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Copying Weather Broadcasts NWS EMWIN
MODEM mode can be used to copy emergency weather broadcasts by the National
Weather Service. The NWS Emergency Managers Weather Information Network
(EMWIN) is a wireless direct-to-computer information service that the National Weather
Service (NWS) provides with help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The NWS feeds a constant stream of weather information (@ 1200,8,N,1), from around
the world, to a satellite orbiting the Earth. Many cities are coming on line now to capture
this stream and rebroadcast it on fixed VHF commercial FM frequencies just above the
2-meter ham band.
Using your TNC in MODEM mode, with a PC and communications software, you can
copy these broadcasts. The content of the broadcasts may be plain ASCII text
(copyable with HyperTerminal) or graphics. For updated information on EMWIN and
software to copy its modes, search the Internet.
To copy the broadcasts, simply cable together the equipment mentioned above, tune
your VHF FM receiver to the local EMWIN frequency, set the KPC interface command
to MODEM, and follow the text on your PC screen.
Kantronics Host Mode Operation
Kantronics‘ Host Mode allows your TNC to communicate with computer software that is
more sophisticated than standard terminal programs such as HyperTerminal. Software,
such as Kantronics‘ HostMaster II+, that supports this mode will automatically set your
TNC INTFACE command to HOST mode and perform a soft reset.
Your host program will provide you with some means to give commands to the TNC.
For a complete description of your host program, refer to the manual that comes with
your software.
After you switch to HOST mode, your TNC will remain in HOST mode until you switch to
COMMAND mode. The easiest way to switch out of HOST mode is to use your host
mode software (see instructions with that software). If you begin using HyperTerminal
while the TNC is in HOST mode, you will see the message ― SØØ ‖, sent by the TNC to
indicate that it is in HOST Mode. If you see this message, you must first exit the Host
Mode before you can start talking to your unit with a program such as HyperTerminal.
You must send three characters to the TNC in order to exit the Host Mode and go back
to COMMAND mode. First, send a FEND character (ASCII code 192), then the letter q
(upper or lower case is ok), and finally another FEND character. Your TNC will then
leave Host Mode, switch to COMMAND mode, and send the usual Kantronics sign-on
message. If you use a terminal program other than HyperTerminal, it may send these
characters automatically, or it may require that you carry out this same procedure to get
out of HOST mode and to COMMAND mode. See Appendix D for details on this
procedure.
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