What is the Best Packtor Software (WinLink?)

Don Hamrick

I have been out of ham radio for over 10 years. I am getting back into it. I am relearning all the digital modes and the software. (i.e. BPSK63 at 62.5 baud /100 WPM/) is great for rag chewing. What is the best software for Packtor/WinLink today?

Pat

hi,
for me for rtty & psk the best is logger32 for jt65 : WSJT
73(s

DH2ID

Hi Don, if you look at http://www.winlink.org/ you can download RMSExpress and try WinMor
which works well with the new Flex 6k series. This is not PACTOR, for which you need a SCS
PACTOR controller http://www.p4dragon.com/en/Home.html. You can sometimes get an used
one, if you're lucky, the new ones are very expensive.

I built a cable for my Flex-3000, which connects the SCS PTCIIex to the Flex 3k.
With this setup I am able to work PACTOR, RTTY, CW, AMTOR and SSTV with several
programs, which you'll find on the SCS page.

Alpha is a terminal program for PACTOR, AMTOR, RTTY, PSK31 and CW
JVComm32 is a SSTV and FAX program, which also decodes NAVTEX
RMSExpress is an automatic WinLink program. Don't forget to send a copy of your
licence to WinLink to get a password and access to this system.

I belong to an EMCOMM ham group here at Karlsruhe and we are using RMSExpress to
send EMCOMM messages when we work with the Red Cross and the firefighters,
but all with PACTOR and SCS modems.

I hope this gives you an overview over PACTOR and WinLink.

Alex - DH2ID

Don Hamrick

Am I correct to presume that FLEX 1500, PowerSDR (or RMS Express, or MultiPSK) cannot run Pactor 4 without a hardware modem such as what Alex suggested, the SCS P4dragon DR-7800 ($1849.95 Ham Radio Outlet price) (their newest and highest price modem) as well as their lesser priced modems?  I tend to reach for the stars that I cannot afford. (chuckle).

JB

SCS owns the code for Pactor 3 & 4 so you have to have a license which is included in the cost of the TNC device.

DH2ID

Yes, Don, you have to use a SCS modem for PACTOR, but you
can sometimes get an used one.
The older models are also very good and work with PACTOR 2,
which is only 500Hz wide.
If you want to try WinLink, you can use RMSExpress for free with the mode
WinMOR, which just nags you to buy it, but works with a soundcard.

Don Hamrick

Does "sound card" mean a desktop computer? I have a RMSExpress on my laptop. Do you mean that WinMOR will not work on my laptop? I thoughtt Flex 1500 and PowerSDR included the function of a sound card.

DH2ID

Notebooks also have soundcards. WinMOR works with all of them. I use VAC to create virtual audio cables connect to them.

Don Hamrick

I just now read http://www.arrl.org/news/rms-express-with-winmor-now-available-for-winlink-2000, (June 22, 2010).
"For a number of years hams who’ve accessed the Winlink network on the HF bands have used PACTOR, primarily PACTOR II or III. This required the purchase of an external hardware modem. With the advent of WINMOR, no external hardware is required other than the same type of interface used for other sound-card-based digital communication modes."

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/WINMOR/info
"WINMOR is an HF digital protocol designed for use with the Winlink 2000 network. WINMOR provides an alternative to external PACTOR hardware.

WINMOR is protocol that works with a PC sound card to provide a virtual TNC enabling throughput performance approaching [hardware] based PACTOR 2 and, hopefully, PACTOR 3."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PACTOR
Pactor I is 304HF1B
Pactor II is 375HJ2D (at a symbol rate of 100 symbols per second).
Pactor III is 2K20J2D (at a symbol rate of 100 symbols per second).
Pactor IV is 2K40J2D (at a symbol rate of 1800 symbols per second).

See also: http://www.scs-ptc.com/en/PACTOR-4.html
Pactor-4 is at least twice as fast as PACTOR-3 [at] the same power and bandwidth!

MY COMMENTS:

So, WinMOR is virtually Pactor 2 and 3 but NOT 4 yet.

I don't need to buy an SCS TNC to run Pactor 2 or 3 win I have WinMOR. Yes? No?

But if I wanted to run Pactor 4 then I have to buy an SCS TNC because WinMOR does not have Pactor 4 protocol/technology because of the license restriction.

The speed of Pactor 4 is tantalizing enough to buy! I want it! (LOL) But I will have to save up for it after I finish my purchase plan to complete my Flex 1500 acquisition.