All, I've been advocating the use of ALE-400 ARQ FAE as a keyboard chat mode and it seems that some may be unaware of the modes additional features.
Aside from keyboard chat, ALE-400 can be configured to automatically respond to connect requests, messaging, and LQA (Link Quality Analysis) reports the same as standard ALE. If the ALE-400 program is left running unattended with the automated response features engaged, there's the potential for others to activate your station causing unintended QRM. You may find someone left you a mail message when you came back from getting that cup of coffee as well as a couple of unhappy RTTY operators who thought you were intentially calling over them. If you're going to use ALE-400 as a keyboard mode, and roam the band like Olivia, RTTY and Hell mode operators, make sure the QRZ / HFL buttons located in AUX FUNCTIONS window are not pushed in. Do not leave the ANSWER button pushed in if the station is left unattended with the software running. If you find someone calling CQ and you'd like to respond, make sure the ARQ FAE buttons are activated and manually click the ANSWER button in the main window. The mode will then connect automatically. Once connected, type in the outgoing text window as you would with any mode; with ALE-400 there's no need to wait for the other station to stop typing; both can type at the same time. When configured as a chat mode, it's pretty much the same as operating Olivia, PSK31 and others. The advantage of ALE-400 ARQ is the error-free throughput. Just FYI. Tony -K2MO
