Icom 700pro with pactor modem

[GWB]

I use Winlink express with this setup. (currently pactor 2 with 3 license) I'm thinking about upgrading to pactor 4 and wonder if I will see an increase in throughput. Reason is, in the radio setup, the fastest connection speed that works is 4800 ....so if the modem can only talk to the radio at 4800 baud, how will I get more throughput through my radio with a modem capable of higher speeds?

[GWB]

I got an answer on another forum:

The Serial data to the radio is at 4800, to tell the radio what frequency to move to, then it stops.

“The modem talks the PC from 9600 up to 115200, but it’s common to see it set at 57600, so yes the data goes to and from the modem a LOT faster than P4 can manage to send it across the radio waves.”

[SoonerSailor]

Originally Posted by GWB

I use Winlink express with this setup. (currently pactor 2 with 3 license) I'm thinking about upgrading to pactor 4

At this point the FCC has not made the rule change that would allow Pactor 4 use on Ham bands, and Winlink is Ham band only. If you are using Sailmail, you can use Pactor 4 since they are on Marine HF frequencies where the limitation does not apply.

The FCC may yet change the rule for Ham bands, but though it has been under consideration for almost 2 years now, it has not come to pass.

Having said all that, you might find somewhat better/faster connections with one of the new Pactor 4 modems operating in Pactor 3 mode, but it may not be a big improvement or worth the extra money.

Chip