				KENTROL for WINDOWS		
				Copyright 1991, 1992
					by
			       Brian Gilhuly  VE3BGB
				    Version 2.40

WHAT KENTROL IS

Kentrol is shareware.  Please read and respect the terms of licence explained in the Registration section of this document.

Kentrol is a Windows 3 control program for Kenwood HF transceivers and the R-5000 receiver, which has built-in logging and memory management capabilities.  This version auto-detects the TS-440S, R-5000, TS-940S, TS-850S and TS-140S and uses Default settings for other models. Custom interfaces for those models are on the way.

WHAT KENTROL DOES

The TUNING Window tunes both VFOs and selects memory channels using a scroll bar interface.  You can tune any source at any time, independent of which you are listening to or transmitting on (TX: registered users only).  The tuned source can be copied to any other.  BANDSPREAD of scroll bar can be full range, a single Megahertz, a single ham, broadcast, maritime mobile, aeronautical mobile or utility band, or one of up to 11 user-defined bands. In a band, the SUB button automatically sets mode and tuning step according to frequency, following US, Canadian and international band plans.  Other pushbuttons allow you to jump up and down a band or megahertz at a time. Jumps when SUB is selected are to the next correct sub-band so, for example, it skips 30m in Phone mode, and steps through the standard time station frequencies.  The AutoScroll feature moves the bar along through the range you have selected, at a selectable speed. Jump bands or change sources while autoscrolling.

Split operation, including cross-band,cross-mode splits is provided both for the vfo's and for the split memories in each transceiver. (Registered users only)

Simultaneously, the AVAILABLE CHANNELS Window displays the contents of your radio's memories so you can select any memory with a single click.  Gives the TS-940S 40 consecutively numbered memories to replace the normal 4-bank system.  Select any combination of 1 to 100 memory channels (1-40 on the TS-940S, 1-31 on the TS-140S) and scan the group, at a selectable speed with a constantly updated display.

Automatically logs UTC date and time, frequency, mode and band, along with your text up to 50 char., to a pure ASCII log file.  View and edit the log file.

Memory sets can be annotated (up to 50 char per memory), are fully editable and can be saved to files and loaded into the radio's memories as you wish.  Multiple memory files can be opened simultaneously so you can copy and paste between them.  Or copy from the log to a memory set.  Sample memory files are included.  Kentrol uses the same memory file format for all radios, so files are fully transferable between rigs.

Keep multiple memory files open in document windows or as icons on the desktop.  Any Kentrol window, including the tuner, can be shrunk to a 'live' icon.

Kentrol's MONITOR ICON displays constantly-updated frequency and mode information on your screen while other applications run in the foreground and you control your radio from its front panel.  Double click on the icon and Kentrol instantly takes charge again.


HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

Any ibm-compatible pc with at least one serial port, running Windows 3.0.  Basic functions are accessible from the keyboard, but some operations require a mouse.   Display resolution should be vga or better, preferably svga. 

Any Kenwood transceiver with a serial port, though the current version of Kentrol provides full support only for the TS-440S, TS-940S, TS-140S and the R-5000 receiver.  Please note that these models require that you install two $4 ICs to enable the serial port.  The RADIOS.TXT file outlines features specific to particular models.

A level translator to match the TTL-level serial port in the radio with the RS232C-level port in the computer. The Kenwood IF-232C is such a translator, but plans are readily available to build your own.  If you build, you will need a cable to connect to the radio and even if you buy, you will need a serial cable to your computer.

If your translator and cables don't connect the CTS and DSR lines, you must use the Windows Control Panel to disable hardware flow control. An IF-232C with 8-conductor cable DOES connect them, which is preferable.

If running Norton Desktop for Windows as your Windows shell, the launch list and task list must be disabled, or operation will be erratic.  There is a conflict between NDW and any program written, like Kentrol, in Turbo Pascal for Windows.  It should be resolved when the next version of either NDW or TPW is released.

GETTING STARTED WITH KENTROL

No installation is required, though you will probably want to add Kentrol to a Program Manager Group in the usual way.  Just copy KENTROL.EXE, KENTROL.HLP, KENTROL.LOG and (optionally) the supplied *.KTS files to any directory in your DOS path, switch on your radio and IF-232C interface, then run Kentrol.  

The first time it is run Kentrol will open a dialog box to get configuration info.  Apart from the Comm port and difference between local time and UTC, which have to be set correctly, you can safely accept all the default settings.   Then it will read your radio's memories into a file; all before opening the main window.  This takes a minute or two; subsequent start-ups are almost instant.

Most of the program documentation is in the Help system, so you have to be running Kentrol to read it.  BROWSE THE HELP INDEX THE FIRST TIME YOU RUN KENTROL for all the details, but don't worry; the Tuning window which is in the foreground when the program starts is very easy to use.  Open the sample file BRIANS.KTS to see how annotated memories look.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If Kentrol doesn't connect with the radio at start-up with everything connected and turned on; exit, switch the radio off and on, and try again.

If that doesn't work or if you get a UAE (Unrecoverable Application Error), exit Windows, re-boot or run a port-resetting utility, then switch the radio off and on, then retry.

If Kentrol hangs at start-up, it is probably a serial port conflict in Windows.  Although Windows 3.0 allows 4 serial ports, it only lets you USE 2 in a session.  If you use COM1, then you CAN'T use COM3 and if you use COM4, you can't use COM2, and so on. To switch from the 1/2 set to the 3/4 set you have to exit Windows and either run a port-resetting utility or re-boot.  Microsoft promises this stupidity will end with Windows 3.1.

If Kentrol gets out of synch with your radio while it's running, select RESET (on the Setup Menu).

If your radio beeps so much while running Kentrol that it's driving you mad, read NOBEEP.TXT, then turn it off. 

VERSION HISTORY

Ver 1.00 -- first shareware release

Ver 1.01 -- keyboard interface introduced

Ver 1.10 -- support for TS-940S banked memories added
	 -- band logging introduced

Ver 1.20 -- standard keyboard interface (ctrl-key combos)
	 -- default settings for models not specifically supported

Ver 1.30 -- built-in bandspread for aeronautical and marine SSB bands
	 -- default US ham sub-bands, Canadian option
	 -- revamped Sub-Band Mode tuning features

Ver 1.40 -- Service Menu instantly tunes band set of your choice
	 -- dynamic menus adjust choices for active window

Ver 2.00 -- new look Tuner, with new Bandspread features
	 -- hypertext Help system
	 -- Monitor Icon introduced
	 -- TS-140S added to supported radios
	 -- improvements, fixes for the TS-940S

Ver 2.01 -- corrects .INI bug in 2.0

Ver 2.10 -- Transmit button added (registered copies)
         -- Split operation introduced (registered copies)
         -- variable bandwidth support on the 940/850 (registered copies)
	 -- handier controls on transceiver tuners

Ver 2.20 -- User-defined bands introduced.
	 -- provides software AFSK mode for the TS-140S

Ver 2.30 -- Loads Programmed Band Markers (140/850) into User bands
	 -- tuning step shown in Tuner window

Ver 2.40 -- Windows 3.1 compatible
	 -- Keyboard tuning added


MORE FEATURES COMING SOON...

Support for the many new features of the '50 series rigs is on its way. Importing data from database file formats and DDE links to, for example, Excel will come later.


REGISTRATION

As pointed out at the top of this note, Kentrol is shareware.  That means it is not public domain software, not free.  Users are required to register and obtain a licence to use the software.

You are welcome, indeed encouraged, to try Kentrol out for a reasonable period of time to decide whether you like it.  If you don't, I thank you for your interest and wish you well; if you could find the time to tell me why you don't find Kentrol useful, I would be extravagantly grateful.

If you do go on using Kentrol, you are legally and morally obliged to obtain a user licence.  To do so, please send your name, address, callsign, diskette size and radio model, along with a cheque or money order for $39 (US funds) or $49 (Canadian), including $4 postage, to:

			Brian Gilhuly,
			490 Concord Avenue,
			Toronto, ON,
			M6H 2P8,
			Canada

Registered users will receive:

 -- a diskette copy of the latest version of Kentrol, customised with your callsign and/or name

 -- full transmit and split operation capability

 -- variable bandwidth on the 940/850

 -- lots of additional memory files

 -- a 40 page printed manual

 -- access to telephone support.  

New versions which correct bugs or are specific to your radio model will be free, and upgrades will be available at low cost.

Questions and bug reports are welcome, to the above address or via Compuserve or GEnie.

73 -- VE3BGB,
      Apr 17, 1992

	Brian Gilhuly
	Compuserve ID: 73257,3131
	GEnie: B.Gilhuly

