NORD><LINK THE FIRMWARE 2.7 (DAMA/XHOST) for AEA PK232 und PK88
---------------------------------------------------------------


1. Problem
 
Some  Digipeaters use the DAMA-version of TheNetNode and Flexnet. 
To get reliable results about the use of DAMA, all users must use 
a  DAMA-firmware.  In the Firmware of the PK232/PK88 DAMA is  not 
implemented.  Therefore  it is desirable to have a  DAMA-firmware 
for both, the PK232 and the PK88.


2. Solution

The  easiest and fastest solution is a port of the TNC2-software. 
The  Hardware  of the PK's is similar to the  TNC2,  therefore  a 
new firmware-EPROM will be the only change to the PK232/PK88.
In  addition with the new firmware the PK acts like a  TNC2  with 
TF2.7  and all Hostmode-programs like Graphic Packet,  SP,  Turbo 
Packet  and  many more will work without  any  additional  driver 
(TFPCR).  It  is  not needed any longer to run the PK's in  KISS-
mode.
There  are  three versions of the software:  one  for  the  PK232 
without  MBX-extension  (TFPK),  one  for  the  PK232  with  MBX-
extension (TFPKM) and one for the PK88 (TFPK8).


3. Installation, Commands, Operation

The firmware for the PK232/PK88 needs,  like the TNC2-version,  a 
32 KByte-EPROM (27256).  In a PK232 without MBX the new EPROM can 
be changed directly against EPROM U2.  The PK232 with MBX uses as 
the first EPROM a 64 KByte-EPROM (27512).  Therefore the firmware 
must  be programmed in the first half of a 27512.  This EPROM can 
replace  EPROM  U1  at the  MBX-board  then  directly.  The  PK88 
contains only one 27256 and this EPROM can be relaced directly.
Further changes are not needed.
The   speed  used  for  the  RS232-interface  after  coldboot  is 
specified  by a default-value in the EPROM (see 4.).  It  can  be 
changed by command and can be up to 19200 Baud.  The new speed is 
available after the next restart.
The  other commands are indentical to TF2.7 of TNC2  and  further 
information can be found in the documentation of the TNC2-version.
The KISS- and SMACK-mode is not ported, therefore the command @K
(Switch to KISS/SMACK) has mo function.
To  handle  modem  and  interface-speeds some  new  commands  are 
implemented:

@H: mode of Modem

        PK232
        -----
    0:  200Hz-Shift (KW)
    1:  200Hz-Shift (KW)
    2: 1000Hz-Shift (VHF)
    3: 1000Hz-Shift (VHF)

        PK232MBX
        --------
    0:  200Hz-Shift (KW) + ALTMODEM on
    1:  200Hz-Shift (KW) + ALTMODEM off
    2: 1000Hz-Shift (VHF) + ALTMODEM on
    3: 1000Hz-Shift (VHF) + ALTMODEM off

        PK88 (like command 'TONE')
        ------------------------
    0:  200Hz-Shift Low Tones (KW)
    1:  200Hz-Shift Hi Tones (KW)
    2: 1000Hz-Shift (VHF)
    3: 1000Hz-Shift with Equalizer (VHF)


@N: Speed HF-Interface
    300,600,1200,2400,4800,9600


@O: Speed RS232-Interface
    300,600,1200,2400,4800,9600,19200
    (Change valid after next restart)


4. Addresses of Default-Parameters

At  Coldboot  the  firmware  uses  default-parameters  which  are 
located  at the beginning of the EPROM.  These parameters can  be 
adapted  to  the  personal  needs.  Except  for  the  last  three 
parameters (Modem-mode,  HF-speed, RS232-speed) the addresses are 
equal  to  the addresses of the TNC2-version.  Please  note  that 
words  are stored byte-revers,  e.g.  dw 2580h is stored as  80h, 
25h.

EPROM  Byte/Word        Description                    Default-
 Adr.  and value                                        Value
0040h db 1Bh          ; Command Character             ( Escape )
0041h db '      ',60h ; own callsign                  ( <empty>)
0048h db 10           ; max. nbr of connections       (     10 )
0049h db 00h          ; Monitormode                   (    00h )
                      ;   Bit 0 - I-Frames
                      ;   Bit 1 - UI-Frames
                      ;   Bit 2 - Supervisory-Frames
                      ;   Bit 3 - Monitor during connect  
004Ah db 1            ; Digipeat on = 1               (      1 )
004Bh db 32           ; P-Persistence-Value, 0..255   (     32 )
004Ch db 10           ; WAIT, 10ms, (Slottime)        (     10 )
004Dh db 30           ; TXDELAY, 10ms                 (     30 )
004Eh db 03h          ; Flow Control                  (    03h )
                      ;   Bit 0 - Flow Control on 
                      ;   Bit 1 - XON/XOFF on 
004Fh db 1            ; TX PTT, 0 suppressed          (      1 )
0050h db 1            ; Auto-Linefeed, 1 on           (      1 )
0051h db 1            ; Terminalecho, 1 on            (      1 )
0052h db 2            ; MAXFRAME                      (      2 )
0053h db 10           ; RETRY                         (     10 )
0054h db 0            ; Callsign-check, 1 on          (      0 )
0055h db 0            ; Fullduplex, 1 on              (      0 )
0056h db 0            ; UIPOLL, 0=UI 1=UI+            (      0 )
0057h db 0            ; Stamp                         (      0 )
                      ;   0 off
                      ;   1 status-messages
                      ;   2   " and monitorframes
0058h db 0            ; send flags in pauses, 1 on    (      0 )
0059h dw 150          ; Timer 2, 10ms                 (    150 )
005Bh dw 18000        ; Timer 3, 10ms                 (  18000 )
005Dh db 2            ; Alpha 3                       (      2 )
005Eh dw 500          ; Initial RTT, 10 ms            (    500 )
0060h db 60           ; Paclen for I-POLL             (     60 )
; New parameters for PK232/PK88
0061h dw 1200         ; Speed HF-interface            (   1200 )
0063h dw 9600         ; Speed RS232-interface         (   9600 )
                      ;   300 = 012Ch
                      ;   600 = 0258h
                      ;  1200 = 04B0h
                      ;  2400 = 0960h
                      ;  4800 = 12C0h
                      ;  9600 = 2580h
                      ; 19200 = 4B00h (only RS232)
0065h db 3            ; Modem-mode (see @H)           (      3 )


5. Switching to Original-Software (only PK232)

In  fact  there  is one disadvantage about  the  new  EPROM.  The 
Firmware  only  supports Packet-Radio.  The other modes  are  not 
operational any longer.
To  be  able to use the other modes it is desirable to  have  the 
original firmware available, too.
One  solution  for this is a small circuit-board with two  EPROM-
sockets  and a connection to the EPROM-socket of the  PK232.  All 
pins,  except pin 20 (Chip-Enable) must be connected through  all 
sockets.  On  both  sockets  a 2.2k-resistor  must  be  connected 
between pin 20 and pin 28 (Vcc). Now with a switch one of the two 
Chip-Enable-pins (pin 20) can be connected to pin 20 of the PK232 
to make the EPROM operational. 
One  socket must contain the original firmware,  the other socket 
the new firmware-EPROM.
The switch must not be changed during operation.


6. Credits

The  Firmware  for  PK232/PK88  is a  port  of  the  TNC2-version 
developed  by NORD><LINK.  Many Hams spent much time and work  in 
the  development and I appreciate their work and thank  them  for 
their activity.
Like  all from NORD><LINK this software can be distributed freely 
to anyone as long as there are no commercial interests.
If there are any questions left, send a mail.

73 from Berlin, Mark
(DL4YBG @ DB0BLO.#BLN.DEU.EU, wahlm@zelator.de)