Timewave DSP-232, Operating Manual

Page: 87 / 271

Chapter 5 Packet Operation
0
Zero turns off the beacon (default).
The
BEACON
command sets the conditions under which your beacon will be sent. A beacon frame contains the
text that you’ve typed into the
BTEXT
message slot in a packet addressed to the
UNPROTO
address. When the
argument EVERY is specified, a beacon packet is sent every “ n ” x 10 seconds. When AFTER is specified, a beacon
is sent after ( n x 10) seconds have passed without any packet activity being heard.
If you set the
BEACON
timing less than
90
—a value judged as too short for busy channels—you’ll see the
following message at each command prompt:
WARNING: BEACON too often
BText
text Default: empty
Mode: packet Host: BT
text Any combination of characters up to a maximum length of 120 characters.
BTEXT is the message you want broadcasted as a beacon packet. The default text is an empty string (no message).
When and how packet beacons are sent is discussed in more detail under the
BEACON
command.
Although the beacon subject is controversial in packet circles, you
can use beacon texts intelligently and benefit the
packet community.
♦
Don’t type your call sign in BTEXT - the normal packet header shows it.
♦
Don’t fill
BTEXT
with screen graphics; use
BTEXT
for meaningful information.
♦
After you’ve beaconed for a week or two and people know who you are, follow the practice used by more
experienced packeteers: set
BEACON EVERY 0
.
♦
Use % , & , N , NO , NONE , or OFF as arguments after you enter BTEXT on the command line to clear the
text you previously typed in for that command.
For example:
cmd:
BTEXT OFF
CANPac
n Default: $19 (
CTRL-Y
)
Mode: packet, Command Host: CP
“
n ” 0 to $7F (0 to 127 decimal) specifies an ASCII character code.
The parameter “
n ” is the ASCII code for the character you choose to cancel a packet message you just typed in or to
cancel the screen display output from the DSP.
You can only cancel the packet that’s currently being entered in the Converse mode. When you cancel a packet, the
line is terminated with a ( \ ) and your cursor is put on a new line. You must cancel the packet before typing the
SENDPAC character.
In the Command mode, this character cancels all the output from the DSP to your computer screen. Entering the
CANPAC character again restores normal output from your DSP.
CBell ON | OFF Default: OFF
Mode: packet, AMTOR, PACTOR Host: CU
OFF
“Bells” aren’t sent with the CONNECTED or DISCONNECTED message.
5-26 September, 05