SCS PTC-IIIusb User manual
SCS
PTC-IIIusb
Data Transmission Technology on Shortwaves
Manual for Version 4.1
©Copyright 2012 SCS GmbH & Co. KG
Foreword
The information contained in this handbook has been carefully put together. It is,
however, still possible that errors have crept in. If any errors are found, we ask your
forgiveness, and request you send us a short note pointing them out.
Your SCS-Team
Manual rev. A
PACTOR™is a registered trademark of SCS GmbH & Co. KG, Hanau, GERMANY.
Special Communications Systems Model PTC-IIIusb
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement
This equipment has been tested by a FCC accredited testing facility and found to comply
with the limits for Class B Digital Device, persuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and 2) this device must accept any interference received including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
This device is exempt from these rules in any transportation vehicle including motor
vehicle and aircraft as per Part 15.103 (a).
Any changes or modifications to this equipment may void the users authority to operate this
equipment.
For further information, please contact:
Farallon Electronics
2346 B Marinship Way
Sausalito, CA 94965 U.S.A.
+415 331 1924
+415 331 2063 fax
http://www.farallon.us/
Table of Contents
I
Table of Contents
1Introduction.................................................................1
1.1SCS-PTC, the Original ..................................................1
1.2Requirements................................................................1
1.3About this manual .........................................................1
1.3.1Typography...................................................................2
1.4HF-email........................................................................2
1.5The SCS CD-ROM........................................................2
1.5.1The programs................................................................2
1.5.2Version numbering........................................................4
1.5.3File types.......................................................................4
1.6Professional solutions ...................................................4
1.6.1PACTOR-3 (P3)............................................................4
1.6.2PACTOR-IP-Bridge.......................................................5
1.6.3EasyTransfer.................................................................6
1.6.4SCSmail........................................................................6
1.6.5SCSupdate....................................................................6
2Customer Support.......................................................9
2.1Repairs..........................................................................9
3Installation.................................................................11
3.1Power Supply..............................................................11
3.2USB.............................................................................11
3.3Bluetooth.....................................................................12
3.3.1Bluetooth Installation...................................................14
3.4Rear side configuration switch ....................................14
3.4.1ON...............................................................................14
3.4.2BIOS ...........................................................................14
3.4.3SPARE........................................................................15
3.5Connections to the transceiver....................................15
3.5.1Connection to ICOM transceivers: ..............................17
3.5.2Connection to Kenwood transceivers:.........................18
3.5.3Connection to Yaesu transceivers:.............................18
3.5.4Amplitude Adjustment .................................................19
3.6Transceiver Remote Control .......................................21
3.6.1Connection to KENWOOD transceivers......................22
3.6.2Connection to ICOM transceivers ...............................22
3.6.3Connection to YAESU transceivers.............................23
3.7GPS ............................................................................24
4LED's..........................................................................25
5PTC-Firmware............................................................27
5.1General .......................................................................27
5.2Command structure.....................................................28
Table of Contents
II
5.3Menus.........................................................................28
5.4Simultaneous STBY mode..........................................29
5.5Specialties of the PTC-IIIusb ......................................29
5.6Remote commands.....................................................30
5.7PTC-Mailbox...............................................................31
5.7.1Multiple file operations................................................32
5.7.2Special features when reading files............................32
5.7.3The PTC mailbox for Packet-Radio ............................33
5.7.4Practical operation using the PR mailbox ...................33
5.7.5Passing PR connects to the mailbox...........................34
5.7.6Properties of mailbox-commands ...............................34
5.8The NAVTEX-Processor.............................................35
5.8.1NAVTEX General........................................................35
5.8.2The NAVTEX System in Detail ...................................36
5.8.3Operating the NAVTEX Processor..............................37
5.8.4Notes about NAVTEX practice....................................37
5.8.5AMTEX .......................................................................38
5.9GPS............................................................................38
5.9.1Connecting the GPS receiver .....................................38
5.9.2GPS position request..................................................39
5.10APRS..........................................................................39
5.11Robust HF-Packet ......................................................39
5.12PACTOR Duplex and PACTOR data transparency....40
5.12.1Application for PACTOR Duplex.................................41
5.12.2How to avoid incompatibility?......................................42
5.12.3PACTOR data transparency.......................................42
5.13Audio Functions..........................................................43
5.14The Hostmode............................................................43
6Commands ................................................................45
6.1ACheck (AMTOR Check)............................................45
6.2ADdlf...........................................................................45
6.3Amtor..........................................................................45
6.4APower.......................................................................46
6.5AQrg ...........................................................................47
6.6ARX ............................................................................47
6.7AUdio..........................................................................48
6.8BAKup.........................................................................48
6.9BAUdot .......................................................................49
6.10BC...............................................................................49
6.11BEll Remote.................................................................50
6.12BKchr..........................................................................50
6.13BMsg...........................................................................50
6.14BOOT..........................................................................51
6.15Box .............................................................................51
6.16BRightn.......................................................................51
6.17CHeck Remote.............................................................52
Table of Contents
III
6.18CHOBell......................................................................52
6.19CHOchr.......................................................................52
6.20CLr Remote..................................................................53
6.21CMsg...........................................................................53
6.22Connect.......................................................................53
6.22.1Longpath-Connect.......................................................53
6.22.2Robust-Connect..........................................................54
6.22.3AMTOR.......................................................................54
6.22.4Direct frequency entry.................................................54
6.23CONType....................................................................54
6.24CSDelay Remote..........................................................55
6.25CTExt..........................................................................55
6.26CTrlchr ........................................................................55
6.27CWid ...........................................................................56
6.28CWMoni ......................................................................57
6.29CWSpeed....................................................................57
6.30CWTerm......................................................................57
6.31CWWeight...................................................................59
6.32CYcle...........................................................................59
6.33DAte Remote................................................................59
6.34DD...............................................................................60
6.35DELete Remote............................................................60
6.36DIR Remote..................................................................60
6.37Disconnect ..................................................................61
6.38EQualize......................................................................61
6.39ESCchr........................................................................61
6.40FAX.............................................................................62
6.41FEc..............................................................................62
6.42FSKAmpl.....................................................................62
6.43HCr..............................................................................63
6.44Help Remote ................................................................63
6.45LFignore......................................................................63
6.46LICENSE.....................................................................64
6.47LIN ..............................................................................64
6.48LIst Remote..................................................................64
6.49Listen ..........................................................................65
6.49.1PACTOR-3..................................................................65
6.50LOCk...........................................................................65
6.51LOg Remote.................................................................66
6.52LOGIn Remote .............................................................66
6.53MAil.............................................................................67
6.54MARk ..........................................................................67
6.55MAXDown...................................................................67
6.56MAXError ....................................................................67
6.57MAXSum.....................................................................68
6.58MAXTry.......................................................................68
6.59MAXUp........................................................................68
Table of Contents
IV
6.60MOde..........................................................................68
6.61MONitor ......................................................................69
6.62MYcall.........................................................................70
6.63MYLevel......................................................................70
6.64MYSelc .......................................................................71
6.65NAVtex........................................................................71
6.65.1Activating the NAVTEX Processor..............................71
6.65.2Setting the types of messages required......................72
6.65.3Choice of the message area codes ............................72
6.65.4Choosing the message latency time...........................72
6.65.5AMTEX .......................................................................73
6.66NULl............................................................................74
6.67PACket........................................................................74
6.68PDTimer......................................................................74
6.69PDuplex......................................................................75
6.70Phase Remote .............................................................75
6.71POSition Remote .........................................................75
6.72PSKAmpl ....................................................................76
6.73PSKTerm....................................................................77
6.74PT...............................................................................77
6.75PTChn.........................................................................77
6.76Qrt Remote ..................................................................77
6.77QRTChr ......................................................................78
6.78Read Remote...............................................................78
6.79RELOad......................................................................78
6.80REMote.......................................................................79
6.81RESEt Remote.............................................................79
6.82RESTart......................................................................79
6.83RLe.............................................................................80
6.84Send Remote ..............................................................80
6.85SERBaud....................................................................80
6.86SFile............................................................................80
6.87SHow Remote..............................................................80
6.88SPAce.........................................................................81
6.89SQuelch......................................................................81
6.90STatus ........................................................................82
6.91SYStest.......................................................................84
6.92Term ...........................................................................85
6.93TIme Remote ...............................................................87
6.94TNC ............................................................................87
6.95TOnes.........................................................................88
6.96TR...............................................................................89
6.97TRX Remote ................................................................90
6.98TXDelay......................................................................90
6.99UMlauts.......................................................................90
6.100Unproto.......................................................................91
6.101UPDATE.....................................................................92
Table of Contents
V
6.102USer Remote................................................................92
6.103USOs (Unshift On Space)...........................................92
6.104VERIfy.........................................................................93
6.105Version Remote............................................................93
6.106Write Remote ...............................................................94
6.107XUser..........................................................................95
7Audio..........................................................................97
7.1Bandwidth ...................................................................97
7.2Center .........................................................................97
7.3CWfilter .......................................................................97
7.4DD...............................................................................98
7.5Delay...........................................................................98
7.6Help.............................................................................98
7.7Invert...........................................................................98
7.8Notch...........................................................................98
7.9Peak............................................................................98
7.10Quit .............................................................................98
7.11Through.......................................................................99
7.12TOne...........................................................................99
8FAX...........................................................................101
8.1General Information ..................................................101
8.2Basic info concerning FAX and SSTV.......................101
8.2.1AM-FAX.....................................................................101
8.2.2FM-FAX.....................................................................102
8.2.3SSTV.........................................................................103
8.3FAX and SSTV with JVComm32...............................104
8.3.1Specifications............................................................104
8.3.2Reference of databytes concerning the PTC.............105
8.4Fax:-menu commands...............................................105
8.5The PTC-IIIusb as COMPARATOR-MODEM............106
8.6MODEM commands in detail.....................................107
8.6.1Amfax........................................................................107
8.6.2Fmfax........................................................................107
8.6.3Sstv...........................................................................107
8.6.4Jvfax..........................................................................108
8.6.5JVComm ...................................................................109
8.6.6FSK...........................................................................109
8.6.7Comparator...............................................................110
8.6.8PTC-IIIusb with 300 baud HF Packet........................110
8.7Transmission during MODEM operation ...................110
8.7.1Transmission in AM-FAX-Modem mode....................111
8.7.2Transmission in FM-FAX/FSK/SSTV-Modem mode .111
8.7.3Transmission in COMPARATOR mode.....................111
8.8The Parameter commands in detail ..........................112
8.8.1AGain........................................................................112
8.8.2AResolut....................................................................112
Table of Contents
VI
8.8.3FResolut ...................................................................112
8.8.4SResolut...................................................................113
8.8.5FSKBaud ..................................................................113
8.8.6Deviation...................................................................113
8.8.7MBaud ......................................................................113
8.8.8HSynch.....................................................................114
8.8.9JSynch......................................................................114
8.8.10SMode ......................................................................114
8.8.11TXcomp ....................................................................115
8.9LED functions ...........................................................115
8.10Tips and Tricks .........................................................116
8.10.1IF-SHIFT...................................................................116
9Packet-Radio...........................................................117
9.1DAMA .......................................................................117
9.2Modern Times...........................................................117
9.3Robust HF-Packet ....................................................118
9.4300 Baud HF-Packet ................................................119
9.5KISS..........................................................................119
9.5.1Activating KISS-mode, the commands KISS and @K120
9.6SMACK.....................................................................120
9.7SRP ..........................................................................120
9.8Commands ...............................................................121
9.8.1Aprs ..........................................................................121
9.8.2Baud .........................................................................124
9.8.3CBell.........................................................................124
9.8.4CHeck.......................................................................124
9.8.5CMsg ........................................................................124
9.8.6Connect ....................................................................125
9.8.7CONStamp ...............................................................125
9.8.8CONVerse ................................................................125
9.8.9CStatus.....................................................................125
9.8.10CText........................................................................125
9.8.11DIGIpeat ...................................................................126
9.8.12Disconnect................................................................126
9.8.13FRack .......................................................................126
9.8.14Help ..........................................................................126
9.8.15JHOST......................................................................127
9.8.16KISS..........................................................................127
9.8.17MAXframe.................................................................127
9.8.18MCon........................................................................127
9.8.19MFIlter.......................................................................128
9.8.20Monitor......................................................................128
9.8.21MStamp ....................................................................128
9.8.22MText........................................................................129
9.8.23MYAlias.....................................................................129
9.8.24MYcall.......................................................................130
Table of Contents
VII
9.8.25MYMail......................................................................130
9.8.26PACLen.....................................................................130
9.8.27PErsist.......................................................................130
9.8.28PRBox.......................................................................131
9.8.29Quit ...........................................................................131
9.8.30RESptime..................................................................131
9.8.31REtry.........................................................................131
9.8.32Setchn.......................................................................131
9.8.33SLottime....................................................................132
9.8.34TRACE......................................................................132
9.8.35TXdelay.....................................................................132
9.8.36TXLevel.....................................................................133
9.8.37Unproto. ....................................................................133
9.8.38USers........................................................................133
10Hostmode.................................................................135
10.1The PTC-IIIusb hostmode.........................................135
10.2Modern Times...........................................................136
10.3DAMA........................................................................137
10.4Commands................................................................137
10.4.1C ...............................................................................137
10.4.2D ...............................................................................137
10.4.3F................................................................................138
10.4.4G...............................................................................138
10.4.5I.................................................................................138
10.4.6JHOST ......................................................................138
10.4.7K................................................................................138
10.4.8L................................................................................139
10.4.9M...............................................................................139
10.4.10N ...............................................................................139
10.4.11O...............................................................................139
10.4.12P................................................................................139
10.4.13PR.............................................................................140
10.4.14PS.............................................................................140
10.4.15PT .............................................................................140
10.4.16T................................................................................140
10.4.17U ...............................................................................140
10.4.18V................................................................................141
10.4.19W...............................................................................141
10.4.20Y................................................................................141
10.4.21@B............................................................................141
10.4.22@F............................................................................142
10.4.23@K............................................................................143
10.4.24@S............................................................................143
10.4.25@T2..........................................................................143
10.4.26@T3..........................................................................143
10.4.27%B ............................................................................144
Table of Contents
VIII
10.4.28%C............................................................................144
10.4.29%E............................................................................144
10.4.30%I .............................................................................144
10.4.31%L ............................................................................144
10.4.32%M............................................................................144
10.4.33%O............................................................................145
10.4.34%Q............................................................................145
10.4.35%T ............................................................................145
10.4.36%V............................................................................145
10.4.37%W...........................................................................146
10.5Extended hostmode..................................................147
10.6Status output in hostmode........................................148
10.6.1Auto status in hostmode ...........................................148
10.7TRX Control Channel on Hostmode .........................149
10.8NMEA Channel.........................................................149
10.9CRC hostmode .........................................................149
10.9.1Extended CRC-hostmode.........................................150
10.9.2Basic principles.........................................................150
10.9.3MASTER protocol.....................................................151
10.9.4SLAVE-protocol ........................................................152
10.9.5Stuffing errors or unexpected header sequences.....152
10.9.6Start of the CRC-hostmode.......................................153
10.9.7Example source code for CCITT CRC16 (HDLC).....154
11PSK31 ......................................................................157
11.1General.....................................................................157
11.2Activation and use of the PSK31 terminal.................157
11.3Carrier Frequencies..................................................157
11.4Level Setting.............................................................158
11.5Prompt and Status....................................................158
11.6Hot-keys....................................................................158
11.7Receiver Tuning........................................................159
11.8CW-Identification ......................................................160
12SYStest....................................................................161
12.1Audio.........................................................................161
12.2AUDPerm..................................................................161
12.3DD ............................................................................162
12.4Fsk............................................................................162
12.5Help ..........................................................................162
12.6Kill.............................................................................162
12.7Led............................................................................162
12.8PLl ............................................................................162
12.9Ptt .............................................................................162
12.10Quit...........................................................................162
12.11Ram..........................................................................163
12.12SERNum...................................................................163
12.13Trxtest.......................................................................163
Table of Contents
IX
13TRX...........................................................................165
13.1Channel.....................................................................165
13.2DD.............................................................................166
13.3DUmp........................................................................167
13.4DWell.........................................................................169
13.5Frequency.................................................................169
13.6Help...........................................................................169
13.7KType........................................................................169
13.8List (remotable as command TRX List).....................170
13.9Offset.........................................................................170
13.10Parity.........................................................................170
13.11Ptime.........................................................................171
13.12Quit ...........................................................................171
13.13RType........................................................................171
13.14Scan..........................................................................171
13.15TImer.........................................................................172
13.16Transfer.....................................................................172
13.17TYpe .........................................................................173
13.18Wait...........................................................................174
13.19XScan........................................................................175
13.20YType........................................................................175
13.21External Scan Stop Signal.........................................176
13.22Special Features.......................................................176
13.22.1Direct Channel Selection for YAESU Transceivers...176
13.23Channel attributes.....................................................176
13.23.1Preamp switching at R&S XK-2000 Transceiver.......177
13.23.2Timer Attributes.........................................................177
13.23.3Hex Attribute .............................................................177
13.23.4Level Attribute...........................................................178
13.24TRX Control Channel on Hostmode..........................178
14The Bootloader........................................................179
14.1Bootloader and Firmware..........................................179
14.2Activating the Bootloader ..........................................180
14.3Bootloader commands ..............................................180
14.3.1FCall..........................................................................180
14.3.2FSelcall .....................................................................180
14.3.3Help...........................................................................180
14.3.4SYStest.....................................................................181
14.3.5UPDATE....................................................................181
14.3.6Version......................................................................181
14.4Bootloader SYStest commands ................................181
14.4.1CHKFlash..................................................................181
14.4.2CHKRam...................................................................181
14.4.3Help...........................................................................181
14.4.4Led............................................................................181
14.4.5Quit ...........................................................................181
Table of Contents
X
14.4.6RUN..........................................................................181
15Basics......................................................................183
15.1Why PACTOR?.........................................................183
15.2Why PACTOR-2? .....................................................184
15.3Basics of the PACTOR-2 protocol ............................185
15.3.1General.....................................................................185
15.3.2The modulation system.............................................186
15.3.3Error control coding ..................................................188
15.3.4Online data compression..........................................190
15.4PACTOR-2 in practice ..............................................191
15.4.1General points ..........................................................191
15.4.2Speed and robustness..............................................191
15.4.3CQ calls and broadcasts...........................................192
16Accessories.............................................................193
17Technical Data ........................................................195
18Connector Pin-out...................................................197
19Glossary ..................................................................200
List of Figures
XI
List of Figures
Figure 3.1:The PTC-IIIusb rear panel...........................................11
Figure 3.2:Connection to the transceiver......................................16
Figure 3.3:Connections to the transceiver (5 PIN DIN). ...............17
Figure 3.4:Transceiver remote-control .........................................21
Figure 3.5: ICOM plug...................................................................22
Figure 3.6: GPS connector............................................................24
Figure 4.1:The PTC-IIIusb front....................................................25
Figure 5.1: GPS connector............................................................38
Figure 15.1:Raised-Cosine-Pulse, Sampling points marked X.....187
Figure 15.2:PACTOR-2 spectrum and 300 Bd FSK 200 Hz Shift.187
List of Tables
XII
List of Tables
Table 1.1: List of programs.........................................................................3
Table 1.2: File Types..................................................................................4
Table 3.1: Cable Colors: 8-pole DIN-cable...............................................16
Table 3.2: ICOM 8 pin connection............................................................17
Table 3.3: ICOM 13 pin connection..........................................................17
Table 3.4: ICOM 13 pin connection..........................................................17
Table 3.5: Kenwood 13 pin connection ....................................................18
Table 3.6: Kenwood TS-50 connection ....................................................18
Table 3.7: KENWOOD 6 pin Mini-DIN......................................................18
Table 3.8: Yaesu connection....................................................................18
Table 3.9: YAESU 6 pin Mini-DIN.............................................................19
Table 3.10: YAESU 6 pin Mini-DIN...........................................................19
Table 3.11: Cable Colors: 13-pole DIN-cable...........................................21
Table 3.12: KENWOOD TTL....................................................................22
Table 3.13: KENWOOD V24....................................................................22
Table 3.14: ICOM ....................................................................................22
Table 3.15: YAESU FT-890/990...............................................................23
Table 3.16: YAESU FT-757......................................................................23
Table 3.17: YAESU V24...........................................................................23
Table 3.18: YAESU newer generation......................................................23
Table 5.1: Command prompts..................................................................28
Table 5.2: Remote commands .................................................................31
Table 5.3: PACTOR mailbox commands..................................................32
Table 5.4: Packet-Radio mailbox commands...........................................34
Table 5.5: NAVTEX message types.........................................................37
Table 5.6: AMTEX message types...........................................................38
Table 6.1: AMTOR and NAVTEX reception .............................................48
Table 6.2: Conversion of German special characters...............................69
Table 6.3: PTC status information, Bit 0-2................................................83
Table 6.4: PTC status information, Bit 4-6................................................84
Table 6.5: Code byte description..............................................................86
Table 6.6: Prompt coding .........................................................................86
Table 8.1: JVFAX Control Bytes.............................................................109
Table 8.2: STTV sub modes...................................................................115
Table 10.1: Commands: Terminal mode / hostmode..............................137
Table 15.1: Total Bit Rate.......................................................................188
Table 15.2: The four speed settings and coding.....................................190
1 Introduction
1
Chapter 1
1Introduction
1.1 SCS-PTC, the Original
Thank you for having decided to purchase the SCS-PTC-IIIusb. The SCS-PTC-IIIusb is
the original, developed by those people that created all PACTOR modes. Only from SCS
you receive the best possible support. The concentrated knowledge of the PACTOR-
engineers is available to you.
The SCS-PTC-IIIusb is the optimized device for modern, digital short wave
communication as, additional to PACTOR, all the other HF modes like AMTOR, RTTY,
CW and a lot of others are supported.
1.2 Requirements
To operate PACTOR, a transceiver capable of switching between transmit and receive
within 20 ms is required. Therefore any transceiver capable of AMTOR can also be used
for PACTOR.
To operate the SCS-PTC-IIIusb you need a computer with USB connector.
If you have the Bluetooth option installed inside the PTC-IIIusb, you can certainly also
use this to establish a connection to your computer. For more information about Bluetooth
refer to chapter 3.3 on page 12 .
The PTC-IIIusb is physically connected to the PC via an USB connection, but from the
viewpoint of the software it behaves similar to a normal serial equipment. For that, in
the command description you will often find relations to the serial connection interface
of the PTC-IIIusb. In this case not a physical serial link is meant, but the virtual COM
port created by the USB driver on your PC.
If signals of the serial connection is referred to, then the virtual signals are meant,
which are created by the driver and provided to the programs in use. Certainly this
signals are not available as wires/pins any more, like it would be the case with a
normal serial connection.
1.3 About this manual
This manual contains information on the installation and operation of the SCS PACTOR
Controller. The short form for PACTOR Controller is PTC and is used in this manual
alternatively. The manual may be used as a reference manual for the PTC commands and
as a hardware reference.
The section 3shows how to "quick start" the PTC-IIIusb. Section 15 gives basic
introduction about PACTOR and PACTOR-II. Section 5shows the command structure
and operation of the PTC.
You should additionally read sections 6.42 and 6.72. Here it is explained how the
audio output signal from the PTC-IIIusb is adjusted for FSK and PSK operation.
1 Introduction
2
All descriptions in this manual refer to the default settings of the PTC-IIIusb. This is
very important especially with respect to the freely definable control characters
(ESCAPE-character in section 6.39 on page 61, BREAKIN-character in section 6.12 on
page 50 CHANGEOVER-character in section 6.19 on page 52 and QRT-character in
section 6.77 on page 77.
1.3.1 Typography
To clarify various meanings contained in this manual, various types of fonts have been
used. Hereby it is intended to use the same typography for equal or similar items:
Typewritten is for all outputs or messages FROM the PTC.
Sanserif shows Instructions or Inputs (Commands) TO the PTC.
Characters inside pointed brackets <> in the following text mean that the corresponding
key or key combination should be pressed. <ESC> means that the ESCAPE key should be
pressed.<RETURN> characterizes the <RETURN> or ENTER key, and <Ctrl-D> that the
Ctrl key should be pressed together with the 'D' key. All commands are closed with
<RETURN>. Commands may be input either in upper or lower case letters, or a mixture
of the two.
1.4 HF-email
If you intend to use the PTC-IIIusb for HF-email only and not for amateur-radio purposes
then 95% of this manual are not necessary for you to read. HF-email is deeply associated
with the email-client (PC-program) you use and your service provider. The email-client
(e.g. Airmail) automatically does most of the configurations needed and lets you
successfully transfer email at a fraction of knowledge which this book presents. So don´t
feel bothered by the thickness of the book but have a look into the documentation of your
email-client, which will provide a well tailored description of all you need for HF-email.
1.5 The SCS CD-ROM
The SCS CD-ROM contains software to operate the PTC-IIIusb in various modes and the
USB driver for your modem.
1.5.1 The programs
The PTC-IIIusb offers many modes of operation of which most are related to the
exchange of text or data. In addition, picture modes like FAX and SSTV are supported.
To access and operate your PTC-IIIusb you must run a software program on your
computer (PC). Although very simple terminal software (i.e. Windows HyperTerminal)
will control a PTC-IIIusb, it is much more convenient to use a program which has been
specially created to operate the SCS PTC series.
Many of the programs have been written on a voluntary base and are available free of
charge to all users and distributed via the Internet. With the permission of the authors we
have included the programs on our SCS CD-ROM. Third party programs are not
developed by SCS and SCS cannot provide support for them. If you have problems or
questions concerning the programs, please contact the author directly. Table 1.1 below
gives you an overview on the software available for specific applications.
1 Introduction
3
Modes Special Support for
Program
Text/data
Picture modes
PACTOR
HF-email
Amateur-modes
Packet-Radio
Hostmode
TRX-control
Firmw.-Update
Audio-modes
NAVTEX
Airmail POOOO
Alpha PPPOO
EasyTransfer PPPPPPPP
EasyUpdate PPPPPPPPPP
JVComm32 PPPPPPPPPP
Mscan Meteo Fax PPPPPPPPPP
Mscan Meteo Pro OPOPOPO
Mscan SSTV PPPPPPPPPP
Paxon PPPPPPP
RCKRtty PPPPOO
SCSmail PPOPPP
SCSupdate PPPPPPPPPP
Simple32 PPOPPOO
XPWin PPPPOO
Agenda: Special and comfortable support provided.
OPossible, but no special support provided.
PNot possible with this software.
Table 1.1: List of programs
We are frequently asked “What is the best program for the PTC-IIIusb?”. This question
cannot be answered easily as it is similar to someone asking “What is the best car?” or
“What is the best operating system?”. It’s a question of personal preference and depends
on the application.
If HF email is your application for your PTC-IIIusb, it may not be necessary to study
Table 1.1 In most cases, your HF email service provider supplies or recommends the
appropriate software for their particular service.
Windows programs listed above usually need Windows 98 or higher.
SCSmail, SCSupdate and EasyTransfer are the only programs that have been developed by
SCS.
The SCS CD-ROM is usually updated once the year. Always check if there is a newer
version of your selected program available from the Internet.
1 Introduction
4
1.5.2 Version numbering
Each (software) component has an own version number. The bootloader, the firmware,
the programs for the PC and the user manual. The different version numbers are
necessary to distinguish between old and new versions.
1.5.3 File types
Basically the following file types (extensions) are used:
.TXT Normal text
.GER German text
.ENG English text
.PT2 Firmware file for the PTC-II
.PTE Firmware file for the PTC-IIe
.PEX Firmware file for the PTC-IIex
.PRO Firmware file for the PTC-IIpro
.PTU Firmware file for the PTC-IIusb
.P3U Firmware file for the PTC-IIIusb
.PTN Firmware file for the PTC-IInet
.DR7 Firmware file for the P4dragon DR-7xxx series
Table 1.2: File Types
1.6 Professional solutions
The extended features of the PTC firmware (ex Professional Firmware) have been
adapted to mobile and maritime applications. They provide additional functions to ease
the access to professional HF services, e.g. email server.
The following overview shows the Professional Firmware features installed in the
PTC-IIIusb:
•PACTOR-3 high speed data transfer protocol.
•Hayes compatible command interpreter, Hayes-mode (phone modem compatibility).
•PACTOR-IP-Bridge, direct “TCP/IP over PPP” via HF.
•PACTOR-Free-Signal-Protocol, collisions-avoiding access system to HF data
services.
•More robust protocol for the PACTOR link establishment (“Robust-Connect”).
•CCIR 491-Number-SelCalls (4- and 5 characters), as well as WRU-identifier and
Answerback for comfortable access to SITOR-coast-stations.
1.6.1 PACTOR-3 (P3)
PACTOR-3 is a third generation HF protocol building on latest developments in 2-
dimensional orthogonal pulse shaping, advanced error control coding, and efficient source
coding. Due to the advanced signal processing methods applied, PACTOR-3 provides
1 Introduction
5
outstanding performance under poor and moderate signal conditions. As PACTOR-3 also
achieves very high throughput rates under good signal conditions, it is well-suited to HF
channels with good SNR and low signal distortion as well. During the development of
PACTOR-3, high importance was given to compatibility with ordinary SSB transceivers
(using standard 2.4 kHz wide IF-filters). Therefore, PACTOR-3 can achieve its maximum
speed with using unmodified, common SSB transceivers. The occupied bandwidth is
around 2200 Hz.
Thus PACTOR-3 is the ideal means of fast and reliable data communication over (the
sometimes difficult medium) HF-radio. The new protocol is fully backwards compatible
to existing PACTOR-1/2 networks.
The properties of the PACTOR-3 protocol summarized:
•Under virtually all signal conditions, PACTOR-3 is faster than PACTOR-II. Under
average signal conditions a speed gain by a factor 3x to –4x is achieved, under very
favourable conditions the speed improvement can exceed 5x.
•Maximum data throughput (without compression) greater than 2700 Bit/sec, around
5200 Bit/sec if PMC (online text compression) is applied.
•PACTOR-3 is at least as robust as PACTOR-2 under extremely poor signal
conditions.
•Maximum bandwidth only about 2200 Hz.
•Low crest factor (high mean output power).
•High spectral efficiency – PACTOR-3 makes very good use of the bandwidth.
•Fully backwards compatible to existing PACTOR-I/II networks.
1.6.2 PACTOR-IP-Bridge
The PACTOR-IP-Bridge (PIB) is a new Network –Integration Protocol developed by
SCS. The dominant protocols of the Internet like TCP/IP, as well as the Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP), which have become standard for establishment of links between Internet
applications, are combined with the PACTOR modes. The result of this intelligent
protocol combination is a data transparent and relatively fast Internet access via HF-radio
using standardized user interfaces. The PTC appears to an attached PC as if it were a
Hayes compatible "telephone modem”. The PTC locally takes over both the complete
PPP and TCP/IP handling. Except for a minimum fraction of protocol overhead, the
physical PACTOR link only carries useful data. The huge amount of overhead of the
TCP/IP and PPP protocols (which are designed for broad banded wired links) is reduced
to the absolute minimum required. By locally carrying out the PPP protocol between the
PC and the PTC a further decisive advantage arises: Because of the very short timeouts,
PPP used to be nearly impossible over slow communication channels with relatively large
delays. Timeout problems are now solved by the PACTOR-IP-Bridge.
Summarizing the qualities of the PIB:
•TCP/IP-transparent and relatively fast Internet access via HF-radio.
•Internet-services accessible via PACTOR, e.g. E-Mail (SMTP/POP3), FTP, HTTP, ...
•Up to 4 Internet channels ("sockets") over one physical PACTOR link.
•Extreme compression of the TCP/IP and PPP"overhead".
Table of contents
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