| MISC INFO HF via HT |
| Hello from Len // N8AD in Erie, Pa The information below rambles on and on a LOT! Sorry about that, but I wanted to put almost all the important information that I have in ONE SPOT. Use it for your reference for things that may appear unanswered anywhere else. |
Hello from Len / N8AD.
ART-DX has been a lot of fun to
develop over the last many months.
Included in this package is the complete
Visual Basic source code. If you like to
program, hopefully this will serve as a
good starting point for you to develop
options that will improve the system for
everyone. Feel free to modify the code
in any way you choose, but I would
appreciate it if you would continue to use
the ART name. (ART is an acronym for
Amateur Radio Transceiver.) There has
not been a lot of documentation on the
system / software. I hope this is a start to
remedy that problem!
ART is both a SERVER and a CLIENT
for remote base operation. It requires a
running instantiation of the EchoLink
program. If you launch ART and
EchoLink is not running, ART will load
and run EchoLink by itself. If you use it
as a CLIENT to control other
MixBASE remotes you only need the
two programs. If you want to use ART
as the SERVER for your own Internet
Remote Base that other EchoLink
Stations can use, you need a third
program. MixW, from www.mixw.net,
which is free for only 15 days, then
requires registration.
To use ART as a remote base you must
set up MixW as detailed by the MixW
HELP files. MixW must be capable of
CAT controlling the radio you plan to
use as the Remote Base. Audio from the
radio should go to MixW and also to the
EchoLink program. Audio from
EchoLink and MixW should also go to
the radios mic input. If you can get
MixW and your radio to work as a
digital station, with full CAT control of
frequency and mode etc, and carry out a
digital QSO (like BPSK31, etc) you are
all set for remote base operation.
Balancing audio levels for proper
operation will also be required between
the MixW application and the EchoLink
Program along with the radio level
settings for the people across the
connection.
Order of start-up of the programs is
important. EchoLink should always be
started first. If MixW is desired it should
be started next. ART-DX should always
be started LAST. This lets ART know
what is there, and set its software hooks
into the running applications for data
communications. If for example ART is
started before MixW, ART will not
know that MixW is there, and just
assume it is being used as a CLIENT
and not a SERVER. (Because COM
ports and AUDIO CARDS are
processed by the order of program
launches, either EchoLink or MixW can
be started first, the important part is that
ARTiE is ALWAYS launched last in the
process of start-up.)
Order of Shut-down is also important.
ART, in it's entirety should ALWAYS
be shut down FIRST. If EchoLink is
closed before ART, It will be necessary
to use Task Manager to completely
close the EchoLink Application, or it will
require a cold reset. ART is also the
PARENT form that is capable of
spawning numerous CHILD
forms/applications from it's menus. ART
FORM should never be closed out with
the Windows "X" button. ART should
always remain active, even if you only
plan on using one of it's CHILD
applications. It can be minimized, and
kept in the Task Bar on the bottom of
your Windows desktop. When you are
finished with your ARTiE session, you
should ALWAYS close ART with the
EXIT or HELP menu items. Once
ARTiE is CLOSED you can shut down
the MixW and EchoLink applications.
Their order of shutdown is not
important, as long as ART goes first.
ART-DX as a controller of other
EchoLink remote bases, is very versatile.
It is not just capable of controlling MixW
remotes. It also can format commands
properly for W4MQ systems, KB1SO
systems, and EchoBASE system as well
as of course MixW systems, which it
creates. There are many reasons for
using a GUI like ART-DX to control
these systems on EchoLink. The main
one is simplicity in formatting text chat
instructions. Also EchoLink prevents
sending "duplicate" lines of text within a
30 second time period. Sending a minus
symbol "-" 20 times in a row is
impossible in EchoLink Chat. ARTiE
can do it by attaching a time stamp to the
text, which changes it from the same line
to a slightly different line of text. Single
mouse clicks of the GUI also translate
immediately into formatted words in chat
text, which makes operation enjoyable,
rather than a task. It also provides rapid
fire frequency changes from 1 Hz to 10
KHz increments using the EZ-PAD and
your mouse.
To set it to a unique Remote Base like
W4MQ's system use the EXIT menu of
ARTiE. Click 'TYPE/CALL of IRB' and
a pop-up window will ask for your
desire. If you want, just enter the call
sign of the node you want to control
without -L or -R suffixes. Once set, it
will be displayed on top of the IC-706
GUI above the main tuning dial.
MixBASE is the default system setting. If
your controller seems to not be
responding, check that you are set to the
correct type of IRB being REMOTELY
controlled.
Because of ARTiE's sophistication it can
create some confusion. ART can be set
to LOCAL or REMOTE operation. If
your system is running MixW as your
own Internet Remote Base, ART can
control your transceiver locally. If you
are connected to a distant Node that is
running a MixBASE system, ART can
control it, by toggeling to the
"REMOTE" setting. If 2 or more
MixBASE systems are connected in a
conference, your ART controller will
control 2 or more MixBASEs
simultaneously. The thing to remember is
if you are connected to a MixBASE
system with your own MixBASE
system, you must choose where your
commands go, by selecting LOCAL /
REMOTE.
One of the CHILD forms that you will
have at your disposal is KB1SO's page.
This form will connect you and set up
ART to control Ray's system. A
completely different system called
RigLinkClient controlled over
EchoLink's Chat Line. Ray has a
marvelous station, including over 14
beam antennas on 3 different towers.
IC-775DSP's, Hight Power Amps,
Rotors, that are all controlled from the
KB1SO page of ART. Just click the
connect command button and EchoLink
will take you there. If you want to know
what a button does on this or any other
page in ART-DX, just focus your cursor
on the button, and hover it, until a
tool-tip help balloon pops up, with a
description of what that particular item
does. All ART command buttons have
this feature, and it can be disabled /
enabled in the MAIN HELP menu of
ART.
Another Form called KENNY controls
Kenwood radio remotes that have some
unique commands like AIP, and Hi /
Low cut IF shits etc. Open the page to
MAXIMUM view (full screen) for
instructions and descriptions on how to
use KENNY. As a matter of fact most
forms will expand to a full screen view.
Hidden there will be hints and
instructions on how to use that particular
form or application.
The ICOM form is just that. It is used to
control the features unique to ICOM
radios.
The PLAY menu of ART also has 5
different forms called SCHEDULERS,
that are used to play .WAV files from
the EchoLink recorder. You can use all
5 or just 1 or more at a time. Each form
will control one sound file and can be
programmed to play each file from every
minute to any specific time of day you
choose. A special form "FIVE" will also
insert a 2,4,6,8, or 10 second pause in
the audio playback. If this feature is
turned "ON" then any wave filed played
by any EchoLink function will have the
2-10 second pause inserted every
minute. (Use caution if recording, and
this feature is selected. It will pause your
recording every minute and cause data
recording losses, that are not
acceptable.) Form 5 if expanded to
FULL page view has instructions on
how to use all five.
In the HELP menu of ART are 2 other
POP UP windows called HELP and
INFO. Clicking either of these buttons
will result in a new form being displayed
which will have 27 command buttons.
These are used on MixW systems to
play 25 different AUDIO help files, that
will explain how the system is used.
Clicking 1 - 25 will play HELP files
1-25 respectively. The same is true for
INFO. These 27 files are contained in 2
folders in the EchoLink audio folder
called WAV, in the EchoLink recorder
section. It is up to the owner of the
MixBASE system to create these files.
Whatever that owner wants to put in
them, and configuration is his sole
discretion. The folders are named HELP
and INFO in the EchoLink WAV folder
if you are planning to set up your own
remote base useing ART. Once again if
you are running MixBASE connected to
another MixBASE, you can play his
HELP / INFO files or yours, depending
on the direction of the LOCAL /
REMOTE button.
MixBASE has 3 basic MODES of
operation. Each one is different in it's
functionality. The FIRST mode is
REPEATER. The second is
RECEIVER, and the third is
TRANSCEIVER. RPTR = Repeater,
RCVR = Receiver, and XCVR =
Transceiver. The most important
difference between the 3 modes is the
XCVR MODE. Placing the system in
XCVR will make it's transmitter
functional. It will only go into XCVR if
the remote user's call sign is saved in a
DATA BASE which resides in the folder
that the ART program is launched from.
If that user's call sign is not in the DATA
base, XCVR will not activate. (Matches
are found by comparing exactly the
CHAT TEXT CALL, including - L and
- R.) If XCVR is activated, then all
audio from EchoLink will go out over the
HF remote transmitter if "T" is sent to
place the system into transmit. "R" sent in
Chat Text will return the radio to
RECEIVE operation in the
TRANSCEIVER mode.
RECEIVER mode is the most used
mode. This will place the system in
receive only, so that all EchoLink audio
is not sent out the tuned to HF
frequency. This is where all control
should be accomplished. It is not wise to
do commands in XCVR mode, which
might possibly pollute the spectrum with
undesirable noise. RCVR mode also
allows EchoLink users to listen to the
HF audio stream, but also by using
EchoLink TALK / LISTEN the nodes
can communicate and over-ride the
audio stream at will, without transmitting
over the air.
RPTR mode allows EchoLink users to
connect to the MixBASE and control the
receiver, but not interfere with the local
repeater by constant keying of it's
transmitter and playing out HF to the
repeater community. RPTR will unkey
the local transmitter, but HF audio will
stream to the EchoLink user. This
requires special adjustment on the
MixBASE server side, to obtain the
results specified.
Besides EchoLink control via CHAT,
MixBASE SERVERS also are
controllable by EchoLink decoded
DTMF codes. Local users of a repeater,
if connected to the MixBASE SERVER,
can set frequency, operation mode, and
MixBASE MODE with touch tone
commands. The basic FORM of all
commands begin with DOUBLE A's
"AA" and then the command function.
For example... to set the HF frequency
to 14325Khz, a repeater / link user
would send the DTMF code
'AA14325'. Once EchoLink decodes it,
the MixW program will change the
LOCAL hf radio to that frequency.
AA14313, AA07258, AA03898
AA29620 are some examples of
frequency changes. Also there are 99
memory channels. AA7001 thru
AA7099 choose memory 1 thru 99
respectively. Modes are simple too
with... AA11 = LSB / AA12 = USB /
AA13 = CW / AA14 = AM / AA15 =
FM. SYSTEM MODES are AA00 =
STOP / AA01 = RPTR / AA02 =
RCVR / AA03 = XCVR. These are
some, not all the dtmf commands
available. This feature makes setting up a
UHF / VHF repeater HF REMOTE
base simple. Just run EchoLink, MixW
and ART-DX and you have a LOCAL
DTMF controlled repeater REMOTE
BASE. EchoLink does not necessarily
need to be connected to the internet
either, it just needs to be present to give
ART it's life. (Duplex / Half Duplex
operation is required)
If you use ARTiE as a SERVER for
your remote base, it is important that 2
other settings in the EXIT menu of ART
be set properly. The first is "SET IRB
Radio Manufacturer". Click this and set
the Company name I, Y, I for Icom.Y
for Yaesu or default is Kenwood. The
next pop-up wants to know the model
address. ICOM specifically requires
your unique hex address. For an
IC-706MKIIg the number is 58. If you
are using a Kenwood TS-50 or TS-940
answer the second question with "OLD".
Yaesu and other kenwoods just click
OK and continue on. The second EXIT
setting is LSB and USB MACROs With
the SET SPECIFIC LSB / USB
MACRO buttons. MixW knows how to
set LSB and USB but it does so for a
specific digital mode. If you want to
change it these have to represent your
radios CAT command. Ask N8AD for
your radio's MACRO for USB/LSB if
you can't find them in your radio users
manual.
If you use ARTiE as a SERVER it also
will play quite a few AUDIO wave files
from three different sound
recorder/players. EchoLink has one,
MixW has one and You need to install
the third one. WINAMP from
www.winamp.com. Place it in it's default
location on your C drive (C:\Program
Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe). You will
also need to create a few audio files that
are played in response to command
clicks of ART. These files are all WAV
files in EchoLink format. Use the
EchoLink recorder to make the files and
rename them to STOP.wav / RPTR.wav
/ RCVR.wav / XCVR.wav /
RESET.wav / ID.wav / DING.wav and
some others that might be there. If a file
is played from the EchoLink player it will
cause the text bar below the radio to
print PLAYED -----> XXXXX, where
xxxxx is the name of the .WAV file.
usually these files are stored in the
EchoLink WAV folder, which is where
the green triangle icon of the recorder
takes you to by default. (One exception
is the STOP.wav file which is in 2
places, the second being also in the
ROOT directory C:\) (Also ID.wav
should be in the ROOT directory, and
can be different than the one in
\EchoLink\WAV folder. Any sound file
that MixW tries to play and can NOT
find will cause MixW to print an
ERROR message in the RECEIVE
buffer of MixW. Follow the path printed
and place a new wave file you create
there. If Winamp can NOT find a file
you will not receive any information that
an error has occurred, but the program
will continue as normal. Winamp is used
to play some of the MENU commands
under the OTHER menu option. (The
streaming audio sites.) Under OTHER
are also MP3 files K1RFD1.MP3,
NEWS.MP3, and ARRL.MP3. These
files are placed in the ROOT directory
for Winamp to play.
There's a LOT MORE, but I will try to
create a HELP system that will explain
some of the things in better detail. It will
also cover the many features I have not
yet talked about. Good Luck, and above
all have fun with the system!
Len / N8AD
ART-DX has been a lot of fun to
develop over the last many months.
Included in this package is the complete
Visual Basic source code. If you like to
program, hopefully this will serve as a
good starting point for you to develop
options that will improve the system for
everyone. Feel free to modify the code
in any way you choose, but I would
appreciate it if you would continue to use
the ART name. (ART is an acronym for
Amateur Radio Transceiver.) There has
not been a lot of documentation on the
system / software. I hope this is a start to
remedy that problem!
ART is both a SERVER and a CLIENT
for remote base operation. It requires a
running instantiation of the EchoLink
program. If you launch ART and
EchoLink is not running, ART will load
and run EchoLink by itself. If you use it
as a CLIENT to control other
MixBASE remotes you only need the
two programs. If you want to use ART
as the SERVER for your own Internet
Remote Base that other EchoLink
Stations can use, you need a third
program. MixW, from www.mixw.net,
which is free for only 15 days, then
requires registration.
To use ART as a remote base you must
set up MixW as detailed by the MixW
HELP files. MixW must be capable of
CAT controlling the radio you plan to
use as the Remote Base. Audio from the
radio should go to MixW and also to the
EchoLink program. Audio from
EchoLink and MixW should also go to
the radios mic input. If you can get
MixW and your radio to work as a
digital station, with full CAT control of
frequency and mode etc, and carry out a
digital QSO (like BPSK31, etc) you are
all set for remote base operation.
Balancing audio levels for proper
operation will also be required between
the MixW application and the EchoLink
Program along with the radio level
settings for the people across the
connection.
Order of start-up of the programs is
important. EchoLink should always be
started first. If MixW is desired it should
be started next. ART-DX should always
be started LAST. This lets ART know
what is there, and set its software hooks
into the running applications for data
communications. If for example ART is
started before MixW, ART will not
know that MixW is there, and just
assume it is being used as a CLIENT
and not a SERVER. (Because COM
ports and AUDIO CARDS are
processed by the order of program
launches, either EchoLink or MixW can
be started first, the important part is that
ARTiE is ALWAYS launched last in the
process of start-up.)
Order of Shut-down is also important.
ART, in it's entirety should ALWAYS
be shut down FIRST. If EchoLink is
closed before ART, It will be necessary
to use Task Manager to completely
close the EchoLink Application, or it will
require a cold reset. ART is also the
PARENT form that is capable of
spawning numerous CHILD
forms/applications from it's menus. ART
FORM should never be closed out with
the Windows "X" button. ART should
always remain active, even if you only
plan on using one of it's CHILD
applications. It can be minimized, and
kept in the Task Bar on the bottom of
your Windows desktop. When you are
finished with your ARTiE session, you
should ALWAYS close ART with the
EXIT or HELP menu items. Once
ARTiE is CLOSED you can shut down
the MixW and EchoLink applications.
Their order of shutdown is not
important, as long as ART goes first.
ART-DX as a controller of other
EchoLink remote bases, is very versatile.
It is not just capable of controlling MixW
remotes. It also can format commands
properly for W4MQ systems, KB1SO
systems, and EchoBASE system as well
as of course MixW systems, which it
creates. There are many reasons for
using a GUI like ART-DX to control
these systems on EchoLink. The main
one is simplicity in formatting text chat
instructions. Also EchoLink prevents
sending "duplicate" lines of text within a
30 second time period. Sending a minus
symbol "-" 20 times in a row is
impossible in EchoLink Chat. ARTiE
can do it by attaching a time stamp to the
text, which changes it from the same line
to a slightly different line of text. Single
mouse clicks of the GUI also translate
immediately into formatted words in chat
text, which makes operation enjoyable,
rather than a task. It also provides rapid
fire frequency changes from 1 Hz to 10
KHz increments using the EZ-PAD and
your mouse.
To set it to a unique Remote Base like
W4MQ's system use the EXIT menu of
ARTiE. Click 'TYPE/CALL of IRB' and
a pop-up window will ask for your
desire. If you want, just enter the call
sign of the node you want to control
without -L or -R suffixes. Once set, it
will be displayed on top of the IC-706
GUI above the main tuning dial.
MixBASE is the default system setting. If
your controller seems to not be
responding, check that you are set to the
correct type of IRB being REMOTELY
controlled.
Because of ARTiE's sophistication it can
create some confusion. ART can be set
to LOCAL or REMOTE operation. If
your system is running MixW as your
own Internet Remote Base, ART can
control your transceiver locally. If you
are connected to a distant Node that is
running a MixBASE system, ART can
control it, by toggeling to the
"REMOTE" setting. If 2 or more
MixBASE systems are connected in a
conference, your ART controller will
control 2 or more MixBASEs
simultaneously. The thing to remember is
if you are connected to a MixBASE
system with your own MixBASE
system, you must choose where your
commands go, by selecting LOCAL /
REMOTE.
One of the CHILD forms that you will
have at your disposal is KB1SO's page.
This form will connect you and set up
ART to control Ray's system. A
completely different system called
RigLinkClient controlled over
EchoLink's Chat Line. Ray has a
marvelous station, including over 14
beam antennas on 3 different towers.
IC-775DSP's, Hight Power Amps,
Rotors, that are all controlled from the
KB1SO page of ART. Just click the
connect command button and EchoLink
will take you there. If you want to know
what a button does on this or any other
page in ART-DX, just focus your cursor
on the button, and hover it, until a
tool-tip help balloon pops up, with a
description of what that particular item
does. All ART command buttons have
this feature, and it can be disabled /
enabled in the MAIN HELP menu of
ART.
Another Form called KENNY controls
Kenwood radio remotes that have some
unique commands like AIP, and Hi /
Low cut IF shits etc. Open the page to
MAXIMUM view (full screen) for
instructions and descriptions on how to
use KENNY. As a matter of fact most
forms will expand to a full screen view.
Hidden there will be hints and
instructions on how to use that particular
form or application.
The ICOM form is just that. It is used to
control the features unique to ICOM
radios.
The PLAY menu of ART also has 5
different forms called SCHEDULERS,
that are used to play .WAV files from
the EchoLink recorder. You can use all
5 or just 1 or more at a time. Each form
will control one sound file and can be
programmed to play each file from every
minute to any specific time of day you
choose. A special form "FIVE" will also
insert a 2,4,6,8, or 10 second pause in
the audio playback. If this feature is
turned "ON" then any wave filed played
by any EchoLink function will have the
2-10 second pause inserted every
minute. (Use caution if recording, and
this feature is selected. It will pause your
recording every minute and cause data
recording losses, that are not
acceptable.) Form 5 if expanded to
FULL page view has instructions on
how to use all five.
In the HELP menu of ART are 2 other
POP UP windows called HELP and
INFO. Clicking either of these buttons
will result in a new form being displayed
which will have 27 command buttons.
These are used on MixW systems to
play 25 different AUDIO help files, that
will explain how the system is used.
Clicking 1 - 25 will play HELP files
1-25 respectively. The same is true for
INFO. These 27 files are contained in 2
folders in the EchoLink audio folder
called WAV, in the EchoLink recorder
section. It is up to the owner of the
MixBASE system to create these files.
Whatever that owner wants to put in
them, and configuration is his sole
discretion. The folders are named HELP
and INFO in the EchoLink WAV folder
if you are planning to set up your own
remote base useing ART. Once again if
you are running MixBASE connected to
another MixBASE, you can play his
HELP / INFO files or yours, depending
on the direction of the LOCAL /
REMOTE button.
MixBASE has 3 basic MODES of
operation. Each one is different in it's
functionality. The FIRST mode is
REPEATER. The second is
RECEIVER, and the third is
TRANSCEIVER. RPTR = Repeater,
RCVR = Receiver, and XCVR =
Transceiver. The most important
difference between the 3 modes is the
XCVR MODE. Placing the system in
XCVR will make it's transmitter
functional. It will only go into XCVR if
the remote user's call sign is saved in a
DATA BASE which resides in the folder
that the ART program is launched from.
If that user's call sign is not in the DATA
base, XCVR will not activate. (Matches
are found by comparing exactly the
CHAT TEXT CALL, including - L and
- R.) If XCVR is activated, then all
audio from EchoLink will go out over the
HF remote transmitter if "T" is sent to
place the system into transmit. "R" sent in
Chat Text will return the radio to
RECEIVE operation in the
TRANSCEIVER mode.
RECEIVER mode is the most used
mode. This will place the system in
receive only, so that all EchoLink audio
is not sent out the tuned to HF
frequency. This is where all control
should be accomplished. It is not wise to
do commands in XCVR mode, which
might possibly pollute the spectrum with
undesirable noise. RCVR mode also
allows EchoLink users to listen to the
HF audio stream, but also by using
EchoLink TALK / LISTEN the nodes
can communicate and over-ride the
audio stream at will, without transmitting
over the air.
RPTR mode allows EchoLink users to
connect to the MixBASE and control the
receiver, but not interfere with the local
repeater by constant keying of it's
transmitter and playing out HF to the
repeater community. RPTR will unkey
the local transmitter, but HF audio will
stream to the EchoLink user. This
requires special adjustment on the
MixBASE server side, to obtain the
results specified.
Besides EchoLink control via CHAT,
MixBASE SERVERS also are
controllable by EchoLink decoded
DTMF codes. Local users of a repeater,
if connected to the MixBASE SERVER,
can set frequency, operation mode, and
MixBASE MODE with touch tone
commands. The basic FORM of all
commands begin with DOUBLE A's
"AA" and then the command function.
For example... to set the HF frequency
to 14325Khz, a repeater / link user
would send the DTMF code
'AA14325'. Once EchoLink decodes it,
the MixW program will change the
LOCAL hf radio to that frequency.
AA14313, AA07258, AA03898
AA29620 are some examples of
frequency changes. Also there are 99
memory channels. AA7001 thru
AA7099 choose memory 1 thru 99
respectively. Modes are simple too
with... AA11 = LSB / AA12 = USB /
AA13 = CW / AA14 = AM / AA15 =
FM. SYSTEM MODES are AA00 =
STOP / AA01 = RPTR / AA02 =
RCVR / AA03 = XCVR. These are
some, not all the dtmf commands
available. This feature makes setting up a
UHF / VHF repeater HF REMOTE
base simple. Just run EchoLink, MixW
and ART-DX and you have a LOCAL
DTMF controlled repeater REMOTE
BASE. EchoLink does not necessarily
need to be connected to the internet
either, it just needs to be present to give
ART it's life. (Duplex / Half Duplex
operation is required)
If you use ARTiE as a SERVER for
your remote base, it is important that 2
other settings in the EXIT menu of ART
be set properly. The first is "SET IRB
Radio Manufacturer". Click this and set
the Company name I, Y, I for Icom.Y
for Yaesu or default is Kenwood. The
next pop-up wants to know the model
address. ICOM specifically requires
your unique hex address. For an
IC-706MKIIg the number is 58. If you
are using a Kenwood TS-50 or TS-940
answer the second question with "OLD".
Yaesu and other kenwoods just click
OK and continue on. The second EXIT
setting is LSB and USB MACROs With
the SET SPECIFIC LSB / USB
MACRO buttons. MixW knows how to
set LSB and USB but it does so for a
specific digital mode. If you want to
change it these have to represent your
radios CAT command. Ask N8AD for
your radio's MACRO for USB/LSB if
you can't find them in your radio users
manual.
If you use ARTiE as a SERVER it also
will play quite a few AUDIO wave files
from three different sound
recorder/players. EchoLink has one,
MixW has one and You need to install
the third one. WINAMP from
www.winamp.com. Place it in it's default
location on your C drive (C:\Program
Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe). You will
also need to create a few audio files that
are played in response to command
clicks of ART. These files are all WAV
files in EchoLink format. Use the
EchoLink recorder to make the files and
rename them to STOP.wav / RPTR.wav
/ RCVR.wav / XCVR.wav /
RESET.wav / ID.wav / DING.wav and
some others that might be there. If a file
is played from the EchoLink player it will
cause the text bar below the radio to
print PLAYED -----> XXXXX, where
xxxxx is the name of the .WAV file.
usually these files are stored in the
EchoLink WAV folder, which is where
the green triangle icon of the recorder
takes you to by default. (One exception
is the STOP.wav file which is in 2
places, the second being also in the
ROOT directory C:\) (Also ID.wav
should be in the ROOT directory, and
can be different than the one in
\EchoLink\WAV folder. Any sound file
that MixW tries to play and can NOT
find will cause MixW to print an
ERROR message in the RECEIVE
buffer of MixW. Follow the path printed
and place a new wave file you create
there. If Winamp can NOT find a file
you will not receive any information that
an error has occurred, but the program
will continue as normal. Winamp is used
to play some of the MENU commands
under the OTHER menu option. (The
streaming audio sites.) Under OTHER
are also MP3 files K1RFD1.MP3,
NEWS.MP3, and ARRL.MP3. These
files are placed in the ROOT directory
for Winamp to play.
There's a LOT MORE, but I will try to
create a HELP system that will explain
some of the things in better detail. It will
also cover the many features I have not
yet talked about. Good Luck, and above
all have fun with the system!
Len / N8AD
Links:
Name:
N8AD / Len Stefanelli
Email:
DOWNLOAD
HERE -----------
HERE -----------
| D T M F CONTROL FULL CONTROL VIA LOCAL REPEATER OR DUPLEX LINK. If You run EchoLink, MixW with CAT control of your HF radio, and lastly ARTiE, you will be able to control your HF radio using your DTMF pad and Touch Tones EchoLink does not need to be connected to the internet, it just needs to be present and running so that ARTiE can exist. Of course it is better that EchoLink can connect to the world via the internet, it's just not necessary. Once MixW is capable of controlling your radio via CAT, EchoLink's internal DTMF decoder will decode your touch tones received via your Link or Repeater, and pass the string of touch tones to ART. ART in turn will digest the code and if it is a correct one, will let MixW execute the corresponding command. (Of course this assumes that you have a repeater or link already properly interfaced to EchoLink, and it can decode touch tones.) In effect when you are in range of your Link or Repeater you will be able to send commands to place MixBASE in the RECEIVER MODE, TRANSCEIVER MODE, or just REPEATER MODE. (You can NOT be on a simplex link.) In the RECEIVER MODE you will be able to change frequencies to any that your radio is capable of going to. All commands will begin with a pair of "A's", which act as an attention prefix. Frequency changes are "AA" followed by FIVE digits. If you have used the CHAT TEXT box on N8AD's system, you already understand the 5 digit convention. Above 10Mhz just enter the KHz desired, such as AA14313, AA21390, AA28330 etc. Below 10 MHz start the frequency portion with a ZERO. 7233 Khz would properly be entered from DTMF as "AA07233". 3898 KHz would be "AA03898" and so on. Besides frequency entries via DTMF you can also enter memory channels. If you have set your radio up accordingly, there are 100 available memories with ARTiE. They range from 7001 to 7099. And of course they begin with "AA" ATTENTION signals. So to enter memory channel 50, which on most ART systems corresponds to 5.000 Mhz AM. You would send "AA7050" Notice 4 numbers. This is the reason that frequencies below 10 MHz all start with a ZERO, 7050 could be channel 50, or 7.050 Mhz, which would cause a lot of confusion for users calling CQ on top of WWV 5. Besides Direct Frequency Entry and Memory Channel Entry, there is overriding mode entries. By convention direct frequency entry will place the radio in proper MODE settings. A QSY to 14300 from 3840 will change from LSB to USB automatically. You can / must have the power to override this if necessary. So it too is available from touch tone control. AA11 is LSB, AA12 is USB, AA13 is CW, AA14 is AM, and AA15 is FM. The ability to place the system into RPTR/RCVR/XCVR modes is also available. AA01 is RPTR, AA02 is RCVR and AA03 is XCVR. AA00 is STOP, which will also place it in RPTR as a default mode. We discussed Direct Entry of frequencies, and they will provide whole KHz entry. To fine tune to the nearest 100 Hz, are 2 other commands, AA?B and AA?C. AA?B, where ? = a number from 0 to 9 moves up 100Hz X ?. So if you were to send AA4B, for example, you would move from the present frequency, say 14300 to 14300.4 KHz. AA9C, on the other hand would then move you down 100Hz X 9 or to 14299.5 KHz from the last entry. Want to know what frequency you are on presently, Which is a good idea if you plan to do any transmitting. Simply enter the command 'AAAA" and K1RFD will reply with the present Frequency and Mode. AA10 will send the time of day. If you set your radio up to comply with our convention,you will place the 10 meter FM repeater pairs with proper splits in memory channels 7061 thru 7069.We have standardized this to be, if a user sends "AA7064" for example, the radio will be set to memory channel 64. Channel 64 will be pre- programmed to contain 29.640 for receive, 29.540 for transmit, SPLIT will be activated, and the FM mode will be selected. This standardization is important to us, and makes operation of 10 FM easy for all involved. Channel 7060 DTMF "AA7060" places you on 29.600 FM simplex. The national calling frequency. Memory channels are very useful, as you can see for providing splits PL's and offsets that are not otherwise easy to do from the field. Numbers below 40 are pretty much reserved for REPEATERS on VHF and UHF, for just this reason. Since you are also on a VHF/UHF system, you might not want a non-informed user setting direct entries on these bands. It would be disastrous for someone to transmit on your control frequencies. Memory channels let you select what can be used in these dangerous areas. (It also keeps desense issues to a minimum!) Similarly, we have chosen that 60 meter channels be set up on 7091, 7092, 7093, 7094, and 7095. With non standard Modes of USB preset. Channel 99 is saved for NOAA or weather radio broadcasts if you location and radio are so equipped. There could be more in the near future...If you have a need for something that everyone might want, drop us a note with the request for your desired function. The ART team. MEMORY PRE-SETS 1 AA7001 PSK31 USB 2 AA7002 PSK31 USB 3 AA7003 PSK31 USB 4 AA7004 PSK31 USB 5 AA7005 YOUR REPEATER 50 AA7050 WWV 5.000 AM 10 AA7010 WWV10.00 AM 96 AA7096 WWV15.00 AM 97 AA7097 WWV20.00 AM 91 AA7091 60 METER USB 92 AA7092 " 93 AA7093 " 94 AA7094 " 95 AA7095 60 METER USB 40 AA7040 7258 MID-CARS 41 AA7041 7255 E-CARS 42 AA7042 7251 S-CARS 99 AA7099 NOAA WX 60 AA7060 SPLIT OFF 10m 61 AA7061 SPLIT ON 10m 62 AA7062 " 29.62/29.52 63 64 AA7064 " 29.64/29.54 65 66 AA7066 " 29.66/29.56 67 68 AA7068 " 29.68/29.58 69 AA7069 SPLIT ON 10m --------------------------------- UP/DOWN 100 HZ AA#B AA#C SET A BASE FREQ LIKE 14300 WITH "AA14300"... THEN GOTO 14300.5 BY TOUCH TONES "AA5B". SENDING "AA9B" WILL THEN MOVE YOU TO 14301.4. SENDING "AA8C" WILL MOVE YOU TO 14300.6! --------------------------------- |
Basically there are 3 audio players in ART
The first is the EchoLink Player, which
stores it's audio in the GREEN
TRIANGLE "WAV" folder. Inside this
folder are 2 other folders that you have to
create.
'HELP' FOLDER with HELP1.wav to
HELP25.wav and HELP.wav as the
index wave file. These can be anything
you like, to help explain your remote
base to users that use the HELP FORM
of ART or type help1-25 in chat text. This
could be pretty powerful in helping you
explain how to enter frequencies properly
for example. Simply point the LOCAL /
REMOTE button to LOCAL and click
the HELP XX Button that replays that
recording. It explains how to do it.
Instead of you saying the same thing 100
times a day to 100 different stations. Just
click the button.
INFO FOLDER holds INFO1 -
INFO25 that is used the same as HELP
above. INFO.wav plays an introductory
list of instructions, or possibly an audio
directory of numbers 1-25 as to what's
contained in each one. (Same for
HELP.wav)
You already have most of the support
wave files in this main folder of echolink,
DING, RESET, RCVR.wav etc. If
EchoLink's recorder plays a file, it usually
is printed in the text line under the radio
PLAYED ------> XXXX. Create the file
XXXXX if it prints it but there is no audio
played, and save it in the EchoLink Folder.
There is another folder that is placed in
the ROOT directory...'MEMORIES'
FOLDER with wave file 7001.wav to
7099.wav. If a user chooses memory 62,
my "7062.wav" file plays "This is the
29.62, 29.52 repeater pair, on 10 meter
FM. Also this folder has a 'MEM.wav'
file that simply says "MEMORY
CHANNEL". This folder of files is also
played by the E/L sound system.
----------------------------
If you install WINAMP from
www.winamp.com as the download
wants to install it in the C:\Program
Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe folder, then
Winamp will play audio files and
streaming audio. The 'OTHER' menu of
ARTIE has 5/6 Winamp plays. Winamp
AUDIO files are stored in the ROOT
directory (C:\). K1RFD1.MP3,
NEWS.MP3, and a new one
ARRL.MP3. This is the only player
available that plays MP3 files from ART.
If you create the MP3 files and rename
them to K1RFD1, and NEWS they can
be played from the 'OTHER' menu. (I can
give you the batch files to automatically
download the 2 Newsline's MP3, and
send you Jonathan Taylor's speech on
EchoLink if you want them.)
To stop these audio files and streams
played with Winamp you should install a
file named "STOP.wav" in the ROOT
directory. Mine simply says "STOPPING
PLAYBACK". When the INDY IRLP
REFLECTOR is being played by
Winamp, the ART 'STOP' command
button plays "STOP.wav", which kills
ALL audio streams.
-----------------------
The third audio player is MixW's. When
MixW tries to play a file that can't be
found...it generates an Error Message that
prints in the MixW receive buffer. Simply
follow the PATH that it prints and create
a NEW audio file to satisfy the situation
and name it as MixW prints it lastly in the
line.
So in essence to answer your question,
don't change the directory that the
program specifies, to what you want it to
be, copy the file to where it wants it to be.
I believe ID.WAV is in the EchoLink
'WAV' folder and also in the ROOT
directory. These can be 2 different
recordings, to provide a bit of diversity,
rather than making it boringly always the
same. The same for "STOP.wav"
Winamp will not print an error message if
it can't find a file, it just continues with the
next function of the program.
I believe there is one other file in the
EchoLink 'WAV' folder named
HALT.wav, which is a blank audio file
that is played to interrupt and stop a
playing HELP or INFO file in progress.
------------------
One more feature is that you can re-direct
some menu buttons using the MACRO
EDITOR under the EXIT menu, to play
any wave file you choose, from anywhere
you choose. Example 'WIN' could be
redirected to the directory location / and
file you specify with <WAVE:C:\My
Location\Myfile.wav>... And you could
play multiple files in a row, or send mixw
multiple tasks from one command button
click.
-------------------
There is another feature under the 'PLAY'
menu of ART. PLAY AUDIO 1 - 5, will
play 5 audio files from the D:\ drive. For
me D is my CD drive. The 5 files it plays
must be named AMSAT0.wav /
AMSAT2.wav / AMSAT4.wav /
AMSAT6/wav / AMSAT8.wav for
PLAY AUDIO 1 to 5 respectively. These
could be very long files if you needed
them to be. ( Just need to be renamed
properly, before the BURN.)
pretty confusing huh,
Len
The first is the EchoLink Player, which
stores it's audio in the GREEN
TRIANGLE "WAV" folder. Inside this
folder are 2 other folders that you have to
create.
'HELP' FOLDER with HELP1.wav to
HELP25.wav and HELP.wav as the
index wave file. These can be anything
you like, to help explain your remote
base to users that use the HELP FORM
of ART or type help1-25 in chat text. This
could be pretty powerful in helping you
explain how to enter frequencies properly
for example. Simply point the LOCAL /
REMOTE button to LOCAL and click
the HELP XX Button that replays that
recording. It explains how to do it.
Instead of you saying the same thing 100
times a day to 100 different stations. Just
click the button.
INFO FOLDER holds INFO1 -
INFO25 that is used the same as HELP
above. INFO.wav plays an introductory
list of instructions, or possibly an audio
directory of numbers 1-25 as to what's
contained in each one. (Same for
HELP.wav)
You already have most of the support
wave files in this main folder of echolink,
DING, RESET, RCVR.wav etc. If
EchoLink's recorder plays a file, it usually
is printed in the text line under the radio
PLAYED ------> XXXX. Create the file
XXXXX if it prints it but there is no audio
played, and save it in the EchoLink Folder.
There is another folder that is placed in
the ROOT directory...'MEMORIES'
FOLDER with wave file 7001.wav to
7099.wav. If a user chooses memory 62,
my "7062.wav" file plays "This is the
29.62, 29.52 repeater pair, on 10 meter
FM. Also this folder has a 'MEM.wav'
file that simply says "MEMORY
CHANNEL". This folder of files is also
played by the E/L sound system.
----------------------------
If you install WINAMP from
www.winamp.com as the download
wants to install it in the C:\Program
Files\Winamp\Winamp.exe folder, then
Winamp will play audio files and
streaming audio. The 'OTHER' menu of
ARTIE has 5/6 Winamp plays. Winamp
AUDIO files are stored in the ROOT
directory (C:\). K1RFD1.MP3,
NEWS.MP3, and a new one
ARRL.MP3. This is the only player
available that plays MP3 files from ART.
If you create the MP3 files and rename
them to K1RFD1, and NEWS they can
be played from the 'OTHER' menu. (I can
give you the batch files to automatically
download the 2 Newsline's MP3, and
send you Jonathan Taylor's speech on
EchoLink if you want them.)
To stop these audio files and streams
played with Winamp you should install a
file named "STOP.wav" in the ROOT
directory. Mine simply says "STOPPING
PLAYBACK". When the INDY IRLP
REFLECTOR is being played by
Winamp, the ART 'STOP' command
button plays "STOP.wav", which kills
ALL audio streams.
-----------------------
The third audio player is MixW's. When
MixW tries to play a file that can't be
found...it generates an Error Message that
prints in the MixW receive buffer. Simply
follow the PATH that it prints and create
a NEW audio file to satisfy the situation
and name it as MixW prints it lastly in the
line.
So in essence to answer your question,
don't change the directory that the
program specifies, to what you want it to
be, copy the file to where it wants it to be.
I believe ID.WAV is in the EchoLink
'WAV' folder and also in the ROOT
directory. These can be 2 different
recordings, to provide a bit of diversity,
rather than making it boringly always the
same. The same for "STOP.wav"
Winamp will not print an error message if
it can't find a file, it just continues with the
next function of the program.
I believe there is one other file in the
EchoLink 'WAV' folder named
HALT.wav, which is a blank audio file
that is played to interrupt and stop a
playing HELP or INFO file in progress.
------------------
One more feature is that you can re-direct
some menu buttons using the MACRO
EDITOR under the EXIT menu, to play
any wave file you choose, from anywhere
you choose. Example 'WIN' could be
redirected to the directory location / and
file you specify with <WAVE:C:\My
Location\Myfile.wav>... And you could
play multiple files in a row, or send mixw
multiple tasks from one command button
click.
-------------------
There is another feature under the 'PLAY'
menu of ART. PLAY AUDIO 1 - 5, will
play 5 audio files from the D:\ drive. For
me D is my CD drive. The 5 files it plays
must be named AMSAT0.wav /
AMSAT2.wav / AMSAT4.wav /
AMSAT6/wav / AMSAT8.wav for
PLAY AUDIO 1 to 5 respectively. These
could be very long files if you needed
them to be. ( Just need to be renamed
properly, before the BURN.)
pretty confusing huh,
Len
| Hints for proper operation... The MixBASE system on N8AD-R is composed of three separate elements. 1...It is a Repeater system that simultaneously sends the active audio on RF . Please listen to "something" if you use the system. DON'T just let it play NOISE! 2...It is a RECEIVER that also streams audio over eQSO, SKYPE, and PORTRAIT. Be sure to turn the system ON with the ON command, then send the RCVR command via EchoLink Chat. 3....It is a TRANSCEIVER if you are entered into the XCVR, Control Ops Data Base. 4...When you are finished with a session, be sure to turn off the system, if you entered commands to use it. Enter STOP, OFF, or QUIT to stop the receiver, and return it back to REPEATER control. 5...If you connect and you are the only user on EchoLink, do not be alarmed if the receiver is ON. The repeater also offers full control via Touch Tones, and we use it all the time to keep audio playing for all the "Listeners" on other systems. Feel free if there are no EchoLink users already, to tune it to whatever you desire. 6...If you connect via EchoLink and there is another station(s) already there...Do not steal the system away from previous users. There is only one radio, and one user at a time that should control it. 7...You can speak over Streaming Audio from the receiver if the system is in the RCVR mode. Send "TALK" in Chat to mute the audio. When you finish transmitting send "LISTEN" to reset the audio stream. 8...EchoLink will not allow the EXACT line of Chat Text to be duplicated within a 30 second period. It will ignore a duplicate entry! This is a primary reason to use EZPAD or the ART-DX download GUI's. 9...Shut off your CHAT TEXT CHIME. If you receive a DING whenever a line of Chat Text is received, it would be wise for you to shut it OFF, before it drives you crazy. (Same with the You are DOUBLING WITH message.) 10...eQSO also streams this station's audio. If you intend only to Listen it would be considerate of you to do so from eQSO since it will not use bandwidth from me. If you want to set a frequency to listen to, you must remain in EchoLink. The room to connect to in eQSO is the HF_RADIO Room 11...SKYPE is also available and is connected to, one user at a time, by dialing "hfremote". Both SKYPE and eQSO are not monitored locally by anyone (except only occasionally). 12...Don't ask for XCVR privileges unless you have downloaded ART-DX or EZ-PAD and have figured out how to use them from a RECEIVER standpoint first. All users can do everything up to the XCVR command without needing approval. 13...If you are in the Control Op data base and intend to use the transmit functions...BE SURE your audio is as perfect as it can be. Voice peaks must go to YELLOW on the Audio Meter of EchoLink without going full scale! Failure to talk it UP to this level will result in LOW OUTPUT from the HF transmitter. POOR AUDIO from you will result in really TERRIBLE AUDIO on RF. 14... This system can do ALL DIGITAL MODES ! Using REALVNC VIEWER 4, you can even do SSTV etc. 15...There is a delay from the time the HF station says OVER until your audio can return to HIM over the air. This is due to EchoLink and can not be entirely eliminated. Set your RECEIVER HANG TIME to 300ms and reduce your NETWORK and PC BUFFERING to minimum values that will still provide good audio that does not break up. (The best it can be reduced to is about .6 seconds.) The station on HF can respond to you immediately, and does not have any delay to consider. Your response to him will be delayed, only! He does NOT have to drag HIS feet when returning to you. 73 N8AD |
| Normal System Operation Instructions. If no one is already in CONTROL... 1...SEND "ON" in CHAT or CLICK the ART-DX "ON" button. 2...SEND "RCVR" or CLICK it. 3...SEND a FREQUENCY in 5 DIGIT format such as 14300, 07258 03950. FINE tune using 03950.123 etc or if using ART-DX click the EZPAD button above the MAIN TUNING dial of the radio, and use it to set the BAND and frequency. 4...Send COMMANDS or click ART's buttons. Proper syntax is required if you use CHAT. 5...When finished....SEND STOP !!!! 6...Disconnect for others to use the system. DON'T LISTEN TO STATIC...SHUT IT OFF IF YOUR NOT GOING TO TUNE IT TO A STATION! KEEP IT IN THE HAM BANDS ONLY, and DON'T USE IT FOR SWLing. |
The worlds most UGLY car is owned by K8AD... This is my mobile! I have
been credited too many times for the monstrosity owned by that other guy!
been credited too many times for the monstrosity owned by that other guy!
Keyboard Shortcuts
As an alternative to using EchoLink with
a mouse, the following commands can
be entered from the keyboard:
Key Function
Alt+1 Activates the Station List area
Alt+2 Activates the Text Message area
Alt+3 Activates the QSO Status area
Alt+4 Activates the Text Chat area
F6 Activates the next area (in the
sequence above)
Shift-F6 Activates the previous area (in
the sequence above)
Ctrl+PgDn Switches between Index View
and Explorer View in the Station List
Tab Switches between the left and right
sides of Explorer View, or between
sections of the Text Chat area
Space Begins (or ends) transmitting
Ctrl+F10 Keys (or un-keys) the local
transmitter (Sysop mode)
Ctrl+F9 Simulates COS function of local
receiver (Sysop mode)
Alt+A Alarms
Alt+B List Me As Busy
Ctrl+C Copy
Alt+C Connect (the selected station)
Alt+D Disconnect
Alt+E Setup
Ctrl+F Find
Alt+M Server Message
Ctrl+O Connect To...
Ctrl+P Print
Alt+P Preferences
Alt+R Reconnect
Ctrl+V Paste
Ctrl+Z Undo
Del Delete
Ctrl+X Cut
F1 Help (Contents)
Alt+F4 Exit
Alt+F10 Alarm Log
Alt+F11 Station Summary
Alt+F12 Statistics
Alt+F2 Recording start/stop
F5 Refresh (station list)
Alt+F9 DTMF Pad
Alt+Y Sysop Setup
Explorer View Shortcuts
The following keyboard commands are
available when Explorer View is active:
Key Function
Enter Connect to selected station, or
expand selected folder
Tab Switch between left and right sides
of Explorer View
UpArrow Select previous item in list
DownArrow Select next item in list
RightArrow Expand selected folder (left
side)
LeftArrow Collapse selected folder (left
side)
* (on num pad) Expand selected folder
and all sub-folders (left side)
PgUp Scroll to the the previous page of
items
PgDn Scroll to the next page of items
As an alternative to using EchoLink with
a mouse, the following commands can
be entered from the keyboard:
Key Function
Alt+1 Activates the Station List area
Alt+2 Activates the Text Message area
Alt+3 Activates the QSO Status area
Alt+4 Activates the Text Chat area
F6 Activates the next area (in the
sequence above)
Shift-F6 Activates the previous area (in
the sequence above)
Ctrl+PgDn Switches between Index View
and Explorer View in the Station List
Tab Switches between the left and right
sides of Explorer View, or between
sections of the Text Chat area
Space Begins (or ends) transmitting
Ctrl+F10 Keys (or un-keys) the local
transmitter (Sysop mode)
Ctrl+F9 Simulates COS function of local
receiver (Sysop mode)
Alt+A Alarms
Alt+B List Me As Busy
Ctrl+C Copy
Alt+C Connect (the selected station)
Alt+D Disconnect
Alt+E Setup
Ctrl+F Find
Alt+M Server Message
Ctrl+O Connect To...
Ctrl+P Print
Alt+P Preferences
Alt+R Reconnect
Ctrl+V Paste
Ctrl+Z Undo
Del Delete
Ctrl+X Cut
F1 Help (Contents)
Alt+F4 Exit
Alt+F10 Alarm Log
Alt+F11 Station Summary
Alt+F12 Statistics
Alt+F2 Recording start/stop
F5 Refresh (station list)
Alt+F9 DTMF Pad
Alt+Y Sysop Setup
Explorer View Shortcuts
The following keyboard commands are
available when Explorer View is active:
Key Function
Enter Connect to selected station, or
expand selected folder
Tab Switch between left and right sides
of Explorer View
UpArrow Select previous item in list
DownArrow Select next item in list
RightArrow Expand selected folder (left
side)
LeftArrow Collapse selected folder (left
side)
* (on num pad) Expand selected folder
and all sub-folders (left side)
PgUp Scroll to the the previous page of
items
PgDn Scroll to the next page of items
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SPACE-KADET
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|