Configure Interfaces

An "Installed Interfaces" box should appear. This box will allow you to add, delete, and modify the properties of various devices you may want to use with Xastir.

Current options are:

• Serial TNC
• Serial TNC w/GPS on HSP cable
• Serial GPS
• Serial WX
• Internet Server
• AX.25 TNC
• Networked GPS (via gpsd)
• Networked WX
• Serial TNC w/GPS on AUX port

To add a device, click on the add button. A "Choose Interface Type" box will appear. Click on the type of device you would like to add. Then click the Add button in the "Choose Interface Type" box. Properties for that device will appear. Fill out the requested information and click ok.

To delete the device, click on the device you wish to delete and then click the delete button.

To modify the properties of a device, click on the device you wish to modify, then click the properties button. The properties for that device will appear. Change the information you want and click ok.

If you have a HSP cable, which allows you to share the TNC port with a GPS unit you may choose a TNC with GPS (HSP Cable). This is a special cable and may not work on all computers/GPS/TNC combinations. If you use this device the TNC and the GPS should be set to the same communications parameters. Generally 4800 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit.

TNC Port Options:

• Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and set up communications with it when the program first starts.

• Selecting "Allow Transmitting" will tell Xastir that any outgoing RF data can be sent to this device for broadcast.

The TNC Port is the Unix device that the TNC (or TNC and GPS) is hooked to. Normally you can use /dev/ttyS0 (com1), /dev/ttyS1 (com2) etc..

Now set the bps rate under port settings, and the parameters under port style. Port Style setting 8N1 is used for 8 data bits, No parity and 1 stop bit. 7E1 is used for 7 data bits, even parity and 1 stop bit. 7O1 is used for 7 data bits, odd parity, and 1 stop bit. These parameters must match your TNC and GPS.

Choose the correct IGate operation for this device. You may have several TNC devices, and this option can be different for each device. If you are not running an IGate leave it at the default option of "Disable".

Enter up to three UNPROTO paths. Xastir will assume the XX VIA part of the UNPROTO path. There are three paths allowed so that your signal will be heard if conditions are bad. XASTIR will cycle through each one that is filled in, one per transmission time. If you are local to a digi, just a WIDE may be a good choice. If you are using low power and/or are distant from a digi then RELAY, WIDE may work better. Or if you know the call of your closest digi you may use XXXCALL, WIDE. Most of you will only need one path. If you are in a remote area and your signal is difficult to get out you may need more. Check with a local group and ask what path may be best for your area. Some areas use the more efficient flooding protocols, in which case you might use WIDE3-3 or RELAY,WIDE3-3.

• Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and set up communications with it when the program first starts.

• Selecting "Allow Transmitting" will tell Xastir that any outgoing RF data can be sent to this device for broadcast.

Choose the correct IGate operation for this device. You may have several TNC devices and this option can be different for each device. If you are not running an IGate leave it at the default option of "Disable".

Enter the AX.25 Device name you specified in the axports file for this device.

Enter in up to three UNPROTO paths. Xastir will assume the XX VIA part of the UNPROTO path. There are three paths allowed so that your signal will be heard if conditions are bad. If any of these are filled in XASTIR will cycle through one of them at each transmission time. If you are local, just a WIDE may be a good choice. If you are using low power and/or are distant from a digi then RELAY, WIDE may work better. Or if you know the call of your closest digi you may use XXXCALL, WIDE. Most of you will only need one path. If you are in a remote area and your signal is difficult to get out you may need more. Check with a local group and ask what path may be best for your area. Some areas use the more efficient flooding protocols, in which case you might use WIDE3-3 or RELAY,WIDE3-3.

Set the serial port device for your GPS unit. Common values of /dev/ttyS0 (COM1) or /dev/ttyS1 (COM2) can be used.

• Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and set up communications with it when the program first starts.
• Selecting "Set system clock from GPS data" will tell Xastir to try setting the system's clock to the highly accurate time signal from the GPS receiver. This requires root privileges on most systems.

Set the host name (or IP address) and the port number for the gpsd host on your network.

• Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and set up communications with it when the program first starts.
• Selecting "Reconnect on failure" will tell Xastir to try to reconnect when the data stream has failed.
• Selecting "Set system clock from GPS data" will tell Xastir to try setting the system's clock to the highly accurate time signal from the GPS receiver. This requires root privileges on most systems.

Configure the Internet Server

• Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and setup communications with it when the program first starts.

• Selecting "Allow Transmitting" will tell Xastir that any outgoing Internet data can be sent to this device.

Enter the host name (or IP address) and the port number of the Internet Server you want to contact. A list of possible servers in in README.1ST.

Enter a valid pass-code to validate your connection, this will allow your data to be transmitted via an Igate. If you don't have a pass-code, use the included "callpass" program to generate one. Note that passcodes are dependent on callsigns. From the src directory, "make callpass" should create the executable if it isn't already compiled.

Set the serial port device for your WX unit. Common values of /dev/ttyS0 (COM1) or /dev/ttyS1 (COM2) can be used.

• Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and set up communications with it when the program first starts.

Xastir can use WX data servers such as wx200d. wx200d will allow several network connections, thus sharing the Weather data with several programs or computers.

Enter the host name (or IP address) and the port number of the WX data server you want to contact.

Selecting "Activate on start up" will tell Xastir to look for this device and set up communications with it when the program first starts.

Selecting "Reconnect on failure" will tell Xastir to try to reconnect when the data stream has failed.