Hi,
I am contemplating purchasing a Pactor Modem - probably Pactor 3.

I have that it needs to be installed by a qualified specialist.

Is this the case or can I install it myself? I actually haven't a clue what is
involved. Is it similar to or as simple as installing a computer modem between
the telephone jack and the computer and then configuring it or am I entirely
ignorant here?

Peter Hendra wrote in
:

Hi,
I am contemplating purchasing a Pactor Modem - probably Pactor 3.

I have that it needs to be installed by a qualified specialist.

Is this the case or can I install it myself? I actually haven't a clue
what is involved. Is it similar to or as simple as installing a
computer modem between the telephone jack and the computer and then
configuring it or am I entirely ignorant here?

If you're reasonably handy, you can do it. Basically you have to wire the
connection between your SSB and the Pactor (3 wires). There is also a DB9
connection to your computer and perhaps a connection from the computer to
the SSB if you want automatic frequency tuning (which you do want.)

The best source of information on this is at the SailMail web site in their
primer:

http://sailmail.com/smprimer.htm

You can purchase pre-made cables from various sources. This is not
difficult.

-- Geoff

Geoff,

Thanks for this
Peter

--
Sent via Travel Newsgroups
http://www.travelnewsgroups.com

It is not that difficult but there are some non-obvious issues to be
overcome. It is VERY important to install inline RF chokes on all of
the control wiring in and out of the Pactor, and in the power wiring
for your laptop. If your laptop is limited to a single COM port, and
most are, you will probably want a "serial port to USB multiplexer"
such as the one made made by Edgeport. That will allow your laptop to
receive GPS data at the same time it is controlling the Pactor/SSB.
Gary Jensen at Dockside Radio has a useful book:

http://www.docksideradio.com/

wrote:
It is not that difficult but there are some non-obvious issues to be
overcome. It is VERY important to install inline RF chokes on all of
the control wiring in and out of the Pactor, and in the power wiring
for your laptop. If your laptop is limited to a single COM port, and
most are, you will probably want a "serial port to USB multiplexer"
such as the one made made by Edgeport. That will allow your laptop to
receive GPS data at the same time it is controlling the Pactor/SSB.
Gary Jensen at Dockside Radio has a useful book:

http://www.docksideradio.com/

On a related subject, has anybody used a desktop with a 12V
power supply for radio modem/weatherfax use? Using it with
an inverter is out due to interference.

Evan Gatehouse

Evan Gatehouse wrote in
:

On a related subject, has anybody used a desktop with a 12V
power supply for radio modem/weatherfax use? Using it with
an inverter is out due to interference.

Evan Gatehouse


Using a Dell Latitude notebook with Dell's 12V power supply aboard
Lionheart. Works fine in both. I use a 12V 19" TV/monitor to display The
Cap'n to the helmsman while using the notebook's display for WX or ham
radio.

--
Larry

On a related subject, has anybody used a desktop with a 12V
power supply for radio modem/weatherfax use? Using it with
an inverter is out due to interference.

No but try different inverters, some interfere more than others. I
have several small inverters in the 150 to 300 watt range for powering
laptops. Most of the time reception is OK on all but the weakest
signals. Pactor 2 and 3 have an amazing ability to pull usable signals
out of the noise. Otherwise, charge up your laptop in advance and run
from the internal battery when you have a reception problem.

I've used my laptop on an inverter without any noise problems. Perhaps
a different inverter might help. I've had 2 of the 12V converters (which are
basically inverters since the laptop needed 18V) and they self destructed
fairly quickly at $100 each.

Doug
s/v CAllista

"Evan Gatehouse" wrote in message
...
wrote:
It is not that difficult but there are some non-obvious issues to be
overcome. It is VERY important to install inline RF chokes on all of
the control wiring in and out of the Pactor, and in the power wiring
for your laptop. If your laptop is limited to a single COM port, and
most are, you will probably want a "serial port to USB multiplexer"
such as the one made made by Edgeport. That will allow your laptop to
receive GPS data at the same time it is controlling the Pactor/SSB.
Gary Jensen at Dockside Radio has a useful book:

http://www.docksideradio.com/

On a related subject, has anybody used a desktop with a 12V power supply
for radio modem/weatherfax use? Using it with an inverter is out due to
interference.

Evan Gatehouse