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Reviews For: AEA PK-900

Category: Packet TNCs & Digital Multi-mode Controllers

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Review Summary For : AEA PK-900
Reviews: 13MSRP: 549
Description:
All-mode data controller: Packet, RTTY, Morse, AMTOR, PACTOR
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.timewave.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00135
KA7EKW Rating: 2011-05-30
BRING THIS BACK!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Unfortunately, no matter what eHam says, the PK-900 is not in production.

I've been using digital since the mid-1980s, and used wayyyy too many different units. The PK-232 is the standard for digital controllers, leaving AEA the problem of "what next" -- so they went all out.

The PK-900 is the top of the pyramid.

Sound card adapters are great and versatile, but the PK-900 is POWERFUL.

I've never found a more stable or capable digital controller. This belongs in every EOC. They are hard to find, and never cheap, because those of us who have them rarely let them go. The handful of hams that I know who do have them, have (or want) spares.
K7TMG Rating: 2011-01-12
High performance TNC Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own 2 of these and wouldn't swap them for anything else. They are very sensitive for HF and VHF packet - regularly hearing more than my KAM XL which I got rid of in the end because of it's software stability issues.

We will probably never see this class of stand-alone TNC in the future as the market for digital modes has changed so much in the last 15 years no company would find it financially viable to invest so much time and effort in an amateur product.

If you have the chance then buy one, then buy another just in case. Look for firmware v7.0 DEC 93 or later as this added the XGATE command which is necessary if you need to provide a true dual port gateway (eg VHF packet <> HF packet/Amtor/Pactor-1).
KL7AJ Rating: 2010-10-10
A box without apology Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I retired my 900 when I discovered sound card modes about a decade ago. I brought it out of hiding when my "lads" at Huthison Amateur Radio Experimenters Society (KL7EX) desired some digital modes. I forgot just how sweet this thing worked. Did the RTTY contest all weekend...pulled things right out of the noise floor with almost no errors. It's made RTTY really fun again!

Eric
FLEA07 Rating: 2010-04-07
serious bit of kit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
had a pk900 for two years now,and i absolutely love it! build quality is exemplary,and that front panel is a solid slab of alloy,not just a piece of sheet metal! i also like the fact that the back light for the front panel display is adjustable.fantastic!!!
oh well time to talk to Bruce Myers at timewave for the soundcard interface,as there is no longer any distributor here in the uk...
regards Lee. 73's de 2E0 FLE
KB4DW Rating: 2007-10-14
Superb, Excenlentisimo. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Approximately a year ago, I decided to purchase a PK-900 TNC after talking to Mr. Bruce Myers at Timewave Technology Inc., regarding upgrading my outdated PK-12 unit. At that time I was also considering purchasing a PK-232MBX. Bruce advised to also consider a used PK-900 unit; however, finding a PK-900 was far much harder than locating a PK-232 (I later realized the reason why). Upon conducting some research on the PK-900, I decided to wait until one became available on eBay. Simply put, I love this gem. This is one fine piece of equipment that is a keeper. My RIGblaster plus now sits in the back seat.

The unit I purchased came with the PK-900/DSP and PK-900/PSK upgrade kits. I also purchased the PKTerm software to use with it because I had a great experience using AEA's PC-Pakratt 2.0 and Logwindows 3.0 with my PK-12; however, at this time, I am still not sure if pairing up this unit with PKTerm is the best way to go. I have used Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) and Digital Master 780 (DM780) with the PK-900 and have had excellent results with PSK-31. As one reviewer stated, “…can print good copy when you can barely hear any signal at all.”

If you find a PK-900 for sale, don’t hesitate to purchase it. I was told it was designed with military specification in mind. While I don’t know how true that is, I can certainly tell you that you will not be disappointed with a properly functioning unit. I recommend contacting Timewave Technology Inc., for technical assistance with firmware, upgrade kits and/or interface cables for your radio. I received great service and technical assistance from them and commend Mr. Myers for his excellent customer service.

Danilo, KB4DW
SWL377 Rating: 2007-01-27
fantastic tnc 5++++ Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is one fine unit, even without DSP. It smokes the PK 232 and MFJ 1278 in performance, can print good copy when you can barely hear any signal at all. I bought mine used for $125 based on the eHam reviews and am very glad I did. Couldn't be happier with the PACTOR performance. Whovever designed this unit ought to get some kind of engineering award.
NV0U Rating: 2006-07-10
Superb Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Timewave really needs to bring this thing back out. It is simply awesome! Took me quite a while to get it to print anything packet wise, but once I finally got everything figured out (somehow both ports got set to 1200 baud) it started throwing packets up on the screen.

Now, the old TNC it is replacing is my 17+ year old KAM. I was always impressed with how well it worked, but the PK-900 seems to do a much better job. There were a number of times on PACTOR that I could not really hear anything over the speaker because of QSB, but the thing was still getting enough that it was printing.

I am quite impressed.
W0IPL Rating: 2005-05-11
Excellent for ARES Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is the true hidden gem for ARES/RACES work. While it is tedious to get set up correctly (due to the expanded parameter set for dual port and gateway) it is a joy to use. This gives you the ability to have another station connect to yours via HF and then in turn connect to a local VHF BBS or Cluster via the gateway. OR they can come in on VHF and go out on HF (we use PACTOR). Put the HF portion on an NVIS antenna and you have complete coverage for 200 miles in all directions. An ARES/RACES dream machine.
AD5JN Rating: 2004-11-22
Rock solid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use this TNC with airmail on HF. Works great. I would like to know if the DSP is a good option. I have had this modem for about a year without any problems. I have MFJ-1278 that are junk while setting next to the PK-900.
AD5JN
VE3YF Rating: 2003-01-22
Pleasure To Use Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just happened to pick up one of the PK-900's and I just find it a pleasure to use. Works much better than my PK-232MBX and loaded with a whole bunch of extra features. When using it with PC-Pakratt v2.1 I have found no problems what so ever. It performs very well with weak signals I can barely hear. The two true separate ports are nice. Work RTTY on HF and get mail on VHF at the same time. The 5 Pin Din I find are much better setup than the old 5 Pin system of the PK-232 era.