Packet Engine Pro Help

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    . Edit TNC/modem Port
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Tips, Tricks, & Trouble
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Sound Card Use
     . Sound Card Interface
     . HF Operations
     . 9600 Operations
     . Receive Problems
     . Transmit Problems

 

Help Date: 21 June 2004

 

 

Editing a Port's Properties: Sound Cards

To edit the properties of a sound card radioport, use the the list on the RadioPort Manager screen to first select (or highlight) the radioport to edit. Then, from one of the menus, select Edit: Properties or use the Edit Port Icon . The Properties for Port# window will then appear. Slightly different screens are used for:

  Sound Cards (below)
  TNC and Modems

Sound Card Properties

The radio port properties for a sound card are initially made when you run the New Port Setup wizard. The first time you call up the properties screen for a sound card (as shown below), you are seeing the settings that were made when you ran the wizard.

Additional information about editing each setting can be found below the picture.

Note that there is second tab in this window labeled TNC Commands. Selecting his tab brings up a screen with more sound card settings, such as the 'on air' baud rate, number of reties, TXDelay, etc. These settings are discussed on a separate Edit Parameters Help page.

Note: In addition to the two screens mentioned above, the Tuning Aid and Volume Control screens are used to adjust sound card settings.

  • PTT Control - use the drop-down list to select the RS-232 serial or parallel port that will be used for PTT control (where your PTT cable will attach). Select 'RX only' if you don't plan to transmit and won't be attaching a PTT cable. There is also an option for users who will be using the SignaLink interface, which doesn't need a COM or LPT port for PTT control (uses a TX audio detection circuit).
     
  • Sound Card Selection - use the drop-down list to select from the available sound cards that Windows has detected. The list may also show sound devices that are not true sound cards, such as telephone modem sound devices. Be sure to pick a true sound card.

    If you have two or more sound cards in your computer, Windows and other programs typically (but not always) use the first device listed for their program sounds. To avoid conflicts, pick another card for PE Pro.
  • On Air Baud Rate - use the drop down list to specify the 'on air' radio transmission baud rate you will use to communicate with the other station:
    • 300 KAM - the rate for HF frequencies but using the KAM TNC tone pairs of 1600 & 1800 Hz. (See Sound Card HF Operations.)
    • 300 PK232 - the rate for on HF frequencies but using the PK-232 TNC tone pairs of 2110 & 2310 Hz. (See Sound Card HF Operations.)
    • 1200 - commonly used on VHF/UHF frequencies
    • 2400 - less commonly used on VHF/UHF frequencies
    • 9600 - a fast data rate used on VHF/UHF frequencies, but it requires special radio requirements and high signal quality (See Sound Card 9600 baud operations.)

    Note: Only the left channel baud rate is available for selection if you have opted for Single Port use. The right channel adjustment is 'grayed out' (not selectable) unless you have selected Dual Port.

     

  • Clock Speed - an adjustment to better match the clock speed (Hz) of your sound card chip with true audio frequencies (Hz). Some cards run slow or fast and this can distort the received and transmitted audio.

    The default clock speed value is 4, which is represents "no speed adjustment". To improve reception of weak packets, you can experiment with increasing or decreasing the adjustment factor (trial and error; the adjustment increments do not reflect a specific Hz). Note that you must close and re-start PE Pro for the new value to take effect.

    Note: Only the left channel clock adjustment is available for selection if you have opted for Single Port use. The right channel adjustment is 'grayed out' (not selectable) unless you have selected Dual Port.
     

  • Other Settings:
     
    • Single or Dual Port - most sound cards have stereo capability (left and right audio channels). If you will be using only one radio with the sound card, select Single Port (the left channel). You would select Dual Port only if you will be using two radios. If you select Dual Port and are not interfacing to two radios, you may experience a double report of each packet.
       
    • Full Duplex Driver- by default, Full Duplex is selected (a checkmark); most newer sound cards can reliably receive and send audio at the same time (full duplex). However, if you ever experience problems when transmitting (delays, PTT locks), deselect Full Duplex so the card only runs half duplex (receives or sends, but not both at the same time).
  • Radio Port Description - enter words of your choice to help identify each radio port available. You might enter the band or frequency, baud rate, and/or radio, e.g.: VHF 1200 Kenwood V7A.

     PE Pro will append your words to TNC device name and the serial port when creating a radio port description, e.g. SoundCard on COM4: VHF 1200 Kenwood V7A

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Go To TNC Commands Help Page
Go to the TNC Properties Help page
 


Copyright 2004 SV2AGW George Rossopoulos . All rights reserved.