Universal M7000

[N9JIG]

I picked up a clean Universal M7000 (v7.06) at a hamfest today. I haven't played with one for years (20 or more...)

Is there still any activity around that this might still work on these days? It has been forever since I played around with any data modes other than trunking.

If I can find a use for it I might try to find some rack ears for it and put it in my rack connected to the R8500. I have a lead on a composite monitor that I might get next weekend.

 

[chaycock]

I picked up a clean Universal M7000 (v7.06) at a hamfest today. I haven't played with one for years (20 or more...)

Is there still any activity around that this might still work on these days? It has been forever since I played around with any data modes other than trunking.

If I can find a use for it I might try to find some rack ears for it and put it in my rack connected to the R8500. I have a lead on a composite monitor that I might get next weekend.

I think some businesses still use POSAG pagers that could be decoded.

 

[ka3jjz]

Let's start with the modes the 7000 can copy (I had one for years...). This is a PDF file from Universal Radio

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/decoders/rttymods.pdf

If you examine this, there are still a few modes that it will work with; SITOR-B / NAVTEX, there are still a few (not many) maritime stations using SITOR-A (the Egyptians use this mode along with CODAN - however they use a different alphabet) Baudot RTTY, ACARS, FAX, GMDSS/DSC

The ARQ and FEC modes are all kaput. It also has selectable filtering which can help in tight situations.

In its day it was pretty much the top of the line hobby level decoder. You had to go to Hoka, Wavecom, etc. to get better.

All of the modes I've mentioned above are still active - it just depends where your interest lies whether it would be useful to you, Don't look for any firmware updates to fix the modes - the company is gone

If you want to learn more about these modes, check out the UDXF at groups.io - they have lots of digital logs every month. Their website has numerous files and links where you can learn more. We have lots of other links in our HF Appendix, which is part of our Digital Decoding article here

HF Appendix - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[ka3jjz]

I should add that it will also do HF packet, and altho the chart says Pactor, I suspect that would only be unencrypted Pactor I....Mike