Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce,comp.os.linux.misc,rec.radio.info,aus.radio
From: terryd@extro.ucc.su.oz.au (Terry Dawson)
Subject: Amateur Radio Software for Linux List
Message-ID: <ann-26066.781969566@cs.cornell.edu>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 13:46:22 GMT
Approved: linux-announce@tc.cornell.edu (Matt Welsh)

  Linux Amateur Radio Software List
  Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ, terryd@extro.ucc.su.oz.au
  v1.3 08 Oct 1994

  It is hoped that this list will assist Amateur Radio operators in
  finding and trying the various amateur radio software that has been
  written for, or ported to Linux. It is also hoped that as a conse-
  quence of this information being available that more amateur radio
  operators will choose Linux as the platform of choice for their exper-
  imentation, and that software developers will choose Linux as the
  platform for their software development, further expanding the role of
  operating systems like Linux in the Amateur Radio field.

  1.  Introduction.

  This list was prompted by comments that had been expressed in the
  various Linux newsgroups about the number of amateur radio operators
  that were involved with Linux. It seemed to me that I was catching
  snippets of information here and there relating to development efforts
  taking place, but I never really knew where to locate either the
  person responsible for a particular piece of software, or the software
  itself. The list is quite small with only a few entries, but I'm
  hoping that people will contribute to the list as new software becomes
  available. I feel though that the items listed are an excellent base
  to build on, as they represent the various ways in which software can
  be developed for Linux for use in Amateur Radio.

  I'd originally considered limiting the scope of this list to non-
  commercial software only, but have subsequently changed my mind.
  Taking a serious look at most amateur radio fields shows that most
  good developments are those that are designed by individuals and that
  commercial entities have taken up and disseminated to the mass market.
  I'd like to see the same happen for Linux support for Amateur Radio
  software too.


  2.  Contributions/Updates etc.

  I'd like for this list to be as complete and up-to-date as possible.
  So I'm keen to hear about any developments or products that I don't
  already know about, or that the entry is obselete or outdated for.

  What I'd like as a minimum set of requirement would be something like
  the following:


     Name
	The name of the software in question.

     Author
	Who wrote, or ported the software. An email address, or some
	other means of contacting them is also essential.

     Description
	A single line description of what the software does.

     Status
	An indication of the software's status. Is it still in testing?
	Is it a production release? Is it still in the design stage?

     System requirements
	What does the software require to run? Does it require X-
	Windows? Does it need a soundcard? Does it need a certain
	version of kernel? Does it need other software to support it?


     Detail
	I'm not keen on including a large amount of detail on each piece
	of software as this would consume a lot of time reading and
	trying to keep up to date. So instead what I'd like to list is
	what makes this software unique, anything special about it.
	Perhaps its most outstanding features, that sort of thing.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	If the software is freely distributable then ftp details would
	be great.  If it is commercial software then the name of the
	company distributing the software, and an address or telephone
	number. If it is available only by some other means, say mail
	order, then details on where and how to obtain it.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Is the software Copyleft? Copyright? Shareware? Public Domain?
	Restricted in use in any way?

  Don't worry if you don't know all of these details, just send me what
  you do know and I'll list what I can. I'd rather have an incomplete
  listing than no listing at all.

  Please mail any contributions to:

  terryd@extro.ucc.su.oz.au or terry@orac.dn.itg.telecom.com.au

  I'd list a packet radio address too but I'm still not properly
  operational again yet after moving house.


  3.  Discussion relating to Amateur Radio and Linux.

  There are various places that discussion relating to Amateur Radio and
  Linux take place. They take place in the comp.os.linux.* newsgroups,
  they also take place on the HAMS list on niksula.hut.fi. Other places
  where they are held include the tcp-group mailing list at ucsd.edu
  (the home of amateur radio tcp/ip discussions), at Club meetings and
  on-air of course.

  To join the Linux HAMS channel on the mail list server, send mail to:


       linux-activists@niksula.hut.fi




  with the line:


       X-Mn-Admin: join HAMS




  at the top of the message body (not the subject line).

  To join the tcp-group send mail to:


       listserver@ucsd.edu




  with the line:
       subscribe tcp-group




  in the body of the text.

  Please remember that the tcp-group is primarily for discussion of the
  use of advanced protocols, of which tcp/ip is one, in Amateur Radio.
  Linux specific questions should not go there.


  4.  Where to obtain new versions of this list.

  This list will be periodically posted to the comp.os.linux.announce
  newsgroup, and to the HAMS list on niksula.hut.fi.

  It is also available from the following World Wide Web sites:

  Dennis Boylan N4ZMZ <dennis@nanovx.atl.ga.us> makes it available at
  the following three locations:

  www.com (http://www.com/linux/radio/index.html), www.hboc.com
  (http://www.hboc.com/linux/index.html) and www.lan.com
  (http://www.lan.com/linux/index.html).

  John Gotts N8QDW <jgotts@engin.umich.edu> makes it available at:
  www.engin.umich.edu
  (http://www.engin.umich.edu/~jgotts/linuxhamsoft.html).

  Alan Hargreaves VK2KVF <alan@dap.CSIRO.AU> makes it available in
  Australia at: www.dap.csiro.au (http://www.dap.csiro.au/RadioLinux).

  <dantodd@wheel.ucdavis.edu> will be making it available sometime
  shortly.

  Please let me know if you'd like to make it available somewhere too.


  5.  Satellite

  The following software is for use in experimentation with Satellite
  communication.


  5.1.	MicroSat Ground Station Software


     Author
	John Melton, G0ORX/N6LYT, g0orx@amsat.org and Jonathan Naylor
	G4KLX, g4klx@amsat.org

     Description
	Microsat Ground Station software.

     Status
	BETA. Version 0.9-Xaw recently released.

     System requirements
	Alan Cox's kernel based AX.25 support ver 1.1.12 or better. X-
	Windows.  The programs make use of the Athena Widgets and look
	much better with the 3D libraries.

     Detail
	This software allows you to use of a KISS tnc to directly
	communicate with the Microsat series of satellites. It provides
	an Athena Widgets based X-Windows interface, and allows you a
	comprehensive range of means of interacting with the satellite.
	The software should work with any window manager.

	The software provides the following programs:

	xpb
	   broadcast monitor

	xpg
	   ftl0 file upload program, message upload program

	xtlm
	   telemetry display program

	downloaded
	   downloaded file list viewer

	directory
	   directory list viewer

	message
	   message preparation application

	viewtext
	   uncompressed ASCII text file viewer

	viewlog
	   display the contents of some log files

	xweber
	   special program for downloading webersat images

	phs
	   general purpose PACSAT header stripper


     Where and How to obtain it.
	John's software is available from:

	ftp.ucsd.edu
	(ftp://ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming/microsat-0.9-Xaw.tar.gz)
	or ftp.funet.fi
	(ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/ham/satellite/microsat/microsat-0.9-Xaw.tar.gz).
	Please check for new versions.


     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	GPL

     Contributed by:
	John Melton, G0ORX/N6LYT, Alan Cox, GW4PTS, Jonathon Naylor,
	G4KLX



  6.  Shack Automation

  Software for simplifying tasks in the shack. Examples might include
  software for controlling the newer breed of radios, logging programs,
  QSL database, or antenna rotation.





  7.  Packet Radio

  Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating packet
  radio.


  7.1.	Kernel Based AX.25 networking.


     Author
	Alan Cox, GW4PTS, iialan@iifeak.swan.ac.uk

     Description
	Software that allows the Linux Kernel to perform AX.25
	networking.

     Status
	ALPHA. Quite stable though.

     System requirements
	Linux kernel 1.0 or later.

     Detail
	Alan's software provides the programmer with a berkeley socket
	based interface to the AX.25 protocol. AX.25 sockets can opened
	for either connected, or connectionless modes of operation.
	Support to allow tcp/ip over AX.25 is provided. The user
	applications has been Jonathon G4KLX.  The software comes in two
	parts, a kernel patch, and the user programs.  The user programs
	included are:

	axadd
	   to manipulate the AX.25 ARP table.

	axattach
	   to convert a serial device into a KISS device.

	axl
	   an AX.25 listener designed to start a PMS when it receives an
	   incoming connection. The PMS is still very new.

	axsetcall
	   to change the callsign of a port.

	beacon
	   generated beacon messages every 30 minutes.

	call
	   A linemode AX.25 connection program. Call allows you to make
	   connections to other AX.25 nodes. It provides file transmit
	   and receive capabilities, and newer versions allow YAPP
	   binary file transfers.

	listen
	   a demonstration of how to use intercept AX.25 frames at the
	   raw packet level. Useful as a building block for packet
	   tracing for example.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	There are a number of different versions of the software. You
	must choose the one that suits your version of Linux kernel. The
	software is available from: sunacm.swan.ac.uk
	(ftp://sunacm.swan.ac.uk/pub/misc/Linux/Radio/)

	More detail on where and how to obtain the software is provided
	in the plain text version of the NET-2-HOWTO
	(ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/howto/NET-2-HOWTO) or if
	you have WWW access at: NET-2-HOWTO via WWW
	(http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/NET-2-HOWTO.html).


     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Most of the software is covered by the GNU Public License, some
	of the software is Copyright by the Regents of University
	California Berkeley, and small portions of the user programs are
	Copyright Phil Karn KA9Q, whose copyright allows unrestricted
	use by Amateur Radio, Educational Institutions and Commercial
	KA9Q OEM license holders.

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ.


  7.2.	JNOS


     Author
	Brandon Allbery, KF8NH, bsa@kf8nh.wariat.org

     Description
	Brandon ported JNOS to Linux. His port is currently of the 1.09
	(aka 1.08df) release of JNOS. Future versions will probably be
	based on Doug Crompton's evolution of 1.08df. Brandon suggests
	that JNOS for Linux is primarily of interest to people with
	existing DOS-based NOS configurations (especially server/switch
	configurations) who wish to switch to Linux or to escape the
	640K barrier.

     Status
	The current version is ALPHA.4. Brandon is still tracking down
	bugs, as well as evolving new features.

     System Requirements.
	Any version of Linux along with ncurses 1.8.1 or 1.8.5 (the
	latter is preferred). Optionally you will require Linux
	networking (at least loopback) and slattach (kernels pre-1.1.13
	or post-1.1.20 required for this).

     Detail
	If you include the Linux networking code in addition to JNOS,
	you can link the two by a slip link running over a pty, so that
	Linux can provide services to your radio users. In this way you
	can easily add servers without having to build them into JNOS
	itself.	Brandon has supplied the following list of known bugs:

     o	some servers seem to be causing unexplained exits.

     o	PPP is reported not to work in ALPHA.4, although it worked in
	ALPHA.3.

     o	BBS forwarding when convers is compiled in but not configured
	causes core dumps.

     o	the finger server is getting bad filenames.

     o	the bbs W command is case-munging filenames.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	You can obtain JNOS for Linux ALPHA.4 at: ftp.ucsd.edu
	(ftp://ftp.ucsd.edu/hamradio/packet/tcpip/linux/j109lxA4.tgz)
	ncurses is available on most Linux ftp sites.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Brandon's modifications to JNOS are public domain. Most of the
	pre-existing NOS code is copyrighted and restricted to non-
	commercial use by the various contributors from Phil Karn on.

     Contributed by:
	Brandon Allbery, KF8NH



  7.3.	N0ARY Packet BBS for UN*X


     Author
	Bob Arasmith, N0ARY, ported to Linux (and others) by Bob Proulx,
	KF0UW, rwp@fc.hp.com

     Description
	A packet bbs implemented under UN*X.

     Status
	ALPHA. Bob is running version ARY-0.9 on both Linux and HP-UX.
	The next version from N0ARY which is called 4.0 is in alpha
	test/development release.  Bob has not been able to bring this
	online yet and is still running 0.9+kf0uw mods. Bob has about
	half it working with Alan Cox's AX.25 kernel which would be the
	desirable combination.

     System Requirements.
	Linux installation, C Compiler, plus HAM radio TNC hardware.

     Detail
	This bbs has an excellent packet user interface.  It has a
	compatible set of commands with the RLI bbs so users will be
	familiar with it immediately.  It then extends the command set
	to be a very nice natural language style interface (e.g "list at
	allus about KPC-3"). Many csh style bang commands are supported.
	Also included is a mail interface to provide a packet to
	internet gateway.

	Currently you need to customize the source code for your
	installation so you need some C programming proficiency.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	For a Linux version or for Linux information send mail to
	rwp@fc.hp.com. For a SunOS version contact bob@arasmith.com.
	This code is not packaged for distribution yet since it is not
	past the alpha stage of development.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Copyright by Bob Arasmith, N0ARY, but freely redistributable.

     Contributed by:
	Bob Proulx, kf0uw, rwp@fc.hp.com


  7.4.	MBL/RLI message to NNTP and email converter.


     Author
	SM0OHI, pme@it.kth.se

     Description
	Software that will convert incoming MBL/RLI messages into either
	NNTP or RFC-822 formatted mail messages.

     Status
	Development, not yet released.

     System requirements
	Unknown.

     Detail
	This software would be ideally suited to those who want to
	establish a mail and news gateway between conventional tcp/ip
	networks and the amateur radio mail network.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	Not yet availale.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Unknown.

     Contributed by:
	SM0OHI


  7.5.	Single floppy disk AX.25 router.


     Author
	Alan Cox, GW4PTS, iialan@iifeak.swan.ac.uk

     Description
	A single floppy disk version of linux with enough software to
	allow a PC to act as an AX.25/IP router.

     Status
	Development, not yet released.

     System requirements.
	As for any Linux system a 386SX class PC or better.

     Detail
	No detail yet.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	Not yet available.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Unknown/Undecided.

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ


  7.6.	TNT.


     Author
	Mark Wahl, DL4YBG, DL4YBG @ DB0BLO.#BLN.DEU.EU, wahlm@zelator.de

     Description
	A Hostmode terminal program for TNC's that support the WA8DED
	hostmode protocol.

     Status
	Version 0.8 is reportedly stable, possibly beta.

     System requirements
	TNC supporting WA8DED hostmode protocol, serial line.

     Detail
	No detail yet.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	You can obtain the software direct from the author by email.

     Contributed by:
	Steffen Weinreich, DL5ZBG.


  7.7.	Wampes

  A port of Wampes to Linux.  Could someone send me details of the
  latest wampes release please ?


  8.  Morse Code

  Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating Morse
  communication.


  8.1.	Morse trainer.


     Author
	Alan Cox, GW4PTS, iiitac@pyr.swan.ac.uk

     Description
	A Morse Code trainer that uses the PC internal speaker

     Status
	stable, works quite well, unfinished.

     System requirements
	Linux, any version

     Detail
	Alan wrote this small program in only an hour. It is quite neat,
	and allows you to play morse at a range of speeds and
	frequencies through the PC internal speaker. You can specify the
	text to be played either from the command line, from a file, or
	the program is capable of generating random character groups. As
	it stands you must invoke the program from a Linux Virtual
	Console, as it relies on certain kernel calls to produce the
	sound, and these don't work as easily from an XTerm. As it
	sounds each character it lists the character in verbal form (Di,
	Dit, Dah etc.) to the screen. Alan is hoping that someone will
	take the code and enhance it with the features he has listed in
	the comments at the head of the source file.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	Alan has given me a copy, so you can mail me and I'll send you a
	copy.  If it is popular enough I'll make it available by ftp
	somewhere.

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ, terryd@extro.ucc.su.oz.au



  9.  AMTOR

  Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating AMTOR.


  10.  PACTOR

  Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating PACTOR.


  11.  Slow Scan Television

  Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating Slow Scan
  Television.


  12.  Facsimile

  Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating Facsimile.


  13.  Design and Construction

  Software to assist in the design and construction of amateur radio
  related things. Antenna, Circuit Board, Filter, and QSL card design
  packages are all good candidates for this section.


  13.1.	Software Oscilloscope


     Author
	Jeff Tranter, Jeff_Tranter@Mitel.COM

     Description
	Scope is a simple software emulation of an oscilloscope. It
	graphically displays voltage as a function of time.

     Status
	ALPHA. First release.

     System requirements
	Sound card with input capability supported by the kernel sound
	driver.	SVGALIB is used to do the display work.

     Detail
	Scope uses the /dev/dsp device to take audio in from the
	soundcard and displays it on the screen in a manner similar to
	an oscilloscope.  Jeff claims Scope was written more for
	amusement value than for any serious purpose.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	You can obtain source, makefile and man page for Scope from:
	sunsite.unc.edu
	(ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/circuits/scope-0.1.tar.gz)

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	GNU Public License. Copyleft.

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ


  13.2.	irsim


     Author
	Dmitry Teytelman, dim@leland.stanford.edu

     Description
	An event-driven logic-level simulator for MOS circuits
     Status
	Version 8.6, production.

     System Requirements
	X-Windows.

     Detail
	irsim is an X11 based simulator for MOS circuits. It has two
	simulation modes, either switch where each transistor is
	modelled as a voltage controlled switch, or linear where each
	transistor is modelled as a resistor in series with a voltage
	controlled switch, and each node has a capacitance.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	You can obtain irsim from: sunsite.unc.edu
	(ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/circuits/irsim.tar.z).

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Freely Redistributable

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ


  13.3.	Spice


     Author
	University of California, Berkeley, ported by
	eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg

     Description
	Spice is an analog circuit emulator.

     Status
	Stable release. Last fortran version produced.

     System requirements
	Unknown.

     Detail
	Spice allows you to design and test circuits in a computer
	modelled environment to see how they will behave without having
	to touch a soldering iron, or solder.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	You can obtain version 2g6 of Spice from: sunsite.unc.edu
	(ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/circuits/spice2g6.tar.z)

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Copyright held by University California, Berkeley. Freely
	redistributable.

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ


  14.  Training/Educational

  Software to assist in education or training for amateur radio. Morse
  Code tutorials, technical examination database, Computer Based
  Training software, and the like are listed here.




  15.  Miscellaneous

  Software that I couldn't put anywhere else.


  15.1.	SunClock


     Author
	John Mackin, john@cs.su.oz.AU

     Description
	A clock that will show you instantly what parts of the globe are
	exposed by sunlight and what parts aren't.

     Status
	Released.

     System requirements.
	X-Windows.

     Detail
	sunclock is another of those desktop gadgets that most people
	think look nice but really don't have a lot of use for. I use
	sunclock to obtain an at-a-glance indication of the time
	anywhere in the world.	In its iconic form it sits in a small
	Mercator projection. When maximised it produces the same image
	but obviously larger with slightly more detail.	It also
	displays the date, local time and UTC. sunclock actually
	calculates mathematically what parts of globe are sunlit and
	which aren't, it seems quite accurate, so long as you assume the
	earth has no atmosphere.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	I haven't seen any precompiled sunclock binaries for Linux
	about, so check your nearest archie server. sunclock compiled
	straight out of the box for me.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Public Domain and may be freely copied as long as the notices at
	the top of sunclock.c remain intact.

     Contributed by:
	Terry Dawson, VK2KTJ


  15.2.	Xearth


     Author
	Kirk Lauritz Johnson, tuna@cag.lcs.mit.edu, modified by Dimitris
	Evmorfopoulos, devmorfo@cs.mtu.edu.

     Description
	A rotating earth for X-windows root window. It has real life
	shading, and options for geostatic view, and non geostatic view.
	A prettier and more modern version of sunclock but requires a
	bit more processing power.

     Status
	released, stable.

     System requirements.
	X-Windows.


     Detail
	xearth is much like sunclock except that it draws a view of the
	earth onto your root map in blue and green, as the earth would
	be viewed from space. You have a number of options in
	determining the behaviour of the view. You can either have it so
	that the same part of the earth is displayed, and the sun
	rotates, so you'll have varying light and shadow on the display,
	or you can have it shown as if you were travelling with the sun,
	so the whole of the globe is visible, and the earth rotates.
	You can specify the latitude/longtitude that will be the centre
	of the display. xearth is also capable of producing gif and ppm
	graphics output, so you can generate custom graphics of the
	globe.	When run as your root map, you can adjust the interval
	of time between updates.  On my 486SX25 you notice a small
	degradation in performance when it is recalculating, but it's
	not annoying.

     Where and How to obtain it.
	A precompiled xearth binary is available from: sunsite.unc.edu,
	or the source can be obtained from just about any X11/contrib
	directory. Try export.lcs.mit.edu if you can't find it
	elsewhere.

     Licensing/Copyright etc.
	Copyright (C) 1989, 1990, 1993 by Kirk Lauritz Johnson. The
	copyright notice included states that xearth is freely
	redistributable so long as the copyright notice is left intact,
	and be included in documentation.

     Contributed by:
	Alan Cox, GW4PTS.


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