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Installing and configuring UZ7HO's soundmodem and EasyTerm programs for packet radio

For 1200 baud general packet, substitute 145.070 or other packet frequency in your area.
For 3600 baud experimantal packet, use 144.990 and connect to KAHBPQ only. From there you are
free to connect to other nodes.

You'd need:
Windows Computer with soundcard interface (Signalink USB or equiv)
UZ7HO's soundmodem ver 0.97b software
UZ7HO's EasyTerm ver 0.39b software
A VHF radio with outside antenna, capable of operating on 144.99 simplex (50 watts or more)
The software runs on Windows 10 or earlier. Don't know if it will run under Wine on linux or not
The programs can be downloaded from http://uz7.ho.ua/packetradio.htm suggest opening in a separate tab
You want the soundmodem97.zip and easyterm39.zip files.

I'd suggest creating a directory C:\UZ7HO and placing the contents of both .zip files there.  No windows install is needed; likewise if you later decide the software is of no use to you,  simply delete the UZ7HO folder and the software is gone. Open the zip files and extract the contents  to the C:\UZ7HO folder.

The first time you run both programs, you'll need to configure them. If you extracted them to C:\UZ7HO,  simply open that folder with Windows Explorer and double click on soundmodem.exe and Term.exe to start them.

Soundmodem:
Click Settings then Devices, make sure the correct Output and Input devices are selected (USB Audio CODEC for Signalink),  and that Single channel output and AGWPE Server Port 8001 are both checked and the correct value. KISS Port doesn't matter  unless you’ll be using a separate program that “talks KISS such as Winlink Express”, PTT should NONE with no boxes checked.
Then click OK

Then for experimental 3600 baud packet, you need to select QPSK AX.25 3600bd by clicking the dropdown arrow and selecting  from the list (2nd up from the bottom of the list).

For general packet operation, use AFSK AX.25 1200bd, the top choice.

EasyTerm:
Start EasyTerm by double clicking Term.exe in the C:\UZ7HO folder.
Then click on Settings and then Station Setup

Enter your callsign, TNC Setup should already have Host Port 127.0.0.1; make sure Port is 8001, then click OK

We're not using beacons at this point so ignore that part.

You may need to close and then restart EasyTerm for the changes to be in effect.

Before we go any further, a word about setting TX deviation. Since most of us do not have a service monitor handy, setting deviation can be challenging. I have had the luxury of the loan of a very fine commercial grade service monitor, thanks to K0KL Ed Karl, and have measured several different radios and come to the conclusion that a good starting point for the Signalink USB is to place the TX control at 8 o'clock. This has given good results without over-deviating any of the radios. It's not guaranteed, but is a strating point that should work.

At this point, both new programs should be running. Make sure your soundcard is connected to your radio,  it's on and set to 144.99 for 3600 baud packet or 145.070 for 1200 baud packet, simplex and you're ready to go.

You'll use EasyTerm to make a connection to my station by clicking Connect and then putting SPBBS in the CallTo: box,  with your soundcard listed in the Radio Ports box.

You should then see a signon from my BBS like this:

Note that all commands sent from this point forward are followed by the pressing Enter Key on your keyboard. These are text mode programs and seldom support mouse clicks. If you don't press enter, nothing will happen until the connection eventually times out from lack of activity. A very boring wait...

Of course, it will have your call rather than mine and since it's your first connect,  you'll be asked to register; just enter your first name, the Q to enter your City and Z for your zipcode at the de W0KAH> prompt.
Type H for help and you'll see available commands. at this point you can experiment with the commands.  A good test would be to leave a message to me. I'll show an example of sending W0LJH a message;
Command:sp w0ljh
Response:Enter Title (only):
Input:Test
Response:Enter Message Text (end with /ex or ctrl/z)
Input:Hello Lorna, this is a test.
Input:/ex
The BBS responds:
Message: 27 Bid: 27_W0KAH Size: 30
de W0KAH>

From here on, I will not show Command, Response or Input; they are implied.

At that point if you send L, it will list your message
l
27 03-Mar PN 30 W0LJH W0KAH Test
de W0KAH>

Type B to log off the BBS.

If you're adventurous, instead of connecting to SPBBS, connect to KAHBPQ
*** Connected to station KAHBPQ 3/3/2017 5:23:50 PM
Connected to W0KAH BPQ Node, Saint Peters, MO.
Type '?' for help.
SPETE:W0KAH-4}
Then
c nike
response:
KAHBPQ:W0KAH-4} Connected to NIKE:KD0ZEA-5
n
which lists available nodes:
NIKE:KD0ZEA-5} Nodes
KC0DBS-3 KD0QQU-5 KAHBPQ:W0KAH-4 MSTLCO:N0ARS-5 MTHRMS:N0MTH-10 SPBBS:W0KAH-1 SPRMS:W0KAH-10 STLBBS:N0ARS-1 STLEOC:W0AAF-5 ZEABBS:KD0ZEA-1 ZEARMS:KD0ZEA-10 if you then
c mstlco
you'll get:
NIKE:KD0ZEA-5} Connected to MSTLCO:N0ARS-5
n
to list nodes again
Response:
MSTLCO:N0ARS-5} Nodes
KF5JRV-1 N0KFQ-1 CENHUB:KM0R HNTCHA:KF5JRV-3 HNTSVL:KF5JRV-2 MIDRMS:KM0R-10 MIDWAY:KM0R-14 MOBRA:N0KFQ-4 MTHRMS:N0MTH-10 NIKE:KD0ZEA-5 PACNET:N0KFQ-3 STLBBS:N0ARS-1 ZEABBS:KD0ZEA-1 ZEARMS:KD0ZEA-10

And so it goes, notice STLBBS was available via both NIKE and MSTLCO; that is the St. Louis ARES BBS system. You can log into it the same as mine and check for or leave messages.
b to exit the node when done.
*** Disconnected from station KAHBPQ 3/3/2017 5:30:14 PM

If you have questions, email me or call my cell.

P.s. you can also use 1200 baud on 145.07 simplex; simply change the baud rate to AFSK AX.25 1200bd in soundmodem, and switch freqs on your radio to 145.070. Depending on your location you may be able to connect directly to some of the nodes listed by NIKE earlier:
KC0DBS-3 KD0QQU-5 KAHBPQ:W0KAH-4 MSTLCO:N0ARS-5 MTHRMS:N0MTH-10 SPBBS:W0KAH-1 SPRMS:W0KAH-10 STLBBS:N0ARS-1 STLEOC:W0AAF-5 ZEABBS:KD0ZEA-1 ZEARMS:KD0ZEA-10
The part before the : is an alias for humans, after the : is the callsign-ssid. You can use either, but not both.  I.e. STLBBS or N0ARS-1, but not STLBBS:N0ARS-1.

Enjoy, and I'd like to hear about your experiences, good or bad. 3600 baud packet will require a better signal than 1200 baud, so I'd expect that you'll need an almost full quieting signal, that's why I stated a 50W radio with external antenna...

3/12/2017 WØKAH