This application note describes how to use SCS PTC-II modems from Kielradio on the SailMail system.

Kielradio modems have special firmware and need some setup to work like a standard SCS modem for Sailmail. Proceed as follows:

First download and install the Airmail program for Sailmail, if not already done (from the Sailmail website, downloads page).

Start Airmail, open Tools menu, Options window, connection tab. Make sure that the modem-type is set to the correct PTC-model, make sure the com-port selection is correct, and that modem baud-rate is set to 38400 baud (not
57600 in this case). Click OK to save settings and close.

Now open Airmail's Tools menu, Dumb-terminal window. Turn the modem off, then on. At this point you may see "NO CARRIER" on the display, this is the characteristic of the Kielradio firmware in "Hayes modem" mode. If you see this message then press the ESC key on the computer keyboard, the modem should now say "cmd:".

Now type the command "FREE MODE 0" (without quotes, and the number zero not the letter O).
The modem should reply "*** FREE SIGNAL MODE: 0 (NONE)". At this point it is set to the standard modem configuration, but is still locked at 38400 baud - leave the baud-rate set to 38400.

Now close dumb-terminal window, and try opening Airmail's "Terminal window" (Modules or Window menu).
The modem should initialize in 3-4 seconds and the display will show "Initialized OK". If you see any error messages then please contact us with a copy of what the error message says.

The modem is now ready to use with Sailmail. The modem should stay in this mode, but save these directions. (Note: The modem display on a PTC-II or IIpro will continue to say "Kiel-radio", this is normal until the modem is restored to the standard firmware).

In order to use the modem with Kielradio again, set FREE MODE to "1" (command FREE MODE 1) and set it back to "Hayes" mode (command "HAYON").   Those instructions are likely in the Kielradio setup doc's.

There are some differences between Kielradio and Sailmail: For Keilradio you set the radio on frequency and then wait, the station decides when to connect. For Sailmail, you decide when to connect. Select a station and then a frequency, then set the radio frequency if Airmail does not do this automatically (see below). Important: For Sailmail, the radio frequency is always 1.5 KHz below the listed station center-frequency. Airmail will show a "hint" in the lower-right corner of terminal window whenever the frequency is changed, this must match the radio setting.
Then listen carefully for other pactor-traffic, and if the frequency is quiet then click the green "connect" button and try to connect with the station. If it is available then it will answer, it may take 10-20 seconds as most stations have one radio which scans 6 or 8 freq's whenever the station is idle. If it is busy on one freq then it cannot hear a call on another frequency. Some stations operate multiple radios, see www.sailmail.com website for more info.

The Airmail software also has the ability to set the radio frequency automatically when you select a station and select a frequency. This is a great convenience, but requires another connection from modem to radio. if this has not already been set up then check the Sailmail Primer or the Airmail help-file for your radio-type, or send us a note and let us know what kind of radio you have.
 

If you purchased a second hand Kielradio modem, and do not intend to use it on Kielradio, you may want to change the firmware to the standard SCS firmware.  This is not difficult, but first you will need a new Pactor-3 license-code to work with the standard firmware. Send us a note with your callsign (also the callsign used with Kielradio, if different), and the modem serial#-- go back to
Airmail's Dumb-terminal window and enter the "SYS SERN" command (without quotes) and let us know what it says.

To install the standard firmware: If you installed the "complete install" for Airmail then that also includes a copy of the latest firmware. With the modem powered on, open Airmail's Tools menu and select "Update PTC firmware".
The "files" box at the top will show the latest firmware that Airmail has a copy of, should be "profi35" (or later). Now click "Update", and wait a few minutes. (If the "update" button is not enabled then close this window and go back to Airmail's dumb-terminal window, and check that you get a "cmd:" prompt when hitting the Enter or ESC key. Then try again).