







          ͻ
                           M I C R O S C A N   2 . 0                  
                                                                      
                The shareware SSTV & FAX program for the IBM-PC       
                                                                      
                          (c) Copyright 1995 CombiTech                
               Morelstraat 60, 3235 EL Rockanje, The Netherlands      
            This program may be copied in its original integral form  
          ͼ



























          To enable printing to any kind of printer, all special printer
          codes except formfeed (12), and all graphic symbols and
          pictures have been removed from this document. Some codes have
          been replaced with the following text:

          {up}   arrow up symbol
          {down} arrow down symbol

          This document is formatted to be printed double-sided, with 58
          lines per page. Every new page is preceded by a formfeed.

          Type the following command to print this manual:

          PRINT MSCAN-UK.TXT


          TABLE OF CONTENTS
          =================

          1 INSTALLATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1

          1.1 Installing the MSCAN software . . . . . . . . . . . .     1

          1.2 Installing the Multiscan interface  . . . . . . . . .     4

          1.3 Installing the Microscan interface  . . . . . . . . .     4

          1.4 Adjusting the hardware (Multiscan only) . . . . . . .     6

          1.5 Computing the calibration factor  . . . . . . . . . .     8

          2 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     9

          2.1 Screen layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     9

          2.2 Selecting the program mode  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10

          2.3 Loading and saving pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10

          2.3.1 Setting the path  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10

          2.3.2 Loading a picture from disk . . . . . . . . . . . .    11

          2.3.3 Loading a picture from the auto directory . . . . .    12

          2.3.4 Loading a picture from memory . . . . . . . . . . .    12

          2.3.5 Loading a standard image  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    12

          2.3.6 Loading a picture from the Iris videodigitizer  . .    13

          2.3.7 Saving a picture to disk  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    13

          2.3.8 Saving a picture to memory  . . . . . . . . . . . .    14

          2.4 Text editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    14

          2.5 Receiving and transmitting pictures . . . . . . . . .    15

          2.5.1 Receiving pictures in SSTV modes  . . . . . . . . .    15

          2.5.2 Transmitting pictures in SSTV modes . . . . . . . .    17

          2.5.3 Receiving pictures in FAX modes . . . . . . . . . .    18

          2.5.4 Transmitting pictures in FAX modes  . . . . . . . .    21

          2.6 Processing pictures with the toolkit  . . . . . . . .    22

          2.7 Managing the spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22

          APPENDIX I - TECHNICAL INFORMATION  . . . . . . . . . . .    25

                                                                      III

          A Start- and stoptones  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25

          B Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    25

          APPENDIX II - MODE DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . .    27

          A SSTV  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    27

          B FAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    28



          MSCAN 2.0   Copyright 1995 CombiTech

          CombiTech, 
          Morelstraat 60, 
          3235 EL  Rockanje, 
          The Netherlands, 
          Tel/Fax: +311814-4252.


          Agents:

          Australia           Kevin Cavanagh VK4SP, 222 Brisbane Valley 
          & New Zealand       Highway, Wanora, Queensland 4306, Tel/Fax:
                              +61-74-643954 

          Belgium             Spitz telecom, P. Verhaegheplein 15, 8310
                              Bruges, Tel: 050-353639, Fax: 050-353938

          Denmark             Norad Tele-center a/s, Frederikshavnsvej
                              74, DK-9800 Hj rring, Tel: 98909999, Fax:
                              98909988

          Germany             Garant-Funk, Kommerner Str. 119, 53879
                              Euskirchen, Tel: 02251-55757, Fax: 02251-
                              59214

          Switserland         ALINAG, Dammweg 53, 5000 Aarau,
                              Tel: 064-227066, Fax: 064-241263

          United Kingdom      AMDAT, 4 Northville Road, Northville,
                              Bristol, BS7 ORG, Tel: 01179-699352, Fax:
                              01179-872228





          The Graphics Interchange Format(c) is the Copyright property
          of Compuserve Incorporated. GIF(sm) is a Service Mark Property
          of Compuserve Incorporated.





          IV

          1 INSTALLATION

          MSCAN 2.0 is a program for receiving and transmitting SSTV and
          FAX images. For convenient operation, MSCAN 2.0 requires an
          IBM-compatible computer with at least a 80386 processor, SVGA
          video capable of displaying in truecolour and a Microsoft
          compatible mouse.
          MSCAN is available in two versions: one for the Multiscan
          modem, and one for the Microscan modem. When a description in
          this manual is only intended for one of these versions, it is
          marked with '[Multi]' or '[Micro]'.

          Multiscan [Multi]
          The Multiscan modem consists of two boards (one for receiving
          and one for transmitting) which can be connected to each
          other. The receive board can also be used stand-alone. The
          Multiscan uses a high-quality PLL circuit for decoding and a
          sinewave generator for generating signals. This ensures the
          best pictures even under worse conditions.

          Microscan [Micro]
          This is a very simple interface circuit which consists of a
          single OPAMP for decoding signals. Signals are generated using
          the PC speaker. This interface is also known as HAMCOMM or JV-
          FAX interface. The Microscan version is also distributed as
          shareware. When a description in this manual only refers to
          the shareware version, it is marked with '[share]'.

          Some parts of this manual only apply to the receive & transmit
          (TRX) version of MSCAN, these parts have been marked with
          '[TX]'.

          MSCAN is a unique program. No other program offers the multi-
          tude of multitasking possibilities you will find in MSCAN.
          While you are transmitting or receiving a picture, MSCAN
          enables you to load another picture, or digitize it, and
          overlay it with text. To make all of this possible, MSCAN uses
          many of the advanced (often not used) features your computer,
          graphics adapter and mouse have to offer. It is therefore
          absolutely necessary that these parts have a high degree of
          compatiblity and that MSCAN will not be influenced by any
          other program which would be present in memory (so called
          resident programs).

          MSCAN consists of two files:

          MSCAN.EXE - the main program
          MSCAN.CNF - the configuration and registration file.


          1.1 Installing the MSCAN software

          P.S.:
          If a memory manager like QEMM, EMM386 or 386MAX has been
          installed in your computer, then disable it first. On some PCs
          memory managers can greatly influence timing. This can cause

                                                                        1

          MSCAN to function incorrect or even not at all! You can dis-
          able the memory manager by placing the text 'REM ' in front of
          where the command is placed in your AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS
          file. Then restart your computer and run MSCAN and check its
          proper functioning. If all is ok, then enable the memory
          manager, reboot your system and run MSCAN again. If you detect
          any problems, or a degraded picture quality, then you cannot
          use this memory manager while running MSCAN.

          The MSCAN software is supplied on floppy disk which should be
          copied to the computer hard disk before use. At the DOS prompt
          type :

          MD \MSCAN
          CD \MSCAN

          Now copy the software from the distribution disk to this new
          directory, e.g.:

          COPY A:*.*

          Before the software can be used it must first be configured.
          To enter the calibration menu type:

          MSCAN /C      followed by a <Enter>. 

          A number of questions will be asked in sequence, with each
          entry the current status is reported (...). If you do not want
          to change a parameter a simple <Enter> is sufficient.

          SVGA chipset 1=Trident 8900D  4=ET4000(VESA)  5=PVGA1/WD90Cxx
                       7=Cirrus  8=VESA
          (...) :

          Select the chipset which is present on your graphics adapter.
          If MSCAN does not support your chipset select VESA. The
          following question will then be asked:

          0=standard VESA  1=hybrid#1  2=hybrid#2  (...) :

          Select standard. If you do not get the correct image on your
          display, then try starting MSCAN again with the hybrid#1 and
          hybrid#2 settings. It is possible that your graphics adapter
          requires a VESA driver to be loaded in order to be VESA
          compatible.

          [Multi]
          For the Multiscan the next question will appear:

          Spectrum calibration factor low  (...) :
          Spectrum calibration factor high  (...) :

          If you have a previous version of MSCAN, enter the same values
          here which are displayed in the configuration menu of your
          previous version. The calibration factors are used for the
          calibration of the spectrum, and interrelated to this the

          2

          calibration of the demodulator. If a ready built unit has been
          bought the figures will already have been entered for your
          interface. They should not be changed unless the unit is to be
          recalibrated. Unless you need to change these values simply
          press <Enter>.

          [Micro]
          For the Microscan version you can now select which type of
          interface you want to use.

          RX interface 1=DTR+/RTS-/PTT  2=RTS+/DTR-  (...) :

          For the Microscan and HAMCOMM interface select type 1. For the
          (older) JV-FAX interface, which has no PTT connection, select
          type 2.

          COM port 1/2  (...) :

          Enter the serial port number on the PC to which you have
          connected your hardware. Only port 1 and 2 are supported.

          Initial program mode 1=SSTV B&W  2=SSTV Wraase  3=New SSTV
                        4=B&W-FAX  5=Colour FAX  (...) :

          Select the initial program mode. MSCAN will auto-select this
          mode after startup.

          RX display sequence 1=1  2=2  3=1&2  (...) :
          TX display sequence 1=1  2=2  3=1&2  (...) :               [TX]

          These questions allow you to determine the default receive and
          transmit screen settings in the SSTV modes. You can always
          change these settings afterwards in the program itself.

          Default path to picture directory : ...

          The default directory in which you want to store your SSTV and
          FAX pictures. You may choose for example the current directory
          (.\) or a directory named 'pictures'.

          Crystal calibration factor  (...) :

          Both new SSTV and FAX modes rely heavily on synchronism
          between transmitter and receiver, for this the PC has to be
          able to precisely set timing. Therefore you will have to
          calibrate the PC. The computed correction factor (see
          'Computing the calibration factor') can be entered here. If
          you have already computed this factor for a previous version,
          simply enter the old factor here.

          Call to be transmitted  (...) :                         [share]

          For the shareware version of Microscan you can now enter your
          callsign which is transmitted with every picture.



                                                                        3

          1.2 Installing the Multiscan interface                  [Multi]

          First install the Multiscan interface by connecting it to a
          suitable radio and to an unused serial port on the PC.

          Radio connections

          Pin 1     -    transmit audio (connect to MIC
                         input of transmitter)
          Pin 2     -    ground connection
          Pin 3     -    receive audio (connect to audio
                         output of receiver)
          Pin 5     -    PTT (connect to PTT of
                         transmitter)


          Computer connections

          Pin 2     -    Receive Data from
                         Multiscan
          Pin 3     -    Transmit Data to Multiscan
          Pin 5     -    ground


          1.3 Installing the Microscan interface                  [Micro]

          If you do not have a Microscan-like interface, you will have
          to build one yourself. Please refer to the Microscan schema-
          tic. Connect CN1 to the serial port of your PC (COM 1 or COM
          2). Connect your receiver to 'audio in', and your transmitter
          (mic or line input) to 'mic input'. Connecting the PTT
          connection to the PTT input of your transmitter will enable
          MSCAN to remote control it. Now connect the wire labelled
          'speaker' to one of the speaker terminals of your PC. Connect
          the wire labelled 'ground' to the chassis of the PC. Check the
          audiosignal which is applied to your transmitter and adjust
          its volume with R3. If the sound is weak and distorted,
          connect the 'speaker' wire to the other speaker terminal.



















          4

          DEMODULATOR
          ===========                                       RS-232 PC
                                                            (25p) (9p)
                                               /
                                         Ĵ<  DTR (20)  (4)
                                              \
                                       \
                       100n         3 \7   1N4148
           audio ĴĴ  \ 6
              in                   741> DSR (6)   (6)
                              Ĵ  /
                                  2 /4   1N4148
                               /
                                     \ 
                     10n             Ĵ > RTS (4)   (7)
                                         / 
                           100k 
          ground  GND (7)   (5)
          
          
          PTT-CIRCUIT
          ===========
          
             PTT Ŀ
                                   1k          1N4148
                             \   Ŀ    /
                              Ĵ     Ĵ<  RTS (4)   (7)
                             /       \
                            
                             BC547B
          ground 
          
          
          MODULATOR
          =========
          
                     100n   2k2         2k2
                        Ŀ     Ŀ
          speaker ĴĴ     Ĵ     Ŀ
          pc (1)                      1k
                                                    
                                             
                                             < mic input
                                                     
                                    100n        100n
                                                     
          ground   ground
          pc (2)           
          
             (1) connect to speaker terminal with strongest signal
             (2) connect to PC chassis
             All C's ceramic
          
          
          This interface is designed to be used with the Microscan
          version of MSCAN, and is equipped with a PTT connection.

                                                                        5

          1.4 Adjusting the hardware (Multiscan only)             [Multi]

          RECALIBRATION OF THE (DE)MODULATOR IS NOT REQUIRED IF A BUILT 
          AND TESTED UNIT HAS BEEN BOUGHT!

          Before using the program and matching hardware you may have to
          adjust a few things. For adjusting the demodulator a software-
          approach is used. The demodulator can be found on the Multi-
          scan receive board. The modulator uses a hardware adjustment
          by means of adjustable resistors. The modulator is placed on
          the transmit board of the Multiscan. The adjustments are
          necessary in connection with tolerances in the used parts.


          Calibrating the demodulator

          Calibration of the demodulator should only be required if you
          have just completed building the interface unit or you have
          changed any parts. If you have bought a built unit the
          software should already be calibrated for the interface.  

          When calibrating the demodulator you are in fact adjusting the
          software to match the characteristics of the hardware (soft-
          ware calibration). Calibration should be done using a tone
          generator which has an adjustable frequency. It is however
          also possible with the help of another amateur station. 

          Use the following steps for calibration:

          1)   Switch the program to a SSTV mode and press the spectrum
               menu button.

          2)   Apply a 1200 Hz tone to the audio
               input of the Multiscan. A bar will
               appear in the spectrum. In the top-
               right corner the frequency is
               displayed, this will have to be
               1200. You do this by clicking on the
                lower and  higher menu buttons. With these you can shift
               the entire spectrum downwards or upwards. The bar will
               now be positioned exactly under the syncindicator.

          3)   Apply a 2300 Hz tone. To get the
               frequency '2300' displayed in the
               spectrum use the  expand and  shrink
               buttons to expand or shrink the
               entire spectrum. The bar will now be
               positioned above the right marker
               (dot on the right).

          4)   When ready repeat the entire procedure again. Now you can
               write the calibration factors to the configuration file
               using the save button.

          If you do not have access to a tone generator you can also ask
          another amateur to transmit the tones for you, if he also uses

          6

          MSCAN this will be no problem since the program has a special
          feature for this purpose. In this case simply connect the
          Multiscan to the audio output of your receiver.

          It is also possible to calibrate the demodulator using a high-
          quality SSTV signal. This will however give a less exact
          result. The procedure for calibrating using an SSTV signal is
          not much different: 

          1)   Apply the SSTV signal to the Multiscan. Use the  lower
               and  higher buttons to get a good synchronization (1200
               Hz adjustment). You will now see a bar under the
               syncindicator.

          2)   Use the  expand and  shrink buttons to get the right
               greyshades in the picture. These values have to be spread
               all over the 1500-2300 Hz part of the spectrum (between
               the two markers).

          3)   You can now store the acquired calibration factors in the
               configuration file using the save button. 


          Calibrating the modulator [TX]

          Calibration of the modulator should only be required if you
          have just completed building the interface unit or you have
          changed any parts. If you have bought a built unit the
          modulator should already be calibrated.

          The modulator is calibrated as follows:

          1)   Switch the program into the transmit mode by clicking on
               the RX indicator. The indicator will now show TX.

          2)   Enable the spectrum by clicking the spectrum menu button.
               The buttons 1200, 1500 and 2300 allow you to generate the
               tones 1200, 1500 and 2300 Hz.

          3)   Select the tone 1200 Hz. Measure the frequency of the
               signal that the modulator generates. You can do this at
               the output of the board. The outputlevel can be adjusted
               with R4 on the Multiscan transmit board. If your counter
               is not sensitive enough you can also measure the signal
               at R3. Adjust the frequency with R7 to exactly 1200 Hz.

          4)   Now select a tone of 2300 Hz. Adjust the measured
               frequency with R6 to exactly 2300 Hz.

          5)   Repeat the previous procedure. The modulator is now
               precisely calibrated. When you now select a tone of
               1500 Hz you should measure this frequency at the output.
               A deviation of a few Hz is allowed.




                                                                        7

          6)   Press your right mousebutton to leave the spectrum mode,
               and click the TX indicator twice to switch back to the
               receive mode.

          If you do not possess a frequency counter you can also simply
          transmit the signal and ask another amateur to measure it for
          you. If this amateur also uses MSCAN then this is easy: he
          only has to press the spectrum button and read the displayed
          frequency.


          1.5 Computing the calibration factor

          Precise timing is vital for especially the new SSTV and FAX
          modes. A slight deviation in the crystal frequency of the PC
          will result in bad synchronization (picture skew) when
          receiving pictures. If you detect this picture skew when
          receiving 'commercial' FAX stations (i.e. calibrated stations)
          then the crystal in your PC will have a slight deviation. This
          deviation can be compensated with the calibration factor,
          which is entered in the configuration menu. This is done using
          the following method:

          1.   Switch the program to FAX mode by clicking on the program
               mode indicator.
          2.   Select the param menu and use the +lpm and -lpm buttons
               to receive a picture without skew.
          3.   Click on the calib button and confirm by clicking calib
               again.
          4.   Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you cannot detect any skew
               anymore.

          Beware that commercial stations can transmit skewed pictures,
          this is not caused by deviation in linetime but simply because
          someone placed to chart askew in the FAX machine! A good
          alternative is to use a timepulse station (look around 10 MHz)
          which will transmit a bleep e.g. every second. These bleeps
          appear as small lines on your screen. When your calibration is
          ok, these lines must appear directly under each other.








                                   [picture]









          8

          2 OPERATION

          To start the main program type

          MSCAN     followed by <Enter>. 

          The program will enter the default mode which was defined
          during configuration.


          2.1 Screen layout

          In the SSTV modes most of the screen is filled with two
          screens, numbered 1 (left) and 2 (right). These screens are
          used to display incoming and/or outgoing images. Below this
          the 14 memories are displayed. Since FAX modes require display
          of high-resolution pictures, here only one big screen is
          visible.















                                   [picture]















          At the bottom of the screen you can see the console, which is
          made up of the spectrum, the indicators and the menu buttons.

          The spectrum shows the in- or outgoing audiosignal. The
          spectrum contains a sync-indicator. When a correct synchroni-
          zation is established this indicator lights up. In SSTV modes
          you can see three markers at the bottom of the spectrum, these

                                                                        9

          mark the frequencies (from left-to-right) 1200, 1500 and 2300
          Hz. In FAX modes the 1200 Hz marker is omitted since it has no
          function. The other two markers either mark 1500 and 2300 Hz
          for 800 Hz shift or 1750 and 2050 Hz for a 300 Hz shift.

          In the console of MSCAN you can find both (menu)
          buttons and indicators. Menu buttons are visible in
          the lower part of the console and make up the menu.
          Indicators can have a display function only, or can
          have both a display and button function. In the
          latter case 'pressing' an indicator will activate a
          corresponding function, or will select a new setting. You can
          'press' a button or indicator by positioning your mousepointer
          above it and click your left mousebutton. Some indicators have
          more than one function, by repeatedly clicking on the indica-
          tor other functions or settings are shown. A function or
          setting will become active when the indicator is not changed
          for one second, or when another indicator is clicked. The
          right (and middle) mousebutton have an escape function and are
          used to leave a (sub)menu. 


          2.2 Selecting the program mode

                                                                    
           B&W SSTV ->  Wraase  -> New SSTV -> B&W FAX  -> Col FAX  
                                                                    

          To the right of the spectrum you can find the program mode
          indicator, which shows the current program mode (like SSTV or
          FAX). Clicking on it selects another program mode.


          2.3 Loading and saving pictures

          You can load a picture from disk, from the auto directory or
          from one of 14 memories (which are in fact stored on disk).
          MSCAN will load pictures in GIF and JPEG format. Because of
          the high datacompression pictures will always be saved in JPEG
          format. Pictures can be loaded and saved at all times, even
          when receiving or transmitting another picture. A picture can
          be loaded into the entire screen or just to a part of it
          (called a box). In the same way the entire screen or just a
          part of it can be saved. MSCAN will automatically scale
          pictures to fit in a screen or box. In b&w modes picture
          colours will be translated to greyvalues.


          2.3.1 Setting the path

                                  
           picture   ->    Path   
                                  

          Here you can temporary change the path to the picture
          directory which you entered in the configuration menu. This

          10

          path is used when loading or saving a picture from/to disk.
          After selecting Path a cursor will be visible, you can now
          enter the new path, e.g. 'a:' to read a picture from disk a:.


          2.3.2 Loading a picture from disk

                                                
           picture   ->  diskLoad  ->   screen  
                                                
                                                
                                         box    
                                                
                                                
                                        multi   
                                                
                                                
                                        delete  
                                                

          Depending on the mode you are in, you will be able to select
          screen 1 or screen 2, or only one screen. If you do not want
          the picture to fill the entire screen but just a portion of
          it, select box. Press the left mouse button to select the top
          left corner of the box, then drag the box to size and press
          again the left mouse button. The picture will be loaded and
          fits within the selected box size.
          After your selection a cursor will appear: you can now enter
          the name of the picture to be loaded, or press <Enter> or left
          mousebutton and pick a file from the directory. Use the {up} and
          {down} buttons to show more entries.

          If you want to load multiple pictures, select multi. In SSTV
          modes MSCAN will now load pictures to screens 1 and 2 alterna-
          tely. When transmitting, picture load is synchronized with
          picture transmission. When both screens are selected for
          transmission, this feature enables you to transmit several
          picture in a row. Pictures are loaded alphabetically, starting
          with the picture you selected.
          In FAX modes a collection of small pictures will be showed
          across the screen.

          Press the delete button if you want to delete a picture. If
          you have loaded a picture previously and not leaved the
          picture menu, the name of this picture will be showed now. You
          can use this name, or enter a new one, or press <Enter> or
          left mousebutton to pick a picture from the directory. Use the
          {up} and {dpwn} buttons to show more entries.









                                                                       11

          2.3.3 Loading a picture from the auto directory

                                                
           picture   ->  Autoload  ->   screen  
                                                
                                                
                                         box    
                                                
                                                
                                        multi   
                                                
                                                
                                        delete  
                                                

          This works exactly the same as loading a picture from disk,
          only the picture is not loaded from the picture directory (see
          configuration menu) but from the auto directory. This is the
          directory where pictures are stored that are received in the
          SSTV or FAX auto mode.


          2.3.4 Loading a picture from memory

                                                
           picture   ->  memRead   ->   screen  
                                                
                                                
                                         box    
                                                

          Pictures which are stored in memory are in fact stored on disk
          in a special format. This format enables the pictures to be
          loaded and saved very fast and without loss of information due
          to compression.
          The procedure to load a picture from memory is almost the same
          as loading a picture from disk. The only difference is that
          you do not have to enter a name, but immediately can pick a
          memory from the directory.

                    
           showmems 
                    

          In SSTV modes you can see 14 little boxes in the lower part of
          the screen. These boxes display the contents of all 14
          memories. To (re)load these boxes with the contents of the
          memories press the menu button showmems.


          2.3.5 Loading a standard image

                                                
           picture   ->   Image    ->   screen  
                                                


          12

          A number of images are available in MSCAN. You can use these
          images for testing or just for a background.
          Depending on the mode you are in, select screen 1 or screen 2,
          or only screen and then pick the desired image from the
          directory. There is one special image called spectrum.
          Choosing this image will copy the current spectrum to the
          selected screen. You can use this to show your opposite
          station his spectrum.


          2.3.6 Loading a picture from the Iris videodigitizer

                                  
           digitize  ->   screen  
                                  
                                  
                           box    
                                  
                                  
                          multi   
                                  
                                  
                          input   
                                  

          One of the unique features of MSCAN is that you are able to
          digitize video-images just as easy as loading pictures from
          disk, even when receiving or transmitting a picture! To be
          able to do this the optional Iris videodigitizer has to be
          installed in your PC.
          The procedure to digitize a picture is almost the same as
          loading a picture from disk. Just select the desired screen or
          box and the picture will be digitized and loaded. Use input to
          select either the composite or the S-VHS/Hi-8 input. The multi
          command works the same as that when loading a picture from
          disk. The FAX modes have no multi command available for
          digitizing.


          2.3.7 Saving a picture to disk

                                                
           picture   ->  diskSave  ->   screen  
                                                
                                                
                                         box    
                                                

          Depending on the mode you are in, you will be able to select
          screen 1 or screen 2, or only one screen. If you do not want
          to save the entire screen but just a part of it, select box.
          Press the left mouse button to select the top left corner of
          the box, then drag the box to size and press again the left
          mouse button. After your selection a cursor will appear: you
          can now enter the name of the picture to be saved. If a file
          with this name already exists, you will be asked if it is ok

                                                                       13

          to overwrite this file. Select overwr if you want to, or press
          again if you want to enter a different name. The picture will
          now be saved to disk.


          2.3.8 Saving a picture to memory

                                                
           picture   ->  memWrite  ->   screen  
                                                
                                                
                                         box    
                                                

          The procedure to save a picture to memory is almost the same
          as saving a picture to disk. The only difference is that you
          do not have to enter a name, but immediately can pick a memory
          from the directory.


          2.4 Text editor

          MSCAN has a built-in screeneditor which can be used even while
          receiving or transmitting a picture. Simply type a character
          on your keyboard and it will be placed at the position which
          is marked by the textcursor. You can move the cursor around
          with the cursor keys on the keyboard. The cursor will
          disappear if during 5 seconds no character has been typed.
          Pressing a key will make the cursor visible again. The next
          keys also control the position of the cursor:

          <Home>         moves the cursor to the top-left corner of the
                         screen
          <End>          moves the cursor to the bottom-right corner of
                         the screen
          <Ctrl>+< >     moves cursor to the right of the screen
          <Ctrl>+< >     moves cursor to the left of the screen
          <Backspace>    moves the cursor one position to the left and
                         erases that position
          <Del>          clears screen and moves the cursor to the top-
                         left corner of the screen
          <Tab>          only for SSTV modes: moves the cursor to the
                         other screen

          You can control the character's size and colour by clicking on
          the fontsize and -colour indicators.

                                         
           t   s   m   l   t   s   m   l 
                                         

          The fontsize indicator shows which size is selected: tiny,
          small, medium or large. If the indicator is blue the
          characters will show transparent on the screen, if the
          indicator is black the characters will erase the background.


          14

                             
           c   c   c   c   c 
           |   |   |   |   |
           |   |   |   |   |
           |   |   |   |   +-  blue
           |   |   |   +-----  green
           |   |   +---------  red
           |   +-------------  black
           +-----------------  white

          The fontcolour indicator shows the colour of the characters.

          [TX] In B&W modes coloured characters will be transmitted in
          their corresponding greyvalue.


          2.5 Receiving and transmitting pictures

          MSCAN will be in RX mode after startup. Click on the program
          mode indicator to select the mode which you want to use to
          receive or transmit pictures.


          2.5.1 Receiving pictures in SSTV modes

          Click on the mode indicator, which is to the right of the
          program indicator, to select the desired SSTV mode. 

          B&W SSTV:

                                    
           7.2 ->  8  -> 16  -> 32  
                                    

          Wraase SSTV:

                          
           24 -> 48 -> 96 
                          

          New SSTV:

                                
           M1 -> M2 -> S1 -> S2 
                                

          Select the screen that you wish to use to display the received
          pictures, by clicking on the display sequence indicator. You
          can find this indicator to the right of the large message
          indicator. It has four settings:

                                
           1X -> X2 -> 12 -> XX 
                                



                                                                       15

          1X   display pictures on screen 1 (left)
          X2   display pictures on screen 2 (right)
          12   display pictures alternating on both screens
          XX   pictures are not displayed, reception is off

          Incoming SSTV signals will now be displayed fully automatic on
          the selected screen(s), leaving MSCAN available for other
          tasks. Should manual control of reception be required, you can
          use the indicator to the left of the message indicator and the
          menu button param. The indicator has multiple functions,
          depending on the SSTV mode. Each function can be selected by
          clicking one or more times on the indicator.

          In B&W and New SSTV modes:

                      
           top -> cls 
                      

          In Wraase SSTV mode:

                             
           rgb -> top -> cls 
                             

          rgb  only available in Wraase mode: kicks r-g-b sequence one
               colour back (causes the colour of the receiving picture
               to change), pressing the <Ins> key has the same effect
          top  start reception at the top of the screen, pressing both
               the <Ctrl> and <Home> keys has the same effect
          cls  does the same and also clears the screen

          The New SSTV mode has an extra indicator, which is positioned
          to the right of the mode indicator.

                      
           syn -> lin 
                      

          Default setting is syn(chrone), which meanse the reception of
          a picture is started after receiving the frame startpulse (or
          VIS code). After that reception is fully synchronous and will
          continue until the next startpulse is received. In lin(e) mode
          every line is written after receiving a linesync pulse, just
          like in B&W SSTV modes. This mode is more sensitive to noise
          but can be useful in the next cases:

          1.   If the receiving signal is not crystal-controlled (like
               from a taperecorder) synchrone mode will not work.

          2.   If a startpulse is not received ok the receiving picture
               can be shifted to the left or the right. Selecting line
               mode for a second to achieve line synchronisation and
               then switching back to synchrone mode will position the
               rest of the picture ok.


          16

                   
            param  
                   

          The param menu button's functions also depend on the selected
          SSTV mode. In both the B&W and Wraase SSTV modes clicking the
          param button toggles between manual and autosync mode. The
          manual mode is default. In this mode every line is written
          after reception of a linesync pulse, and every image is
          started after reception of the framesync pulse. If signals are
          very noisy and thus no synchronisation is achieved, selecting
          the autosync mode will make reception less sensitive to noise.
          By looking 'intelligent' to the synchronization of the SSTV
          signal, display of received images will improve, which is
          especially helpful in the Wraase colour SSTV mode to prevent
          coloursync hickups. This mode however only works when the
          transmitting stations have correct timing.

          In the New SSTV mode clicking the param menu button will
          select another menu.

                                  
            param    ->   + lpm   
                                  
                                  
                          - lpm   
                                  
                                  
                           left   
                                  
                                  
                           right  
                                  
                                  
                           RGB    
                                  
                                  
                           auto   
                                  

          You can temporary change the linetime by clicking on the +lpm
          and -lpm menu buttons. Move reception to the left or to the
          right by clicking on the corresponding buttons. Click RGB to
          change the colour.

          The 'auto' command activates the auto mode. In this mode MSCAN
          automatically starts reception in both screens and saves the
          pictures in the auto directory afterwards, using the filename
          mmddhhmm (month|day|hour|minute).


          2.5.2 Transmitting pictures in SSTV modes                  [TX]

          Click on the mode indicator, which is to the right of the
          program indicator, to select the desired SSTV mode. 


                                                                       17

          Select the screen that you want to transmit by clicking on the
          tx display sequence indicator. You can find this indicator to
          the right of the rx display sequence indicator. It has three
          settings:

                          
           X2 -> 12 -> 1X 
                          

          X2   use screen 2 (right) for transmisson
          12   use both screens alternating for transmission
          1X   use screen 1 (left) for transmission

          Now click on the RX/TX indicator to start the transmission.
          The transmission will stop automatically at the end of the
          picture (indicated by the message 'auto stop'). By clicking
          twice on the RX/TX indicator transmission will be continuous.
          The picture(s) will be transmitted fully automatic, leaving
          MSCAN available for other tasks such as preparing the next
          picture or adding text to the picture. 
          Click on the RX/TX indicator until it shows RX if you want to
          abort the transmission.


          2.5.3 Receiving pictures in FAX modes

          To fully understand the operation of some functions in the FAX
          modes, first the terms 'scrolling' and 'endmarker' will be
          explained.


          Scrolling
          To be able to display long FAX pictures which can not be
          displayed on the standard full screen size, MSCAN uses
          scrolling (vertical movement) of a picture, which enables the
          rest of the picture to be shown. This scrolling is done mostly
          automatic. Only when the cursor is visible, no scrolling will
          take place (unless the cursor itself is moved).

          The endmarker
          The endmarker is used to mark the lower border of the current
          picture. The endmarker works mostly automatic. When a FAX
          image is received and reception is stopped (in auto mode this
          is done automatically) the endmarker will be placed at the
          last received line, the same is done after for example a
          picture is loaded from disk. Processes like transmitting or
          saving use the endmarker to determine the end of a picture.
          The endmarker is displayed as a black & white chequered line.


          Click on the mode indicator, which is to the right of the
          program indicator, to select the desired FAX mode for
          reception. 




          18

          In B&W FAX:

                                                 
            120     180     240     60      90   
                                                 

          In colour FAX:

                                         
            240     360     120     180  
                                         

          The indicator shows the number of lines per minute (LPM).
          Select the desired IOC by clicking on the IOC indicator, which
          is to the right of the mode indicator.

          In B&W FAX mode:

                           
           288   576   864 
                           

          In colour FAX mode:

                     
           288   204 
                     

          The Index Of Cooperation indicates the aspect ratio of the
          picture. When you select 360 LPM automatically an IOC of 204
          will be set.

          To the right of the IOC indicator you will find the shift
          indicator.

                     
           800   300 
                     

          This is the difference between the frequency for black and the
          frequency for white video.
          [TX]
          When transmitting a shift of 800 Hz is automatically set.

          In b&w FAX mode you will find the next indicator to the right
          of the shift indicator.

                      
           top -> cls 
                      







                                                                       19

          In colour FAX mode it has one extra setting:

                             
           rgb -> top -> cls 
                             

          rgb  only available in colour mode: kicks r-g-b sequence one
               colour back (causes the colour of the receiving picture
               to change), pressing the <Ins> key has the same effect
          top  start reception at the top of the screen, pressing both
               the <Ctrl> and <Home> keys has the same effect
          cls  does the same and also clears the screen

          Use the rx display sequence indicator to switch on and off
          reception.

                   
           1    X  
                   

          1 = screen 1 (= reception on)
          X = no screen (= reception off)


          Various parameters in the FAX mode can be changed by clicking
          the param menu button.

                                  
            param    ->   + lpm   
                                  
                                  
                          - lpm   
                                  
                                  
                           left   
                                  
                                  
                           right  
                                  
                                  
                          Video   
                                  
                                  
                          Calib   
                                  
                                  
                           Auto   
                                  

          You can temporary change the linetime by clicking on the +lpm
          and -lpm buttons. Move reception to the left or to the right
          by clicking on the corresponding buttons.

          Click the video menu button to do some realtime image
          processing.


          20

                                  
            Video    ->   Invert  
                                  
                                  
                          Mirror  
                                  

          invert    invert the incoming videosignal (black becomes white
                    and white becomes black)
          mirror    the incoming videosignal will be written to screen
                    in the opposite direction

          You probably will only use these commands for shortwave
          reception of commercial (weather)stations in B&W FAX modes.


                    
             Auto   
                    

          For automatic reception of FAX pictures click the auto menu
          button. This will activate the FAX auto mode. MSCAN will now
          wait for a starttone. Once detected it will determine the
          transmissions IOC and mode (b&w or colour). After that it will
          wait for the synchronization signal and use it to determine
          the LPM and shift and synchronize reception. It will then wait
          for the start of the picture and begin reception. When the
          stopttone is detected the picture will be saved to the auto
          directory and MSCAN will wait for a next transmission.
          Pictures will be saved with the following name: mmddhhmm
          (month/day/hour/minute).
          The auto mode can be aborted by pressing <Esc> or right mouse
          button.


          2.5.4 Transmitting pictures in FAX modes

          After loading or digitizing a picture notice that the endmar-
          ker will be automatically placed at the lower border of the
          picture. If you want to transmit more or less of this picture,
          you can change the position of the endmarker by clicking the
          endmarker indicator:

              
           -- 
              

          Now position your mouse at the desired position and click
          again, the endmarker will move to this new position. Optional-
          ly select the desired LPM and IOC and press the RX/TX indica-
          tor to start the transmission. To abort the transmission click
          the RX/TX indicator until it shows 'RX'.





                                                                       21

          2.6 Processing pictures with the toolkit

          Press the toolkit menu button to activate all image processing
          functions.

                                  
           toolkit   ->   mirror  
                                  
                                  
                          colour  
                                  
                                  
                          aspect  
                                  
                                  
                           move   
                                  
                                  
                           draw   
                                  
                                  
                          debug   
                                  

          Click mirror to swap left and right sides of a screen.

          Click colour (only in colour modes) to change the colours of a
          picture on screen (colours will be 'rotated').

          Click aspect to correct a picture which is received in the
          wrong IOC. 

          Click move to redefine the top-left corner of a picture. This
          will be useful in FAX modes if a picture has been received
          with bad synchronization.

          Click draw to draw white pixels on the screen using your left
          mousebutton.

          The debug menu button will only be shown in B&W SSTV mode. It
          is meant for technical support only.


          2.7 Managing the spectrum                               [Multi]

          The spectrum occupies the left part of the console and shows
          the frequency spectrum of the received or transmitted signal.
          In SSTV modes it also features a sync-indicator which is the
          little square box above the 1200 Hz marker. Whenever MSCAN is
          correctly synchronized to an SSTV station a white dot will
          appear in this box.

          By pressing the spectrum menu button the following submenu
          will be presented.



          22

                                  
           spectrum  ->   shrink  
                                  
                                  
                          expand  
                                  
                                  
                           lower  
                                  
                                  
                          higher  
                                  
                                  
                         default  
                                  
                                  
                           load   
                                  
                                  
                           save   
                                  

          This menu is used when calibrating the Multiscan interface. It
          can also be used to (temporary) change the spectrum calibra-
          tion, e.g. to compensate for a station which has a frequency
          deviation in sync- and or videotones.

          The reception spectrum can be shifted using the  lower and
           higher menu buttons. Pressing the  lower button decreases all
          frequencies (darker video) and pressing the  higher button
          increases all frequencies (brighter video). You can also
           shrink (less contrast) or  expand (more contrast) the spec-
          trum, this will leave the 1200 Hz frequency unchanged. Other
          commands are:

          d)efault: loads the default calibration
          l)load:   loads the last stored calibration
          s)ave:    saves current calibration to disk.

          [TX] 
          In transmit mode the spectrum menu button shows the following
          submenu.

                                  
           spectrum  ->   1200Hz  
                                  
                                  
                          1500Hz  
                                  
                                  
                          2300Hz  
                                  
                                  
                           APT    
                                  


                                                                       23

          Pressing a button causes MSCAN to transmit the corresponding
          tone for 5 seconds. Pressing APT shows:

                                  
             APT     ->   200Hz   
                                  
                                  
                          300Hz   
                                  
                                  
                          450Hz   
                                  
                                  
                          675Hz   
                                  

          Pressing a button causes MSCAN to transmit the corresponding
          starttone, which are used in FAX modes.







































          24

          APPENDIX I - TECHNICAL INFORMATION

          Here is some technical info about MSCAN, and some very useful
          tips to solve problems.


          A Start- and stoptones

          In accordance with international standards, MSCAN uses the
          following start- and stoptones in b&w FAX modes:

          IOC  start     stop

          288  675 Hz    450 Hz
          576  300 Hz    450 Hz

          The colour FAX mode has been developed by radio amateurs, and
          unfortunately no international standard has been set. However
          the following start- and stoptones are semi-standard:

          IOC  start     stop

          204  200 Hz    450 Hz
          288  200 Hz    450 Hz

          As you can see both IOCs have the same starttone of 200 Hz.
          Because the auto mode of MSCAN uses the starttone to determine
          the IOC, it will always select an IOC of 288, except for the
          360 LPM mode which is mostly used with an IOC of 204.


          B Troubleshooting

          Because MSCAN is a complex multitasking program, it will take
          up all capacity of the PC. Therefore no extra tasks can be
          performed by the PC. Some problems which may occur because of
          this are discussed here.

          Use of resident programs

          Resident programs (permanently present in memory) may cause
          extra system interrupts. Some caching programs for harddisk
          and/or floppydrives temporary disable the system interrupts.
          This is not allowed because this will desturb timing in MSCAN.
          Some memory managers (such as EMM386, QEMM or 386MAX) do an
          even better job in disturbing timing and may crash the system.
          If you experience problems, try booting from a 'clean' DOS
          diskette and then start MSCAN. If there are still problems,
          try removing hardware (such as scanner cards) from your PC
          which could be generating interrupts or DMA requests.

          No image on the monitor

          Check if you have selected the correct chipset. If you choose
          VESA, check whether your graphics adapter requires a VESA
          driver to be loaded. Are you sure no memory manager or

                                                                       25

          incompatible mouse is causing the problem? Is your adapter
          capable of displaying 16.8 million colours (truecolour) with a
          resolution of 640*480?

          Interference in reception

          If loading a picture in one SSTV screen interferes with
          reception (or transmission) in another screen, chances are
          some caching program is the cause. If not, probably your
          computersystem is too slow. Remove all caches, memory managers
          etc. Use of the Multiscan modem instead of Microscan relieves
          the computer from one task and probably solves the problem.
          Else use a faster CPU or graphics adapter.

          If after trying the above you are still unable to get MSCAN to
          perform satisfactory then contact your supplier who will try
          to help solve your problem. 








































          26

          APPENDIX II - MODE DESCRIPTIONS

          MSCAN 2.0 supports a number of modes. The outline
          specification for these modes is defined below.


          A SSTV

          SSTV pictures are transmitted only by radio amateurs. They can
          be received on HF (e.g. 3730 kHz LSB and 14.230 MHz USB) and
          on VHF (e.g. 144.500 MHz FM) and UHF frequencies.

          B&W SSTV

          SSTV is used by radio-amateurs to transmit images via a narrow
          (3kc) bandwidth radiochannel. The image is transmitted in
          lines, each line is preceded by a line syncpulse of 1200 Hz.
          Each image is preceded by a longer frame syncpulse of 1200 Hz.
          The video is modulated on a 1900 Hz carrier with an 800 Hz
          shift (1500 Hz is black, 2300 Hz is white). 










                                   [picture]












          Wraase colour SSTV

          Derived from B&W SSTV. To be able to transmit a colour image,
          each line is sent three times: one for the red colours, one
          for the green colours, and one for the blue colours. The
          receiver combines the three lines to one colour line. When
          transmitter and receiver are not synchronized, false colours
          will appear at the receiver.

          New colour SSTV modes (martin and scotty)

          Instead of sending three lines, every line is divided into
          three parts, one for every colour. After receiving a line

                                                                       27

          syncpulse, the receiver cannot be mistaking about the correct
          colour sequence.











                                   [picture]











          B FAX

          Modulation

          FAX pictures on short-wave and long wave are normally
          transmitted in FM. That means that the transmitter is keyed
          between two frequencies of which the one corresponds to white,
          the other to black. When transmitting half tone pictures, the
          transmitter frequency is continuously shifted between the
          frequency for black and the frequency for white.

          Half the difference between the frequency for white and the
          frequency for black is called signal deviation. This deviation
          is, by standard, 400 Hz for short-wave and 150 Hz for long
          wave transmissions. Furthermore, the higher transmitter
          frequency should correspond to white. The shift is twice the
          deviation.

          The FAX signals should be received with an SSB receiver so
          that it outputs an FM-modulated audio sub carrier. 

          This sub carrier is then fed to the interface that converts
          the different audio frequencies into digital intensity
          information that can be processed by the computer.

          Two terms you will have to know are IOC and LPM. IOC stands
          for Index Of Cooperation, which is a measure for the vertical
          resolution of a picture; an incorrect IOC will result in a
          picture which is too short or too long. The speed in which a
          picture is transmitted is indicated in LPM, which stands for
          Lines Per Minute.

          28

          Automatic Picture Transmission

          Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) is used by commercial FAX
          stations to enable a fully automated unattended reception of
          the transmitted pictures. At the start of the transmission a
          start tone is transmitted for some seconds, which is recogni-
          sed by the receiving unit. At the end of the transmission a
          stop tone is sent that switches the receiving unit back to
          standby mode. The tone which is sent can be used to identify
          the IOC of the transmitting station. Most amateurs now also
          use APT in their transmissions.

          Colour FAX

          By looking at colour SSTV modes, radio amateurs have developed
          a method of transmitting colour FAX images. Every line is sent
          for this purpose three times: one time for the red colours,
          one time for the green, and one time for the blue colours.

          Commercial FAX stations can be received all over the long- and
          shortwave bands, e.g. on 134 kHz (USB), 4778 kHz (USB) and
          8145 kHz (USB). Radio amateur FAX transmissions can be
          received on 14.230 MHz (USB) and 144.700 MHz (FM).



          Enjoy MSCAN!

          Mike Versteeg PA3GPY
          CombiTech



























                                                                       29

