Icom 710-RT and Pactor PTC II pro ????

[Silversailor63]

We have an Icom 710-RT and a Pactor PTC II pro onboard which we used to use with a Gateway PC using Windows XP. Since we have our ham licenses, we used Winlink 2000 to do email. Scroll ahead now five years later and we have a fairly new HP laptop (system 7).

We would like to use the pactor again, but the cables are not right at all for the laptop. Has anyone else tried to use these units with newer laptops using system 7. Are new cables in order or are there adapters? Thanks

[Paul Elliott]

I've not yet tried my Win7 computer with the Pactor II pro modem, but as the modem / computer connection is via a serial port, there shouldn't be a big issue. If your original setup used a RS232/USB adaptor you may find that you need a new adaptor that is compatible with WIn7 (Win7-64bit broke a lot of serial adaptors). The newer adaptors will be compatible. You may be able to find a driver update, but definitely not for all adaptors.

If your old computer was using a native RS232 connection, you will need a compatible RS232/USB adaptor.

[Silversailor63]

Thank you so much. Your reply got to the heart of the question. Our original cable was the native RS232 so we will need to get a usb adapter. thanks

[btrayfors]

Unfortunately, not all USB to serial adapters are made equally.

The best one we've found...which seems to work well with all USB-to-serial port needs .... is the Keyspan USA119HS.

You should be able to find one on eBay (new) for about $30-40.

Bill