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hostmode program all features available for PR can be used on the PACTOR channel
(usually channel 4) as well– certainly also the AUTOBIN transfer!
3. Very convenient operation with partners using PACTOR Duplex too. In this case the
QSO can be made in the same way as in PR – regardless of the actual transmission
state of the connected PTCs. CHANGEOVER or BREAKIN aren’t necessary
anymore.
We want to point out that the selection of the QSO style is a matter of taste. The usual
operation with manual control of the transmission direction is useful furthermore.
5.12.2 How to avoid incompatibility?
PACTOR Duplex allows to experiment a lot, especially using PC software intended for
Packet-Radio. Unfortunately side effects arise from using the duplex simulation together
with old PACTOR systems.
In general the PACTOR Duplex should be switched off before using a PACTOR
mailbox - if it is not definitely clarified that the mailbox is able to operate with
PACTOR Duplex users.
Also the internal mailbox of the PTC-IIIusb reacts incorrect (if the PTC-IIIusb isn’t
switched to PACTOR Duplex), if a CHANGEOVER is executed while entering
commands – e.g. when the user operates PACTOR Duplex but enters the command very
slowly.
It would be desirable if all of the mailbox programs for PACTOR could be modified
in the way that they could also operate with PACTOR Duplex users without
problems.
5.12.3 PACTOR data transparency
The PACTOR Duplex mechanism and the data transparency structure of the WA8DED
hostmode make it useful for other applications to fulfill the demand (already mentioned
from many users) for data transparency for PACTOR. As already mentioned the
transparency in combination with PR programs allows the usage of binary transfer
protocols via PACTOR.
Using the WA8DED hostmode the PTC-IIIusb sends and receives data in PACTOR
absolutely binary data transparent.
Data transparency is only achieved if both sides use the PTC-IIIusb with the firmware
version 2.4 and higher.
The data transparency certainly includes all characters being attached to special functions
in the terminal mode. The consequence is:
Using the hostmode the CHANGEOVER character or the BREAKIN character does not
cause any change of direction at the PACTOR connection anymore. (Keyboard macros,
e.g. in GP, which generate these special characters are ineffective!). In the hostmode for
changeovers the commands %O or %I have to be used.
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