
Notes on HamComm 3.1:                          Paderborn, June 10. 1996

  HamComm is a program for ham radio communications.  It supports
reception and transmission of radio teletype (RTTY), AMTOR ARQ/FEC,
SITOR A/B, NAVTEX and Morse code (CW) signals.  A decoder for SHIP and
SYNOP reports from weather stations is also included.  PACTOR decoding
is available with the registered version.

  HamComm does not require an RTTY converter, not even a modem chip. 
The audio output of the transceiver is connected to the serial port of
any PC/XT/AT compatible computer thru a very simple low-cost interface. 
Only one IC is needed (Op-Amp TL071 or similar) and a few diodes,
capacitors and resistors. 

  For transmission a tone signal is available at the COM port which can
be connected to the microphone input of the transceiver thru a passive
r/c filter. Audio frequency decoding and serial/parallel conversion are
all done in software.

  HamComm will automatically detect the type of video adapter in use. 
MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA and Hercules are supported.  All graphics routines
are written in assembler for speed.  No attempt has been made to
avoid screen flicker (snow) on cheap CGAs. 

  HamComm may work to some degree on XT maschines, but the graphics
displays of the input signal are more fun to watch on an AT-class
computer.  Nearly all of the functions can also be controlled by using a
mouse.  A harddisk is recommended but not required.  All texts are
written in english and the online help system includes the schematics
for the interface circuit.  There are also predefined standard phrases,
a QTH distance/direction calculator and a callsign decoder.  Currently
about 370KB of free ram is required. 

  HamComm will probably NOT run under any kind of multitasking software
like Windows 3.x/95/NT or OS/2.  It needs direct control of the 
interrupt controller, timer chip and serial I/O hardware. 

  On startup the program automatically searches for a configuration file
called "HC31.CFG".  The current directory is searched first, then all
other directories along the current "PATH" environment variable.  A
sample config file is provided.  Read it carefully and make the required
adjustments using your favourite text editor. 

  The interface schematics are included in the online help texts and
at the end of the manual. There is also a section on trouble shooting
in case of hardware problems.

  HamComm 3.1 Copyright (c) 1990 - 1996 by W.F. Schroeder DL5YEC. All
rights reserved.  This is NOT a "public domain" or "freeware" program. 

  You are granted a limited license to use this software for evaluation
purposes for a period of 30 days.  If you intend to continue using this
software after the 30 day evaluation period, you must make a
registration payment.  See the documentation for details. The english
manual is in the file HC.DOC.

  The author can be reached via the packet radio mailbox system.  Send
your error reports, suggestions and comments to "dl5yec@db0bq.deu.eu". 
If you have access to the internet try e-mail to "schroeder.pad@sni.de".
If you have access to Usenet you can post HamComm related questions to
newsgroup "rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc". 

Have fun!

73 es 55 de Django DL5YEC
