Kenwood TS-870S User Manual - Page 56

7 OPERATING AIDS AT-300 EXTERNAL TUNER (OPTIONAL) Note: ◆ The AT-300 must be connected while the transceiver power is switched OFF. ◆ There is a 4 A fuse inside the TS-870S for the AT-300 Antenna Tuner. 1 Press [ANT] to select Antenna 1. 2 Press [THRU/AUTO]. • This places the tuner in the bypass state until tuning begins in the next step. If tuning fails, the tuner returns to the bypass state. • [AT TUNE] is disabled if [THRU/AUTO] is not pressed. 3 Press [AT TUNE]. • When tuning completes successfully, the AT TUNE light goes out, and "- AT - TX RX" lights. AGC AUTO CW • If tuning doesn't finish within about 20 sec, an alarm sounds. You may stop the alarm and the tuning by pressing [AT TUNE]. The alarm can be either a triple beep or the Morse code "CHECK" depending on the Menu No. 37 (WARN. BP) setting. • "RX" lights on the Display even if Menu No. 08 (RX AT) is OFF. • Each time after changing frequency or after removing then restoring the power, you must press [AT TUNE] since there is no Preset data stored when using the external tuner. COMPUTER [\ TRANSCEIVER INTERFACE The TS-870S interfaces easily with a computer. Computer interfaces on transceivers have encouraged the development of software applications by many companies. Now available are electronic logbook applications that are partially self-completing. Information transferred between the transceiver and the computer is written into the logbook. These applications can automatically track awards and look up callbook information too. Imagine using a mouse click to change your TS-870S to the correct DX frequency and mode of a DX station after the arrival of a report from your local DX packetcluster. Efficient operating technique is the key to winning in pileups and is essential when operating contests. Other applications can change your computer into an electronic console from which you can remotely control functions on the TS-870S without physically touching its Front Panel. This capability makes possible remote operation of your transceiver from across the room, 50 from another room, or, when coupled with other commercially available products and where lawful, from another city via a telephone connection. The list of applications is large and expanding, and is limited only by the imagination of software programmers. In short, the COM connector adds a new level of flexibility and opportunity to enjoy Amateur radio when a transceiver control application that supports the TS-870S and a computer are used. Before using a computer for transceiver control, you should be aware of a few points. After you manually switch OFF the transceiver power, you can then switch ON the transceiver power using commands from the computer. Similarly, after switching OFF the power from the computer, it is then possible to switch ON the power from the Front Panel. You can use the Front Panel controls while using computer control. Settings done from the Front Panel are effective immediately. After power is switched OFF from the computer, all values and settings per the Front Panel controls are restored. COMMUNICATION PARAMETERS In order to control the transceiver with your computer, you must first choose the communication parameters that you require. Configure your transceiver control application for 8 data bits and no parity. The communication speed and number of stop bits must match the settings in the TS-870S. The transceiver is configured via Menu No. 56 (COM.RATE). After changing Menu No. 56, the TS-870S must be switched OFF and then ON again for the new parameters to become effective. The defaults in the TS-870S are 9600 bps and 1 stop bit. Menu No. 56 Setting 12 1 24 1 48 1 48 2 96 1 192 1 384 1 576 1 Baud Rate (bps) 1200 2400 4800 4800 9600 19200 38400 57600 Stop Bits 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Note: ◆ Before connecting the TS-870S to a computer, switch OFF the power to the TS-870S and the computer. ◆ To reliably use the 38400 or 57600 bps transfer rates, the serial port of your computer must support these high-speed communications parameters. ◆ More information on controlling the TS-870S by a computer is included in Appendix D "COM CONNECTOR PROTOCOL" {page 83}.