Month: March 2018

SCSTracker.dll

This driver allows BPQ32 applications to make and receive Robust Packet or HF Packet calls using the SCS Tracker TNC. This driver is intended for using the Tracker on HF for forwarding, and only allows one connect at a time. For normal VHF operation or user access on HF, there is a separate driver, SCSTrackerMulti, that supports multiple connections (but not scanning).

Although the Tracker is an ax.25 controller, the driver only allows it to be used by one session at a time, so you must use the ATTACH command to allocate the port before making a call. So if your Tracker port is BPQ32 port 3, enter

ATTACH 3

Possible responses are:

#BPQ11:GM8BPQ-2} Ok

#BPQ11:GM8BPQ-2} Error – Invalid Port   // Port is not a Tracker port.

#BPQ11:GM8BPQ-2} Error – Port in use   // Port is in use.

Once attached to a port, you can issue commands to the TNC. These are the same as you would use to control the Tracker from a terminal, except that you don’t type an ESC before each command.

You can also select which mode a connect will be made in be entering HFPACKET or RPACKET. So to make a Robust call, enter

ATT 3
RPACKET
C CALLSIGN

For a normal (300 Baud HF Packet) call enter:

ATT 3
HFPACKET
C CALLSIGN

Configuration.

The driver configuration is specified in the bpq32.cfg file

The driver is defined to BPQ32 as an External port, and needs some driver-specific configuration

The first line of the config defines what BPQ Application incoming calls should connect to. If omitted, calls go to the command handler.

If you are using the Rig Control feature for scanning, add the RIGCONTROL command next.

If you want to listen for both normal and Robust packet connects, use the SWITCHMODES n command. This specifes how long to spend in each mode. Note Rigcontrol will override this.

If you want users to be able to connect to any of your applications, use the USEAPPLCALLS command.

If you want the controller to start in Robust mode, and return to that mode after a connect, use DEFAULT ROBUST

All commands that are essential to run with BPQ32 are sent automatically. You only need to include any special setup you need.

The commands that are preset are in two groups. One set is sent before the commands you specify, so can be changed. The others are sent after your commands, as they are essential for correct operation with BPQ32.

Sent before your config

M UISC           ; Monitoring Enabled (needed for APPLCALL support)
%F 1500          ; Use the same centre frequency for normal and Robust packet.

Sent after your config

Z 0              ; No Flow Control
Y 1              ; One Channel
E 1              ; Echo - Restart process needs echo
%B R600 or %B 300 ; Depending if DEFAULT ROBUST is set

MYCALL is set to the PORT config PORTCALL if specified, otherwise to NODECALL. Any MYCALL in the config file is ignored.

Other possible configuraton parameters are:

FORCE ROBUST
Only use Robust Packet. Disable any switch to Normal Packet

WL2KREPORT
send Frequency info to the WINLINK database. See here for details.

UPDATEMAP
The modem logs connects to the Nodemap if you have specified a LOCATOR in your BPQ32.cfg. If you specify UPDATEMAP, stations heard will also be sent to the map.

BEACONAFTERSESSION
Send Beacon after each session

Sample SCS Trcker Configuration

PORT
 ID=Tracker
 COMPORT=1;             COM Port Address
 SPEED=38400;           COM Port Speed
 DRIVER=SCSTracker
 INTERLOCK=n;           ; Optional - set if you have two ports sharing the same radio.
                        ; Set the same Interlock value on both ports.
 
 CONFIG                 ; Driver-Specific Configuration
 
 APPL RMS               ; Autoconnect to BPQ32 RMS Application
 
 RIGCONTROL
 COM2 19200 ICOM IC700 70
 15,14.103,USB,F1,R2
 15,14.103,USB,F1,H1
 ****
 
 SWITCHMODES 15            ; Change between Robust and normal packet every 15 seconds.
                           ; Note this will be ignored if you are using RIGCONTROL
						   
 USEAPPLCALLS              ; Listen for calls to any of your APPLnCALLS
 DEFAULT ROBUST            ; Return to Robust mode after connections
 BEACONAFTERSESSION        ; Send Beacon after each session 

ENDPORT

© John Wiseman GM8BPQ/G8BPQ