These instructions explain how to set the baud rate of an Pactor-modem and re-initialize the Pactor-modem to its default configuration. This should only be necessary with a new Pactor-modem, or if your Pactor-modem has been used by another program. Very occasionally, it has been necessary to re-initialize an Pactor-modem that gets into a state in which it behaves unpredictably.
The first thing to establish is that the HF modem is communicating with the computer and that the baud rate is set to what you think it is. AirMail has a built-in "dumb terminal", which works perfectly for this task. It is found under in the AirMail [Message Index] window, under Tools/Dumb Terminal (the AirMail Terminal Window needs to be closed). Select the COM port where the Pactor-modem is connected, set the baud rate to 57600 for a PTC-II, or 9600 for a KAM, and check the Local Echo box.
When you power-on a PTC-II it goes into a "quiet" auto-baud state and you need to hit the "Enter" key to set the baud rate and wake it up, you will then see some start-up text and a "cmd:" prompt.
The KAM starts right up with the pre-set baud rate so you should see the start-up message and the "cmd:" prompt - if it doesn't then you probably have the wrong baud rate. You won’t be able to set a new baud rate (with the KAM's ABaud command) or reset the KAM+ until you can communicate using the old rate (sort of a Catch-22) so some patient experimentation might be required, changing the Dumb Terminal's baud rate, and power-cycling the KAM. A brand-new KAM will come up in an auto-baud mode, so watch the screen and enter a "*" when prompted.
After the baud rate is set, give the Pactor-modem a hard reset command to make sure that it is in its default configuration:
To reset a PTC-II to the factory defaults, type RESTART. The HF modem will reset and go back to its auto-baud routine so hit the Enter key and you should see the start-up text and a "cmd:" prompt.
To reset a KAM to the factory defaults, first type IN TERM to put the KAM+ into its "terminal" mode, then type the RESTORE DEFAULTS command (spelled out). The KAM will then start its "Auto-baud" thing. At this point, change the Dumb Terminal to the desired new baud rate for your KAM (if you want to change), and then type in the asterisk (*) character when it prompts.
Having succeeded at setting the baud rate, and setting your KAM+ or SCS PTC-II to its default configuration, you should return to the SailMail program instructions.