Epson Multi-mode Data Controller MFJ-1278B - Manual (Page 9)

MFJ-1278B MULTI-MODE INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the exciting world of Amateur Digital Communications. By choosing the MFJ-
1278B, you have chosen the most versatile and powerful Multi-mode Data Controller
manufactured for the Amateur Radio Service.
The MFJ-1278B interfaces your radio with any personal computer that has an RS-232 or
TTL level Serial Port and a terminal program. While most communications programs will
work, MFJ recommends the use of MFJ Starter Pack for those who have IBM or compatible,
Macintosh, Amiga or Commodore C64/128 computers. With an IBM or compatible
computer, the MFJ Multicom terminal program gives you some added features that a standard
terminal program just can not offer. Features such as color SSTV, color FAX, 16 gray level
FAX, and color VGA packet picture transfer, just to mention a few. Multicom is menu
driven, making it easy to operate all modes offered by the MFJ-1278B. Dedicated functions
keys are programmed to operate most functions with a single key stroke.
Even though the MFJ Multicom programs offered for other computers may have features
different from the IBM version, they do offer features that will make operating the MFJ-
1278B very fun and very easy.
This compact versatile controller employs the genuine TAPR TNC 2 AX.25 protocol packet
firmware plus many added features to receive and transmit VHF packet, HF packet, AMTOR,
CW, ASCII, RTTY, color FAX, and color SSTV. The new 16 gray level fax board built in
the MFJ-1278B gives you the ability to receive and transmit color SSTV and multi-gray level
FAX pictures. In addition, MFJ-1278B lets you monitor the new and growing NAVTEX
broadcasting system. The MFJ-1278B also has a Contest Memory Keyer mode.
Also a feature which so many have asked about, Pactor has been added to the operating
modes. The new Pactor mode gives the user operating features such as Digital Memory
ARQ, full On-Line Data Compression, FEC Unproto operation, just to mention a few.
Also included with the PACTOR mode is a PACTOR Mailbox. With the Pactor mode also
comes the ability to monitor AMTOR ARQ connect requests.
The MFJ-1278B offers the most versatile mailbox available when compared to the mailbox in
other controllers. This mailbox allows a dedicated mailbox callsign so that the mailbox stays
on while you operate packet. Other features like auto forwarding or reverse forwarding of
mail to and from other BBS systems, remote sysop access, sysop paging, mailbox ctext, chat
mode and a "has mail" LED indicator. The MFJ-1278B has 32K mailbox memory which is
user expandable to 128K or 512K by simply replacing the mailbox memory IC -- a feature
that no other controller offers.
You also get MFJ's 20-segment, 10 Hz Precision Tuning Indicator that makes tuning simple