[net.ham-radio] AMTOR operations

ad7i (08/11/82)

(an open letter to Larry Kayser and others interested in AMTOR)

Larry, i'm responding to your inquiry about amtor, forwarded to
me by Steve Robinson, W2FPY.

I have been active on Amtor since May and have found it to be
a wonderful system.  I have object code software for G3PLX's
Mk2.2 system.  I would be happy to copy a PROM for you.  Additionally,
you will find a listing of the object code at the end of this
letter.  The source code for the PLX controller is not available.
It has been sold for commercial maritime mobile use.

I encourage you to build PLX's MK2.2 as soon as possible.  It is
very easy to get up and provides a well tested piece of
software.  Much activity is on 14.075000 (mark) 14.074830 (space).
In about a year i imagine that people will migrate to 14.075085 (mark)
14.074915 (space).  This would make amtor channel compatible with
commercial maritime stations.

I have developed an AMTOR controller using a Z80 system.  It will
be a bit more flexable than controllers currently available.
Some of the major features include: ASCII or BAUDO terminal interface,
CW id, EEPROM for storage of station particulars, etc.
Mode B is operational, mode A should be working by 9/15, mode L
should be working by 10/1 and first release should be ready on or
before 11/1.  Object code software will be available for free
to Radio Amateurs who use it for hobby use.  Again, source
code will most likely be unavailable (same problem as G3PLX).

Normally you won't hear much chirping on the 14.075 however
many systems around the world are on 24 hour a day autostart.

Here are some calls and selectve call strings.

----------------------------------------------------
TI3DJT		CHUCK		*TDJT
K4PA		BILL		KRPA
KB6BT		WALT		KBBT
HB9AUK				*HBAK
G3PLX		PETER		*GPLX
G3VZJ				GVZJ
A4XFW				*AXFW
G3RSP/MM			*GRSP
PA0RYS		GER		*PRYS
G3YMJ				GYMJ
KC7KK				KCKK
AD7I		PAUL		AADI

* denotes stations that appear to be up 24 hrs a day
-----------------------------------------------------

I look forward to seeing you on AMTOR ASAP.

				73s,

				Paul Newland,  ad7i

wn9nbt (08/13/82)

#R:houxc:-23200:pur-ee:5600001:000:248
pur-ee!wn9nbt    Aug 13 09:44:00 1982

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is AMTOR ?  I have heard
it somewhere before, and this further sparks my interest. If
you want to reply directly or on the net, either is fine.
tnx & anxiously waiting to hear more...Dave  WN9NBT  pur-ee!wn9nbt