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BayCom Soft- and Hardware Overview
Over the past eight years, the BayCom team developed a variety of innovative hard- and software items for packet radio operation. Activities started with modems for the Commodore C64 and the DIGICOM terminal program, currently available in version 5.0. Nowadays, our main focus is on hard- and software for the IBM-PC. Two different software packages (a terminal program, BayCom version 1.60 and a BBS program) are available and can be used with any of our hardware. A node program is also available but is no longer supported in favour of FlexNet.
The common feature of all BayCom products is that no TNC (terminal node controller, a small microcomputer, usually with a Z80 CPU) is required to interface the PC to the radio. BayCom hardware either consists of a passive modem on one of the PC's interfaces, or a simple slotcard with serial communication controllers (but without CPU), to which passive modems may be connected.
The functions of the AX.25 communication protocol are performed by the PC software itself. This makes our hardware cheaper and less complex than TNC's.
The simplest modems are for the use on the VHF and UHF bands with AFSK modulation at 1200 Bd. They are based on the Texas Instruments TCM3105 modem chip and are connected to the serial interface (RS-232) of the PC. With a current drain of just 10mA, they can draw their power directly from the RS-232 interface such that no external power supply is required.
We also developed other versions of this modem. They range from a simple do-it-yourself kit to a high-tech SMD modem that fits inside a sub-D adapter case.
Another of our modems uses the AMD digital signal processor modem chip AM7911. It is also connected to the RS-232, but requires an external power supply. In addition to the 1200Bd AFSK operation of the TCM3105, this modem also permits 300Bd operation - the de-facto standard on the HF bands. This modem also has a tuning indicator and some status LEDs.
For 9600Bd operation we have a range of modems: the PAR96 modem makes an excellent kitset. It connects the parallel connector (Centronics) of the printer port and produces a G3RUH-compatible FSK signal. The modem requires an external power supply and a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving broad-band FSK signals. It is also the parallel port modem we recommend for 9k6 transceivers with unusual audio frequency responses.
A miniaturized version of the PAR96, the PICPAR, is available as a kitset, fully built-up unit, or fully-built-up SMD version. It uses a PIC processor and does not require an external power supply.
The slotcards (we call them USCC-cards) carry between one and four Zilog Z8530 serial communication controllers. Each of these controllers serves up to two modems with baudrates up to 38400Bd. Currently, three versions of USCC cards are available: A two-port card with integrated 70cm-transceiver (USCC9k6), a four-port card with four on-board slots for daughterboard modems, and an eight-port card for larger nodes. Up to two slotcards may be operated simultaneously in a PC.
The BayCom software was developed by Flori, DL8MBT. Our best-known software package is the BayCom terminal, currently available as version 1.60. It is included in all kits and assembled units. The software configuration is performed by an installation program. It adapts the software to the user's hardware and sets many user-specific parameters.
The terminal program itself consists of two parts: firstly, a memory resident routine, emulating a standard TNC, and secondly the user-interface, a terminal program with split screens for transmitting, receiving, and monitoring. The BayCom software is a user-friendly program suitable for beginners.
The BBS program is currently not available in an English version. It is a powerful, directory-oriented and very user-friendly software, and currently operational on more than 50 nodes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
BayCom hardware may also be used in conjunction with numerous other software drivers. The most important ones are the AX.25 driver of Rene, DG0FT, called TFPCX and the various FlexNet drivers. The connect some of the most popular TNC packet programs as SP or GP, or FlexNet (including FlexNet digi) to BayCom hardware. There is also TFX, programmed by DB7KG, which is usable with USCC cards and the PAR96 modem. A G8BPQ driver for the USCC card is available as well as USCC drivers for TCP/IP and Linux.
The following tables give an overview of our modems and USCC slotcards:
Other BayCom developments include modems for the use with a TNC or a USCC card, transceivers for the 70cm UHF band and hard- and software for the Commodore C64/C128.
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