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Reviews For: TimeWave PK-900/PSK Upgrade

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : TimeWave PK-900/PSK Upgrade
Reviews: 1MSRP: 129.95
Description:
Timewave Technology Inc. has brought the success of the PK-232/PSK Sound Card Interface Upgrade to the PK-900 and PK-900/DSP. The PK-900/PSK combines the reliable, convenient operation of the PK-900 legacy modes with the challenge of all the new sound card modes! The PK-900/PSK upgrade features software control for ease of operation and a dual transformer-isolated interface to prevent troublesome audio ground loops. You can now run PSK-31, MFSK-8, MT63 and more without swapping cables on your radio, computer and Multi-mode Data Controller.
The kit includes:
A new back panel assembly with a sound card interface board and a sound card jack board
A PK-900 to sound card cable set
A PK-900 version 7.3 firmware upgrade
Timewave's ModemSwitch - an accessory PC program for TNC/Sound Card and PTT switching.
A copy of the PK-900 manual on CD
Installation/Operating instructions.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.timewave.com/PK900PSKUPGAnn.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0015
NT9E Rating: 2003-12-19
Super upgrade! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just when you thought your PK-900 out lived it's utility in the ham shack in favor of a soundcard interface in comes TimeWave's PK-900 upgrade that gives you all the features of the PK-900 plus the ability to run soundcard modes as well. The upgrade consists of replacing the rear panel and replacing it with a new one with the soundcard interface(the new panel also has 2 new audio jacks and an LED for when the soundcard board is transmitting),removing a 3 IC's and 3 components (2 caps and a resistor)and replacing them with 2 IC's and soldering 7 wires to the main board. The upgrade comes in 2 flavors with DSP filtering and without. I chose to upgrade PK-900 withiut the DSP filtering since my 756PROII provides great DSP filtering by itself(this is also the least inexpensive route to go at 129.95)
The instructions are very good and you should be able to get it up and running very quickly. The upgrade includes a software program (ModemSwitch) that controls the PK-900 SoundCard interface so you can switch between legacy modes and soundcard modes. (Note: When the interface is switched in, SSTV appears on the PK-900 display). This takes a little getting used to because you have to switch the board to transmit and then switch your program to transmit. When you are done transmitting you have to switch the board back to receive. TimeWave is working with the soundcard mode programmers to incorporate this switching back and forth from within the programs instead of manually doing this. Just a quirk but you get used to it.

Summary: with this upgrade you can use the original modes(ASCII,AMTOR(FEC & ARQ),BAUDOT,FAX,Morse, PACKET,PACTOR(Unproto & ARQ), SIAM, TDM of the PK-900 and soundcard modes such as Hellschreiber, PSK31, SSTV, RTTY, Meteor Scatter(WSJT), etc.

My vote: 5 thumbs up!
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Note1: it is very important that you have the PK-900 in non-host mode when operating the modem switch software. Other wise the Modemswitch applet can not talk to the PK-900.
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Note2: If you order the vanilla upgrade (no DSP board) you must remove JH1 (located on the soundcard board) otherwise you will not get any receive audio to the soundcard board and you will pull out what's left of your hair thinking there is something wrong will this @$%&%$@! upgrade...hi hi