[Xastir] Soundcard Modem For Idiots?

Tue Sep 14 16:50:10 EDT 2004

On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 16:40:46 -0400 (EDT), William McKeehan
<mckeehan at mckeehan.homeip.net> wrote:
> OK.
> 
> lsmod shows:
> Module   Size    Used by
> ax25     34068   0   [mkiss hdlcdrv]
> 
> I did a modprobe mkiss and it seems happy.

Yep, you've got the right modules and kernel config.

> Next step: Set up your axports
> 
> I have the following in my /etc/ax25/axports file:
> 3  TESTWJM   1200 255 7 SOUNDMODEM
> 
> I modeled this line from the two that are there.
> 
> Everythig ok there?

Probably okay. "TESTWJM" is an odd callsign ;-) You might want (no
real effect) to change the port name (3) to something more descriptive
like "aprs", etc.

> Step 3: Compile and install the soundmodem sources
> I installed the soundmodem package with Debian (looks like version 0.7-3)
> 
> Step 4: run 'soundmodemconfig' as root
> I followed the steps that you described there and that seems pretty straight
> forward (with your instructions)
> 
> Now, when I run soundmodem (as root), I see the following:
> sm[30885]: ioctl: SIOCSIFNAME: File exists (17)
> sm[30885]: mkiss: cannot set ifname to sm0, using ax0 (old kernel version?)
> 
> Does this mean something to you?

I haven't seen that, but it looks like there is some reason that
interface name sm0 cannot be used, so it is using ax0. You might be
able to configure the channel to ask for ax0 to prevent this. Does
soundmodem still run, or does it die (back to the command prompt)
after you see this?

> In Xastir, what name should I use? 3?

With your current setup, yes, "3" is the port name. If you haven't
already, comment out ports 1 and 2 from axports, so that we can be
sure that they aren't affecting your desired setup. (Prefix the lines
with "#")

-Lance KJ5O

> I feel like I'm close...I really appreciate the help!
> 
> 
> 
> > On Tue, 14 Sep 2004 16:07:11 -0400 (EDT), William McKeehan
> > <mckeehan at mckeehan.homeip.net> wrote:
> >> WONDERFUL - someone that seems to know something about this sound modem
> >> thing!
> >>
> >> If you have the patience to help me work this out, I would greatly
> >> appreciate it.
> >>
> >> Let's start with ax.25 support being compiled into the kernel.
> >>
> >> I think I have this done. Is there anything that I can do to easily confirm
> >> this?
> >
> > If you are using Debian, then it's probably already there. I am not
> > sure how to tell. Try, as root, 'modprobe mkiss' and see if you get an
> > error or if the module loads. That will tell you if you have ax.25 and
> > mkiss compiled for your kernel.
> >
> >> If you don't have time to help me out, I certainly understand.
> >
> > It's no problem. I have the time. I've copied this back to the list
> > because one person's solution will undoubtedly be another's as well. I
> > don't claim to be an expert, but I've dabbled around with it a little
> > bit and can tell you what I've done.
> >
> > -Lance KJ5O
> >
> >> If you do have the time, I would very much appreciate it.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> > 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
> >> > Three Step Plan: 1. Take over the world. 2. Get a lot of cookies. 3.
> >> > Eat the cookies.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> William McKeehan
> >> Internet: mckeehan at mckeehan.homeip.net
> >> http://mckeehan.homeip.net
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > J. Lance Cotton, KJ5O
> > joe at lightnigflash.net
> > http://kj5o.lightningflash.net
> > Three Step Plan: 1. Take over the world. 2. Get a lot of cookies. 3.
> > Eat the cookies.
> >
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> William McKeehan
> Internet: mckeehan at mckeehan.homeip.net
> http://mckeehan.homeip.net
> 
> 

-- 
J. Lance Cotton, KJ5O
joe at lightnigflash.net
http://kj5o.lightningflash.net
Three Step Plan: 1. Take over the world. 2. Get a lot of cookies. 3.
Eat the cookies.