This guide is intended as
a quick way of getting your AR-Cluster node up and running. Please consult the detailed documentation in
the AR-Cluster Sysop and User Manuals when needed.
The files needed for the
AR-Cluster install can be purchased on CD or downloaded from the Internet from
the FTP site at ftp://ftp.ab5k.net/.
Before installing AR-Cluster
it is recommended that you install the latest version of Internet Explorer
IE6.0. You can download IE6 from the Microsoft web site.
The AR-Cluster Full
install will be installed next. Obtain
the latest Full install file and unzip it on your Windows desktop. You will need a unzip program that can
handle long file names. Most of the
sysops use WinZip. There is a link to
the WinZip site on the links page on the www.ab5k.net
web site. After the Unzip operation,
you should have three files: setup.exe,
SETUP.LST, and Ar-Cluster.CAB
Run the setup.exe file and
follow the instructions. If you are
asked to reboot your machine do so and then restart the installation. The setup installer may occasionally warn
that its trying to install a file that’s older that your current file. If you see this prompt, always keep the
newer file. After installation, copy
your supplied license file into the folder where the application was installed
generally C:\Program Files\AR-Cluster.
Help files are distributed
in zipped format and will need to be uncompressed. The help files are installed in a zip files during the
installation and will need to be uncompressed.
As later versions of the help files are released, you can download them
from the FTP site and unzip them into the appropriate folder.
In the ArcDocs\SysopManual
folder, uncompress the files in the ArcSysopManual.zip file. Un-zip the new files into the same
folder.
In the ArcDocs\ UserManual
folder, uncompress the files in the ArcUserManual.zipfile. Un-zip the new files into the same
folder.
You can also view the help
files on-line at www.ab5k.net.
Start the application
using the following: Start>Programs>AR-Technology>AR-Cluster. The
AR-Cluster splash screen should launch displaying the licensed callsign and the
software version number. After a few
seconds, the main AR-Cluster window will be presented.
From the main menu bar
across the top of the application select the Cfg>Station option.
Set your latitude and longitude, Lat/Lon, location.
Syntax: SEt/Location lat-deg lat-min N/S long-deg long-min E/W
Example: 30 17 N 97 57
W
AR-Cluster’s internal
clock has to be set to GMT. If you set
your compute time to something other than GMT, make sure you set the Windows
GMT time offset so that AR-Cluster will be running on GMT time. Check the AR-Cluster clock on the lower
right corner of the main screen to make sure its running at the correct GMT
time.
In
order to establish connections with another AR-Cluster node running on the
Internet, you will need to know the callsign and domain name (or internet
address) of the node. We recommend
using one of the following nodes when first coming up on the network.
|
Call |
Address/Domain Name |
Notes |
|
AB5K |
dxc.ab5k.net |
Holland, TX: |
To connection to the
AR-Cluster Internet backbone, make sure your computer is connected to the
Internet. Also make sure the node you
are connecting to has entered your callsign into their node list. From the main menu bar across the top of the
application select the Cfg>IO Devices option and in the Device Select frame, check the
TCP/IP option. Select the Exit button
and Select the OK button. Restart the
application so the new TCPIP setting will take effect. After the application launches, switch to
the Connections Tab and in the TCPIP frame enter the Call and IP address or
domain name of the AR-Cluster node you are connecting to.
When you connect to the
AR-Cluster node, you will see a green light indicating a connection. You will also see data being exchanged in
the monitor window between your node and the host node. During initialization with the remote node
connected nodes will be reported.
To disconnect, highlight
the node you are connected to in the Connections Tab Tree-View and hit the
Disconnect button.
Adding a RF connection
port requires both setup in AR-Cluster and the configuration of the AGW Packet
Engine driver by SV2AGW. The AGW driver
was installed on your computer during AR-Cluster installation.
The details of the AGW
installation are found in the AGW Configuration Guide.