[FlexNet] New Flex32

Wed, 9 Oct 2002 15:44:13 -0400

KRASSI,

I have been trying to get SV2AGW to work with my WinMe system. It says
it can't find the TCP/IP modules. When I use it in conjunction with
WinPack V6.8. It seems to operate ok with the UISS.exe for APRS. But,
it's not seeing TCP/IP...

I built a rig/soundcard interface for PTT USING EITHER RTS or DTR from
the PC's COM port and switching between port ONE(1) and TWO(2); which
also works fine with UISS.exe(freeware). I actually get the AFSK from
the soundcard output after my PTT has been activated. This application
took very little time to get up and running. The large amount of time
was spent on building the PC/SOUNDCARD interface and testing it. I did
not have to write a thesis about configuration problems and possible
fixes to get UISS.EXE to operate with Windows O/S. (ANY WINDOW'S O/S).
It seems to me that the programmer for UISS.EXE has whipped that
problem. The only draw back is it's for APRS and I don't think it deals
with the TCP/IP stack.=20

"There lies the rub". How to manipulate the TCP/IP protocol in a
Window's environment. A PDF document called "winsm.pdf" only begins to
describe the configuration changes to Window's O/S needed to get
FLEX-NET to operate in the Window's environment. I stumbled on to this
document after going through all the English documentation, "Winsm.pdf
is only released in the German language. I was able to roughly translate
it and had my translation verified by a couple hardworking guys
connected with the FLEX-NET project. (Thanks Guys!!!)This is probably
the first document that needs to be read if your going to start
configuring FLEX NET for Windows. BUT, there is no exact English
translation. I do mean EXACT.! Because, you lose a lot of important
little tidbits if it is sloppily translated.

 I've been struggling to get FLEX-NET to operate. as an END-USER
Soundcard TNC with Windows OS. I've been bouncing back and forth between
the two applications FLEX NET and AGW packet with WINPACK.exe. But, no
one has given me any concrete ways to get any of the apps up and
running.

 I can only load through Windows ME unless I formatted a FAT16 partition
to run MSDOS6.22 because Winme does NOT have a real DOS O/S. This will
enable the PC to run the DOS version of FLEX-NET. It has some sort of
WinME PSEUDO-DOS that only runs on FAT32 format. THE DOS SHELL is now
what WinME only uses for DOS. So, I've tried to boot from a formatted
disk by the START-UP DISK routine.=20

There doesn't seem to be a way to format a disk using the command <
FORMAT /s >. If you try through the DOS SHELL, a system message comes
back that says 'WINME does not support the <FORMAT /s> command anymore'.
Directed to the CONROL PANEL, go to "Add/Remove Programs" option to make
a START-UP floppy. Stripping the files from the floppy and adding DOS
commands that work with WIN-ME DOS and FLEXNET. I have a FLEX-NET boot
file that boots with no problems through the SHELL. However, when
booting from the floppy FLEX-NET won't accept the SOUNDCARD
configuration from the SET BLASTER COMMAND given from AUTOEXEC.BAT
before the FLEX-NET BAT file loads.=20

I have a CREATIVE SOUND BLASTER PCI512. The card has an EMU10K1, "a new
processor from E-mu Systems based on E-mu's highly acclaimed Emulator IV
sound module." So says, the Hype B.S. in the installation manual. When
loaded it shows the full blown SB version at IRQ-5/ADDRESS [B000]and a
SB16 EMULATOR loaded at ADDRESS 220/IRQ-7 in the system settings. I have
tried to boot using either IRQ7 or IRQ5 SoundBlaster with the respective
FLEX NET Modem module in the FLEX-NET BATCH FILE to boot. I have
documented all the different reconfigurations I've tried have failed to
find the proper SOUNDCARD Address for FLEX-NET.BAT .

SOUNDBLASTER driver loads with no errors. FLEX-NET Kernel is activated
and no errors occur. SMMIXER.EXE loads and outputs its setting OK.(I
have <ECHO OFF> and <PAUSE> after each module loads . So, I can see
which modules are giving me errors and see the configuration feedback to
the Display(stdio).) When it gets to "THE FIRMWARE EMULATOR" Module
TFEMU.EXE an error halts the process. THE CREATIVE SB cannot be found at
the address given. I used both addresses for the soundcard with the same
result.

 It does get a little complicated but I kept track of my configuration
procedures by noting them down with each step. I am determined to get
one of these packages to work with my system which has no problems
operating with ANY other software I use. I don't want to go out and buy
another "Black Box" to clutter up my shack.

All the FLEX-Net nodes are running under DOS. All the Terminal programs
are configured to run in a DOS environment. So all the END-USER apps are
for DOS OS as well. I have had to do a lot of digging to get a straight
answer to that. Because when I mention Window's, It seems like the
sysops start talking about OLD versions of Windows and with a full DOS
OS. I can't seem to make them understand that the future of Micro Bill's
OS does not want to support DOS anymore.

If FLEX-NET wants to have a future it must start to support the WINDOWS
END-USER. Does is great for nodes because you can use a cheap PC to
support it but the END-USERS who don't want to be a Node and use the
FLEX-NET WAN(Wide Area Net) need a windows end-user's application, using
the soundcard, that's easy to configure and attaches to the Windows
TCP/IP drivers. The Future is HERE and IT's running PSEUDO-DOS! In the
next year or so; it's bye!...bye! DOS. This should make some vendors
selling MS-DOS OS separately happy.

At this moment, My options have scaled down. I believe one of the
FLEXNET sysops told me I'd be wasting my time. I didn't believe him.
Because, I thought if the application was using the sound card it must
be able to use Windows. My efforts did get me the "BIG PICTURE". I find
that FLEXNET has a great NETWORK but there is a lack of focus on
END-USER applications for soundcards. I don't want to be a FLEXNET
system administrator. I'm retired due to health. One of my "And Other
Duties Assigned"-functions was to be a UNIX system admin. No, I don't
want to do that at the moment. I just want to get on the FLEXNET
interstate and drive! Is this possible?

Peninsula Radio Operators Society
http://www.intercom.net/npo/pros/index.html
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/PROS
No Fat in our HAM-LINKS!
Webmaster: NW3N (FISTS ARLHS MARS ARRL)

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Krassi, LZ4KK
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 11:03 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [FlexNet] New Flex32

Charles,

Thanks for information... Downloaded the new FlexNet32.zip package. I
also have had many problems with the PTT and the SoundModem driver on
Windows98 machine.. These problems were the main reason to start using
SV2AGW package, which is still working for me.

Just wondering, how is it possible to miss any announcements that a new
Flex32 version was released???? Were there any announcements at all? And
where? .....

73 de Krassi, LZ4KK
[email protected]

----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2002 4:18 PM
Subject: [FlexNet] New Flex32

> I am one of those hams who never could get Flex32 to work with the
> SoundModem driver. I had the trouble with the PTT, etc..
>
> I recently tried out the new version of Flex32 and Soundmodem, and
> they worked flawlessly on the same old computer. I sure was pleasantly
surprised!
>
> So, if you have had trouble with Flex32 and the SoundModem driver in
> the past, I would encourage you to try out the new version at the=20
> FlexNet web site.
>
> Works for me!  Maybe it will work for you too.
>
> P.S.  The new version of Paxon is a lot better too!
>
> Charles,  N5PVL
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> FlexNet mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/flexnet
>

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