[drats_users] D-RATS 0.3.2b6

[Dan Smith]

> - Where is the D-RATS profile stored? I did a system search and could
> not find it.

Go to Start->Run and type %APPDATA%\D-RATS.  That is D-RATS' persistent
data storage for configuration and messages and such.  You should not
have to go into that directory and do anything under normal use, so use
caution.

> - With the WL2K SSIDs, to check email from an internet connected
> station...if the receiving station has no SSID, I should just leave the
> SSID option of 1-10 off, with none selected, right?

Correct.

> - Also, the problem I mentioned the other day about email from one
> D-Rats station not going to another is still happening. The attached
> debug from the station that is to receive the emails shows broken
> blocks, that there were two queued emails, and then received block but
> then unconverted data messages...  Any ideas? Want the debug log from
> the sending station as well?

Yes, I know exactly what the problem is, like I said last time: you're
getting RF corruption between the two nodes.  You can tell by these
lines in the log file:

  Checksum failed: 38748 != 6636
  Found a broken block (S:0 E:666 len(buf):50

It saw a whole block, but the data inside was corrupted so it discarded
the data.  This can happen because of one or more of the following:

1. A less-than-solid connection between the two radios (voice being good
   doesn't count, and just because short chat messages go through
   doesn't mean it's solid enough for a big transfer)
2. Multipath between your radios (which can happen even if they're in
   the same room by your signal bouncing off of things)
3. Corruption between the radio and the computer (RF can get into USB
   adapters and serial cables very easily and cause trouble, most
   common when testing with a handheld because of the proximity of the
   antenna to the cable)
4. A low battery on a handheld or insufficient voltage to a mobile

Try setting your block size very small (like 128 or so) and see if that
helps.  If so, your connection is not solid and the smaller blocks are
able to fit between bits of corruption.  Also, make sure your power save
is disabled on any handhelds being used.

-- 
Dan Smith
dsmith#danplanet.com, s/#/@/
www.danplanet.com
KK7DS