Packet Engine Pro Help

General Information
   
Introduction
   Features
   Supported TNCs
   
User Interface
   Registration
   Copyright
Program Setup

   Radio Port Mgr
    . Edit TNC/modem Port
    . Edit Sound Card Port
       - Tuning Aid
       - Volume Settings
    . Edit Parameters
    New Port Setup
    Network TCP/IP Settings
   Radioport Sharing
   
Auto Start Clients
   Other Settings
Views
   Program Status
   Port Activity Status
   Shared Radio Ports
   AX.25 Status (Stations)
   Connected Programs
   Heard Stations List 
   Monitor
Other Features
   TCP/IP Over Radio
     . Driver Install
     . PE Pro Settings
     . Windows Settings
   Registration
   HTTP Interface
   Live Update
   Launch IE Browser
   Go to AGWsoft web site
   Send Error Report
Tips, Tricks, & Trouble
   Tips and Tricks
   Problems?
   
Sound Card Use
     . Sound Card Interface
     . HF Operations
     . 9600 Operations
     . Receive Problems
     . Transmit Problems

 

Help Date: 21 June 2004

 

 

Program Logo  Introduction  

Overview
How it works
Computer requirements

Overview

Packet Engine Pro (PE Pro) is a special Windows© utility for amateur radio operators who use 'packet' digital communications. This unique program makes it possible for multiple packet programs to access multiple packet devices, such as TNCs (Terminal Node Controllers), radio modems, and sound cards acting as radio modems. Generally most packet programs can only use one device at a time and most packet devices can only be used by one program at a time. Packet Engine Pro changes all that.

The program has three other very valuable features:

  • It can use your computer's sound card instead of a TNC, saving you the cost and trouble of obtaining a TNC.
     
  • It's TCP/IP Over Radio feature lets you send TCP/IP data sentences -- from email programs, browsers, etc. -- by packet radio. For example, if you are without an internet connection, this feature would let you send email, surf the web, and do FTP file transfers, providing you can connect to another amateur radio -- acting as a gateway -- that does have internet access.
     
  • Since it uses the TCP/IP protocol, you can access another PE Pro stations across a network or the internet. This radio port sharing will let you run a packet program from location A using a TNC and radio at location B.

Packet Engine Pro is based on the freeware utility AGWPE (AGW Packet Engine), but has additional and improved features not found in AGWPE. After a 30 day trial period, you must register and pay a US$49 fee for Packet Engine Pro if you want to continue using it. This fee entitles you to install PE Pro on all computers that you own.

Note that Packet Engine Pro will only work with packet applications/programs that can link to Packet Engine Pro (or AGWPE), but there are many such programs, including DX cluster, APRS, digipeater, and terminal programs. Since PE Pro is an improved version of AGWPE, it will also work with any program that can link to AGWPE.

How it works

Packet Engine Pro (PE Pro) basic operating concept is a virtual port, called a radioport. Each radio port is linked to packet device (TNC, modem or sound card) which is in turn connected to a radio. Radioports are created by the PE Pro Setup Wizard and their properties can be modified by the RadioPort Manager.

Application programs access one or more radioports by connecting to PE Pro using either the Windows DDE Manager (Dynamic Data Exchange) or the Windows TCP/IP Socket interface.  In essence, PE Pro acts as an smart manager of communications between the application programs and the packet devices (TNCs).

Application program authors benefit from PE Pro because PE Pro relieves them of writing the extra code needed to access different packet devices. Packet Engine Pro does it for them. Authors only need to add a simple link to PE Pro (see open development information)

Note that when an application program is using PE Pro, any settings in the application program relating to TNCs or other packet devices are non-functional, since PE Pro is controlling the device, not the application.

Computer Requirements

Packet Engine Pro should run on your computer if you have:

  • Windows 98/ME/2000/XP (for Win 98/ME: Windows Common Control 5.0+ upgrade needed) PE Pro will not run on DOS, Windows 3.1, Window 95, and Windows NT systems!
  • Minimum 5 MB hard drive space
  • Minimum Pentium I MMX processor or Pentium II+ for sound card modem use (but may work with less powerful processors including 486)
  • Up-to-date device drivers (video and sound card for sound card modem use)

    NOTE: Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee Packet Engine Pro will run on your computer satisfactorily. Use the trial period to determine if it will run before registering and paying.

 

These Help pages were compiled by KC2RLM from SV2AGW's notes and from input from other Packet Engine Pro users.


Copyright 2004 SV2AGW George Rossopoulos. All rights reserved.