Bob, Many years ago, after running HB RTTY stuff and even a Model 15, I had different multimode digital boxes, Kantronics UTU, CP-1 with software to operate with other computers, and later the disasterous HAL P-38 that could never do quality Pactor, and Clover II that was not that great either in terms of handling weak signal conditions. This caused me to turn away from digital operation for a number of years until the soundcard modes became available.
It is interesting that the person who started the digital revolution after RTTY, with the development of Amtor, was also the same person who started the new sound card digital revolution with PSK31. The multimode boxes did not really do that many modes by today's standards: mostly Amtor, Pactor I, CW, 110 baud ASCII, RTTY. The main advantage to using the older multimode controllers now is having the ability to do Pactor I modes as Amtor and Clover II are pretty much dead and 110 baud ASCII turned out to be a dud but allowed us to use the full ASCII character set for digital modes. Sound card RTTY is quite good now and surpasses dedicated boxes with older technology. If you want an ARQ mode that runs on MS OS, then a used multimode boxes may be a good choice. If you want faster ARQ modes on MS OS you have to buy the fairly expensive and proprietary SCS product from Germany that can run Pactor 2 and 3 but this would be for a special purpose such as connecting to an e-mail system since these modes are rarely used for casual contacts, DXing, etc. If you are willing to use Linux OS, you can run a Pactor I application although some have said it operates very poorly and has not been updated for years or you can run the PSKmail program that also permits ARQ chat as well as e-mail. At this time there would be very few using this mode. The worst possible choice would be to purchase a new multimode box from Kantronics or AEA/Timewave since the prices on these products are very high now relative to value you get with the SCS product, if you need that capability. For general digital QSO's, the sound card modes are going to be the best way from a cost and operational standpoint since there continue to be new modes created. 73, Rick, KV9U AD5VJ Bob wrote: >I have had an AEA 232MBX, in fact two of them, for quite some time now. > >I used to use them all the time for RTTY and packet, but I am wondering if >these units no longer any good for Ham Radio, because of >the advent of Computers, the Digital Software for RTTY and Telnet for spotting >and the passing away of PACTOR I. > >I know I can get upgrades for them for soundcard, ect. But is there any use in >doing that since I run soundcard applications from >the computer. Are they of more advantage than the sound card on my computer or >would I be wasting my time, money and effort? > >Can someone tell me if these are good for *anything* viable these days or is >it true that they are just dinosaurs now? > >I cant understand how they are still being sold at such high prices new, if >they are of no use, I just don't know what to use them >for that would be useful. > >Thanks >Bob AD5VJ > > > >
