Andy, I'll be QRV ALE-400 starting this evening (Friday) and the rest of the weekend on 20 meters. I've tested mail transfers with the mode many times; it will run 200 bytes / minute with moderate signals. A 100 word text message will usually run 2 minutes; start to finish.
I will not run the mode unattended on 14077.0 so best if we coordinate on the sked page. Quick Guide for Multipsk file / mail transfers. 1. Switch ALE-400 mode (Click ARQ FAE) 2. Click AUX FUNCTIONS 3. Place call sign in CALL--> box then click CALL-->. This will connect you to the other station. 3. In AUX FUNCTIONS WINDOW Click FILE TO SEND - open the file. 4. Click the ATTACH FILE box then click SEND MAIL + FILE The file will transfer automatically. Watermark graphic shows progress. I recommend adding EOT at the end of the message. To view the mail, click the MAIL button at the top of the main program window. An alternate to selectively calling / connecting to a specific station from the AUX FUNCTIONS is to just click CQ button located in the middle of the main window. Any station hearing your CQ will automatically connect. Make sure the ARQ FAE buttons are pushed. See below for Quick Start Guide for setting up Multipsk Tony -K2MO ____________________________________________________ Quick Start Guide For ALE-400 Multipsk Download Site : http://f6cte.free.fr/index_anglais.htm Note. Do not install the program from the desktop. Copy the Multipsk ZIP file to a temporary folder and click the INSTALL.EXE file. By default, the program will be installed in the Multipsk folder. Configuration: The program should open the configuration screen on the first installation. If not, click CONFIGURATION located in the upper left corner of the main window and click CONFIGURATION SCREEN. In the CONFIGURATION SCREEN. Click SERIAL PORT to select your PTT COMPORT Click OPTIONS FOR SERIAL PORTS (if additional settings are needed) Click SOUND CARD INPUT / OUTPUT to configure your sound card Click RX/TX SCREEN button to return to main window Entering Your Personal Information: In the upper left corner of the main window, click CONFIGURATION / PERSONAL DATA. Enter your call sign, name, locator and so on - click save. RSID Management: Click CONFIGURATION / MANAGEMENT OF THE IDENTIFIERS Click TRANSMISSION OF YOUR CALL SIGN + LOCATOR in the popup window* Click QUIT on the bottom of this window to return to the main program window. *Note. Your call sign and locator will be taken from the information entered in the PERSONAL DATA window. Reed Solomon Identifiers: The RS ID's are located in the upper left side of the main program window above the waterfall. These indentifiers will remain active once clicked. Unclick to deactivate. RSID - this transmits the Reed Solomon mode identifier when clicked. It lets others know what mode you are transmitting. In ALE400, the Reed Solomon ID is automatically sent so this button stays in use. RX RSID - when active, this button allows Multipsk to automatically switch modes upon RSID reception. RX CALL ID - activates the reception of the CALL ID allowing you to see the other stations call sign and locator or CALL ID. It will appear inside the waterfall once decoded. Sending the CALL ID Clicking the CALL ID button (located on the far left of side of the main window) will SEND your CALL ID which is your call sign and locator. It will appear in the waterfall at the receiving station. RSID Map Activation: The Multipsk Map will display upon the reception of the transmitting stations CALL ID and will show that stations location on the map. Waterfall: Waterfall controls are located on the right side of the main window. Make sure WATERFALL / HIGH is clicked for best results. Adjust the waterfall color and contrast using the up/down COLOR buttons. Appearance: Font type, color and window size buttons are located on the bottom left of the main window. Click FONTS / HEIGHT to adjust to your preference. Macros Patrick has already configured the Multipsk macros. The user information for each macro is taken from the PERSONAL DATA where your call sign, name and locator are stored. If you'd like to customize the macros, right click on the macro buttons. Remember to click SAVE AND CLOSE when finished. Using the ALE-400 ARQ FAE "CHAT MODE" In the main window, click on ALE-400 mode (not 141ALE) and the ARQ FAE button located in the middle of the window (buttons stay pushed in). Click the CQ button next to ARQ FAE button to send a CQ. The CQ will go out as soon as the button is pressed; transmitting 6 seconds and listening for 7 seconds. To end the call, click the END button next to the CQ button. Note - the CQ must finish before you can end the call. Multipsk will connect automatically once the ALE-400 signal is detected by another station. That stations call sign will appear in the RX window along with a text connect confirmation. Your PC speaker will BEEP to confirm connection the as well. The ALE-400 ARQ Chat Mode QSO The top window is where you enter your outgoing text. It will be transmitted as soon as the first character is typed unless the other station is transmitting. In that case, there will be a short wait period while receiving the signal before the TX/RX change-over. Each Ham can type at the same time since the mode works like a pseudo "full-duplex" system. The middle window shows the text that has been received (acknowledged) by the other station. It is normal to see the same text repeated on occasion if signals are weak or the HF channel is disturbed. This is where the ARQ comes into play requesting repeats for the missing data. We have found that it is possible to 'force' collisions (for test purposes) with ALE-400 ARQ if you hit enter-to-send at the right moment, especially when signals are weak. This is where Patrick's RSID re-synchronization comes in handy. This feature is on the latest test version. Calling a station with Selective calling Selective calling allows you to call and connect to a specific station. To do this, you'll need to click the AUX FUNCTIONS button which is located in the middle of the main program window. In the AUX FUNCTIONS window, enter the station call sign you want to call in the SELECTIVE CALL IN ARQ FAE box and click the CALL button. You'll know the connection is made by the confirming beep of the PC speaker as well as the call sign connect confirmation in the RX window. To end the contact, click the END button in the main window. Best Regards, Tony -K2MO
