Dec 312017
English translation of Fax40 documentation.
File FAX41.ZIP from The Programmer’s Corner in
Category Communications
English translation of Fax40 documentation.
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FAX41.TXT 11052 4172 deflated

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Contents of the FAX41.TXT file

English Translation of Basic FAX 4.1 Commands
by Erwin Nikl, DG6ZS

This translation refers to the pages and sections of the original German
manual ("FAX.DOC" 91/03/09 11:27) as it was written by Eberhard Backeshoff.
I am sure that there are some mistakes in the translation, due to the fact
that English is not my mother tongue.
I thank Jurgen Bartels who walked through this text to avoid major errors.

The German "Umlaute" ", , , a" are replaced bei "ae, oe, ue, ss" to avoid
problems with some PC code pages.

abspeichern = save
Abstimmanzeige = tuning display
Aufloesung = resolution
aus = off
Bild = picture
Bilder = pictures
Bildschirmtest = screen check
Datei = file
Datum = date
Dauer = duration
Drucker = printer
ein = on
Empfang = reception
grau = grey
Hub = frequency deviation
(J)a = (Y)es
laden = load
links = left
(N)ein = (N)o
Punkt = pixel, dot
rechts = right
Schraeglaufkorrektur = slope correction (synchronize timing)
schwarz = black
speichern = save
Termin = schedule, date
verschieben = move
vorhanden = present
wartet = waiting
weiss = white
Wetter = weather
Zeit = time

Page 5: Hardware Requirements:
Normally a hardware converter is required, which uses one of the COM ports as
a parallel interface. A connection to the game port is also possible, but
COM 3 and COM 4 are not supported. The parallel bits use RI, DCD, DTR, RTS
and GND.
The "Simpelst"-converter on page 29 does not work very well, it has also to
be considered, that DTR and RTS must have the correct polarity to avoid
damaging the OP-amp. Also, timing problems with undesired interrupts, caused
by EMS cache or accessing the disk can occur. Answer the question for a
"Hardware-Konverter" with no, if you want to use the simple version.
Copies of the schematics for various hardware converters are available, if
the shipping and copying cost are prepaid.

If the program is started the first time and the "FAX.CNF" file has been
or the "(K)onfiguration aendern" key is pressed at the main menu, the
program configuration can be changed.

Page 7: Screen Configuration:
If a "HIRES" graphic mode is selected, it has to be considered, that the
number of pixels divided by 8 must not be greater than 65536, e.g.
800 * 600 / 8 = 60000 < 65536 (ok)
1024 * 768 / 8 = 98304 > 65536 (not ok)

To check the graphic mode selection press "(B)ildschirmtest" in the main menu.
Grey bars will then be displayed.

Page 8: Printer Configuration:
Select one of the predefined printer drivers by using the cursor keys.
An own printer driver can be defined at "0", "Eigenen Drucker definieren".

To check the grey steps of the printer press Dr(u)ckertest in the main menu.

Page 9: Converter Configuration:
Answer the question for a "Hardware-Konverter" with (N)ein, if you want to use
the simple version.

The maximum pixel frequency (Maximale Punktfrequenz) depends on the used
computer (>= 4000, for fast ATs >= 8 MHz).

Page 10: Synchronize PC Clock:
"Schraeglaufkorrektur" informs how an undesired slope can be corrected
during fax reception.

Page 11: Operation:
The higher audio frequency corresponds to "white", if this is not taken in
consideration then the phase synchronization at the beginning of the reception
will not work.

Page 12: Main Menu:
"(D)ateiname" ... is the file name without extension where pictures are
saved during the reception (if enabled). The extension of the file name
is a consecutive number to handle more than one picture.

"(K)onfiguartion aendern " means change configuration.

"(B)ildschirmtest" test the screen mode with a grey step.

"Dr(u)ckertest" test the printer with a grey step.

Page 14: FAX Reception:
When FAX reception is started by pressing the "F" key in the main menu, a
status window appears.
The meaning of the parameters:

Page 14: "M": receive mode selection:
There are 10 predefined modes selectable, their data can be changed by the
mode editor. If a new mode is selected, other parameters like the grey
display mode are also set.

Page 15: Printing and saving:
If either "(D)ruck" or "A(b)speichern" (print or save) is selected, the
picture is printed, respectively saved during the the FAX reception.
Subsequent saving of a picture which is already on the screen is not
possible !
It is not possible to select print and save at the same time.

Page 16: Phase synchronization
If "(P)hasen" is set to "ein" (on) the program waits for a synchronization
signal which ensures the left side of the picture is at the left side of the
screen. The phasing signal of the FAX stations normally consists of 5% white
and 95 % black.
If the phase signal is decoded correctly the "lck" for "lock" is displayed.

"N" means normal phase synchronization, "I" means inverse phase
synchronization (95% white, 5% black). Inverse phase synchronization signals
are used e.g. by METEOSAT.

Page 16: APT:
Automatic Picture Transmission waits for a start tone of the FAX station.
Depending on the start tone it can also distinguish between module 576
and module 288 of weather FAX stations.
The three APT states are "Termin", "wartet", and "aktiv" (scheduled, waiting,
active). If a start tone is decoded, APT goes to "aktiv", then after a stop
tone has been received, APT goes back to "wartet".
If "WEFAX288" or "WEFAX576" is selected the respective module is recognized
by the APT.
By pressing the key "A" APT can be activated and deactivated manually, but
the program will wait for the phase synchronization, unless it is disabled
APT can be disabled entirely by pressing "X".

Page 17: Moving:
If you start during a running FAX transmission (phasing and APT must be off)
the position of the picture can be changed by pressing "(V)erschieben" and
by using the cursor keys to move the appearing cursor to the edge of the
picture; then press "ENTER".
This is also possible at S(h)owpic.

Page 18: Grey steps:
If "(G)rau" is set to "ein" the picture is displayed and stored with grey
steps, otherwise ("aus") only black and white are used. Grey pictures need
much more memory space than black and white pictures.

Page 18: Orientation:
-> means representation of the picture from left to right
<- means representation of the picture from right to left
v) means representation of the picture from top to bottom
^) means representation of the picture from bottom to top

With "(O)ri" horizontal and vertical picture display can be selected.
At vertical display it can take e few seconds at module 576 after APT start
until something is displayed.

Page 19: Frequency deviation:
If you use the "simpelst" converted the difference between the black and
white frequency has to be defined. "(H)ub" is one half of the difference
between black and white frequency.

Page 19: Other commands:
The following key commands do not appear within the status window:

"X": APT enable/disable
"R": inverse display on/off; APT must be "wartet" or "------"
"F": APT frequency counter on/off, to measure an unknown APT frequency.
"C": display of the brightness value; similar to "F"
"K": automatic tuning enabled/disabled
"E": call the mode editor, to change one of the existing modes, or to create
a new mode. A mode can be disabled by setting module to 0;
"alt"ernate mode for APT reception;
"aufl" set a fixed value of dots per line, 0 means automatic;
"S": to correct an undesired slope using the cursor keys,
cntl cursor for parallel picture movement

The default configuration data can be recreated by deleting "FAX.CNF".

Page 22: Scheduled reception:
Together with the Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) it is possible to
receive FAXes at a certain date and time.
Use "(E)[ditieren] der Terminliste" in the main menu to enter up to 32 dates.
For a every day reception enter "00.00.00" for the date.
If valid dates are in the date list the main menu shows the message:
"Termine: ..... vorhanden".
With "Dauer=nn" (duration in minutes) the FAX reception can be stopped
after nn minutes if no stop tone is decoded. If "Dauer" is not specified,
60 minutes are assumed.
If 10 minutes after the date and time entry no APT start tone is decoded,
the program switches to the next date.

The commandline parameters "/TB" (save during reception) and "/TD" (print
during reception) can be used too start "FAX.EXE" from "AUTOEXEC.BAT".
The computer can then be switched on by any hardware time switch circuit.

Page 23: S(h)owpic:
After pressing "h" a file can be selected using the cursor keys, e.g. select
"TINA1". The picture will be displayed so that its whole image fits on
the screen while preserving the original aspect ratio.
With "(P)aram" the parameter menu is called, the picture can be modified as
described on page 18 and 19.
To zoom a part of the picture use "(Z)oom". A frame appears on the screen.
It can be positioned using the cursor keys, and its size can be varied using
the "+", "-", "x", and "y" keys.
The zoomed part like the entire picture can be saved ("(S)peichern") and
printed ("(D)rucken"). Depending on the the grey step selection ("(G)rau")
the picture is saved as black and white or with grey steps.

Page 26: Saving pictures:
If pictures are saved to disk they will be compressed. All received lines
are saved independent from the used video interface.

Page 34: License:
The program is declared as "shareware"; the author (DK8JV,Eberhard Backeshoff)
expects a gift of DM (Deutsch Mark) 30.00 if the program is useful for your

end of article

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