SSB - Basics, plus a Pactor Modem query .....

Jonny_H

Jonny_H

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I have an Icom 802 which I am in the process of installing. I also got a Pactor IIex (with pactor III upgrade) which I plan to install.

I have read all the instruction / installation manuals, but am coming up a little short in a few areas:

1) I want to get a good basic understanding of SSB and its operation. I have got myself onto an LRC course, but want to get a good grasp of things in advance. I had a book by Icom bookmarked from their US website which looked ideal, but the link has gone since I last looked! Has anyone got this link, or does anyone have a good document/book on SSB basics?

2) I am looking at all the cabling to connect the Icom M802 to my Pactor IIex:

Icom manual says the RS232 'AF/MOD' port on the 802 is to connect to a modem. But the Pactor book says to connect to the 8 pin DIN - which I assume is the 'ACC' port on the 802?

I have the serial cable to connect 'REMOTE' on the 802 to the computer, and the serial cable to connect the 'RS232' on the modem to the computer (I assume this is right?)

I then have a cable which fits the 'TRX Audio' on the modem and the 'AF/MOD' on the 802 - but from reading round a bit it would suggest I need to go from 'TRX Audio' on the modem to 'ACC' on the 802 (I think?)

The only cable I have that fits 'ACC' on the 802 is an audio out for the computer (to receive weather fax).

Can anyone confirm please:

1) I need 2 serial RS232 connections to the laptop (one from Modem and one from the 802 'REMOTE' port)
2) Which port do I connect the 'TRX Audio' on the modem to on the 802 - the 'AF/MOD' RS232 port, or the 'ACC' DIN port?


Thanks all in advance


Jonny
 
I've got the Icom SSB stuff in pdf. PM me an email address and I'll send it off. Some of the files are pretty big IIIRC.

I'm sorry I can't remember how the leads were connected on my old 802, suggest a good radio engineer.
 
I have the same installation which didn't seem to come with all the right connections. Try this link to speak with Bob Smith who makes up all the cables as a kit. I'm an electronics engineer and I was very grateful for his package where all the cables come marked-up.

One cable he didn't supply was for the Antenna Tuner Unit. The plug to the back of the Icom 802 they supply is so small and very difficult to solder. I wish I'd bought the made up optional extra.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for this. The M802 we got was second hand and came from Bob originally so has all the leads etc. Unfortunately the guy didn't have a pactor, so we have the ACC lead setup as an audio out for weather faxes.

The Pactor modem we got wasn't used with an Icom, so is set-up with an RS232 lead - this could go into the 'AF/MOD' socket on the radio, but from reading a few websites, I think the Pactor needs to go to 'ACC' - so we need to get a new lead made up.

We have the Antenna unit cable (already long and soldered) from the original owner (phew!)

Thanks for the info so far and the files!

Jonny
 
I think you'll find most of the info you need to connect modem to radio within the reference section of the AirMail program with which I assume you'll be connecting to Winlink and or SailMail? With the PTC II ex - you do not have direct modem control of the transceiver and will therefore need to have an additional com port on your lap-top: one comport to control the PTC II ex and another to control the transceiver frequencies. It is just not worth the hassle trying to tune the radio by hand or using its internal memories - just so much easier to switch using the AirMail programme. If you have a more up to date lap-top then you may have no "traditional" com ports and will have to use usb/serial adaptors - I have found "Prolific" and "EasySync" adaptors work Ok for me...You will also find a lot of very useful background info within the AirMail "help" files and on the website. The author is also very approachable and regularly updates his software packages which are free to licensed amateurs and sailors, (google airmail2000). For further reading there is also very useful info on the SGC website, (google sgcworld). If you need any more info from a reasonably seasoned pactor user, feel free to drop a PM
 
Thanks!

We will be using Airmail. In fact I've just found a new release of their software on their website - which has propogation / email / fax all in one.

I've downloaded quite a lot over the last few days - got the full PTC II ex manual (117 pages!) printed off at work - some xmas reading!

Jonny
 
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