Timewave PK-96 User manual

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
PK-96
Operating Manual
TimewaveTechnology Inc.
58
E. Plato Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55107
http://www.timewave.com
July 1997

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
iiI PK-96 Packet Controller Operating Manual
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing an Timewave/AEA product! Before you go any further, please fill out and
return the enclosed Warranty Registration Card. From time to time, Timewave offers updates
to its
products-we can only tell you about these updates if we have your warranty card on file, so send it
in
if you haven't already done so.
FCC Regulations
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer-
ence will not occur in a particular installation.
If this device does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be determined by turning the device off and on, the user is encour-
aged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the device and receiver.
• Connect the device into
an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer will void the user's authority to
operate the device.
You must use shielded cables for all device connections, then tie all grounding wires/shields to a
single point, normally the radio.
You need an effective station ground or you'll have problems when
RFI infiltrates your equipment and causes all kinds
of unexpected problems.
Disclaimer
As part of its continuing program of product improvement, Timewave reserves the right to make
changes in this product's specifications or documentation. Timewave also reserves the right to incor-
porate and issue any information thus supplied in whatever manner it deems suitable, without incur-
ring any obligations whatsoever.
Copyright
©1997 by Timewave Technology Inc. Ail rights reserved.
Under the copyright laws, this manual can't be reproduced in any form without prior written perrnis-
sion from Timewave Technology Inc. No patent liability is assumed, however, with respect to the use
of the information contained herein.
This manual may contain errors, omissions or "typos." Please send your comments, suggestions and
corrections
to: Timewave Technology Inc., 58 E. Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107.
APRS is shareware and is a copyrighted product
of APRS Software, Bob Bruninga. APRS is his
trademark.
E
r---

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
PK-96
Operating Manual
TimewaveTechnology Inc.
58
E. Plato Blvd.
St. Paul,
MN 55107
http://www.timewave.com
July 1997

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
iii PK-96 Packet Controller Operat1ng Manual
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing an Timewave/AEA product! Before you go any further, please fill out and
return the enclosed Warranty Registration Card.
From time to time, Timewave offers updates to its
products-we can only tell you about these updates if we have your warranty card on file, so send it
in if you haven't already done so.
FCC Regulations
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. 11lis device generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interfer-
ence will not occur in a particular installation.
If this device does cause harmful interference to radio
or television reception, which can be detennined by turning the device off and on, the user is encour-
aged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient
or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the device and receiver.
• Connect the device into
an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer
or an experienced radio!IV technician for help.
Changes
or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer will void the user's authority to
operate the device.
You must use shielded cables for all device connections, then tie all grounding wires/shields to a
single point, normally the radio. You need an effective station ground
or you'll have problems when
RFI infiltrates your equipment and causes all kinds of unexpected problems.
Disclaimer
As part of its continuing program of product improvement, Timewave reserves the right tn make
changes in this product's specifications
or documentation. Timewave also reserves the right to incor-
porate and issue any information thus supplied in whatever manner it deems suitable. without incur-
ring any obligations whatsoever.
Copyright
©1997 by Timewave Technology Inc. All rights reserved.
Under the copyright laws, this manual
can't be reproduced in any form without prior written permis-
sion from Timewave Technology Inc.
No patent liability is assumed, however, with respect to the use
of the information contained herein.
This manual may contain errors, omissions
or "typos." Please send your comments, suggestions and
corrections to: Timewave Technology Inc., 58 E. Plato Blvd, St. Paul,
MN 55107,
APRS is shareware and is a copyrighted product
of APRS Software, Bob B.runinga. APRS is his
trademark.

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
PK-96 Packet Controller Operating Manual/ iii
Table of Contents
FCC Regulations.................................................................................................................... ii
Introduction...................................................................................................................... ix
Typographical Conventions................................................................................................... ix
Abbreviations used throughout the manual ..........................................................................x
1. The PK-96 ................................................................................................................... 1
Capabilities & Features..........................................................................................................1
What
Did-and Didn't-Come In the Box .............................................................................1
Your Radio ............................................................................................................................2
... and Computer....................................................................................................................2
A Tour
of the PK-96.........................................................................................................2
2. Power Supply and Computer Installation ............................................................. 4
Connecting Power...........................................................................................................4
Turning it On ...................................................................................................................4
Re-lnitialization ...............................................................................................................5
Connecting Your Computer to the PK-96 ........................................................................5
The Cable...............................................................................................................................
s
Apple Computers ...................................................................................................................6
Dumb Terminals .....................................................................................................................6
The Computer .................................................................................................................6
Other Computers with RS-232 Ports .....................................................................................6
Other Computers with Non-Standard Serial Ports ................................................................7
Peripherals and IRQ Conflicts in PC Compatibles ..........................................................7
The Software ..................................................................................................................8
PC Compatible Computers ....................................................................................................8
Macintosh...............................................................................................................................9
System Start-up and Loop-back Test ..............................................................................9
3. Radio Installation .....................................................................................................12
If You Just Want to Listen ...................................................................................................12
To Transmit and Receive....................................................................................................12
Radio
Connection Requirements .................................................................................. 12
Connections for Specific Transceivers .......................................................................... 13
Basic Connections and Adjustments ............................................................................ 13
Transceiver Adjustments ............................................................................................... 15

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
ivI PK-96 Packet Controller Operatmg Manual
Radio Connection Requirements for 9600 bps Operation ............................................16
Adjusting the PK-96's Deviation .......................................................................................... 16
Radio Connections .............................................................................................................. 16
Other Radios.................................................................................................................18
Crystal-Controlled FM Transceivers ..............................................................................18
"Mod" Notes for Specific Radios ...................................................................................19
Packet Parameters........................................................................................................23
4. You're in Command .................................................................................................25
Parameters and Arguments ..........................................................................................25
Boolean ................................................................................................................................ 25
Numeric................................................................................................................................25
Text or String Arguments .....................................................................................................25
Changing Commands ...................................................................................................26
List of Commands .........................................................................................................26
Host Mode Abbreviations..................................................................................................... 26
PK-96 Command List....................................................................................................77
5. Packet Operation ..................................................................................................... 80
The Packet Modes ........................................................................................................80
Tuning
in Packet Stations- VHF/UHF .........................................................................80
What It Means...................................................................................................................... 81
Who's Out There? ................................................................................................................82
Talking to Yourself .........................................................................................................83
Connecting...........................................................................................................................83
CTEXT .................................................................................................................................84
ConnecVDisconnect Notification (CBELL) ..........................................................................85
Setting Up for Transmitting............................................................................................85
Calling CQ ............................................................................................................................ 85
Going On the Air..................................................................................................................85
I'm Having Trouble Connecting ............................................................................................86
More Packet Features ...................................................................................................86
Nodes and Node Operation ..........................................................................................86
Operating Your Node ...........................................................................................................87
Digipeating ...........................................................................................................................89
Are
You a Digipeater? ..........................................................................................................90
Identifying as a Digipeater...................................................................................................90
Time-stamping Packets and Messages...............................................................................
SO
Multiple Connection Operation ..................................................................................... 91
Setting Up ............................................................................................................................ 91
The Channel Switching Character....................................................................................... 91
CHCALL ...............................................................................................................................92
Checking Your Connect Status with CSTATUS ...................................................................92
Packet Meteor Scatter Extension ..................................................................................92
Intermediate and Advanced Commands ......................................................................93

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
PK-96 Packet Controller Operating Manual/ v
1200/9600 bps Operation ....................................................................................................93
Monitoring Other Stations ....................................................................................................93
Monitoring the Packet Networking Switches .......................................................................93
Selective Monitoring ............................................................................................................93
MFILTER ..............................................................................................................................94
Monitor Without Call Sign Headers .....................................................................................94
Beacon Operation ................................................................................................................94
Packet Transmit Timing ........................................................................................................94
Packeting Through Voice Repeaters ...................................................................................95
Packet
Formatting and Editing ...................................................................................... 95
(RETURN)'s and Linefeeds .................................................................................................95
Cancelling Lines and Packets .............................................................................................95
Redisplaying Text .................................................................................................................95
The
PASS Character............................................................................................................95
Packet Protocol
Basics .................................................................................................96
Connected Packets ..............................................................................................................96
FRACK and RETRY .............................................................................................................96
PACLEN and MAXFRAME ..................................................................................................96
Reducing Errors through Collision Avoidance.....................................................................97
DAMA ...................................................................................................................................97
CHECK and RELINK ...........................................................................................................97
Transparent Mode ................................................................................................................98
Full-Duplex Operation ..........................................................................................................98
Morse 10 in Packet...............................................................................................................98
The QRA Feature.................................................................................................................98
Packet Mail.................................................................................................................... 98
6. MailDrop Operation .................................................................................................99
Mail Drop Memory .........................................................................................................99
Setting
Up Your Mail Drop .............................................................................................. 99
Accessing and Commanding Your Mail Drop ...............................................................100
Monitoring Your Mail Drop ............................................................................................100
Mail
Drop Prompts and Operation ............................................................................... 101
MailDrop Command Summary ..........................................................................................1 01
Sending Mail ...............................................................................................................1 04
From the Console Operator ...............................................................................................104
Sending Other Types of Messages ...................................................................................104
From the User's Point
of View............................................................................................105
The Console operator's Point of View ...............................................................................106
Message Numbers.............................................................................................................107
Forwarding and Reverse-Forwarding ................................................................................107
Settings for Auto-Forwarding .............................................................................................108
Entering a Message for Reverse Forwarding ....................................................................108

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
vi/ PK·96 Packet Controller Operattng Manual
7. GPS Operation ........................................................................................ 109
Overview ............................................................................................................................109
Why do GPS
in the PK-96? ...............................................................................................109
Hardware Configurations ............................................................................................110
Installing APRS ...........................................................................................................112
To install APRS on your hard drive....................................................................................112
Getting Started ..................................................................................................................112
Setting Up the PK-96 for
GPS Operation ....................................................................112
Stand Alone
Tracking Device Set Up .................................................................................112
Connecting the
GPS receiver to the PK-96 ......................................................................113
APRS Hardware Single Port Mode Set Up .......................................................................114
APRS Dual Port Mode Set
Up ...........................................................................................115
Building your own APRS adapter cable ......................................................................115
Schematic Diagram for the
APRS Adapter Cable .......................................................116
PK-96/Uitimeter
II Stand Alone Weather Station Set Up .............................................116
Wireless Data/Location Tracking Applications ............................................................117
Configuring the TNC ..........................................................................................................117
Connecting the GPS Adapter Cable to the TNC...............................................................119
8. Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................... 120
A Troubleshooting Primer............................................................................................120
The Power Supply..............................................................................................................
121
The Power Supply Cable ................................................................................................... 121
The PK-96 ..........................................................................................................................122
Cable from PK-96 to Computer .........................................................................................122
Computer/Software ............................................................................................................122
Cable
From PK-96 to Radio...............................................................................................122
Radio ..................................................................................................................................122
If
You Need to Call for Help .........................................................................................122
General Error Messages.............................................................................................123
Packet Error Messages...............................................................................................124
MaiiDrop Error Messages ...........................................................................................125
PK-96 Status and Error Messages .............................................................................126
Out-of-the-Box Problems ............................................................................................126
Computer
to PK-96 Problems .....................................................................................127
Radio to PK-96 Problems ...........................................................................................128
MaiiDrop Problems .....................................................................................................128
Packet Problems .........................................................................................................129
PK-96 Problems..........................................................................................................133

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
PK-96 Packet Controller Operating Manual I vii
Appendix A: Radio Connections............................................................................. 134
Radio Connection Notes .............................................................................................134
Radio Listings .............................................................................................................135
Radio Connection Diagrams .......................................................................................139
Appendix B: Parts List, Schematics, and Pictorial Diagram ......................... 144
Appendix
C: Specifications .......................................................................... 149
Modem Characteristics ...............................................................................................149
Processor System.......................................................................................................149
lnpuVOutput Connections ...........................................................................................149
Controls and Indicators...............................................................................................149
General .......................................................................................................................149
Appendix 0: Upgrading the PK-96 ........................................................................ 150
Appendix
E: Understanding High Speed Modems............................................ 151
PK-96 connections...................................................................................................... 151
More on TX and RX 'Audio'........................................................................................ 151
Some audio basics first.....................................................................................................151
1200 bps ............................................................................................................................152
Theory of Operation for the Demodulator...................................................................153
9600 bps .....................................................................................................................153
Appendix F: Limited Warranty ................................................................................ 155
Appendix G: PK-96TheNet Node Option.................................................... 156
Index ............................................................................................................................. 157

From The N3UJJ.COM Document LibraryFrom The N3UJJ.COM Document Library
viii I PK-96 Packet Controller Opera!mg Manual
This page left int<-'11tionally blank