Sound Card Packet  with AGWPE

Translations and PDF of this site
Most recent AGWPE version is:  2013.415  15 Apr 2013

Introduction
Overview
Computer requirements
Packet Engine Pro

Configure AGWPE
Download and Install
Basic AGWPE Setup
2 Radio Setup
2 Card Setup

Sound Device Setup
Basic Device Settings
Rename Sound Device
Additional Settings
Using the Tuning Aid

Problems?
Program Behavior
Receiving
Transmitting
Connections
Firewalls

AGWPE Features
AGWPE on a Network
Baud Rates & Modes
Remote Control
TCP/IP Over Radio
Tips and Tricks
Traffic Parameters

Compatible Programs:
Setup Help

Radio Interface
Getting Started
Kits and Pre-assembled
USB SignaLink
Receive Audio Cable
Transmit Audio Cable
PTT (TX Control) Cable
2 Radio Modification

About Packet
Packet Overview
Exchange Modes
TNCs and AGWPE
What To Do with Packet
Common Frequencies
Frame Headers
Further Reading
 

 

WinPack and AGWPE

Note: WinPack is a native 16-bit program and will not install on a 64 bit Windows system (unless it is running a virtual 32-bit operating system).

See this page if you intend to install Winpack on a 32-bit version of Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1+: http://kypn.wordpress.com/2013/09/08/windows-7-installing-winpack

WinPack, written by  Roger Barker, G4IDE/SK, is a great Windows-based packet terminal program. You can download it at http://www.apritch.myby.co.uk/uiv32.htm (or do a web search for other download sites).  Note that there has been no  updating of the program since Roger's death in September 2004.

Since Roger's death, registration is now free, however, in lieu of the former registration fee of Â£10, you are asked to make a suitable donation to a cancer organization of your choice. Registration gives you the right to upgrade from UI-View 16 to UI-View32, the 32-bit version which has some additional features. To register, do not contact Roger's address as the program may suggest. Instead go here to find the name of someone who can issue you a registration number:

http://www.apritch.myby.co.uk/uiv32.htm

Simply state your request in an email that includes your first and last name on a separate line, plus your callsign on another line.

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To configure WinPack to work with AGWPE:

  • Start AGWPE before starting WinPack.
  • On the WinPack menu, select Options; then Comms Setup
  • In the resulting Comms Setup window, there is a field for Host Mode in the lower right corner.  Click on the options arrow and select AGW (see picture below). When done, click on the OK button.

If you will be using AGWPE as your input source, then you don' t need to worry about setting the normal TNC parameters such as baud rate, parity, etc in WinPack.  AGWPE handles all that! In fact, the TNC parameters on this screen will 'gray out' (become inaccessible) since there is no need for them when you use AGWPE host mode.

AGWPE should be running before you start WinPack in AGW mode or try to toggle to AGW host mode. If you start AGWPE after WinPack, WinPack won't recognize AGWPE -- unless you toggle WinPack's host mode to NONE and then back to AGW. (Or you can close WinPack, start AGWPE, and restart WinPack.)

For specific help about using AGWPE with WinPack, read the Winpagw.txt file located in the main WinPack directory. You'll also find more information in WinPack's Help: select the Help Contents option from the Help menu and then, in the right index under Fundamentals, click on the third item down, Host Mode Support. On the resulting page, you should also look in the right index for additional topics about AGWPE and host modes in general.

Finally, be sure to read the AGTNCHLP.TXT file (on this site or in the WinPack folder). It provides information about the various "TNC" commands that can be used by WinPack with AGWPE.

Disable Sounds in WinPack

It's possible that the speech and sound options in WinPack could create a conflict with AGWPE's use of the sound card, so you should disable all the sound/speech options in WinPack (unless you're using two  sound cards in the PC).

Using WinPack with Different AGWPE radio ports

The following information only applies to users who have radios on more than one AGWPE radio port.

If no port number is specified in the connect command, WinPack will transmit on AGWPE port #1 to attempt the connection, e.g.  

C  NM5RM

To transmit on another AGWPE radio port, put the AGWPE port number between the connect command "C" and the target station's callsign, for example:

C  2  NM5RM

Likewise, by default, WinPack receives packets from all AGWPE ports (according to the .  AGTNCHLP.TXT file). To change this, use the MMASK command at the WinPack "CMD:" prompt. For example, to receiver only packets from AGWPE radio port #2, use a MMASK 2 command. Use the MMASK ALL command if you want to again monitor all AGWPE ports. (Help for MMASK can be found in WinPack's AGTNCHLP.TXT file; or type ?MMASK at the CMD: prompt in WinPack.)

Note: Custom MMASK commands need to be entered each time WinPack starts. WinPack always starts with the default of monitoring all ports; it does not remember MMASK settings from a prior running.
 

Known Problems & Limitations of WinPack

1. WinPack uses a Windows DDE protocol to link to AGWPE and not the TCP/IP protocol. As a result, you can not link WinPack to an instance of AGWPE running on a different computer.

(One workaround, albeit a bit expensive; purchase Packet Engine Pro ($49 US) for both the WinPack computer and the distant computer. PE Pro's Radio Port Sharing feature will let the two PE Pro instances exchange radio port data, including ports linked to WinPack.)

2. WinPack is not able to send "unconnected"/<UI>/APRS-style packets.

3. If you execute the MHeard (MH) command in WinPack to request a list of stations heard, AGWPE will shut down if no stations have been heard. So enter the MH command only after you have seen AGWPE successfully decode a packet; or use the AGWMonitor program instead of WinPack to check MHeard.

 

Return to the "Compatible Programs" page

Last Updated:
18Aug2015

 

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