Chapter 4 - Operation
20
REMEMBER: You can always return to Command Mode if you enter a
CTRL-C
while in Packet con-
verse mode, three
CTRL-C
s while in Packet transparent mode or
CTRL-C X
while in non-Packet
modes.
PACKET OPERATION
Packets are exchanged between stations in one of several data modes. There are several ways
to get a Packet data mode from Command Mode. You can type the command
CONVers
or
Trans
,
depending on the data mode desired. This will cause an immediate mode change to a data mode.
If you issue a
Connect
command to initiate a conversation with another station, or if your KAM re-
ceives a connect request packet, then it will automatically change to a data mode after the con-
nection is established. The data mode is specified by the
CONMode
command as
CONVers
or
Trans
.
TUNING PACKET SIGNALS
The reception of VHF packets requires no tuning. Reception is indicated by the [RCV] LED
being lit. Tuning HF Packet signals is simplified by use of the LED bargraph. While observing the in-
dicator, tune your HF transceiver for an alternate blinking of the end segments on the bargraph. If
you are tuning to monitor random Packet transmissions, be certain you have enabled the Monitor
function of the KAM. As the end segments illuminate, the HF XMIT LED will also be lit when you
are properly tuned, indicating a carrier detect.
CAUTION: When a band is noisy, put the AM/FM front panel switch in the AM position and use only
the necessary volume level to accurately receive packets. Otherwise the carrier detect (XMIT) indi-
cator will be lit nearly continuously, preventing the transmission of packets. The Packet protocol is
designed to inhibit transmission of packets if the band (carrier detect) is busy.
We recommend that your first Packet operation with KAM be tried on the VHF band. At initial
power-on KAM is conditioned for Packet operation with the Input/Output connected to VHF stream
A. The I/O is manipulated from port to port and stream to stream with the
STREAMSW
character.
Further discussion of STREAMSW character can be found in the section on Multiple Packet Connec-
tion, page
XX
.
CONNECTING and DISCONNECTING
In order to make full use of the KAMs capabilities for reliable Packet communications, you
should establish a connection with another station. This means that everything you type while in
Converse Mode will be automatically addressed to that station, and packets sent between your sta-
tion and the other station will be automatically acknowledged by the recipient. The sending station
will continue retransmitting a message until it has been received correctly. To connect to W0XI, for
example, type
CONNECT W0XI
If W0XI is on the air, tuned to your frequency and within range of your transmission, you
should notice a message coming back to your unit. If you have your radio attached to a speaker as
well as the unit you will hear the packets; otherwise, you can see the the end segments of the
bargraph light for HF operation. When your connect request (the packet your unit sent) has been
acknowledged, the unit will display the message:
***CONNECTED TO W0XI
and automatically move to Converse Mode. If you now type a message, it will be formed into a
packet and sent to W0XI. When you are through with the conversation, either you or the operator
of the other station may initiate a disconnect. To do this, return to Command Mode with a
CTRL-C
and type the command:
DISCONNECT