Date: 19 Dec 88 22:56:00 Z From: DK4EG Subject: Introducing TheNet CONVERS mode Hello PR world \n several ideas arrived here how the features of TheNet could be upgraded or what new features should be added. As mentioned in earlier postings there was allways the lack of free EPROM space. But here is a special new solution: CONVERSATIONAL mode for TheNet This CONVERS mode overcomes a lack of packet radio which you don't find in other parts of HAM radio : buildung groups of several HAMs all talking to each other. And this is how it works: You connect the CONVERS node via the usual CONNECT commands of TheNet and get the message: ( from the Brunswick digi in this example ) BS:DB0FC> Connected to BSCONV:DB0FC-2 BSCONV:DB0FC-2> Mini-Convers. Type /HELP for help. Follow this instruction, type /HELP and you'll get: Commands may be abbreviated. Commands are: /? Print help information /BYE Terminate the convers session /CHANNEL n Switch to channel n /EXIT Terminate the convers session /HELP Print help information /INVITE user Invite user to join your channel /MSG user text Send a private message to user /QUIT Terminate the convers session /WHO List all users and their channel numbers /WRITE user text Send a private message to user *** To find out who's just working via this node you follow this instructions and enter /who ( upper or lower case or abbreviated ) you'll might geht this response User Circuit Channel DD1HL HH2:DL0TEL 0 DK4EG BS:DB0FC 0 DC6QE GOE:DB0FE 16 DK5AH GOE:DB0FE 16 DF3AV BS:DB0FC 0 *** This means by default you'll allways be connected to virtual channel 0. Up to 255 virtual channels might be established on one CONVERS node. It doesn't matter from what uplink node you connect the CONVERS node. As lang as you stay on your channel you'll get informed by the CONVERS node if new users signon to this channel: *** DL8ZAW signed on. and you'll get all messages typed by all users of your channel ( but you won't get back your own message ! Why should you ? ) : : Hello to everyone on this channel But you can send messages to only one user of the channel as well by typing /MSG DK4EG have you got my new firmware release in the meantime ? so on my screen I'll see: <*DL8ZAW*>: have you got my new firmware release in the meantime ? The * sign tells me this was a private message. And you found out all messages preceded by a / ( slash ) sign are directed to the command interpreter of the CONVERS node. Furthermore you may include other HAMs of other channels to your channel by inviting them to join your group. By means of the multiconnect features of TheNet you could be signed on to 16 different QSOs, each with ( theoretical ) unlimited number of users. So what do you need if you decided to install the CONVERS mode at your site? Just add a further TNC2 ( clone ) to your node via the diode matrix on RS232 side and plug in the new firmware. You don't need the modem on the TNC board if you omit the radio channel. At our Brunswick digi we have installed 6 TNCs via the RS232 side without any trouble yet. The CONVERS firmware is derived from TheNet sources by replacing most user command parts. It was written by Frank ( DL8ZAW ) and the firmware is running here under Betatest conditions in severals nodes on different sites. It shall be available to everyone who might be interested just for the charge of copying and handling expense. As soon as there are no new bug reports for some time the shipment of the software is to be startet. But in my opinion Frank has done a very good job and the software seemes to be stabil since some time. No system crashes in the meantime appeared, no RESET neccessary in between. So watch out for the news , I'll keep you informed. 73s de Detlef ( dk4eg ) NORD>