[Xastir] Soundcard Modem For Idiots?

[J. Lance Cotton]

I will try to write something later tonight. It's really quite simple,
but not explained very well much of anywhere.

The requirements are ax.25 support compiled into the kernel, and
probably want the ax25-tools package. You basically must have the
mkiss module, available, but it's also possible to use soundmodem to
simulate a KISS tnc on a pty (pseudo-serial-port)

Set up your axports (/usr/local/etc/ax25/axports or /etc/ax25/axports)
to include an entry for your new soundmodem device - remember the
callsign you assign to it, as this must match what you enter later on
during soundmodem configuration.

Compile and install the soundmodem sources.

run 'soundmodemconfig' as root

Add a configuration (from the file menu) - it doesn't matter what the
name of the configuration is, especially if you only have one.
Soundmodem allows for multiple configurations, so you can have
different "profiles" without having to activate every kind of modem
you want. This configuration name is just the identifier for your
"profile", and you probably want to start out with only one of them.

The defaults for a new configuration are probably fine. You want
soundcard mode. Pick your soundcard device (the default, /dev/dsp, is
probably good for most configs), and your PTT method (/dev/ttyS0 is
the COM1, etc)

Then, click on the configuration name and from the file menu create a
new channel for this configuration.

Select this new channel (Channel 0) and set it up. You want afsk, use
the default settings for that (1200 bps, tones of 1200 and 2200 hz).
This is the same for the modulator and demodulator.

For the Packet IO settings for this channel, use MKISS to have
soundmodem create a new network interface (ax0), or use KISS if you
want soundmodem to create a KISS-compatible serial device file
(default name is /dev/soundmodem0). If you use MKISS, make sure to use
the same callsign (exactly, ssid and all) as you used in the axports
file. You can put in dummy IP address information, since this won't be
using TCP/IP (192.168.5.2 / 255.255.255.0 / 192.168.5.255)

Close soundmodemconfig

Run "soundmodem" as root. If you used the MKISS method, then the new
network device will attach to the matching axports entry. You can then
create a new AX.25 TNC in xastir that uses whatever the port name you
entered in the axports file.

Make sure that you adjust the permissions on xastir (chmod 4755
/usr/local/bin/xastir) so that it can open the ax25 device.

That ought to be it... Of course, there is so much more to know, such
as the format of the axports file, but that is found on the Internet
quite readily. I will try to write a more organized document tonight
that will include samples.

-Lance KJ5O

On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 15:10:55 -0400 (EDT), William McKeehan
<mckeehan at mckeehan.homeip.net> wrote:
> Does anyone know where I can find a beginners guide for setting up a Soundcard
> modem on Linux (specifically, Debian) using the soundcard drivers?
> 
> I have AGWPE setup on my Windows box and found that to be a very simple
> process...but I need some pointers for the Soundcard modem drivers for Linux.
> 
> Thanks!
> --
> William McKeehan
> Internet: mckeehan at mckeehan.homeip.net
> http://mckeehan.homeip.net


-- 
J. Lance Cotton, KJ5O
joe at lightnigflash.net
http://kj5o.lightningflash.net
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