL All units Packet
When set to INTERNAL, the TNC will detect a signal present on the frequency based on the meth-
od used by the attached modem. This is normally an energy type carrier detect, allowing shared
voice and data on the same channel.
When set to EXTERNAL, the carrier detect is supplied by an external device, connected to the XCD
pin on the radio port.
If set to SOFTWARE, the firmware inside the TNC will detect the presence of data to enable the
carrier detection, allowing operation with un-squelched audio. Correct operation of SOFTWARE de-
tect is affected by proper equalization and the SWP parameter. If your RVC light flickers, this is an
indication that you may need to adjust the equalization. On the KPC-2, KPC-2 00 and KPC-1 this is
a software command (EQUALIZE). The KAM and KPC- have internal jumpers to set the equaliza-
tion (see Calibration/Equalization section of the Installation Manual).
When operating RTTY and ASCII, the KAM will use only INTERNAL or EXTERNAL. If this command
is set to SOFTWARE, the KAM will act as though it were set to INTERNAL when in RTTY and ASCII
modes.
KPC-2 00
Another option is available for the KPC-2 00, namely 2 00. When set to 2 00, the KPC-2 00 will
use the carrier detect circuit of the 2 00 b/s modem, even when other speeds are selected by the
HBAUD command. During 2 00 b/s operation, the CD setting is ignored and the 2 00 b/s carrier
detect is utilized.
See also: swp
CHeck n (n = 0 – 255)
default 0 KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default 0/0 KAM/KPC- Packet
Each increment of CHECK is 10 seconds. If n is greater than 0, then a periodic check (poll) will be
made to determine that a connected state still exists when no activity has occurred for n × 10 sec-
onds. This prevents "hang-up" in a connected mode when a link failure occurs as a result of condi-
tions beyond control of the connected stations. If n equals 0 then this timeout function is disabled.
If using version 1 (AX25L2V2 OFF), a check timeout will initiate a disconnect.
See also: ax25l2v2, kntimer, relink, rnrtime

COMMANDS
11
CMdtime n (n = 0 – 15)
default 1 All Units Packet
Each increment specifies 1 second intervals. This command sets the time allowed for entry of re-
quired characters to escape the Transparent Mode. In order to allow escape to Command Mode
from Transparent Mode, while permitting any character to be sent as data, a guard time of
CMDTIME seconds is set up. After a delay of CMDTIME since the last data characters were sent to
the TNC, three COMMAND characters must be entered within CMDTIME of each other. After a final
delay of CMDTIME, the TNC will exit Transparent Mode and enter Command Mode. At this time
you should see the cmd: prompt. If CMDTIME is set to zero, the only exit from Transparent Mode
is a modem break signal. Example (if CMDTIME is 1 second and COMMAND is Ctrl-C): wait one
second, type a Ctrl-C, within one second type a second Ctrl-C, within one second type a third
Ctrl-C, WAIT one second, cmd: prompt should appear. If your computer/program has the capabi-
lity you can also send a modem break to escape Transparent Mode.
See also: command, trans
CMSg ON | OFF | DISC | PBBS
default OFF KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default OFF/OFF KAM/KPC- Packet
When OFF, the custom connect text stored in CTEXT will not be sent to the connecting station
upon receiving a connect request. When ON, the custom string will be sent. When CMSG is set to
DISC, the custom text will be sent to the connecting station and then your TNC will disconnect
from that station. If set to PBBS, the custom text will be sent to the connecting station and then
the connection will automatically be transferred to your PBBS. This will occur if the PBBS is avail-
able. If the PBBS is not available, your TNC will disconnect from the station. CTEXT must contain
text (spaces only is not considered text) in order for the DISC and PBBS functions to operate.
See also: ctext, pbbs
COMmand n (n = $00 – $FF)
default $03 (Ctrl-C) All Units All Modes
This command is used to change the Command Mode entry character. When COMMAND is set to
the default value, typing CTRL-C causes the TNC to return to Command Mode from Packet Convers
Mode. (See CMDTIME for returning to Command Mode from Transparent Mode.) This character is
also used for special commands in non-packet mode.
See also: Directives section
CONList ON | OFF V 2.8
default OFF KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default OFF/OFF KAM/KPC- Packet
When ON, the TNC will recognize only those packets received with a callsign that also appears in
the BUDCALLS list. All other packets are completely ignored. In other words, if a station is not in
the BUDCALL list, he may not use your station for ANY purpose, including digipeating through you.
In addition, you will not be able to connect to any station that is not in your BUDCALLS list.
See also: budcalls

COMMANDS
12
CONMode (Convers | Trans)
default Converse All Units Packet
This command controls the mode the TNC will be placed in AUTOMATICALLY after a connect if
NOMODE is OFF. The connect may result either from a connect request received or a connect re-
quest originated by a CONNECT command. If the TNC is already in Convers or Transparent Mode
when the connection is completed, the mode will not be changed. If you have typed part of a com-
mand line when the connection is completed, the mode change will not take place until you com-
plete the command or cancel the line input.
See also: canline, connect, convers, nomode, trans
Connect call1 [Via call2, call3, ... call9]
immediate All Units Packet
call1 - callsign of station to be connected to.
call2 - optional stations to be digipeated through. A maximum of 8 digipeater addresses
(callsigns or aliases) can be specified. This is referred to as a path.
Each call sign may also have an optional supplemental station identifier (SSID) specified as -n,
where n = 1 – 15. The digipeat callsigns are specified in the order in which they are to relay trans-
mitted packets. The mode set at CONMODE will be entered upon successful connect if NOMODE is
OFF. If no response to the Connect request occurs after RETRY attempts, the command is aborted.
A timeout message is printed on the display and the TNC remains in the Command Mode. The sta-
tion being connected to (call1) may receive the connect request but be unable to accept connects,
in which case a busy message will be printed to the screen and the TNC will stay in Command
Mode. Connect requests may only be initiated in the Command Mode and the connect will be es-
tablished on the stream you are on.
If CONNECT is entered with no parameters, the status of the current stream is displayed.
See also: conmode, conok, maxusers, nomode, retry ring, streamsw, xmitok
CONOk ON | OFF
default ON All Units Packet
When ON, connect requests from other TNCs will be automatically acknowledged and a <UA>
packet will be sent. The standard connect message, with stream ID if appropriate, will be output
to the terminal and the mode specified by CONMODE will be entered on the I/O stream if you are
not connected to another station and NOMODE is OFF.
When OFF, connect requests from other TNCs will not be acknowledged and a <DM> packet will
be sent to the requesting station. The message connect request: (call) will be output to
your terminal if INTFACE is TERMINAL.
When operating with multiple connects allowed, the connection will take place on the next avail-
able stream. Connect request in excess of the number allowed by the USERS command will receive
a <DM> response and the connect request: (call) message will be output to your terminal
if INTFACE is TERMINAL.
See also: conmode, connect, intface, maxusers, monitor, nomode, users

COMMANDS
13
CONVers
immediate All Units Packet
CONVers has no options. It is an immediate command and will cause entry into Conversational
Mode from Command Mode on the current I/O stream. Any link connections are not affected.
See also: k, command
CPactime ON | OFF
default OFF All Units Packet
When OFF and in the Convers Mode, packets are sent when the SENDPAC character is entered or
when PACLEN is achieved. When ON and in the Convers Mode, packets are sent at periodic inter-
vals determined by PACTIME. Characters are sent periodically as in Transparent Mode but the local
editing and echoing features of Convers Mode are enabled. CR should normally be OFF in this con-
figuration, otherwise the SENDPAC character is appended at random intervals as the input is
packetized by the timer.
See also: convers, cr, paclen, pactime, sendpac, trans
CR ON | OFF
default ON All units Packet
When ON the SENDPAC character (normally carriage return) is appended to all packets sent in
Convers Mode. Setting CR ON and SENDPAC $0D results in a natural Conversation Mode. Each line
is sent when a <CR> is entered and arrives at its destination with the <CR> appended to the end
of the line. To avoid overprinting, AUTOLF may need to be ON at the receiving end.
See also: autolf, lfadd, sendpac
CRAdd ON | OFF
default OFF KAM RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR
When ON, a <CR> character is added to any <CR> character sent to the radio. This is to allow a
<CR><CR><LF> sequence.
CRLfsup ON | OFF NOT IN V 5.0
default OFF KAM RTTY/ASCII/AMTOR
When ON, extra <CR> and <LF> characters following a <CR> are not sent to the terminal.
See crsup and lfsup
CStamp ON | OFF
default OFF All Units Packet
When ON, the daytime stamp is printed with all ***connected to and ***disconnected
messages on the display.
See also: connect, daytime, disconnect, mstamp

COMMANDS
14
CText text (0 – 128 characters)
default (blank) All Units Packet
Enter any combination of characters and spaces up to maximum length of 128. Entering a single
% will clear CTEXT. This entry specifies the text of the first packet to be sent in response to an ac-
cepted connect request provided that the parameter CMSG is not OFF.
See also: cmsg, connect
CW [n] (n = 5 – 99)
immediate KAM CW
This command sets the TNC in CW Mode with a Morse code speed of n words per minute. For ex-
ample, use CW 30 to set a transmit CW speed of 30. Also, when receiving CW, estimate the speed
and then enter CW with that speed. For example, if the code sounds like 20 WPM, then enter CW
20. Auto ranging for CW speed tracking is ±20 WPM from the speed selected. If no value is en-
tered for n, the speed specified in CWSPEED will be used.
See also: canline, cwspeed, pmode; Ctrl-C directives in Directives section
CWBand n (n = 10 – 1000)
default 200 KAM CW
This command sets the bandwidth of the TNC input filters for CW in Hertz. A small bandwidth will
be harder to tune, but copy will be better.
CWId (Every | After) n (n = 0 – 255) V 2.85
default Every 0 KPC1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet/KISS
default Every 0/Every 0 KAM/KPC- Packet/KISS
Each increment specifies 1 minute intervals, A value of 0 turns the ID OFF. Setting a value greater
then 0 activates the ID under the conditions specified. If the optional keyword Every is used, an ID
will be sent every n minutes. If set to After, an ID will be sent ONCE after the specified interval
with no channel activity. The callsign specified by the MYCALL command will be sent in CW using
AFSK tones. Some countries require all stations to ID in Morse code periodically.
See also: mycall
CWPtt ON | OFF V 5.0
default OFF
?????
CWSpeed n (n = 5 – 99)
default 25 KAM CW
This command sets the default. Morse code speed used when entering the CW Mode with no pa-
rameter. This speed is also used if PMODE is set to CW.
see also: cw

COMMANDS
15
CWTone n (n = 50 – 2000)
default 750 KAM CW
This command sets the CW filter center frequency (in Hertz) for receiving CW.
DAytime yymmddhhmmss
All Units Packet
If the parameter yymmddhhmmss is present, the software clock/calendar is set for MHEARD and
NDHEARD logging, and CSTAMP and MSTAMP functions. When entering the daytime digits enter in
pure number sequence with no spaces, dashes, or slashes. For example: 860102223000 would in-
dicate 1986, January 2, at 22:30:00 hours. If DAYTIME is entered with no parameter the daytime
is displayed in a form depending on the setting of the DAYUSA flag. If the SmartWatch option is in-
stalled, a setting of DAYTIME 000000000000 will turn it OFF.
See also: cstamp, dayusa, mheard, mstamp
DAYTWeak n (n = 0 – 15)
default 8 All Units Packet/WEFAX
This parameter is used to tweak the clock for accurate time keeping. Increasing the parameter will
slow the clock, decreasing the parameter will speed up the clock. Each count corresponds to .85
seconds increase or decrease per day. Ambient temperature will affect the clock to some degree. If
WEFAX pictures are skewing, use this command to adjust the clock speed of the TNC.
DAYUsa ON | OFF
default ON
When ON, the daytime stamp is displayed in the form common in the USA: month/day/year. When
OFF, the daytime stamp is displayed in the form common in Europe: day/month/year.
See also: daytime
DBldisc ON | OFF V 2.3
default OFF All Units Packet
When OFF, only one disconnect command (D) need be sent to terminate an unsuccessful connect
attempt. If you are actually connected, the normal disconnect sequence will occur. When ON, a
normal disconnect sequence will always occur (you will not be disconnected until you receive an
acknowledge of your disconnect or until the retry count is exceeded). A second D is required to
force a local disconnect independent of the retry counter.
See also: disconnect

COMMANDS
16
DElete n (n = $00 – $FF)
default $08 All Units All Modes
This command sets the character to be used as the delete character. When this character is typed,
the last input character is deleted. The most common settings are $08 (backspace) and $7F (de-
lete).
See also: bkondel
DIDdle ON | OFF
default ON KAM RTTY/ASCII
When ON, a diddle character is sent when no characters are available from the keyboard or buffer
during transmission in RTTY or ASCII Mode. In RTTY the diddle character is the LTRS character, in
ASCII the diddle character is a null.
DIGipeat ON | OFF
default ON KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default ON/ON KAM/KPC- Packet
When ON, any packet received that has MYCALL or MYNODE in the digipeat list of its address field
will be retransmitted. Each station included in the digipeat list relays the packet in the order speci-
fied in the address field. Digipeating takes place concurrently with other TNC operations and does
not interfere with normal connected operation of the station. To disable digipeat operations (via
MYCALL or MYNODE) turn this command OFF.
See also: alias, gateway, hid, mycall, mynode
Disconnect
immediate All Units Packet/PBBS/KA-NODE
This command will initiate an immediate disconnect request on the current I/O stream. A success-
ful disconnect results in the display of ***DISCONNECTED. If the RETRY count is exceeded while
waiting for the connected station to acknowledge, the TNC moves to the disconnected state on
that stream. Entering a second Disconnect command before RETRY has expired will result in an
immediate disconnect on your end, but may leave the other station thinking it is still connected to
you. Disconnect messages are not displayed when the TNC is in Transparent Mode. Other com-
mands may be entered while the disconnect is in progress.
Disconnect MYPBBS
Issue this command if you want to cause the personal mailbox to issue a disconnect to the user of
the mailbox. D MYPBBS is what you should type, do not type the call entered in the mypbbs com-
mand.
Disconnect MYNODE x (x = KA-NODE circuit)
x may be any of the KA-NODE circuits in use, designated by A, B, C, etc. This command will cause
the node to disconnect the stations linked through the node on the circuit specified. MYNODE does
not refer to the call entered in the mynode command, but is the actual characters to type.
See also: dbldisc, newmode, retry, status

COMMANDS
17
DISPlay [c]
immediate All Units Packet
This command causes the TNC to display a list of all the parameters in the TNC. You may also dis-
play only selected parameters by specifying the appropriate class identifier for that group. When
using DISPLAY command with a subclass be sure to use a space between the DISPLAY command
and the subclass. Subclasses of related parameters are:
(A)sync asynchronous port parameters
(C)haracter special characters
(I)d ID parameters
(L)ink parameters affecting packet, link
(M)onitor monitor parameters
(T)iming timing parameters
(X)t parameters of non-packet modes only
Individual parameter values can be displayed by entering the command name followed by <CR>.
DWait n (n = 0 – 255)
default 0 KPC-1/KPC-2/KPC-2 00 Packet
default 0/0 KAM/KPC- Packet
Each increment specifies 10 ms intervals. This value is used to avoid collisions with digipeated
packet. The TNC will wait n × 10 ms after last hearing data on the channel before it begins its own
keyup sequence. This value should be established and agreed on by all members of a local area
network. The best value will be determined by experimentation but will be a function of the keyup
time (TXDELAY). This feature is made available to help alleviate the drastic reduction of through-
put which occurs on a channel when digipeated packets suffer collisions. Digipeated packets are
not retried by the digipeater but must be restarted by the originating station. If all stations specify
DWAIT, and the right value is chosen, the digipeater will capture the frequency every time it has
data to send since digipeated packets are sent without this delay.
Resent observations have proven that a better algorithm for avoiding collisions between end-user
stations, while still allowing digipeaters the high-priority access they require is achieved using per-
sistence and slottime to determine proper transmit intervals and setting DWAIT to 0.
See also: persist, slottime
Echo ON| OFF
default ON All Units All Modes
When ON, characters received from the computer by the TNC are echoed back and displayed. If
you are receiving double print of letters entered at the keyboard, turn this command OFF. This cor-
responds to the settings in your terminal program for duplex. If your program is set for full-duplex
set ECHO ON. If your program is set for half-duplex (some call it echo) then set ECHO in the TNC
to OFF. Regardless of the setting of this command, the TNC will not echo an X-OFF or X-ON char-
acter to the terminal when it receives a STOP or START character. Echo is disabled in Transparent
Mode.