WICEN Packet operator Instructions for Classic Adelaide Rally 2008.

Last updated- 14 November 2008

By now you should have downloaded your scoring software. You should be running MEX v4.2 customised for Classic Adelaide Rally 2008

If you still have software from Rally SA recently it WILL NOT WORK for the Classic Adelaide 2008.
The APRS frequency of 145.175 Mhz will be used this time for sending the data to net control. Please test your gear before going to the Rally. A test station VK5WIE should be on air most of the time from now on for you to send test messages to it.

Some useful tips.

• When at all possible put a omnidirectional Vertical antenna up for packet on a portable mast. There are several good reasons to not rely on your mobile whip.
• All scores traffic is to be sent to VK5WIE using the MEX scoring format.
• Make sure you are running the latest version of the MEX distribution specific to this event.
• The recomended scoring software package is MEX v4.2 and can be downloaded from the links below.
• There will be some major operational changes most likely on the days just before the event on the APRS network. Mobile tracking posits as well as Home posits and Igate traffic will be greatly affected or compromised in some way to make the WICEN traffic flow well.
• Each time you goto a stage and setup you will have to review your STAGE number and callsign settings if needed.
• Frequency of 145.175 for scoring message traffic during the Rally.
• Testing of MEX and scoring software will be on 145.175 leading up to the rally.

• You can download the Primary Floppy package here MEX for DOS updated 14 November 2008.  See below for info on what to do after you have downloaded the MEX floppy creator package.

• You can download a Self extracting package here MEXSFX.EXE updated 14 November 2008. This selfextractor does not create a bootable floppy. It just gives you a complete up to date MEX config which you can run on your own operating system if you like. Execute this in the C:\ directory and it will create a C:\MEX directory for you complete with a RUN.BAT file for you.

• Here is a Vehical Tracking/Scoring sheet for 2008. WICEN tracking 2008 Classic Adelaide.doc

The MEX for DOS downloads explained

The EXE file you have downloaded is a self-extracting floppy disk creator. This is something that has confused a few in the past. When you have downloaded MEX you will need a blank floppy disk (1.44Meg DOS disks only) . Insert your floppy into the drive and run the EXE file you downloded either from DOS or from Windows. It will ask you for a drive letter for your floppy. Usually it would be A. Then the whole package will create a bootable floppy on this drive. A complete operating system as well as the MEX package preconfigured will be created on your floppy along with some other useful utilities.

You can boot your Laptop from this floppy and it will run MEX for you in a pretty self explanatory way. It will ask you for information regards your callsign, TNC type and serial baud rate on your com port. If you just sit back and let it time out each option will default to the most common setup using a TNC2 or clone at 9600Bd on COM1. It will still need your callsign.

If it does not work further HELP can be found by choosing the H for HELP option on startup option screens. There are lots of TNC and KISS driver options. Some drivers dont want to work on some laptop com ports so we have included some further options for drivers. The help file is also accessible by typing HELP from the DOS promt on the floppy

If you find that your laptop refuses to boot from this floppy ( some laptops like the occasional early Toshiba dont like the operating system we use ) then you can boot your own operating system into DOS and then run MEX by typing A:\RUN.BAT
This will use your operating system to run MEX from the floppy. NOTE: Running MEX from the WINDOWS graphical user environment will not usually work and will often get you in all sorts of trouble even if it appears to work.

If you want to make a Hard Disk Install there is a new option in the initial bootup menu. Read and follow these instructions. If your running WIN2000 or XP then you must execute the INSTALL.BAT yourself. It will not install from this menu. Use the Windows Start Menu -RUN option to execute the install.bat from the MEX bootable Floppy. This will create a Mex install on your HD in a folder called MEX .

Windows XP and 2000 issues. There appears to be some issues with Mex running under XP and 2000. It wont run properly due to the way the operating system treats the Packet Driver. The best work around is to use the RUN option and run up COMMAND.COM . This is different to CMD.EXE as a DOS prompt. Once you have a Dos Prompt up with COMMAND.COM then run the  RUN.BAT file or MEX.BAT file if you have a HD install and you should be away.