HELP.TXT 6.8c             APRS HELP DOCUMENT

FOR A SUMMARY INDEX OF ALL APRS README FILES, SEE README.1st

    Most APRS commands are single keys which are active from all display
pages.  The first Help page (F1-HELP), defines all command characters.
Some keys bring up additional command sub-menu's on the bottom of the screen.
Just hit the first letter of any command listed in the prompt.  In most
prompts, the ENTER key will select the default choice or complete the prompt
with no action.  The following section summarizes all of the TOP-LEVEL APRS
command characters (shown with F1-HELP).  First are the nine major display
screens accessed by their first letter:

SCREENS        OVERVIEW

L-LATEST     - Latest Beacon or broadcast message from all stations
B-BULLETINS  - Bulletins posted by other stations
P-POSITIONS  - Position packets and comments from all stations and Objs
H-HEARD LOG  - Number of packets per hour per station
R-READ MSGS  - Displays your incomming and outgoing messages
T-TRAFFIC    - The last 23 lines of traffic heard between other stations
D-DIGIs USED - Digipeater paths used by all stations (or DX message list)
A-ALL BCNS   - Chronological log of all beacons, messages (or all DX spots)
V-VIEW       - Scrolling screen of all packets on frequency
alt-T        - TELEMETRY screen for the MIM module (see TELEMTRY.txt)
SPACE BAR    - MAP - For showing the positions of all stations and objects

MENUS          OVERVIEW

F1-HELP      - HELP Menu with several screens
C-CONTROLS   - For switching on/off many APRS control functions
F-FILE MENU  - For loading, saving, and/or replaying files
I-INPUT MENU - For inputing your POSIT, OBJECTS and DF bearings
M-MAP MENU   - For most MAP functinos
O-OPERATIONS - Various commands involved in communications and keyboard ops
W-WEATHER    - All commands dealing with entering and displaying weather

MESSAGE COMMANDS

R-READ MSGS  - Displays all incomming and outgoing messages
E-ERASE (TO) - Erase outgoing messages TO other stations
K-KILL (FROM)- Kill incomming lines FROM other stations
S-SEND       - Send a message line
T-TRAFFIC    - Display the latest 23 lines monitored between other stations

OTHER COMMAND KEYS

G-GOTO ME/TRK- Moves cursor immediately to your stn or to the TRACKED stn
J-JUST ONE   - Will clear the map and only display Just one type of station
N-NEXT WX    - Will move cursor to the next WX stn and display condx
Q-QUIT       - Quit APRS.  Your POSIT will remain in your TNC beacon
U-UNPROTO    - Used to set your UNPROTO path
V-VIEW SCREEN- A conventional scrolling display for monitoring packets
X-XMT PKTS   - Transmits all or some of your outstanding packets

CURSOR AND MAP COMMANDS

SPACE bar    - Redraws current map. # and * display only SPECIAL stations
Arrows       - Moves cursor.  SHIFT Arrows (white) moves 5 times faster
Home         - Homes the screen to the cursor location
PgDn/Up      - ZOOMs the display in/out.  CTRL-PgUp/Dn zooms by 8
End          - Moves map to your default location
1,3,5,7,9    - 1 gets USA map.  3-9 reload maps saved in 3-9 keys
ENTER or +/- - Hook/Unhook (select) a station. +/- cycle through all stns

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

TAB - Displays status of most CONTROLS and SETUP items
F1  - Help Menu with several screens
F9  - Center map and scale to show ALL stations

ALTERNATE KEYS

alt-B - Alter BEACON text
alt-S - SETUP menu and configuration save commands
alt-G - Grid Square format for MIR/SAREX or HF DX
alt-I - Ignore all packets except other stations running alt-I SPECIAL
alt-A - Parse non packet text such as RTTY, or AMTOR/FEC (not yet complete)
alt-T - Telemetry screen.  See TELEMTRY.txt


The remainder of this file gives further details to the screens and commands.

DISPLAY SCREENS:  Each display page can have up to 5 pages (80 stations).
Use the PgUp and PgDn keys to cycle through multiple pages.  On both the
P and L lists, you can move the cursor to select a single station.  A prompt
then allows you to display the object on the map, see a chronological list of
all previous beacons from that station, delete the entry, insert a position
for a BEACON only station, etc.

  L - LATEST DISPLAY shows the latest BEACON packet from each station.  This
      screen is like a one-line broadcast message display.  In DX mode, this
      screen lists the latest command from all stations on your local cluster.

  B - BULLETINS DISPLAY shows the latest 22 APRS BULLETINS, very useful for
      distributing useful net-wide information about special events or
      instructions.  See the SEND command.

  P - POSITIONS DISPLAY shows the latest POSITION packet from each station.
      You may select (HOOK) any station or object in this list for additional
      commands.  See the section on OBJects.  Also the JUST ONE command works on this display
      to list JUST one type of stations at a time.

          U or Q - Uplink or Quit uplinking that object
          Move   - Move it anywhere else on the map
          Show   - Center the map on the object
          Delete - Deletes the object from your list
          Just   - Lists only stations or objects of JUST one type
          Kill   - Stops display of your object on EVERYONE's screens!  It
                   remains in their list but just does not clutter the map.

  H - HEARD LIST shows statistics of the number of packets heard from each
      station per hour for the last 24 hours.  It is useful for observing
      station activity and on HF for observing propagation changes.

  T - TRAFFIC screen shows the last 23 messages heard between other stns.
      In DX mode, also collects TALK messages between DX cluster users.

  D - DIGIPEATER PAGE shows the raw packet headers including the digipeaters
      of stations on your LATEST list.  Proper use of digis is very important
      for minimizing QRM on APRS nets.  A * in the left column show stations
      heard DIRECT.  In DX mode, the D screen accumulates the list of all
      ACTIVE DXcluster MESSAGES.

  A - ALL PACKETS display shows a chronological history of all packets
      including your own incoming and outgoing message lines.  Since messages
      do not have a time of receipt appended to them, this display is useful
      for seeing approximately when a message line was received.  In DX mode,
      this screen accumulates all DX/WX/WWV spots and announcements.

  F1- HELP gives a menu of several different pages of HELP including reading
      any of the README files.  Other HELP screens:

      DIGI    - one screen on how to use APRS DIGIPEATERS
      FILES   - Read the README files on line (lots of them!)
      HELP    - List of all APRS Commands
      INFO    - Additional helpful info
      NEW     - New-user simplified help screen
      On-SCRN - Scroll through the commands without losing the current screen
      SYMBOLS - Shows all APRS symbols
      VALID   - How to validate your copy of APRS


MAP DISPLAY:  The most important display in APRS, shows the positions of all
reporting stations.  Active APRS stations are shown in white, TNC-only posit
beacons are shown in light gray, objects that you are reporting (uplinking)
are shown in yellow, objects from other stations are purple, positions older
than 2 hours are shown in dark gray.  APRS WIDE area digipeaters are shown in
green.  Weather stations are shown in blue.  Finally, all moving objects that
have been deadreckoned, are shown in light blue.  The following paragraphs
provide amplifying information not provided above:

  SPACE   - Displays the current map.  By marking important or special objects
            with a # on the P-list, you can display the map with all other
            stations or objects suppressed by simply hitting the # key.  If
            you press *, all symbols will be displayed, but only the calls
            of the marked stations will be shown (useful for tracking a mobile
            through a maze of fixed stations..)

  ESC     - Will escape the cursor from never-never land to the screen center

  1,3,5,9 - These are map memories that you can use to save particular maps
            of interest to you.  Save a map using the MAP-SAVE command and
            recall any of these using the indicated number key.  The 1 key
            always has the whole USA in it.

  F9      - CENTER ALL CONTACTS.  This special function will calculate the
            best map range and center ALL stations heard by you on one map.

  J       - JUST ONE - Used to display just one symbol type at a time.
            Note that the J command also works on the P-list.

  #       - Will display the map with ONLY the objects or stations marked on
            the P-list with a #.  Very useful for highlighting special event
            objects with a single key stroke.

  *       - Similar to # above, but displays all objects, but only the calls
            of the marked stations.

  HOOK    - Hook is a Navy term for selecting an object on a radar screen. Use
            the ENTER key to hook an object at the cursor location.  To
            progressively hook one object after another, use the  +/- keys.
            The POSITION and BEACON packets from a hooked station are displayed
            on the bottom of the screen.  While a station is hooked, it can be
            moved by moving the cursor to the new location and hitting the
            INSert key or it can be removed using the DELETE key.  To prevent
            inadvertent movement of objects, a second RETURN key UNHOOKS.

  INSERT  - Relocates a HOOKED object on the screen.

  DEAD RECKONING:  Since APRS dead-reckons the position of moving objects as
            time progresses, the light blue symbols on the map are presented
            where they are predicted to be, NOT where they were at their last
            report (unless CONTROLS-DR is off).  To hook one of these objects
            on the map, you must hook the little gray circle which marks the
            position of the actual report, and not the symbol itself.


MAP MENU COMMANDS:

  A - ALTmap:  Displays the map UNDER the current map.  Since APRS always
      uses the latest map in the MAPLIST.APR file that meets the current
      screen conditions, areas where maps overlap may sometime be
      obscured.  This command displays the next higher map in the list.

  B - Borders:  Shows borders of all MAPS in the MAPLIST.apr file.  If A
      map border appears, but does not come up, then the MAP file is
      missing.  If the Map file exists but the borders do not show
      up, then the file is not listed in the MAPLIST.apr file.  Use F3 and
      F4 to display more or fewer borders.  See Hierarchy command below.

  F - Features toggles certain map features on/off.  Features are Boundaries,
      Headings, Roads, Calls, Waterways, etc.  ALL features can also be
      turned on/off at once.  This is useful for slow 8088 PCs where
      turning off the map still shows the relative positions of stations
      but without taking the 10 seconds required to draw the maps.

  H - Hierarchy:  This is an improvement on the BORDERS command since it
      colors in the maps in the same sequence as they are listed in the
      MAPLIST.xxx file.  The overlapping colors show the effect of the
      sequence of this list.

  L - Locks the current map to defeat the normal APRS auto-map selection.
      Useful to avoid interrupting your current map if your cursor gets over
      on another map during a special event.

  P - PLOTS.  Select from a number of different plots:

      CAP - Overlays the Civil Air Patrol search and rescue grid system.

      GridSquare - Displays Maidenhead grid squares

      DFrings:  Displays Signal strength contours around all stations
      reporting signal strength on a fox/jammer.  Stronger signals are
      brighter red and null reports are black circles.

      POWER rings:  Displays range rings around all stations showing an
      estimate of their radio horizon based on their transmitter power,
      height above average terrain, antenna gain and favored direction.
      If specific parameters are not given for a station, then the defaults
      used are 10 watts, 20 feet, and 3dB gain, omni.

      RANGE RINGS - Displays one ring at the current range scale and another
      at half the range.  This display also shows the range and bearing of
      the cursor from the center of the map.  This is limited to 256 miles
      since it does not calculate great circle spherical results.

      HEARD - Displays only those DF stations reporting a signal strength
      on a hidden transmitter.  See NOT-HEARD

      NOT-HEARD - Displays all DF stations reporting NO signal on the hidden
      transmitter.  The HEARD and NOT-HEARD commands are necessary on
      monochrome displays so that the user is not confused between the two
      mutually exclusive types of DF plots that will look identical on a
      monochrome display

MESSAGES:  There are three types of messages in APRS.  The first is
simply your one-line status BEACON.   New BEACONS (changed) are highlighted
in green at the bottom of all screens to show a change in status and are
added to the ALL and LATEST lists.  These beacons are perfect for alerting
the net to your current status.  Secondly, APRS implements a one line
message capability between operators.  Each line is ACKed when received
by the other station.  Multiple lines can be buffered up for eventual
delivery.  Finally, any station can sent a multi-line BULLETIN to all
stations.  See BULLETINS page and the SEND command.

MESSAGE COMMANDS:

  B - Displays accumulated bulletins.  To erase old bulletins, use the alt-E
      key.  Currently active bulletins will begin to be re-accumulated if a
      station is still transmitting them.

  R - READ MESSAGES - Displays the status of your incomming and outgoing
      messages.  Whenever there is any change, such as an incoming message
      line or an ACK to one of your outgoing lines, the screen will appear.

  S - SEND MESSAGE - You are then prompted for the callsign of the station
      that you want the message to go to.  If you already have outgoing
      message lines pending, then the previous station callsign is pre-loaded.
      If you don't want to send the message, just enter a blank line.  If
      you have hooked a station on the map, then that stations CALL will be
      pre-loaded.

      NOTE: The channel effeciency of APRS TALK messages are no better than
      normal connected packets since they also require ACK's.  Intense
      real-time rag-chews on a busy APRS frequency should be done without
      digipeaters or with only the exact path specified;  See the OPS-DIGI
      command below, for a shortcut for rapidly changing your digi path.
      The more effecient way to keyboard is to just use the OPS-COMM command
      and use your TNC to connect to the other station using the most direct
      path.  The other operator MUST be at his keyboard, though, because APRS
      will time-out, erase his screen, and dump him back into APRS after 3
      minutes of inactivity.

      ACKS:  When your MSG is acknowledged, the word *ACK* will be over
      printed on the outgoing MSG line.  Note that unlike normal packet, APRS
      does not compute the return path for an ACK.  Each station must set his
      outgoing VIA path so that his packets (including ACKs) get back to all
      stations in the net.  On the 2nd DUPE of an incoming message, APRS will
      warn you that the other station is probably not getting your ACKS!  APRS
      will then wait 30 seconds and repeat the latest ACK once to provide an
      almost doubling of through-put on poor (HF and multi-digipeater) paths.

  S - SEND BULLETIN.  This is the same as the SEND command, but you simply
      send the message to BLN# instead of a callsign.  The # indicates which
      line of the bulletin it is (1 to 9).  All APRS stations will grab and
      sort these Bulletins onto their BULLETINS page.  Since no one ACKS these
      messages, they are transmitted at the normal APRS decaying perodicity,
      eventually decaying to about 15 minutes.  This way, new stations on the
      net will eventually collect all BULLETINS.  You can update or change
      lines, just be sending a new one with the same BLN number.

  K - KILL incoming message lines.  K key kills one line at a time.

  E - ERASE outgoing lines.  E key erases one outgoing line at a time.  First
      it erases *ACKed* messages, and then erases other lines.  Finally it
      will erase outgoing BLN lines.

  T - TRAFFIC - Displays the last 23 lines of message traffic monitored
      between other stations.

FILES MENU:

  A - APPEND - This will permit you to load in a BACKUP file without losing
      all the stations that are already in your P and L lists.  If the same
      calls are in the appended file as are already in memory, there will
      be numerous dupes that should be manually deleted.  Also, APPEND does
      not append any LOG or WHEN-HEARD data.

  C - CHANGE-MAPLIST - This command lets you build and use multiple
      MAPLIST.xxx files customized to your area and application.

  D - DOS Shell - Be sure you are in the APRS directory before you EXIT back.

  L - LOADs a backup file.  The file named BACKUP which is saved every time
      you quit APRS, can be reloaded with just the initial B.  I save a
      different file for each packet frequency that I monitor.  To facilitate
      this process, you only need to enter the numeric digits to LOAD a backup
      FREQxxxx or HFxxxx file.

  O - ORDER THE LATEST LIST - Moves older beacons to the start of the list,
      and the most recent beacons to the end.  This is useful since when the
      lists begin to fill, the stations at the start of the list will be
      scrolled off to make room for new stations at the end.

  S - SAVEs the current situation in a file.  It is a good idea to
      save a separate file for each packet frequency on which you operate.
      If any filename other than the BACKUP default is entered, then APRS
      will also automatically save a LOG and Track HIStory file.  If you
      select NONE as a file name, then nothing will be saved. This keeps
      you from writing a new BACKUP file over an older one if needed.


OPERATIONS MENU:

  C - COMMS - This commmand allows you to disable APRS and talk straight
      through to your TNC or GPS/WX/DF COMM port.  Use it to establish a
      direct CONNECTION.  This is useful for connecting to another APRS
      station's internal TNC mailbox to leave a message if he is not on line
      with APRS or for a quick keyboard to keyboard QSO with another APRS
      operator, known to be at his keyboard.  Also permits you to monitor
      your other COM port hooked up to GPS or WX.

  D - DIGIPEATER PATHS -  You can save up to 12 different paths for rapid
      recall.  Simply hit S and enter a TWO letter path name followed by
      the list of digipeaters for a given area.  The L key will display a
      list of already saved paths.  When you are in QSO with one station
      in particular, use OPS-DIGI-xx to choose the minimum path (xx) to
      that station to minimize QRM on the channel.

  F - FIND - This command allows you to find a callsign or a gridsquare.  If
      you enter the first character as a [, then APRS will asume the entry is
      for a grid square.  This command works on the MAP, and P and L lists.

  Q - QUERY - This command sends out an APRS query packet (in about 5 secs)
      asking all stations to respond with all of their BEACONS, POSITS,
      OBJECTS, and MESSAGES sometime in the next 2 minutes.  This command is
      AUTOMATICALLY sent when a NEWUSER starts up APRS.  Registered users
      with a CONFIG file must manually initiate a query.  This helps cut
      down unnecessary Queries and the resulting QRM.  The QUERY command
      includes a RANGE around the location of your cursor, so you can query
      a specific area of interest without querying the whole net.  You can
      selectively Query any single APRS station by sending him a one-line
      message with the characters ?APRS? in it.

  P - PING -  Sends out a ping packet.  If the packet is digipeated by your
      selected VIA path, you will see it monitored on the bottom line of
      your display.  This lets you know that your station is transmitting
      and that the digipeater in your selected VIA path responded.

  U - UNPROTO  Used to set up your outgoing digipeater path. (IMPORTANT!)
      If you have not selected a digipeater that covers your APRS net, then
      your packets and acks will never get to the other stations on freq
      even though you see them fine.  YOU MUST SET YOUR VIA PATH TO COVER
      your intended APRS AREA by selecting an appropriate digipeater path!
      APRS will warn you if another station does not appear to be getting
      your message ACKs.


INPUTS MENU:  Lets you ADD objects to the map, or input data on your station.
Any station may ADD an object on the map for display at all stations.  Once
on the screen, the object is listed in the P-list with a (+) symbol.  This
means it will be transmitted by your station.  You can QUIT transmitting each
object by hooking it on the P-list and hitting Q.  Users with an un-validated
copy of APRS are limited to uplinking only one object.  Even if you delete the
object from your screen, or have quit sending it, it still remains on all
screens in the network until each individual operator deletes it.  To remove
it from all screens, you can kill an OBJECT instead of deleting it.  Your
station will continue to transmit the object, but with a special KILL mark
on it.  It will disappear from all maps, but it will REMAIN in everyone's
PList.  If an object has not been updated in over two hours, it fades to a
dark gray color.

In some of these commands, you are prompted for the LAT/LONG of the object.
APRS pre-loads this prompt with the LAT/LONG of the cursor.  If that position
is correct, just hit ENTER.  TO change these values, just type in a new value
using as few characters as are needed to give the resolution you need.  But
you MUST always type the required LEADING ZEROS in longitudes below 100 deg.

  A - ADD a new object to the screen at the current cursor location.  You
      are prompted for all pertinent information.  There are over 50 symbols
      that can be used to display the object.  Use the F1-SYMBOLS command to
      see the symbols available.

  D - DIRECTION FINDING:  This command allows you to enter a beam heading or
      a signal strength report for your own station during direction finding
      events.  A zero (0) bearing indicates a signal strength report.

  M - MyPOSIT:  This command permits one step updating of your position.  This
      makes updating your position while APRS mobile with a good map, so easy,
      that you only need GPS if you are lost!

  P - POWER:  This is the command used to enter your transmitter power, height
      above average terain, antenna gain, and directivity so that your station
      range will be properly estimated.

CONTROLS:  The C command displays the control panel at the bottom of the
screen.  This two line panel shows the status of both the SETUP and the
CONTROLS.  The CONTROLS functions toggle on/off various functions, and show
your validation status and your VIA path.  Items in lower case are OFF and
upper case are ON:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VAL | TNC | Scrnsvr | 15 | P-rate 30/600   |dgps| MYA RELAY    | APR |BEEPS|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XMT | LOG | UP | DR | cw | PFL| BCNS | VHF |FADE| VIA DIGI-1,DIGI-2        |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  B - BEACONS - Used to return APRS to monitoring BEACONS only.

  D - Dead Reckoning ON/OFF

  F - FADE toggles on/off the automatic fade-to-gray for contacts over 2
      hours old.  When reloading backup files of past events, FADE is turned
      OFF, but after 2 hours, FADE will automatically come back on.

  G - LOG toggles on and off the automatic logging of track histories to
      file.  Default is ON so that after 150 position reports, a file is
      automatically saved and memory is cleard for further accumulation.  If
      off, the 150 reports are retained in memory until you QUIT.
 
  H - Selects HF timing (also switches port in the KAM and switches the
      PK-232 modem to HF parameters).  Sets MYAlias to ECHO

  V - Selects VHF timing (also switches port in the KAM and switches the
      PL-232 modem to VHF paramteres.  Sets MYAlias to RELAY
 
  2 - Selects dual(2) port operation for the KAM.  All packets from your
      station will go out on both ports

  O - OTHER toggles the APRS beacon processing filter between APRS Only
      packets or ALL OTHER packets.  Use OTHER to monitor non APRS freqs to
      collect BEACONS and see who is on the air.  With OTHER selected, no
      packets are saved in the ALL list.

  P - POS-FILTER ON/OFF -   If a position is the same (within 20 yards or
      .01 minute of LAT/LON), then the report is not saved in memory or to a
      track history file.  If this POSITION filter is on, then the comparison
      is made out to 80 yards to include most of the randomness added to the
      GPS system by the Deaprtment of Defense.  This prevents non-moving GPS
      packet stations from filling up track history files with redundant
      positions.

      When the 80 yard filter is disabled, this ENABLES the automatic saves
      of all WX and DF reports to the HST files which is useful for later
      trend analysis.

  U - UPLINK ENABLE - When on, your objects marked for uplinking, will be
      uplinked to all stations in the net.

  X - XMT ON/OFF - disables routine transmitting from your station.  This is
      good for stations monitoring an event, but not actively participating.
      It keeps their routine beacons off the frequency.  Even if XMT is off,
      the X key will still force a one time transmission of your BCN, POS, OBJ,
      and MSG packets and your station will still ACK incoming messages.

  W - CW - In normal mode, if CW is on, then ALL NEW BEACONS will be sent to
      you in CW.  In DX mode, CW is always on, although it can be silenced by
      using the SETUP menu to turn BEEPS off.  If FREQS is turned on, then
      the operating frequency as well as the callsign will be sounded out in
      DX mode.  Other CW functions:

      E - Enable    D - Disable    F - FREQs on   S - Set speed    T - Test

      Lines to you are sounded out in CW if you are not near your CRT.  Also
      permits changing speed and selecting Full calls in DX mode.  The value
      of 15 on the SETUP CONTROLS panel shows the default CW speed.


SETUP MENU:  The SETUP menu has several commands plus three major sub-menus,
GPS, MODES, and OTHER.  The status of many of the SETUP options are displayed
as the top line of the CONTROLS panel:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VAL | TNC | Scrnsvr | 15 | P-rate 30/600   |dgps| MYA RELAY    | APR |BEEPS|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 XMT | LOG | UP | DR | cw | PFL| BCNS | VHF |FADE| VIA DIGI-1,DIGI-2        |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

  P - POSrate - This command is used to set both the on-screen and on-air
      periodicity for WX, DF and GPS reports.  The Refresh rate sets
      how often the interface is sampled just to update the data on your
      screen, and the POSrate value determines how often it is transmitted.

  S - SAVE CONFIG FILE -  Saves the current map size and location as well as
      the state of HF/VHF, and your digipeater path.  You will be prompted for
      your Validation number the first time you do a CONFIG file save.  If you
      have chosen any of the GPS, DF or WX options, you will also be prompted
      for your auxilliary registration number as well.  You can save each CFIG
      file with an optional 3 character file extension so that you can call
      them up quickly for different applications at the DOS prompt.  You
      invoke the optional files with a /EXT switch when you give DOS the
      APRSxxx command.  IE:  C:> APRS406/MOB would load the CFIG406.MOB file
      which you saved when you operated MOBile.  etc

  T - TNCsetup - sends out TNC commands to setup the TNC for APRS.  Usually
      initialized when you start, but can be done at any time, if your TNC
      loses power, or needs to be reset to APRS defaults.  These commands
      may be customized for  your TNC in the InitTAPR.TNC or InitAEA.TNC
      SYSTEM files.  When you QUIT APRS, it restores any custom commands
      that you might list in RESTORE.TNC file.


SETUP-GPS MENU

      SPM       - Single Port Mode (See GPS.txt)
      HSP       - Hardware single port mode (see GPS.txt)
      KLYNAS    - Sets up APRS to work with STREETS-ON-DISK (Klynas Engineering)
      NoGPS     - Used to turn off SPM or HSP without having to restart APRS.
      TIME-SYNC - Sync's PC clock to the next GPS report received.  This
      command only sync's to the MINUTE.  Hours are not matched.  Be careful,
      since stand-alone PACCOMM TNC trackers first store the GPS data and then
      later transmit it based on an internal timer, the actual GPS data
      transmitted may not be real-time.  This is true if the GPS loses lock or
      becomes inoperative, (car parked under a tree)  then the TNC continues to
      send the same "old" fix.  If you sync to one of these, you are syncing to
      "old" time!

SETUP-OTHER MENU:

      B - BEEPS Toggles nuisance BEEPS (and CW in DX mode) on and off.
      S - SCREENSAVER toggles on/off
      Z - ZONE, allows you to change  your timezone offset

SETUP-MODES MENU:

      D - DX mode - Sets up APRS to display information for DX cluster
      users.  See DX.txt.

      W - WIDE  Permits an APRS station to override the normal APRS default
      ALIAS of RELAY and set it to the generic WIDE area alias so he can
      serve as a temporary WIDE digi.  Do this only with the concurrence
      of others on Frequency.

      I - IGNORE (used to be alt-I)  Sets your transmit address to SPCL
      and sets up APRS to ignore all packets EXCEPT those addressed to
      SPCL.  Useful for isolating a special event while using the standard
      APRS frequency with other users.

      M - MASTER.  Sets up your PC to NO LONGER ignore its OWN packets.
      This is needed if several other PC's (SLAVES using the same call)
      are all hooked up to the same TNC.  A very powerful tool for use
      in a multi-PC environment.  See OPS.txt.

      S - SLAVE.  Sets up your PC for slave mode so that multiple slave
      PCs can share a single TNC and radio such as in an EOC.  See OPS.txt


WEATHER COMMANDS:  APRS displays weather stations as blue circles with
a white line showing the wind speed and direction.  Remember that APRS uses
360 degrees for North and assumes that 000 means no direction information is
available.  Under the CONTROLs menu, the FILTER command allows you to disable
the POSITION FILTER so that WX reports will be saved to track history files
for trend analysis.  Other WX commands under the WEATHER MENU:

  A - ALARMS - allows the user to set alarm values on Wind, High and Low temps
      and rain.  If a WX report comes in that exceeds these values within the
      range of your station, the station is marked on the map in RED and the
      map is re-centered to that location.  An alarm BEEPS and the station is
      also marked with an ALARM on the P-list.  To silence the alarm, you can
      either hook/un-hook the reporting station on the map (ENTER-ENTER), or
      use the WX-ALARM-CLEAR command.  If your station has the automatic U-II
      WX interface, and your conditions exceed your alarm limits, then your
      WX reporting period is reset to the minimum POSrate value, for more
      frequent reporting.

  E - Enter a manual weather report.  The word (manual) will be added at the
      end of the report (which prevents APRS from its normal updating of the
      Date-Time each time it is transmitted).

  G - GET NWS SITES - Loads all National Weather Service sites on the present
      map display into the P-list.  This is so that an hourly WX data file
      can be loaded for all all NWS sites listed.

  J - Use the J command to select Just Weather stations for display.

  L - LOAD WX DATA from a designated file for NWS hourly weather advisories
      for each NWS station listed in both the data file and already in your
      P-list.  Use the G command to pre-load your P-list with the NWS
      stations near you.

  N - NEXT WX STATION - Highlights the next weather station in turn and
      displays the WX conditions in the weather box at the top of the screen,
      and circles the station on the map for identification.  The Weather box
      at the top of the screen will automatically be updated everytime the
      selected WX station sends out a WX report.

  Q - WEATHER QUERY - Same as QUERY, but only weather stations respond.


TRACKING and TRACK HISTORIES - All position reports are saved to memory and
eventually to file for subsequent replay.  Each new position report is checked
against the last position from that unit and the current values.  If the
POSITION filter is ON (default) then a new position will not be saved to
track history unless movement is more than about 80 yards.  This is to reduce
the number of track points for non-moving stations saved in the file.  The 80
yard circle allows for most of the randomness of GPS Selective Availability
so that parked vehicles do not generate a lot of packets.  If the filter is
OFF, then only a single digit change in a position will generate a new
position report.  ALso, when the filter is off, ALL WX and DF reports are
saved to file.  This makes it possible to save a DF event, or to keep
historical WX data.  There are several commands related to station tracking:

   T - TRACK - a subcommand on the P-list display which allows you to
       designate a station for tracking.  If TRACK is on, then the map will
       always re-center on the selected station whenever it approaches a map
       edge.  This re-centering anticipates the station's movements and
       recenter's the map to give the best next view.

   A - ALARM - a subcommand on the P-list which allows you to set
       an alarm on a given station.  If that station moves, APRS will beep and
       will re-center the map to track that station.  The same filter as used
       on the P-list is also used here so that the randomness of Selective
       Availability does not unnecessarily trigger this alarm.  You can silence
       the beeping by UNHOOKING the station, or by deselecting the ALARM
       function.  Only one ALARM can be set at a time.  This alarm is also
       used as a marker on any WX station reporting conditions exceeding your preset
       alarm values.  But since the WX station does not move, the Alarm will
       not go off again, unless the WX station moves!

   M - MOVE - A subcommand on the P list for moving a station.  Similar to
       just hooking it with the ENTER key, but is the only way to move an
       object or station with 00000/00000  for LAT/LONG.

   S - SAVE FILES - On the FILES MENU, this command forces a save of a BACKUP
       a BLxxxxxx,LOG and a TKxxxxxx.HST file.  If you are in the field, and
       may possibly lose power, do a SAVE now and then, to be sure you save
       all track histories.  After the event, you can use a DOS text editor
       to append all the track history files together for the one event.
       When you Quit APRS, ONLY a Backup file is saved, the LOG and TRACK
       data are LOST!  If, however, you give the BACKUP file any OTHER name,
       then a LOG and TK.HST file ARE saved when you quit.

   REPLAY - Found in both the FILES and OPERATIONS MENUS.  Track histories are
       retained in memory for instant replay up to 150 points.  When memory is
       full, a file is automatically saved and memory cleared for more points.
       If less than 150 points are in memory, you MUST MANUALLY force a save
       BEFORE exiting the program or the track history points in memory will
       be lost!  During Replay several commands are useful to center the
       screen on the moving object, change the speed of replay and zoom in or
       out, etc.  The map will AUTOTRACK a moving station if only one station
       is indicated in the user response to the TRACK-which-station prompt.


DIRECTION FINDING:  APRS can instantly traingulate fixes from many reporting
packet stations, and even show overlapping signal strength contours from
stations with OMNI antennas.  This new OMNI feature is a tremendous advantage,
since it permits the 95% of HAMs who do not have beams or DF gear to partici-
pate in FOX hunts.  The traditional beam-heading reports can either be
automatic from the N7LUE or DSI Doppler serial interfaces, or manual from
other APRS stations. Even stations reporting a beam haeding that are not APRS
equipped, can be placed on the map by any APRS station using the INPUT-ADD
command and be given a beam heading.  APRS assumes that any station or object
using the TRIANGLE symbol is a DF station and will plot a line of bearing if
given.  Note that APRS uses 360 degrees as North and assumes 000 means no
direction information available.  A quality of 8 indicates an excellent fix.
The main DF command is in the OPERATIONS menu.  For more info, see DF.txt.

   SIGNAL STRENGTH - By entering a 0 as a beam heading (APRS uses 360 degrees
       for due north), APRS will assume the report is a signal strength
       report and will prompt you for your antenna height above average
       terrain and antenna gain.  To see the overlapping signal strength
       contours on the map, use the MAP-RINGS-DF command.  APRS will plot
       colored circles around each DF report who's brightness is directly,
       and who's radius is inversly proportional to signal strength. Note
       that you MUST UNDERSTAND what HEIGHT-ABOVE-AVERAGE-TERRAIN means, for
       this to be useful.  If you are getting voice reports, be sure the
       person is giving a true assessment of his HAAT in the general area.
       Or at least in the general direction where the FOX is suspected.

   BEARING - If you enter any other bearing, APRS will prompt you for the
       quality of the fix, and then will plot the bearing from your station.
       heading for your station.  If you are running the WX station option,
       it will be dissabled while the DF report is operative.  You may also
       specify a Quality factor 1-8.  The more dotted the line is, the less
       its quality.

   FADE-CIRCLE TECHNIQUE - This is a technique used by pilots for locating
       emergency beacons.  It assumes that for any given mobile receiver,
       there is a unique circle around the transmitter where the signal fades
       out.  All the mobile station has to do is plot three points anywhere
       where the transmitter signal just fades in or fades out.  These three
       points define a circle with the transmitter at the center!  APRS
       implements this technique with single keystroke operations.  Each time
       you press F5, a Fade point is entered on the map.

