MFJ MFJ-1272B User manual

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
i
Table of Contents
MFJ-56 A/B/C...................................................................................................2
Expansion Board Installation ............................................................................2
RAM Expansion................................................................................................7
Firmware EPROM Upgrade..............................................................................7
MFJ Pactor........................................................................................................8
Online modes ......................................................................................8
FEC/ UNPROTO..................................................................8
Monitoring............................................................................8
Speedup/Speeddown.............................................................9
Automatic online compression..............................................9
Flow Control.........................................................................10
AMTOR while in PACTOR mode......................................................10
Changeover - Type ahead .....................................................10
Digital Memory ARQ..........................................................................11
LEDs...................................................................................................11
CW Identifier ......................................................................................12
MFJ PACTOR Commands................................................................................13
Firmware Upgrade.............................................................................................18
Upgrade without Grey-Level modem................................................................18
Upgrade with the Grey-Level modem ...............................................................20
Multi-Level Operation without Using Special Terminal Program ......20
Multi-Level Operation with Special Terminal Program......................20
Special Terminal Programs...................................................20
Terminal Parameters Changes...........................................................................21
Optional Items Available for your MFJ-1278 ...................................................22
Firmware Installation.........................................................................................23
Documantation Upgrade....................................................................................23
Firmware Release 4.1 Documentaion................................................................24
Automatic Signal Analasis (ASA).......................................................24
ASA Operation .....................................................................24
MARS Operation ................................................................................27
Mars Operation.....................................................................27
Operation Hints for Multicom...............................................28
The MARsmode Command ..................................................29
SSTV Operation Update .....................................................................29
FAX Operation Update .....................................................................................31
Host Mode ............................................................................31
MODEM Calibration Procedure Update...........................................................32
Calset Values Update............................................................35

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
ii
PACKET Mailbox Update ................................................................................35
Set Up your Easy-Mail Mailbox .........................................................36
Mailbox Operation ............................................................................................43
Additional Mailbox Features...............................................................47
Forwarding............................................................................47
Eliciting Reverse Forwards...................................................48
Remote Heard Log................................................................49
Chat Mode ............................................................................49
Page SYSOP.........................................................................49
Remote SYSOP.....................................................................50
Mailbox CText......................................................................50
Idle Timeout..........................................................................50
Abort.....................................................................................50
Mailbox Commands Update................................................................51
Additional Commands Update ..........................................................................57
Command Default Update.................................................................................62

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
0

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
1
MFJ-56 A/B/C
Thank You for purchasing the MFJ-56A/B/C mailbox memory/Pactor
expansion board for your MFJ multimode. The MFJ-56 is for MFJ-1278 and
MFJ-1278T. The MFJ-56 memory/Pactor expansion board is supplied with
the most recent EPROM firmware upgrade. Documentation for the firmware
is also supplied.
You will notice that some sockets on the memory expansion are not
populated (U413, U422 & U425) when received. These sockets will be
populated with ICs to be transfered from the motherboard.
The various memory expansion boards for the MFJ-1278/T are as follows:
Model No. SRAM Size
MFJ-56A 32K
MFJ-56B 128K
MFJ-56C 512K
Note that the above models use the same memory expansion board but are
packed with a different RAM IC.
The extra memory provided by the expansion boards are dedicated solely for
the use of the packet mailbox. The firmware of the multimode does not
allocate this additional memory to other operations. Battery back up for the
memory board is supplied from the mother board.
EXPANSION BOARD INSTALLATION
In this installation you will be required to remove three ICs from the mother
board and transfer them to the expansion board. Please handle these ICs
carefully and make note of the IC numbers and their orientation.
Throughout this installation instruction we will use "TNC" to refer to the
MFJ-1278 and MFJ-1278T multimodes.

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
2
Please perform the following procedure very carefully:
1. Disconnect all cables from the TNC, including power, radio and
computer.
2. Remove the top cover of the TNC by removing the four (4) screws on
the sides the unit. Then lift the cover off.
3. Remove the jumper off of JMP5. This takes the lithium battery out of the
circuit. If your TNC has a MFJ-2400 modem installed, remove it. Set it
aside, it will be re-installed later.
NOTE: When removing ICs from your TNC, ensure that you do not bend
or break any of the pins.
4. Using a small flat tip screwdriver remove the following ICs from your
TNC:
U13--74HC4066 U25--NEC 43256-10L or Equiv.
U22--Z0840004PSC Z80 CPU U23--SYSTEM EPROM
5. Install the ICs which were removed from your TNC in the above step.
Take note as to the orientation of the IC. Match up the NOTCH on the
IC to the NOTCH on the IC socket on the expansion board. Refer to
Figure 2 parts layout diagram for proper installation of the ICs.
Install the ICs removed from the mother board to the memory board as
follows:
74HC4066 (U13) in socket IC-413
43256 (U25) in socket IC-425
Z80 CPU (U22) in socket IC-422
A new EPROM with the new firmware is already installed on the
expansion board. There will be no EPROM installed on the TNC
motherboard.
NOTE: The old EPROM removed from the mother board will not be used.

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
3

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
4
NOTE: When installing ICs onto the memory board, ensure that you do
not bend or break any pins. Ensure all pins are in the IC socket.
6. Check and make sure that there no IC pins are bent under the IC itself.
Check and make sure that no IC pins are broken off. Do this before
proceeding beyond this point.
7. Set the expansion board aside for now.
8. Please refer to Figure 1 when performing this step. Using a small
phillips screwdriver remove the PC hold-down screw in the left rear
corner of the TNC mother board, this is refered to as HOLE "A". Do
not let this screw out of your sight, you'll be using it here shortly.
9. Take the 1/2" hex spacer supplied and install it in HOLE A, as noted in
Figure 1 in this instruction. This is the same place where you removed
the screw in Step #8. This is an aluminum spacer DO NOT OVER
TIGHTEN it, you will STRIP the THREADS.
10. Now with the memory board in one hand, plug the free end of the 40-pin
ribbon cable into the IC socket labeled U22 (please refer to Figure 1;
this is the same one which you removed the Z80 CPU from earlier in this
procedure) on the mother board. Be sure to orient the blue connector so
that pin 40 and 1 on the blue connector are oriented to the right side of
the IC socket, (with the front panel of the TNC facing toward you). You
will need to twist the cable slightly. Ensure that you leave the CN402
pigtail free and clear, do not let it become pinched or caught up
underneath anything.
NOTE: If you do not have an MFJ-2400 board installed in the TNC, skip
to step 14.
11. If you have an MFJ-2400 modem installed position the 40-pin cable, so
the cable is not going to be pinched by the mounting stud for the MFJ-
2400 modem.
12. Now you can re-install your MFJ-2400 modem. Be sure that you do not
pinch any of the wires of the 40-pin ribbon cable or the CN402 pigtail
when you tighten the MFJ-2400 down. This will cause problems with
both the MFJ-2400 and the memory board.

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
5
13. Find the original hold-down screw which you removed from the TNC
motherboard earlier. Secure the expansion board to the 1/2" spacer
which you installed earlier. Again this an aluminum spacer, DO NOT
OVER-TIGHTEN it! You will STRIP the THREADS.
14. Take note of the location of the NOTCH on CN402. Now plug CN402
into the IC socket labeled U13 (socket which the 74HC4066 was
removed earlier) on the TNC mother board. Please refer to either Figure
1. Plug it in so the NOTCH is pointing toward the lithium battery.
Make sure it is firmly in place!
15. Remove the paint (if any) from around the mounting holes on the outside
of the chassis and the inside of the cover. This can be done with either
light sandpaper or a knife blade. This will eliminate any EMI from the
TNC caused by the additional large ribbon cable. This concludes the
installation of the mailbox memory expansion board. However, before
you start putting things back to together double check everything you
have already done.
Final Inspection
Before closing up the TNC do a final inspection. Please check all of the
following:
1. Check all connections to ensure that they are all secure.
2. Make sure that there are no pins bent or broken on any of the IC's or
connectors installed in this procedure.
3. Make sure that there are no wires pinched or caught up under any of the
screws, circuit boards or connectors.
4. Lastly, give your TNC one last look over for any debris or foreign matter
on the main PC.
If all of the above checks out then you can re-install the battery jumper
JMP5. Connect the computer cable to the TNC, apply power and see if you
can obtain the TNC's sign-on message. If not go back and double check the
entire installation procedure. If the TNC signed on properly, install the
cover. Reconnect your TNC or multimode to your radio and computer.
Follow the instructions given by the rest of this documentation to operate
your mail box.

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
6
RAM EXPANSION
The RAM on the 32K board can be increased to 128K or to 512K. For the
128K board you can increase the RAM to 512K. This can be done simply by
replacing IC424 on the memory board and relocate the jumper at J401
header. Refer to Figure 2 and the following chart. RAM chips can be
ordered from MFJ Enterprises, Inc.
ITEM No. RAM TYPE J401 POSITION
MFJ-45A 43256LP-10 (32K) The (2) inside most pins
MFJ-45B 431000LP-10 (128K) The (2) middle pins
MFJ-45C 8512LP-10 (512K) The (2) outside most pins
FIRMWARE EPROM UPGRADE
There are two versions of firmware EPROM upgrade for both the MFJ-1278
and MFJ-1278T Multimodes. One version, the MFJ-48, supports standard
TNCs without the RAM Expansion Board. The other version, the MFJ-48B,
supports the MFJ-1278/T with a memory expansion board and MFJ-
1278B/BTs. Since you have already installed the RAM Expansion Board,
remember to request the MFJ-48B version when ordering EPROM upgrades
for you TNC in the future.

MFJ-56A/B/C Mailbox Memory / Pactor Expansion
7
MFJ PACTOR
This section of this instruction pertains strictly to the PACTOR upgrade
feature. It will explain the functions and then go through the PACTOR
commands.
Online modes
As in packet, pactor also contains command and converse modes. Please
note that switching between them is modelled on the "NEWMODE ON"
procedures in packet. To manually switch between modes, ^C (the default
CMDCHR) or a 'Break' signal takes you to cmd mode, and the letter "K"
(**not CONVerse**) takes you to converse mode.
Once connected, the link acts much like AMTOR. The station originating
the connection is deemed to be the master and he remains in transmit mode
until he or the slave initiates a changeover. Either station may reverse the
direction of the link by issuing a control-Y changeover (^Y) in converse
mode.
FEC/ UNPROTO
Unproto: "FEC/UNPROTO" packets are transmitted UREPEATS+1 times.
Selecting larger values of UREPEATS reduced throughput but enhances
reliability. To transmit in UNPROTO mode, issue the appropriate unproto
command and type away. When done, break out to "p_cmd:" mode and type
'D' to terminate transmission.
MONITORING
Monitoring unproto: Unlike the German pactor controller, our controller is
always in listen mode (if MONITOR is ON) except when connected and in
one other situation. This other situation occurs when
a) we've just terminated a 2-way pactor contact and
b) the other side initiated the disconnect.
To prevent Uncontrolled Disconnects <the capitalized term is defined in the
ptc docs>, we are unable to listen to all kinds (unproto, connected, and
connect request) of third party pactor transmissions for ( WAIT x
Cycle_Time ) seconds after receiving the other side's last disconnect. {Cycle
time is 1.25 or 1.4 seconds}