Amateur Packet Radio Page

Unproto Ring |

Last Updated 8/24/2024

WB6YNM

My Callsign

Packet Radio is Still Alive

Call sign Lookup at QRZ.com

I recently purchased an Icom IC-7300 HF transceiver and am enjoying Single Side Band and CW with it. It has numerous functions and all the bells and whistles one could imagine. I have been reading the manual and watching the 43+ excellent videos on YouTube by WA2IVD where he goes into detail on all the settings page by page of the manual.

My solar system with a 100 watt and a 50 watt panels and 4 LiFePO4 100 amp hr batterys, in parallel, works fine for the HF rig and the packet station. With only 35 watts of RF drive from the IC-7300, into the 500 watt solid state amplifier. It is an Ameritron ALS-500M. It works fine on my 12V solar system. I usually run 450 watts out. The battery system also supplies power to my Verison Internet router.

Below, is a picture of my humble amateur radio station. The packet Kenwood TM-281A and KPC-3P run 24/7 on the solar system. There is plenty of power for both the HF rig and Packet. Typically the battery is fully charged by 11:00AM each morning. If we have a week of fog, I do have to put an AC charger on the system.

JEFFERSON NOON NET MEMBERS

Here is the most recent log file with who checked in.
DOWNLOAD Jefferson-Log-File-Today.xls

As a bonus, the Net Control Script if you want to try
being Net Control.
DOWNLOAD Jefferson-Noon-Net-Script.pdf

I use Linux Mint Cinnamon Version 22 as my Computer OS and gave up on Windows OS when they stopped supporting Windows XP. For Sunday Night Packet Net, I use the moserial serial program with my KPC-3P because moserial has 3 windows.
(1) net traffic
(2) my transmit output
(3) window for entering commands or text.
When I want a quick session on packet, I use gtkterm which only has one window, but is quick and easy to use.

I am a member of the Berryessa Amateur Radio Klub, BARK
Roll Call every Sunday night at 7:30PM on 146.970 - offset PL 123.0

Early Morning Round Table with Darrell, KM6KFW Every weekday morning at 7:00 AM.

I am also a member of....

Western Public Service System

I get to do Roll Call every Friday night at 7:30PM on 3952 khz

Here are the members who checked in Friday: WPSS-Roll-Call-Friday.xls

Western Public Service System Is on every night, starting at 6:00PM with early monitor.
Then the person that does roll call takes early monitor at 7:00PM followed by roll call at 7:30PM.
After roll call a late monitor takes over until about 9:00PM or there is no traffic.

I have been improving my speed at copying CW without writing it down on a tablet. I have found a trout fishing and backpacking story, written in 1925 by Hemingway. It is very interesting how it was done a long long time ago. I have converted it over to CW at 16 WPM and listen to it while relaxing. The story is so good, I have made a .pdf file of it you can download. Here it is:

Down load here: backpacking-fishing-1925-hemingway.pdf

Here are the two CW files in mp3 format:

CW-The-Big-Twohearted-River-1-16WPM.mp3

CW-The-Big-Twohearted-River-2-16WPM.mp3

Packet Net every Sunday at 8:00PM on 145.050 MHz in Central California.

If you get a chance please check in using the unproto mode. If you check in, you will be included as a member. It is free with no obligations. It is easy to do. Set the KaNode you hear best as the first node in the string. Then add KaNodes to the string that hear each other. There is a table below that shows which nodes hear each other. Here is an example what I use from Bethel Island:

Sunday-Night-Packet-Net-Roster.xls

NetLogger.png Image of Stations Checking in.

UNPROTO AL VIA KBERR,KRDG,KBERR,WOODY,KJOHN,KBULN,BRKNRG

With this string, I can be heard from Modesto to Redding and San Fransisco to Tahoe.

Here is a sample text if you volunteer to be Net Control:

QST QST QST Sunday Night Packet Net.
This is (Your Call Sign) your "Lucky" net control this evening.
This net meets Sundays a 8:00PM Local Time.
Join by checking in and be added to our list of members.
Answer with an Unproto packet with your Name & Location.
Ask for Net Control volunteer for next Sunday.

Roll call is as follows:

Note: After Roll Call, be sure to ask again for a volunteer for next week's Net Control
if no one volunteered earlier.

Helpful Hint For KPC-3 Users:
MALL ON (default), you see everything.
When OFF only Unproto and Unconnected packets are shown.

Here are some unproto paths I use:

U AL V KBERR,KLPRC3,KBETH,KBULN,KJOHN,TAH0E
U AL V KLPRC3,KBERR,KRDG,KBERR,KVOLC,KBETH,KJOHN
U AL V KJOHN,KBERR,KLPRC3,KBETH,KBULN,KBERR,ROSE

Note. Lately, WOODY is strong and has good coverage. KPAC has been very weak lately and I have not been using it.
KBETH is my KaNode here on Bethel Island. KBETH has very good coverage.

The TRACY/KTRAC node is back.

See the Table below.

For Sunday Night Packet Net, we communicate using the UNPROTO mode where a number of nodes that digipeat are strung together. The idea is that each station that participates will hear at least one of the nodes repeat the text each member types.

Packet has two modes of transmission (cmd: and k).

cmd: is used when you connect to another station or configure your TNC.

From the cmd: mode, type a k <enter> to enter the k mode.

While in the k mode what you type is transmitted over the air down the string.

When in the k mode, to get back to the cmd: mode, a Ctl-C <enter> returns you to the cmd: mode.

The use is more easily to follow with and example.

WB6YNM strongest node heard is KBERR. An unproto string to get from Bethel Island to Visalia would be. You need to be in the cmd: mode to setup the node string.

Example: UNPROTO AL via KBERR,KJOHN,KPOSA,BRKNRG

Enter the k mode. Any text typed would be transmitted and would be heard by each station that hears at least one of the nodes in the string.

Suppose I want to test a string to see if it is working. I would merely make a loop back test string to the first node.

Example: UNPROTO AL via KBERR,KJOHN,KPOSA,KJOHN,KBERR

If the string works, I would see KBERR repeat the text twice.

That is all there is to packet operation in the k mode. Good Luck

The above is a static map showing the good paths for setting up a good unproto string of nodes.
Click on the map to view the active map that gives the names and can be zoomed.

145050PacketNetwork@groups.io
This is the 145.050 MHz Packet Network group
Anyone can read the group messages.
If you want to post a message, you will need to register.

Node ID and Location Info

Click on the Packet Network Map to view the map in detail.

A Packet Network Searchable Database for California on 145.050 MHz

HERE IS THE LATEST DOWNLOADABLE SEARCHABLE PDF:
=================================================
Click DOWNLOAD to download the Packet_Survey_data.pdf (200Kb).

This Database will allow new users as well as experienced users an easy way to navigate the packet network. The Database is a searchable PDF file with a page for each major network node.

The information in the database was accumulated from reliable resources that include input from the node owners and from experienced users of the system. Although the information is “crowd-sourced” it is curated and believed to be reliable.

After you download the PDF file, open it in your operating system, and use your PDF reading software to search by pressing (Ctrl-F). Search for any of the following:

Node Name
Node Location
City
CallsignfUser’s Name
User’s Callsign
Or Any Combination of Items

If you have any problems please send a packet mail to KM6HK-1 or WB6YNM-1

If You Are a Node Owner/Operator Read This:
==================================
If you look at the current release of the database and do not find your Node listed, or the data in the node is incorrect, old, or not complete then please use the self care survey form to update your node at the self-care portal:

https://bit.ly/Node_Survey

If You Are a Software Developer Read This:
=================================
The data represents a well of information that may be presented in very many valuable user interface options. Creative programmers might consider: overlaying Hot Spot representations on Maps, Neural Network Diagrams, or “number crunching” to show various hidden characteristics. To obtain raw data for your project, please email KM6HK@iCloud.com

Below is a list of paths that should cover the Sunday Night Packet Net
so all stations will hear at least one of your unproto packets.
Start ---- Path to cover the Sunday Night Net
KBERR      KBERR,WOODY,KJOHN,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KLPRC3     KLPRC3,KBERR,KJOHN,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
WOODY      WOODY,KBETH,KJOHN,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KRDG       KRDG,KBERR,WOODY,KJOHN,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KBANN      KBANN,KBERR,WOODY,KJOHN,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KJOHN      KJOHN,WOODY,KJOHN,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KNITE      KNITE,KJOHN,WOODY,KBERR,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KPOSA      KPOSA,KBULN,KJOHN,WOODY,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KBULN      KBULN,KJOHN,WOODY,KBETH,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KGOLD      KGOLD,KBULN,KJOHN,WOODY,KBERR,KJ6NKR
KPAC       KPAC,KJOHN,WOODY,KBERR,KBULN,KBERR,KJ6NKR

Table for Selecting a Working Relay String of KaNodes
Updated: 12/24/2020

KJOHN

KBERR

KVOLC

WOODY

KNITE

KBULN

KTRAC

KLPRC3

KBANN

KRDG

KBETH

KJOHN

KBERR

KVOLC

WOODY

KNITE

KBULN

KTRAC

KLPRC3

KBANN

KRDG

KBETH

KJOHN is a new high level Node.
G =Good Path
M=Medium Quality Path
D=Currently Down
Blank=Poor or No Path

The K-Net Connectivey Chart shows node connections with the path quality numbers.

DOWNLOAD 145050-K-Net-Connections.xls

Here is how the K-Net node quality numbers are set

First off, the KPC-3 has no electronics to detect signal strength. If it hears a packet it decodes it and sends it to memory for use. If it can't decode it, it sends a retry request. Too many retries and it disconnects.

The path quality numbers we use are adjusted manually the network uses the following:

QUALITY = 255/120
MINQUAL = 120

When a K-Net node A hears a new K-Net node B it lists the new node in the route table at the MINQUAL of 120 and is not locked in. If the new node goes away, it will be deleted after a length of time.

Here is where the sysop comes in, the sysop is the sudo S-meter. Below is how I adjust the quality numbers between each K-Net node A to K-Net node B:

I connect to K-Net A and issue the “r” command and look at the route tables and I see a new node at 120. I determine the path quality manually. I bye out and connect to the KaNode at A and connect to the new K-Net B node. I issue the “r” and “n” commands and look for retires.
If there are very few or no retires, I consider it is a good 192 path.
If there are a lot of retries, but still a connect, but no other way to get to node B from A, I lock it in as a 140 path.
If there is no connect at all, I lock it in with a zero.
If it happens to be an exceptionally strong preferred path I will lock it in with a 194 or 196.

If the path warrants a 196 or 194, I will go to K-Net B and connect to KaNode A and do the same check with j and n commands to make sure the path is good both ways for long frames. The reason is that the “r” and “n” commands for the first test are short frames. The replies are long frames and long frames are a better test of a path.

The reason I use the KaNode is that it manually determines the path. Connecting via one K-Net node to another K-Net you only know the path by looking at the route tables and finding the > symbol.

If the quality of a K-Net nodes calculates to less than 120 it is not include in the node and route broadcast list.

For two hops paths. Two hops from K-Net A between K-Net node B at 192 and K-Net node C from node B is also 192, then the quality to that node C is 192*192/255 = 144

Two hops from K-Net A between node B at 192 and node C from node C is only 144, then the quality to that node C is 192*144/255 = 108 and node C will not be included in the node and route tables broadcasts.

Currently the BERRY K-Net node has 10 nodes locked in. This process was done with each of the locked in nodes. The BETHEL K-Net node has 9 nodes locked in. It takes a lot of time to verify and lock in each path. There are currently 18 nodes out there under remote control.
There is a lot of work keeping 18 nodes running smoothly.

BERRY:WB6YNM-5 Example:

BERRY:WB6YNM-5} Routes:
1 K6IXA-5 194 7!
1 N6RZR-5 196 3!
1 N6ACK-4 196 8!
> 1 NC6J-4 120 3
> 1 WB6YNM-3 192 2!
1 N6ZX-5 192 4!
1 KF6DQU-9 192 4!
1 N3CKF-5 192 1!
1 W7DED-4 192 0!
1 N6KRV-5 120 1
1 KF6ANX-4 194 10!
1 WA6TOW-1 192 3!
1 KG6SJT-10 120 1
1 WA7DG-4 120 1
1 KI6ZHD-7 120 1
1 KF6DQU-7 192 4!
1 WA6KQB-5 192 1!

How to Save & Restore KPC-3 or KPC-3+ Parameters

On the source KPC-3+ issue this command:

cmd:?disp

DISPLAY {ASYNC | CHAR | GPS | ID | LINK | MONITOR | NET | PBBS | TIMING} Copy and save this line to a text file.

NOTE: The KPC-3 does not respond to ?disp instead save this line for the KPC-3 instead

DISPLAY ASYNC | CHAR | ID | LINK | MONITOR | PBBS | TIMING | NET |

To configure a KPC-3+ from a factory ‘restore d’ I like to save the setting for each of the separate parameter functions listed above. Example: ‘disp a’ and then copy and paste the parameters in the text file.

Then ‘disp c’ and again copy and paste the parameters in the text file. Only need the first letter in the disp command list for each function.
I do all 9 sets of parameters one at a time and past them into the same text file separated by a few blank lines. Be sure and save the file.

Restore Factory Default 'restore d'

With a new KPC-3+ or a factory restore where you have issued the 'restore d' command the procedure is:
First you need to enter your callsign when the sent string is just a (*)

Next enter the command 'intface terminal' to exit the New User mode. Then copy and paste each of the 9 parameters functions list at the cmd. prompt.

NOTE: Each time a single parameter uses more SDRAM the KPC-3+ will issue a soft reset and will halt the current pasted parameters and that set of parameters need to be pasted again to continue with the rest of the settings.
The final step I use is to finish off copying and pasting the disp i parameters in a second time. This procedure should restore the KPC-3 or KPC-3+ to the saved setting.

Here is the new JOHN/KJOHN node near Livermore, CA. Todd, KF6ANX on the left and Al, WB6YNM waving at the camera.
The radio, KPC-3P, and amplifier are in the ice chest. The antenna is a Diamond F22A. The mast is not tall, but the hill is.
Power is supplied by a 20 watt solar panel and a 55 amp hr battery for night time. It is on 24/7 and under remote control.
The wire cage keeps the cows from disturbing the setup. We later put soda straws on the antenna's ground plane
radials to discourage the birds from sitting there and crapping on the solar panel.

gtkterm window in Linux Mint

This is the id command from Bethel Island. The stars (*) after a node callsign indicated that
I heard the station. I did not hear ROSE or TAH0E respond.

1. To connect to a station type "c berry" would connect to the berry node (without the quotes)
2. To disconnect type "Ctrl-C" then type a "d" (without the quotes)
3. To enter the Unproto transmit mode type "k" (without the quotes)
4. To exit the Unproto mode and enter the cmd. mode type "Ctrl-C" and enter
5. To display the TNC parameters type "disp" (without the quotes)

Note. Instead of Ctrl-C I use the '\' key since moserial will not pass the Ctrl-C to the KPC-3. See below.

For Sunday Night Packet, I use moserial. It has three window for separating out the outgoing from the incoming.
The one difference with moserial is that it will not pass a Ctrl-C to the KPC-3. To get around this in the KPC-3 I
have set the command parameter to COMMAND $5C (\). I use the (\) key since it is not normally used
in packet communications.

Some Explanations

Different Node Types - Network Node (K-Net) and a KaNode.

IMPORTANT: Most KPC-3 or KPC-3P TNC's that have a K-Net node also have a KaNode running in the same TNC at the same time. They must have different names, for example these are both in the BERRY KPC-3P TNC.
Example:
BERRY (K-Net node)
KBERR (KaNode)

-----------Network Node (K-Net node in a KPC-3)-----------
1. Uses the (The Net protocol and communicates to other network nodes)
2. Builds a Neighbor node route list of nodes it can directly connect to (Routes)
3. Builds a Network Node list of all the nodes it knows how to connect to (Nodes)
4. Can connect to distant nodes using the stored node and route lists. It might use other intermediate nodes in making the connect.
5. Broadcasts known routes and nodes to the other network nodes
6. Can Not Digipeat.
7. Can check the stations heard by the node with MH (MHeard)
8. Can stay connected when using the /S option
i.e.: C(onnect) callsign /S
9. Responds to the R command with known routes.
10. Responds to the N command with known nodes.
11. Responds to the H command:
Example:
BERRY:K6JAC-4} TYPE 'HELP' OR ? FOLLOWED BY COMMAND FOR MORE INFORMATION
BYE BBS CONNECT CQ HELP INFO LINKS MHEARD
NODES PORTS ROUTES STATS USERS SYSOP

--------------------KaNode in a KPC-3------------------
1. Manually operated node. Once connected to, the user has to specify the next node or station to connect to.
2. Can digipeat. Useful for Unproto communications like Sunday Night Packet Net.
3. Check stations heard with J (Jheard Short|Long -- The long version displays the destination field and digipeaters used. An asterisk [*] indicates the station was heard via a digipeater.)
3A. Check Nodes heard with the N (Nheard Short|Long -- The long version displays the destination field and digipeaters used. An asterisk [*] indicates the node was heard via a digipeater.)
4. Attempted connections can be aborted with Abort command.
5. Can stay connected to the node by using the S(tay) command when connecting to another station or node.
i.e.: C(onnect) callsign S(tay)
6. Responds to the H command:
Example:
KBERR/N KaNode in the BERRY Network node KPC-3+ TNC
ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ?
ABORT STOP A CONNECTION IN PROGRESS
B(ye) NODE WILL DISCONNECT
C(onnect) call CONNECT TO callsign
C call S(tay) STAY CONNECTED TO NODE WHEN END DISCONNECTS
J(heard) CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP
J S(hort) HEARD CALLSIGNS ONLY
J L(ong) CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP AND VIAS
N(odes) HEARD NODE CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP
N S(hort) NODE CALLSIGNS ONLY
N L(ong) NODE CALLSIGNS WITH DAYSTAMP AND VIAS
ENTER COMMAND: B,C,J,N, or Help ?

Note: The easiest way to determine if a Node is a K-Net or KaNode is
to issue the H command. The responses are entirely different.

Naming convention: In most cases we have been making the name of the KaNode node start with the letter (K) followed by the first 3 or 4 letters of the K-Net node name.
Examples:
JOHN
KJOHN

BERRY
KBERR

BETHEL
KBETH

-------------Connected Communications-------------
When a connection is made to another station, only the communication from that station will be displayed in the connect screen. It is the easiest way to carry on a QSO with one other station and not see all the other traffic on the air. (Depending on the software used, ie. XPWare, you may still see all traffic in a second window if you choose to.)

NOTE: The problem with this is that no one can join your conversation via Unproto.
NOTE: Depends on the MCON setting.

-----------Unproto Communication (Unconnected)-----------

Unproto operation merely sends a message from your station once. Everyone within range viewing packet can see what you type. With Unproto you can extend your range by having KaNodes or other stations repeat the message. This is how we operate on Sunday Night Packet Net.

To activate the Unproto mode to digipeat enter the following from the command mode:

Unproto Name v KaNode1, KaNode2, KaNode3

Where U stands for Unproto and Name is your name. V stands for Via and the string of stations or KaNodes that you want to repeat your message. It is best to put the strongest KaNode your station hears first and then put them it the order that they will hear each other to be able to repeat the message.

Example: A good Unproto string from Bethel Island

U Al V KJOHN,KBERR,WOODY,KLIVE

This would be heard from Modesto to Sacramento.

Example: I typed the word Test

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN,KBERR,WOODY,KLIVE: <UI>:{F0}
Test

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN*,KBERR,WOODY,KLIVE: <UI>:{F0}
Test

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN,KBERR*,WOODY,KLIVE: <UI>:{F0}
Test

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN,KBERR,WOODY*,KLIVE: <UI>:{F0}
Test

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN,KBERR,WOODY,KLIVE*: <UI>:{F0}
Test

Example: A bad Unproto string from Bethel Island

U Al V KJOHN,KCORN,WOODY,KBERR

This would have KJOHN repeat but KCORN would not hear KJOHN and the chain would be broken and both WOODY and KBERR would not repeat no matter how well WOODY & KBERR hears KJOHN.

When you see the message on the screen the Unproto string will be shown. The asterisk ( * ) after the call or alias indicates the digipeater or KaNode your station heard.

Example: The word (testing) was sent Unproto.

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN,KCORN,WOODY,KBERR: <UI>:{F0}
testing

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN*,WOODY,KBERR: <UI>:{F0}
testing

WB6YNM>AL,KJOHN,WOODY,KBERR*: <UI>:{F0}
testing

The first line shows my callsign, name and the KaNode string.
The second line shows the text sent.

The next two lines show that KJOHN repeated the message.

The next two lines show that KBERR repeated the message. I did not hear the message from WOODY to KBERR but it existed.

What the numbers mean:
BERRY:K6JAC-4} Routes:
1 K6TAM-1 192 1!
1 WA6YNG-1 196 16!
1 N6QDY-5 190 3!
1 K7WWA-8 193 13!
1 KG6POM-5 120 1!
1 W7TA-4 0 0!

The port number that is used to connect to the destination node. (Most nodes are a single port.)
The quality of the connection to the destination node. Quality >192 is exceptionally good. Good quality is 192. Poor quality is <120.
The zero quality means that the node can be heard, but cannot be connected to reliably.
The number of additional nodes that can be connected from that destination node.
The ! means that the quality numbers have been manually locked in.

Here is an example of a connect to the BETHEL node and the information you can obtain about what other nodes that BETHEL knows how to connect to and the order in which BETHEL will attempt a connect to another node. The Bold blue print is a command that you would type. The small type is an explanation of what the BETHEL response means.

C BETHEL

R

BETHEL:WB6YNM-3} Routes:

1 KF6ANX-4 192 8!
1 KF6ANX-5 190 1!
1 KF6DQU-9 192 5!
1 K6IXA-5 192 2!
1 WG6D-8 120 2
1 N3CKF-5 192 2!
1 N6ZX-5 192 5!
1 N6RZR-5 120 1
1 N6ACK-4 192 2!
1 K6JAC-4 194 13!

When you issue the R command the DELTA node responds with all of the routes to other nodes that it has listed. The high quality routes (192) are good solid paths with very few retries. The routes with the (190) quality are good paths, but not preferred for distant nodes. The ">" means that the route to BERRY:K6JAC-4 is currently connected.

N

BETHEL:WB6YNM-3} Nodes:
BANNER:KF6DQU-9    BERRY:K6JAC-4      BRKNRG:N6KRV-5     BULN:K6IXA-5
CAM05:WG6D-8       CAM91:WG6D-6       CORN:W6JEX-5       FCITY:KI6UDZ-7
HILL:KF6ANX-5      JOHN:KF6ANX-4      LPRC3:N6ACK-4      PAC:WA6TOW-1
RDG:N6RZR-5        ROSE:WA7DG-4       STAHOE:KJ6NKR-7    VOLC:N3CKF-5
WBAY:N6ZX-5

When you issue the N command you will receive a list of all the nodes that DELTA knows how to connect to. Some are neighbor nodes and can be connected to directly. Some are distant nodes and will need one or more other nodes to assist in the connect.

N BERRY

Routes to BERRY:K6JAC-4
>192 4 1 K6JAC-4
145 2 1 WA6QPU-5
144 4 1 W6DHN-2

When you issue the N BERRY command you will be informed on how DELTA will attempt to connect to BERRY. Note that the route to BERRY is already active. The first attempt will be a direct connect to BERRY. It that route fails, then the next attempt will be through TRACY:WA6QPU-5. DELTA will connect to TRACY and then ask TRACY to connect to BERRY. If that fails the next attempt will be made through GTN:W6DHN-2.

N CORN

Routes to CORN:W6JEX-5
147 2 1 K6JAC-4
144 4 1 KF6DQU-9

When you issue the N CORN command you will be informed that an intermediate node is necessary to connect to CORN. DELTA will first connect to GTN:W6DHN-2 and ask GTN to connect to CORN. If that route fails, then BERRY:K6JAC-4 will be connected to and asked to connect to CORN.

How to Recover a KPC-3 or KPC-3P from a Hard Reset.

XPWare for Windows and the KPC-3 or KPC-3P
When XPWare is setup for a Kantronics TNC it will not find the TNC after a Hard Reset. It needs to be in the Dumb Terminal Mode.

1. With the KPC-3 off or disconnected launch XPWare for Windows. Wait while XPWare checks all the various baud rates and finally enters the Terminal Mode. There might be a faster way to get to the Terminal Mode but I don�t know about it.
2. Once in the Terminal Mode Click on Setup at the top of the screen and select TNC Type. Select Dumb Terminal and Take an OK. Shut down XPWare.
3. Turn on the KPC-3 or KPC-3P and launch XPWare for Windows. It will print junk across the screen and when you see
PRESS (*) TO SET BAUD RATE
Enter a * and hit return.
4. It will ask you for your callsign. Enter your CALLSIGN and hit return.
5. Repeat item 2. above but select Kantronics/Dovetronix and take an OK and shut down XPWare for Windows.
6. Launch XPWare for Windows for a third time and it should find your KPC-3.
7. The KPC-3 will come up in the INTFACE NEWUSER mode and will only accept primitive commands. Change INTFACE TERMINAL to allow all commands.
8. If you have the TNC parameters saved to a text file give it a name like MYPRAM.PAR and put it in the C:\XPWIN folder. You can then load the parameters into your TNC from the MYPRAM.PAR file. Here is how to do it.
9. Launch XPWare for Windows and click on TNC at the top of the screen. Select Load Parameter File. You will see the list of all the .PAR files in the C:\XPWIN folder. Select MYPRAM.PAR and take an OK. Voila! All of your parameters will be loaded into your TNC.

KPC-3 Pit-falls or Traps you can fall into...

Trap 1.... Turn NDWILD = OFF when you have a KaNode with your Callsign-SSID, for example WB6YNM-7. The TNC will think that a connect request with your Callsign and any SSID is trying to connect to your KaNode. The only SSID's that your KaNode will ignore are Callsigns that are actually the Callsigns programmed in your TNC. See Trap 4. The problem can be completely avoided by giving your KaNode a named callsign such as KBETH for example.

Trap 2.... Your Station Callsign owns the MBX in your TNC. Changing the Callsign of the TNC when the mailbox has old messages addressed to the original call, causes mailbox ownership problems. Delete all old MBX messages in storage before you change the Station Callsign.

Trap 3.... Use 1200 baud for RS-232 ports when stacking nodes like BERRY-BERRY3. Using the RS-232 ports, two or more KPC-3's may be stacked on different frequencies and they will not transmit at the same time is ABAUD = 1200. The RS-232 port becomes another receiving and transmitting channel and if you use 9600 baud, interference can occur. TNC A transmits a signal over the air and also through the RS-232 port. If the RS-232 port is running at 9600 baud, TNC B gets an end of frame before TNC A finishes transmitting over the air. TNC B will think it is clear to send before TNC A finished.

Trap 4.... When you use a Callsign with an SSID as your base Callsign, remember that any node you connect to will usually use your Callsign with this SSID minus 1. Since the new SSID will be one less than your station's SSID, don't have that SSID used in your TNC or any other TNC on the same frequency. Strange problems will occur if you have this kind of SSID conflict.

Good Node Hopping.

TTUL...73...<Al>...SK

Note: TTUL...73...(Al)...SK is Ham Radio jargon for:
TTUL... = Talk To U Later...
73... = Best Regards...
(Al)... is me...
SK = End of Message in Morse code.
(I have "TTUL...73...(Al)...SK" programmed into my "AnyKey" keyboard and it is only 1 key stroke).

Here, WB6YNM (aka Varmint Al) is operating QRP using an HW-8 running 5 watts on battery power. The batteries are charged with a tiny solar panel. This was on a backpacking trip to 11,500 ft. Sky Blue Lake about 15 miles south west of Mt. Whitney. A 40m dipole was strung between rocks. There are no trees at this elevation. WA6QPU checks out the operation as she looks up from her book.

Most Memorable Ham Radio Contact

In the 80’es we used to go backpacking. I had built a ¼ watt QRP rig for 40m that fit in a lozenge can. It was powered by a 9V rechargeable battery. The plan was to set up a simple 40m dipole at each campsite.

Well, on the way home on the day of our departure from Bethe Island, there was a gopher snake in the middle of Bethel Island road. I stopped to get it out of the road so it would be safe and put in my pack. When I got home, I put the pack under my desk.

At 10:00PM we took off for Lone Pine. We liked to drive at night. The trip was fine and we arrived at the trail head just at daylight. On about the third day we were in about 25 miles at a lake. That night around 9:00PM I woke up and remembered the snake in pack under the desk.

I decided to try 40m QRP to see if I could get the snake released. I had to warm the battery in my hand to keep the voltage up enough to transmit. Cheap rechargeable battery. I don’t remember the receiver but had a earphone cup the hung on my ear. No light, no pencil, no paper.

I called CQ on CW in the dark and got a station Colorado. I keyed in my phone number and told the Colorado station about the snake that was captive in the pack and asked him to call my daughter to release it and I would wait for a reply. Sure enough he called back on CW and said that the daughter found the snake and released it. At first he had thought I was kidding until he made the call.

What is the radio contact that is the most memorable you have made?

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