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| Reviews Summary for SCS PTC-II |
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write your own review of the SCS PTC-II.
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G4AON
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 17, 2008 01:56
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Superb
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Mine is the PTC-IIex version. While it's expensive, it costs only slightly more than much less capable multi-mode terminal units and in real terms it costs no more than multi-modes did a few years ago - and does a lot more. Pactor II and III are amazing modes, links over hundreds of miles running less than a Watt are solid and reliable. On a quiet band Pactor II/III works on signal levels that are inaudible by ear.
PSK31 isn't very good with this modem, but it's designed for Pactor, Amtor and RTTY, which is does brilliantly.
I use Airmail and Alpha v2.2 software, the latter is available as the older free version from at least two web sites and works very well. The semi-duplex mode on Alpha is handy if you are working another similarly equipped station.
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K7UXO
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 15, 2008 09:06
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High performance
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have the PTC-II ex with the Pactor III firmware. I use it for MARS, with Airmail software and Windows XP toughbook laptop. I do not have to set up my sound card levels every time I start my computer, I can use the radio and send/receive messages even if my computer is chewing on another process.
Here is the deal. It is a throughly well through out piece of gear. Professional in every respect. The only thing it doesn't have is MIL connectors, a 1/4 inch cast allunimum case and green paint job. Consider the alternatives for HF email are 10X the price - and this thing does the same job and just as well as Rockwell Collins and Harris.
With good signals, uncompressed speeds of 3200 or 3600 are common. 1400 and 2800 are common on moderate signals. With weak signals, it still will get your messages through. This thing will work even when you cannot hear the signal in the speaker.
ARQ modes are the way to go. You only get print that is correct. This is important for message handling. NO ERRORS.
Even for Pactor I, RTTY, etc, it is outstanding. There is a difference - and you do get what you pay for in performance.
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KR4K
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 1, 2007 05:49
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Worth the Price
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have the PTC-IIpro with PACTOR III and one VHF board. The MODEM continues to perform exceedingly well. I see the performance enhancement possible with a dedicated hardware MODEM processor/DSP.
I have it hooked to my TS-2000 running with my IBM thinkpad computer. I use WINLINK/Airmail, and I have been recently experimenting with other modes (HF and APRS) available via the ALPHA and TrackOn software modules: http://www.hinztec.de/indexE.htm
Would like to see someone write software to use the PCTII and MIL-STD-188-110B waveform, MIL-STD-188-141B Appendix C - 3G HF ALE (possibly as a resource in PC-ALE), WinDRM voice, and DRM. Along with PACTOR, modern HF is going that way. The PTCII seems quite capable of these modes.
73/gus
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W6CJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 20, 2006 21:58
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PTC-IIex Great for Amateur and MARS Service!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The SCS PTC-IIex is the single-port, multimode sister of the PTC-II.
I've purchased two SCS PTC-IIex TNCs, for a Yaesu FT897D and for a Kenwood TS2000. I have been using this TNC in Amateur and MARS service for several months. Unlike cheap TNCs and hobby-toy sound card interfaces, hookup is simple and a lot of adjustments are not required.
I have used mine in the Winlink/Airmail system and for other modes and purposes. I don't have RF feedback and mike issues as I have had with cheaper TNCs.
I gave a "4" rating, only because I want to see more and better communications software for the SCS TNCs. Some of the bundled communications software is below the professional quality of the SCS TNCs.
I would also like to see more modes included in the SCS family of TNCs, including MT63 and the other soundcard modes. Imagine all of the digital modes and image modes in only one box- no cables to plug/unplug, and you can leave your mike connected!
If you haven't seen Pactor 2 and Pactor 3 in operation, give them a try. They are fast and reliable.
My SCS TNC is going into my deployable Amateur/MARS HF-VHF-UHF multimode station.
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N1LF
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 22, 2006 10:18
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Worth every penny
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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We've all heard the complaints about how expensive the SCS Modems are--and granted, they are not inexpensive...but no high performance piece of amateur equipment is. The SCS PTC-II is worth every penny.
During Katrina, I watched a single HF rig and a SCS PTC-II crank out Winlink E-mail message after message from the Hancock Country EOC in Gulfport, MS. It was invaluable.
That convinced me to bite the bullet and purchase one. Since then, I've used the unit to establish reliable links using HFAirMail even when no signal was audible or visible in the spectrum scope of the Icom 756 Pro III.
Great on other digital modes too, including PSK31, RTTY, etc. Since purchasing the original, I've added a second one for use mobile with my Yaesu FT-857D.
Amazing performance!
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W6VZV
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 15, 2002 18:36
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The best way to do the digital modes
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The PTC-II is, quite simply, the finest TNC made, other than the PTC-Pro which recently replaced it (and which is not wildly different that the PTC-II). The unit does Pactor wonderfully well, and of course when you link with another PTC-II/IIe or Pro you will immediately jump into Pactor II, which is fast, robust, and very very resistant to qrm, qrn, or qsb.
The PTC family of TNCs is completely DSP. This means that you can upgrade the unit without hardware changes by downloading upgrade files from the SCS website at no charge. A couple of years ago SCS added PSK31 to the capabilities of the unit, and my PTC-II is great for PSK31.
Of course, the unit does plain old RTTY as well. As you would expect, it does RTTY superlatively.
I've never owned a piece of ham gear with which I have been so thoroughly and unreservedly pleased and enthusiastic.
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I2JJR
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 20, 2002 04:10
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PtcII and Pactor 3 : VyFB!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I would like to add someline to my review of the SCS PtcII controller: I've loaded the Professional FFirmware with Pactor Level 3 and Robust Connect, and tested it heavily loading the HF link transferring big files in critical propagation and heavy QRN/QRM conditions: this is something to see!!
I happily use the lev.3 with AirMail and also with the PA0NC NcWinPtc multimode program for Psk31 with this terminal controller and the new protocol level.
If you like digital, test this, it is really worthwhile.
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N3CKF
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 7, 2002 13:08
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PTC-IIPro great on PSK31 too
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have had a PTC-IIpro (my first TNC from SCS) for about 6 months now. I have been using it mainly with WINLINK, making many fairly difficult links on HF with it, and a little bit for random QSO's.
However now i have been using the PSK31 software witht he excellent Terminal program for this TNC called "Alpha" (this is a free download from:
http://user.sireconnect.de/hinz/Alpha/start.html )
If you have one of these, you should get Alpha and try it (it has English text as well as German, but you have to set the language, the default is German).
Tuning PSK31 is really easy with this unit (and it makes the whole thing much more palatable in a mobile environment too). Had some great contacts and highly recommend the unit.
(I have one VHF packet board in my PTC-IIpro, you can put 2 different boards in for up to 3 links active at the same time. I was working VHF packet and PSK31 at the same time...)
Highly recommended, although the price is steep. PactorIII is now available too (havent tried that yet).
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I2JJR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 21, 2002 17:56
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Mny Years of solid multimode operation.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own an SCS-PtcII from years now; it has two packet gates VHF 1200 - 2400, and UHF 9k6 - up.
I used it as controller for psk31, rtty,amtor and pactor 1 & 2 QSOs, for pbbs and gateway to vhf-uhf, and as packet radio modem, letting my old TNC1 and TNC2 unused. No trouble in all this years. Firmware upgrades are easy and free.
I used PA0NC program NcWinPtc for multimode, and then used AirMail for WinLink operation on HF and packet on V-Uhf.
Pactor lev.2 is something to test; I had in the last month other Multimode Pactor controllers to fix, but when you are used to Pactor level 2 , going back to pactor 1 links seems pure frustration and masochism .
I am waiting for pactor level 3 release ...
The PtcII is also useful as good CW filter for hearing code, I use it with the RCU expansion device.
I suggest digital HF fans to test this controller; it is well worth every cent it costs. See the SCS site for more infos.
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PA3DUV
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 2, 2001 08:41
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The best HF modem
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I will not summarize all the features of the SCS PTCII, please check their excellent website, see top of page.
I own a SCS PTCII for approx 4 years and recently bought a PTCII PRO. The performance of the PTCII in PACTORII mode is amazing. Links can be initiated and kept alive for hours and hours on long haul HF paths, with signals deeply burried in the noise and QRM. The text simply keeps coming. The last 2 years the PTCII was mainly used for HF links from The Netherlands to Wellington New Zealand, both over the short (18 000 km) and long (22 000 km) path.
Hundreds of PACTORII QSO's mainly on 20, 30 and 17 meter have been made, under the most different (and difficult) HF propagation conditions at different times of the day. The succes rate was more than 98%, this means that the links are almost as reliable as a phone call.
Typical operating conditions on the PA end were 100 watts, Cushcraft R8 vertical, and on the ZL end also 100 watt and loop antennas for 20, 17 and recently also 30 meter (ZL2ARN), and a wire vee antenna (Now ZL2PQN). Recently tests have started to set up an HF link from fixed (New Zealand) to mobile (PA), using an 706MKII and the excellent StealthII Screwdriver antenna from HIQANTENNAS. (www.qth.com/stealthantennas) Although there is not so much experience collected yet, it looks very promising. Instant PACTORII links from the other side of the planet while travelling on the highway is a nice HAM Radio experience, and the PTCII does it all.
I know is does not make much sense to state that the system worked so and so many countries etc etc, but the results of these long term long haul PACTORII link experiments prove that the PTCII is the best piece of equipment available today for PACTORII HF operations.
I can recommend this fine piece of HAM digital hf communication equipment to any Amateur Radio Operator who wants to operate a professional and reliable PACTORII system.
Dick Knol, PA3DUV
PS: Don't drive and use your laptop computer at the same time
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