If you have received a PACSAT Booster Board from Jim, then here are some instructions for testing/using it.

First make sure you have followed Burns instructions to install the IDE and flash the launchpad.  You know this has worked when you have the console up and can type commands.  When it tells you to type a command in these instructions, it means on the PACSAT Console.  You can type help to show a list of commands.

I suggest installing DireWolf on the same or another computer.  You need to set it up to operate in full duplex at 9600bps.  Initially you can use DireWolf to see you are receiving packets.  Then you need to connect the ground station software by telling Pac Sat Ground that the TNC is connected to TCP port 8001, using the File > Settings screen.

In the console type:

send pb status 

This will transmit a packet and it should say PB Empty in DireWolf. 

Then type:

ls 

This should show there are no files on the sat.  If this does not work then type: 

unmount fs

format fs

mount fs 

In the console type: 

make psf 

This will create a set of test files 

Type:

ls 

To list them.  We now need to set the time before we load them into the directory.  We dont have a real time clock so it needs to be set manually.

Look up the current Unix time on the web.  I use https://www.unixtimestamp.com/ 

Type:

set unix time <value> 

Then you can type: 

load dir 

This will load the files into the directory and set their upload time.  In the future PACSAT will load the directory at boot.  Probably once we have a real time clock in place.

Type :

list dir 

This will list all the files in the directory.  Now when you reset the satellite the files will still be in the file system with the correct upload time, but the directory will be empty.  You can type: 

load dir 

Without having to set the Unix Time, and it will load the files and remember their upload time. 

In the Pacsat ground station you can press the DIR button if the PB is available, i.e. you are not already on the PB.  If it thinks you are on the PB then you can type this on the console: 

send pb status 

If you press  the DIR button it should request the directory and download all the headers.  If you interrupt the download then subsequent requests will ask for the holes in the directory. 

You can press the FILE button to download a file .  Either type the file number you want in the box or click on the file in the directory to populate the box.  You can also give a file a download priority by pressing numbers 1-9.  See the manual for Details. 

Feel free to ask any questions.

73

Chris