swartsfigliano said:
I just got my PCR-1000 2 days ago. I am in the dark right now.
Looking for info on the 9600bps packet output. What is this for? Also what software is out there for decoding EDACS trunking systems.
Also any good frequencies to listen to in the Toronot/Hamilton Ontario areas.
I am new to this hobby, so I have lots to learn.
Also. Any good tips for antennas. I have a discone right now that is supose to be good for 25Mhz to 13.GHz. Looking to make something for shortwave.
Any infor would be great. thanks
Mike
Actually your 2 first questions are kinda related. The 9600 baud output is usually used for high speed packet and satellite reception; however, you can use this as input for data decoding programs such as ETrunker, which can handle EDACS systems. For this you would need 2 things;
a. A second PC; an elcheapo 486 that you can find at hamfests will do nicely;
b. Something many folks refer to as a level converter or a data slicer; you need some way to change the audio output to an RS232 output.
This site has ETrunker - I think it's in the Downloads area - and schematics on level converters are also found on this site. You can even buy them (inexpensive). Here's the link that tells you a great deal about this subject:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=8
As to a SW antenna, be a bit conservative; I've read that the 1000 is prone to overloading, and this would not be a good thing. I'd suggest staying simple for now - say 40 or 50 foot of wire strung to a nearby tree will certainly get you going.
Finally, if you want to try other digital decoding software (or get tired of the Bonito software), you can go to the Utility Monitoring Central site, which has TONS of links for other such software. In addition, the software page at Strong Signals has MANY other control programs for the PCR1000. Both URLs:
http://www.chace-ortiz.org/umc/
http://www.strongsignals.net/access/content/software.html
In addition, there are Yahoo egroups and mailing lists on the PCR1000 on qth.net that can give you very valuable hints and tips about using that radio.
I've given you a great deal to think about...sit down, research, ask questions....that's part of what this hobby is about.
Welcome.
73s Mike
Strong Signals software page editor
Utility Monitoring Central editor
