MFJ-1278B MULTI-MODE COMPUTER INTERFACING
Printer Consideration
The MFJ-1278B printer port will work with any printer that is compatible with EPSON or
IBM graphics. Printers that are not EPSON or IBM graphics compatible can not be used to
print FAX or SSTV pictures.
In addition to being able to print such as weather FAX, FAX and SSTV pictures, the printer
connected to the MFJ-1278B printer port can also print incoming text in all modes as it is
received on the screen. This means that you can keep a log of all your QSOs. To print text
to the printer, you will need to connect an IBM compatible parallel printer to the MFJ-
1278B printer port. Printers without Epson compatible graphics will not be able to print
Weather FAX, FAX or SSTV.
Printer Port Test
After properly connecting your printer to the MFJ-1278B, you may verify its compatibility as
follows:
1. Turn on your computer. Load and run the terminal program.
2. Turn on the MFJ-1278B. The MFJ-1278B should sign-on with the cmd: prompt sign.
3. Type: PRINTTES <CR>
If the printer is connected correctly and is compatible, it will print a string of 223 characters.
Again this only shows that the printer connected can print text. It does not necessarily
indicate that your printer can print graphics unless it is Epson or IBM graphics compatible.
4. Printing will start with ASCII SPACE (value 32 decimal) and end with the value 255
decimal that is not an ASCII character but may be a graphics character.
5. Once the printer has completed the printing, the MFJ-1278B will return to cmd: prompt
sign.
This completes the printer test. If the printer test was satisfactory, proceed to connect your
radios to the MFJ-1278B.
The above test is only valid if your printer is connected to the MFJ-1278B parallel port. This
test can not be performed if the printer is connected to the parallel port of the computer.