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Overview of QFAX

QFAX is a system for preparing, transmitting, receiving, viewing and printing facsimiles using SMS and QDOS compatible computers and a Class 2.0 or Class 2 command set fax modem. The software will run on most SMS/QDOS platforms, including SMS2, SMSQ/E, QL (& Trump Card or better, Gold and Super Gold Cards), QXL, and ST QL Emulator.

Class 2.0 support is a late edition to QFAX, many of the examples in the manual assume a Class 2 command set. All QFAX functionality is available for both command sets.

System Requirements

QFAX requires a SMS/QDOS system with at least 640Kb memory. On Sinclair QL hardware, the standard standard QL serial chip (the `8049') must be replaced with the "Hermes", or preferably the "superHermes" serial chip (1) or equivalent hardware capable of supporting reception at 19200 baud. QFAX is not supported on `8049' serial chips. The underlying QL hardware may still not cope well with V.17 (14,400 bps) fax reception with the qfax transport program.

The qfv, printfax programs require a minimum of 550 Kb free memory.

The qfv program requires the QJump "Pointer Environment" (the PE). The text2g3, qfax and printfax programs do not require, but are enhanced by, the presence of the PE.

The process of converting text and images to and from the CCITT G3 fax format required for fax transmission and reception is very CPU intensive. Running the conversion program text2g3 (ASCII files to G3 format) and printfax or qfv (G3 to screen or printer) requires a lot of CPU power; you may find using these programs on a 68008 machine very frustrating; an SMS, (Super) GoldCard, QXL, ST/QL, or Am/QL system is desirable. The program to send and receive faxes qfax is governed by the efficiency of the serial port. It is possible to send international faxes using qfax, a 68008 QL, Trump Card, 2xflp_ and Hermes, but reception on such low-end hardware is, at times, problematical.

Class 2.0/Class 2

QFAX supports Class 2.0 and Class 2 fax modems. The default is, (for historic and compatibility reasons), Class 2. I recommend that you use Class 2.0 mode if your modem supports it. Class 2 is essentially obsolete and any new developments (for example BFT (binary file transfer) will be in Class 2.0 only). See section CLASS2.0 keyword.

If you are unsure if your fax modem supports either of these standards, do the following.

  1. Read the (manufacturer's) fine manual (RTFM).
  2. Connect modem to computer.
  3. Use QeM, QTPI, QLT or other terminal software to communicate with the modem.
  4. Type in ATZ<RET>(2).
  5. The modem should reply OK. (3).
  6. Type in AT+FCLASS=2.0<RET>.
  7. If the modem replies OK then you've got a Class 2.0 command set modem. If it replies ERROR then you haven't.
  8. Type in AT+FCLASS=2<RET>.
  9. If the modem replies OK then you've got a Class 2 command set modem. If it replies ERROR then you haven't.
  10. Type in ATZ<RET> again to reset the modem.

If your modem fails both the above tests then, unfortunately, you cannot use the transport part of QFAX (qfax).

EIA Class One software

There is a SMS/QDOS Class One transport (send/receive) program, LFAX, written by Lester Wareham. The LFAX program is also available free of charge.

If you want to know if you modem supports Class One fax, replace step 6 above with AT+FCLASS=1<RET>. If you get OK back, then your modem supports EIA Class One and you should use LFAX as your transport program. You may still need the QFAX support programs (text2g3, qfv, printfax) or equivalent functionality to prepare and display faxes.

The LFAX program may offer different or enhanced functionality compared to the QFAX/qfax transport program, however in a rare display of synergetic cooperation, Lester and I have ensured that the file formats are compatible and the fax support programs work equally well with either transport program.

Media for reception

You should attempt to receive to the fastest device on your system. For most users this will be a (volatile) ram disk.

Reception to permanent (disk) storage is a desirable feature; it provides data security in the event of system or power failure or operator error. QFAX implements this using an optional, automated backup system whereby faxes are initially received to a ram device, and once the end of document handshake has completed, the fax is copied to a disk. This mode of operation is invoked using the `VIA' parameter to describe an intermediate reception path in your `QFAX_DAT' configuration file. See section VIA keyword.

You should use the VIA parameter if you are receiving to floppy disk or to a slow hard disk on a slow CPU. (e.g. Miracle Hard Disk on 68008 CPU).

Reception directly to hard disk may be entirely satisfactory using a fast disk on SMS, ST/QL, (S)GC or QXL system.


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