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