Setting up modem client under Linux

It is possible to use modem in client mode with other generic Linux AX25/APRS tools on PC or Raspberry, such as Xastir, use next procedure to set it up:

• AX25 howto: http://tldp.org/HOWTO/AX25-HOWTO/
• Install required tools: sudo apt-get install ax25-tools ax25-apps xastir bluez bluez-tools
• If you are using USB mode then /dev/ttyUSBx port should appear on connection
• If you are using Bluetooth mode then you need to pair and create virtual port with rfcomm
  • Run bluetoothctl and pair with the modem:

    # bluetoothctl
    [bluetooth]# agent on
    [bluetooth]# default-agent
    [NEW] Device 01:02:03:04:05:06 loraprs
    [bluetooth]# pair 01:02:03:04:05:06
    Attempting to pair with 01:02:03:04:05:06
    Pairing successful
    [bluetooth]# exit
    

  • Run rfcomm to setup serial over Bluetooth at /dev/rfcomm0: sudo rfcomm bind 0 01:02:03:04:05:06
• At this stage you can already start using xastir or any other application, which can operate over KISS Serial TNC
• You can setup AX25 network interface with sudo kissattach /dev/rfcomm0 ax25 command, but previously need to update /etc/ax25/axports with new line as ax25 CALLSIGN-10 9600 255 1 comment, you can also specify IP address if there is a need to run TCP/IP over AX25
• Run axlisten to capture incoming and outgoing traffic as sudo axlisten -a
• Use beacon utility to send custom packet as

  # sudo beacon -s -c NOCALL-7 -d "BEACON WIDE3-3" ax25 "beacon over lora"
  # sudo beacon -s -c NOCALL-7 -d "CQ WIDE1-1 WIDE2-1" ax25 "anyone on lora?"
  # sudo beacon -s -c NOCALL-7 -d "APZMDM WIDE1-1" ax25 "!0000.00N/00000.00E#test position report"
  

• Connect to another client as sudo axcall -s NOCALL-1 ax25 NOCALL-10