PK-88 OPERATING MANUAL
PACKET OPERATION
4 - 17
PK-88 - 64
NOTE:
Most console editing features and commands are disabled or not available
when connected in Transparent mode.
If the default command character is unsuitable for your computer's terminal program, you
can redefine each function using any ASCII character appropriate to your needs.
See Chapter 5, the 'Command Summary' chapter for full details on how to define these for-
matting and control features and commands.
4.10.1
PACLEN – Long or Short?
PACLEN sets the maximum length of your packet - the largest number of characters that
can fit in one packet. If you type more than this number of characters (default 128) with-
out typing a 'send-packet' character (default
[
↵
]
), the PK-88 will send a maximum-length
packet.
Experimental evidence shows that reducing
PACLEN
to
64
or even
32
can improve
through put under difficult conditions such as on HF radio.
NOTE:
Some other packet systems may be unable to accept packets longer than
128 characters.
4.10.2
Backspace and Delete
You can erase typing errors with your [BACKSPACE] ([
←
]) key. If your terminal lacks
[BACKSPACE], set
DELETE ON
to erase characters with the [DELETE] key; set
DELETE
OFF
to use the [BACKSPACE] key.
You will probably want to use the same key your computer normally uses to 'rub out' typ-
ing. If you are not sure what your rub out key does, try both settings of the DELETE com-
mand and see which works.
When you rub out typing errors, the PK-88 tries to correct the screen display. This works
with most computers and display-type terminals. It will not work for hardcopy terminals.
If your display does not look right after you rub out a character, try setting
BKONDEL OFF
.
The PK-88 will not correct the display but will show the rub out with a
\
character
(<BACKSLASH>). Restore the display correction by setting
BKONDEL ON
.
4.10.3
Cancel Line
If you make several mistakes, or change your mind, you can cancel the whole line by typ-
ing
[^X]
rather than rubbing out the characters one at a time. Your monitor displays a
<BACKSLASH> and a <CR>:
cmd:
Hi, John, how are you?[^X]\
(You started typing text while in Command
Mode.)
cmd:
CONVERSE
Hi, John, how are you?
4.10.4
Redisplay
If you have erased and retyped lots of characters, you may want to see 'fresh' input, es-
pecially if BKONDEL is OFF. The PK-88 shows the line you are entering when you type
[^R]
:
