
Notes on HamComm 2.1:                           Paderborn, June 11th 1992

- HamComm is a program for ham radio communications.  In its current
  state it supports reception and transmission of amateur radio teletype
  (RTTY) and Morse code (CW) signals.  The interesting thing about it is,
  that it doesn't require a converter, not even a modem chip.  The audio
  output of the transceiver is connected to the serial port of any
  PC/XT/AT compatible computer thru a very simple and low-cost circuit. 
  Only one IC is needed (Op-Amp LM741 or similar) and a few diodes,
  capacitors and resistors.  For transmission the speaker output is
  connected to the microphone input of the transceiver thru a passive r/c
  filter.  There is now also a tone signal available at the COM port 
  without any modification to the computer.  Audio frequency decoding 
  and serial/parallel conversion is all done by the program. 

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

- HamComm works on XT maschines, but the graphics displays of the input
  signal are more fun to watch on an AT-class maschine.  Nearly all of
  the functions can also be controlled by using a mouse.  A harddisk is
  not required.  All texts are written in english and the online help
  system includes the schematics for the interface circuit.  There are
  also predefined standard phrases, a QTH distance/direction calculator
  and a callsign decoder.  Currently about 320KB of free ram is required. 

- HamComm will probably NOT run under any kind of multitasking software
  like Desqview, Windows or OS/2 since it needs direct control of the
  interrupt controller, timer chip and serial I/O hardware. 

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

- The converter schematics are included in the online help texts.
  To see them do the following:
  1. Start the program,
  2. Hit ALT-H to start the help subsystem,
  3. Hit the letter 'O' to select topic 'Overview',
  4. Hit the TAB key to select topic 'Converter' and hit return,
  5. Scroll the help text using the cursor-up/cursor-down keys
     and read the text.

- HamComm is not public domain and it is not shareware: it's FREEWARE.
  The author keeps the copyright and all other rights.
  You are NOT allowed to:
    - make any modifications to the program
    - distribute the program without this file
    - take more than $10 for distribution including all costs
  You ARE allowed to:
    - use this program freely for any non-commercial purpose
    - make as many copies as you like and give them away
  If you like this program a contribution of $10 is greatly appreciated.
  See file HC.DOC for the address.

- The author can be reached via the packet radio mailbox system.  Send
  your error reports and comments to "DL5YEC@DB0BQ.DEU.EU".  If you have
  access to e-mail then try "uunet!nixbur!schroeder.pad".  If you have
  access to Usenet you can post HamComm related questions to newsgroup
  "rec.radio.amateur.misc". 

- Special thanks go to OM Winfried (DL1YCE) and OM Ben (DL6RAI) for
  numerous hours of testing and many helpful suggestions. 


Have fun!

73 es 55 de Django DL5YEC


If you like HamComm, tell your friends about it.
If you don't, tell me why.
