Introduction
    AGWPE Overview
    More about AGWPE
1. Interface
    Getting Started
    Kits and Pre-assembled
    Receive Audio Cable
    Transmit Audio Cable
    PTT (TX Control) Cable
    2 Radio Modification
2. AGWPE Set Up
    Download and Install
    Basic AGWPE Setup
    2 Radio Setup
    2 Card Setup
3. Sound Card Setup
    Basic Settings
    Additional Settings
    Tuning Aid
4. Windows™ Setup
    TCP/IP Settings
    Update Windows
5. Problems?
    Program Behavior
    Receiving
    Transmitting
    Connections
6. Using AGWPE
    AGWPE on a Network
    Baud Rates & Modes
    Remote Control
    TCP/IP Over Radio
    Tips and Tricks
    Traffic Parameters
7. Compatible Programs:
    Setup Help
    UI-View
    WinAPRS
    Winpack
    Others
  
   

Configuring AGWPE for Two Radios on One Sound Card

AGWPE is able to use the stereo capabilities of the sound card to interface with two radios simultaneously! One possible use of this would be to listen to the DX Cluster frequency on one radio while operating an APRS or other packet communication frequency (including HF) on the other radio.

To make the appropriate cables, see the 2 Radios Cable page.

To handle the second radio, you'll need to configure AGWPE as if it were "dual port" TNC:

• Click on the Packet Engine icon in the System Tray at the bottom of your screen to bring up AGWPE's  pop up menu.
• Click on Properties and then, with Port 1 highlighted, click on OK.
   

• When the Properties box opens make these changes:
  • Click on the DualPort choice in the far right column of the window.
  • The Port2 field at the bottom of the window should now be active (turns from gray to white). In this field, type in a name of your choice for Port 2, e.g. the name of the radio and/or frequency and/or application. You can also edit Port1's name at this time if you want.

Click to enlarge

• Set the Baud Rate: Under the TNC Sub Type, click on the Options button to bring up the SoundCard Modem/TNC Setup window that lets you change the "on air" baud rate for each channel.  Here's an example:

By default, the "on air" rate is set at 1200 for both channels.

Note About PTT control: In earlier versions of AGWPE which did not have the two radio option, AGWPE used both the RTS and DTR pins on the COM or LPT port for PTT control. You could wire your PTT cable for either.

Current versions of AGWPE don't do this. If you select SinglePort, only the RTS pin will be used; the DTR pin isn't used. If you select, DualPort, the RTS pin will be used for the radio on port 1 (the left channel) and the DTR pin will be used for the radio on port 2 (the right channel).
 

How Do You tell your applications which AGWPE port/radio to use?

In WinPack, for example, when you issue the connect command, put the port number between the connect command and the target station's callsign, for example:

C  2  KC2RLM

In UI-View, go to the Setup menu and then Station Setup. UI-View transmits on the ports you specify under Unproto Ports. For example, if you only enter 1, then UI-View will only transmit your station beacon through AGWPE port 1. To specify multiple ports, enter e.g. 1,2 .

UI-View receives by default on all ports. To change that, go to the Setup menu and then Comms Setup. When you select a host mode of AGWPE, a Setup button will appear to the right of AGWPE. Press that button that to bring up the AGWPE Setup window. Then press the Ports Mask button to bring up the AGWPE Port Mask Monitor window. Check or uncheck ports to control which AGWPE ports UI-View will receive on.

WinAPRS has a special way of handling it. See the WinAPRS setup page.

In APRSplus, use the Commands: Unproto Paths menu option (or Ctrl+Shift+U) to call up a list of UI paths. By default the TCP port for all path choices is set to 1, ie AGWPE port 1. To use AGWPE port 2, pick an unused line and change the TPC port to 2; also edit the path to one of of your choice. Now press the Set button to the right of the port you want to use. It will then be highlighted in yellow. Press the OK button.

Problems in setting up two ports in AGWPE?  If you have any unusual difficulties in changing from single port to dual port operation, it may just be easier to:

• exit from AGWPE

• delete all port*.ini files and theagwpe.ini file in the AGWPE directory/folder

• restart and re-configure AGWPE from the very beginning-- it doesn't take long.

Possible Problems with Stereo Channels and 2 Ports/Radios

• Some users have reported the RX audio from one channel may somehow "spill over" on to the other channel. The only reported solution is to reduce the radio's RX volume on the originating channel/port, so that it is just loud enough for AGWPE to decode -- watch the green blinking pixel in the modem icon.
   

• George SV2AGW says there may be a problem running AGWPE in 2 port sound card mode if your soundcard is not full-duplex capable. Most cards are, but if yours is not, then while one channel transmits, the other channel will stop receiving.
  
  If you want to check if your soundcard is full-duplex:
     1. Run AGWPE (using the soundcard as a TNC, of course)
     2. Run the Windows Sound Recorder program:
          Start/http://www.kc2rlm.info/programs/Accessories/Entertainment
     3.Press the record button.
  If your soundcard works in full-duplex mode it will start recording. If it does not, you will get a pop-up message warning you that your soundcard is in use by another program, i.e. AGWPE.