Pactor III is about a $150 software upgrade. The new modems come with it
installed in demo mode that will give you just enough time to get your mouth
watering. I think when you order the upgrade they just give you a key to
unlock it. Be careful about buying used modems. I understand some of the
older IIe and all the II models can't handle Pactor III unless they get a
factory replacement of the BIOS.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"AMPowers" wrote in message
. net...
Hey all,

I'm interested in purchasing a pactor modem to connect to my SSB for
email. I understand that there has recently been an upgrade from "II" to
"III" (2 to 3) in terms of the protocol release and associated hardware.
What I don't understand is if it is possible to buy the latest version
modem at this newer release or if one can only purchase a pactorII modem
and must then upgrade. The few sites I've found don't seem to offer the
first option.

Also, can anyone recommend a specific vendor, and/or any installation tips
and/or suggestions regarding software to accomplish this. I've been led
to believe that there are a few different software products out there
(sailmail, airmail, winlink, etc.), I'm wondering if a specific S/W
product requires a specific vendor's modem?

Sorry if I've misconstrued the topics, I've just started looking at all
this and am a bit confused by it. I currently have an ICOM 802, and
antenna tuner, and a back stay antenna. Any insight or advice would be
most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Robb

Units without an electronic serial number (manufactured before 2002) have
to be sent into a dealer or SCS for the upgrade. I believe that this costs
about $100.

-- Geoff

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in
:

Pactor III is about a $150 software upgrade. The new modems come with
it installed in demo mode that will give you just enough time to get
your mouth watering. I think when you order the upgrade they just
give you a key to unlock it. Be careful about buying used modems. I
understand some of the older IIe and all the II models can't handle
Pactor III unless they get a factory replacement of the BIOS.

On Feb 10, 8:22 am, Geoff Schultz wrote:
Units without an electronic serial number (manufactured before 2002) have
to be sent into a dealer or SCS for the upgrade. I believe that this costs
about $100.

I've got one of those older IIe's and it is upgradeable to III for a
certain number of call signs (four?) without factory service. Still,
these older units are getting, well, old, so SCS may not be doing the
upgrade for them any more.

-- Tom.