pk232.27
Recently, several new packeteers using PK-232s have appeared
on our local duplex repeater which is dedicated to packet
radio. This is one environment where the collision
frequency should be very low since there are no hidden
terminals. Almost immediately we noticed that the collision
frequency had risen dramatically. After some investigation
we discovered certain stations were almost guaranteed to be
involved in stepping on in-progress packets. These stations
were contacted and in all but 1 case they were new users of
PK-232s.
We were very puzzled as there have always been some stations
on the repeater using PK-232s with no apparent problems.
The new stations were asked how their station was configured
and what method was used to get the DCD operation adjusted.
We were very surprised at the answers we got. Every single
one of the offending stations had set their station up
exactly according to the instructions in the PK-232 manual.
However, contrary to the advice given in the manual, none of
these stations had configured their setup so that they could
hear what was going on on the channel when the PK-232 was
connected to the radio. None of these new operators knew
what DCD meant, what it did, or why it was important that it
should be working on a multiple access packet channel.
We obtained a PK-232 manual to try and discover the
exact nature of the problem. What we found was that
although the manual is very complete and generally very
well written, there are some areas where it leaves something
to be desired. Specifically, in this case, the instructions
given on page 2-16 (we had manual PK232UG Rev. B 9/86 for
reference) for setting up the PK-232 and an FM radio for DCD
operation are simply incorrect. If set up exactly as
described, DCD will NEVER be asserted during a packet
transmission by another station on the channel!! We had
found the cause of our problem.
If you have a PK-232 and haven't already discovered this
problem for yourself, please disregard the instructions in
the manual for settineration and use the method presented here.
All your packet neighbors will appreciate it very much.
continued in pk232.28
GW1NGL NA7KR Kevin Roberts Ham Radio
Page last updated on 09/10/2012 by Kevin Roberts NA7KR a colection of Ham Radio and Electronic Information
Recently, several new packeteers using PK-232s have appeared
on our local duplex repeater which is dedicated to packet
radio. This is one environment where the collision
frequency should be very low since there are no hidden
terminals. Almost immediately we noticed that the collision
frequency had risen dramatically. After some investigation
we discovered certain stations were almost guaranteed to be
involved in stepping on in-progress packets. These stations
were contacted and in all but 1 case they were new users of
PK-232s.
We were very puzzled as there have always been some stations
on the repeater using PK-232s with no apparent problems.
The new stations were asked how their station was configured
and what method was used to get the DCD operation adjusted.
We were very surprised at the answers we got. Every single
one of the offending stations had set their station up
exactly according to the instructions in the PK-232 manual.
However, contrary to the advice given in the manual, none of
these stations had configured their setup so that they could
hear what was going on on the channel when the PK-232 was
connected to the radio. None of these new operators knew
what DCD meant, what it did, or why it was important that it
should be working on a multiple access packet channel.
We obtained a PK-232 manual to try and discover the
exact nature of the problem. What we found was that
although the manual is very complete and generally very
well written, there are some areas where it leaves something
to be desired. Specifically, in this case, the instructions
given on page 2-16 (we had manual PK232UG Rev. B 9/86 for
reference) for setting up the PK-232 and an FM radio for DCD
operation are simply incorrect. If set up exactly as
described, DCD will NEVER be asserted during a packet
transmission by another station on the channel!! We had
found the cause of our problem.
If you have a PK-232 and haven't already discovered this
problem for yourself, please disregard the instructions in
the manual for settineration and use the method presented here.
All your packet neighbors will appreciate it very much.
continued in pk232.28
GW1NGL NA7KR Kevin Roberts Ham Radio
Page last updated on 09/10/2012 by Kevin Roberts NA7KR a colection of Ham Radio and Electronic Information