INSTALL.txt ver 6.7

APRS is distributed on a single 3.5 inch HD disk with these files:

  INSTALL.txt  - This file
  PKUNZIP.exe  - For unzipping APRS (omitted from some disks to make room)
  APRSxxx.zip  - ALL major files.  Builds 5 subdirectories:
                                   MAPS - Holds all MAPS
                                   HSTS - History files
                                   BAKS - BACKUP files
                                   LOGS - LOG directory
                                   SYSTEM - APRS system files
                                   README - all README files
  Xmapsvv.zip  - Regional maps     Emapsxx.zip  - East maps (north east)
                                   Cmapsxx.zip  - Central Maps
                                   Wmapsxx.zip  - West Maps
                                   SEmapsxx.zip - S.East maps
                                 
*YOU MUST USE A RECENT VERSION (1993) OF PKUNZIP.
*YOU MUST USE THE -d OPTION TO GET THE APRS SUBDIRECTORIES!

Despite the 3 Mbyte size of the whole APRS system, a minimum system can be
built in under 500K with only the .EXE, MAPLIST.xxx, and one .MAP file.

APRS will run on any 8088 through 486 PC with CGA,EGA, or VGA.  BUT NOW NEEDS
ALMOST 530 K of free memory.  You may have to remove TSR's or reduce the
requirements of your CONFIG.sys.  Once you are fully comfortable with the
full-up version of APRS, look for a copy of APRSMIN.exe on your local BBS's
that is a smaller version which leaves out the DX cluster stuff.  Or, if
you use DX clusters, then get APRSDX.exe which leaves out the GPS stuff.
These smaller programs may be easier to use if your PC is fully-loaded.
APRS will NOT work with non standard video cards, for example, the Hercules
Video card.  You may make this work marginally by running SIMCGA P first to
make it simulate a real CGA device.

TO INSTALL APRS on your SYSTEM:               DOS COMMAND
--------------------------------------------  --------------------------------
1.  Create APRS directory on your Harddrive-  MD APRS
2.  Change Directory into that directory   -  CD APRS
3.  Put APRS disk into A and change to A   -  A:
    Do Pkunzip with directories:           -  PKUNZIP -d  APRSvvv.ZIP  C:
    (don't leave off the C: at the end!)
4.  Get the maps for your area             -  PKUNZIP -d  Xmapsvvv.ZIP C:
    (where X is your region, E,C, or W)
5.  Execute APRSxxx                        -  APRSxxx
    a. Give your call and other info as prompted.
    a+ Use FILES-CHANGE to select your EAS,CEN,WES or SE MAPLIST.xxx
    b. Move cursor to your exact QTH using arrow keys and PgDn (shft-PgDN)
    c. Hit INPUT-MYpos command and answer QTH questions
    d. Use UNPROTO command to set your VIA Digipeater path (needs TNC)
    e. Move and center map to your area of interest and preferred range scale
    f. Save a config file using alt-S-SAVE  (repeat steps e - g at anytime)
    g. Provide your Validation number when requested during the SAVE command.
    h. Use the OPS-COMM-TNC command to communicate with your TNC.
    i. If some AEA or KANTRONICS TNC's, you may need to set EXPert ON in
       order for the TNC to repsond to all APRS commands
    k. For convenience, you may RENAME the .EXE file to APRS.EXE.  You can
       always find the Version # on the TITLE or HELP screen
    l. You may customize the TNC commands INITIALIZED and RESTORED by APRS
       in the files named InitTAPR.TNC, InitAEA.TNC and RESTORE.TNC.
       Add commands or use the * to REM out any unused lines. BE CAREFUL,
       APRS will NOT work unless all the parameters are correct.

My distro disk contains all major APRS maps, but HAMS in some states (OH,
CA and MO) have been prolific map makers.  Look for files called CA or
OHMAPS.ZIP on local BBS's in those states.  See MOREMAPS.txt for info on
additional maps, and MAPS.txt on how to make maps or to customize your
MAPLIST.xxx file to your area.

THE LATEST APRS is posted on 410-280-2503 BBS along with a file similar to:
65to67.zip which will contain only the files that changed since the earlier
release.  Note that this is NOT MY BBS, and I AM NOT THE SYSOP.  I rarely
check in, so DO NOT SEND ME MAIL VIA THAT ROUTE.  I DO read my normal packet
mail @ WB3V.MD.USA; but do not send me any mail not appropriate for the FCC
rules.  Come join the aprssig@tapr.org on the INTERNET! and get up to the
minute news...  I read this daily!

************    REMEMBER TO USE PKUNZIP -d    ***********

UPGRADES:  If you are unzipping an upgraded copy of APRS, or any of the XMAPS.ZIP
files, you can use the command PKUNZIP -dn and only NEW files will be unzipped
into your APRS directories...  Also READ NEWNOTES.txt to see what has changed!

FOR A LIST OF INTERNET and other phone line BBS's known to carry APRS, and
more state maps, see the last paragraph of the README\README.1st file.  It
also announces the APRSsig on the Internet for exchange of ideas on APRS!

READ: README.1st, APRS.doc, HELP.txt, etc

If you want to zoom into other areas of the country, not included on your
distro disk, simply download one of the other map ZIP files, and use the
FILES-CHANGE MAPLIST command to temporarily load the MAPLIST appropriate
to the new maps.

