USER'S GUIDE
OPERATING MODES
PK232UG Rev. B 9/86
4-22
75
4.6.7.2
Starting the QSO
You're ready to try connecting! We'll use WX2BBB in place of your call sign, and
WX6FFF for your partner's call sign. Type
<CTRL-C>
to verify that you're in Command
Mode. Now type
CONNECT WX6FFF
after the
cmd:
prompt. After a moment you
should see:
*** CONNECTED to WX6FFF
You've begun your first QSO! Both you and your partner will be automatically switched
to Converse Mode. Your partner will see:
*** CONNECTED to WX2BBB
Exchange several messages to get the feel of Packet-Radio. Watch your radio's transmit
indicators and if possible, listen to the audio from both radios; you'll get a better idea of
what's happening. Your radio is inactive the most of the time, even while you're actually
typing.
When you get to the end of a line and type
<CR>
, your radio is keyed briefly. Your
partner hears "brrrrraaaap" on this speaker. As your message is displayed on his com-
puter, his radio will be keyed for an even shorter burst; you'll hear "brraap" on your
speaker. This is ACK, the packet acknowledgment coming back.
Your PK-232 notes that the packet was received correctly, but displays nothing on your
screen. This is normal operation. If your system still had any unacknowledged packets
outstanding, your PK-232's "STA" (Status) LED would be lit – but it's not. (Unless you
set
MONITOR
to a value higher then "4", you won't display the "ACK" frames.)
4.6.7.3
What If ... ?
If you have trouble connecting, take a few minutes to check each of the following
items. Verify that:
o
Your PK-232's AFSK Output Level control, you microphone gain and deviation are set
properly as shown and discussed in Section 2.5.
o
All cables and connectors are properly installed.
o
The RADIO 1/RADIO 2 switch is set for your cable to radio setup.
o
Your radio's volume and squelch are set for local conditions.
o
You're in Command Mode. (Type
<CTRL-C>
to confirm this. You must see the
cmd:
prompt.)
o
If the
cmd:
prompt doesn't appear, press the PK-232's POWER switch off and on
again. You should get the normal sign-on message.
o
Your PK-232 is in Packet Mode. Type
OP
to confirm this.
o
HB
is 1200 if on VHF, 300 if on HF.
o
CFROM
is set to
ALL
.
o
Move to an unused channel for "on-the-air" testing (simplex FM!).
Ask one of your area's more experienced Packet operators to listen your transmissions
and monitor with his TNC. Both you and your partner should set
MONITOR
and
MCON
to 5, enter Converse Mode and send some packets. Each station should display packets
sent by the other.