I’ve posted before about using a VT132 terminal board to control a PK-232 packet TNC. Here’s a few more specific steps and commands.

On first startup after doing the * auto-baud detection, the first thing you’ll see is the “cmd” prompt. If this is your first time setting up, or if the internal battery is low and it’s not preserving your settings since last time, the first thing you’ll want to do from the cmd: prompt is set your callsign (set your own callsign here):

my KK6DCT
MYcall was PK232
MYcall now KK6DCT

If you’re working VHF packet, turn on VHF mode, with:

VHF ON

If it was off, now it’s on.

Set baud to 1200 for VHF packet:

HB 1200

Now enter D to disconnect, and we’re ready to send some packets. To re-enter this command mode, press Ctrl C.

By default the PK232 has a MPROTO value of OFF which doesn’t display any received packets other than those sent to your callsign. Set MPROTO ON and you’ll display other packets heard.

Additionally, the default value of MON as 4 will show some but not all packets. Set MON 6 to display all packets decoded. If you’re hearing other packets but they’re still not being decoded, enter WHYNOT ON to get an explanation.

At this point you’re ready to go. C NODENAME to connect to a nearby node!

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