Upgrading to Pactor-3 (19 July 2006)


This note describes how to upgrade Airmail and your modem to use Pactor-3 (P3) mode. For more general info about Pactor-3 send a (blank) email to: P3info@saildocs.com (or see the web page at www.saildocs.com/P3info).

Important note: This note describes how to upgrade a modem with an "electionic serial number" (ESN). In the past (prior to June 30 2004) older modems with no ESN could be upgraded with a "callsign-license", which is keyed to the callsign(s) which are used with the modem. SCS no longer makes that option available and modems without a ESN must be returned to the factory or a dealer for upgrade to add an ESN chip (approx US $100). PTC-II's and pre-2002 PTC-IIe's generally do not have an ESN. To check, look for the serial-number tag on the bottom, if it has a bar-code then the modem has a ESN. A more definitive check is to open Airmail's Dumb-Terminal window (Tools menu) and enter the command "SYS SERN" (without quotes). If the modem has a serial number then the number will be displayed, otherwise "error". Modems which were previously upgraded to P-3 using a callsign-license will continue to work and be supported (e.g. if your callsign changes then you can get a new code).

If you want to upgrade, then the steps are: (1) Update your Airmail software to the current version, (2) update your modem firmware to the current version, and (3) purchase a P3 license-code from your PTC modem dealer or direct from SCS. The current (ver 3.3c) modem firmware allows 20 "trial" connects in P3 mode, so you can try this P3 first. Starting with firmware ver 3.3, there is no longer a any difference between "Pactor-3" and "normal" firmware. There is only one version, it is called "professional" firmware, and with a license it can operate in P3 mode, without it can only operate up to P2 mode. The only caution is to not use the new firmware with older versions of Airmail, as you will get warning-messages which no longer apply.

(1) The first step is to get the current version of Airmail from the Sailmail website (www.sailmail.com, "downloads" page). Read the instructions carefully. The install-file includes the latest SCS firmware for all of the modem types.

(2) After installing the Airmail update, start Airmail and then select Tools menu, "Update PTC firmware". The "profi36" file (or later) should already be listed in the "Update file" box, click "Update" to start the firmware update.

When this is finished, you will have 20 "trial" P3 connects. Until you get a P3 license, Airmail will default to P2 mode, but you can select P3 mode from the "modes" menu. SailMail supports P3 on all frequencies. (Hams need to check the frequency pull-down list for the "(p3)" indication).

(3) Next, get a license-code to enable P3. We recommend obtaining the license from the dealer you bought the modem from, as they will also be able to provide support and handle the firmware installation if desired. Alternately, Sailmail members may contact Sailmail tech-support (support@sailmail.com or 1-619-980-6215). Licenses can also be obtained from Farallon Electronics (garywood@farallon.us) or from the SCS website (http://www.scs-ptc.com/registration.html). The license cost is $150.

You will need to know your modem's "electronic serial number" (ESN). If you have a PTC-II, or a pre-2002 PTC-IIe, then it will not have an electronic serial# and you will need to return it to a dealer for an update to add teh ESN chip.

The license-code will usually come in an email. The simplest thing is to have it sent to your Sailmail address, Airmail will then store the license automatically (there will be a message-box to that effect) and there is nothing else to do.

Check your P3 license-code by opening the Tools/Options window, connection tab, and click the "Advanced settings" button- if Airmail received the license-code then it will be in the box at the bottom, otherwise enter it there (you can "paste" it in by clicking the right mouse button), be sure to include the entire line starting with "LICENSE".

Options changes: If you are updating an older version of Airmail, check your Airmail options settings on the "Connection" tab. Make sure that USB mode is selected with a audio center-freq of 1500 hz . This is automatically selected for P3 mode, but we recommend changing the default setting for all modes to avoid confusion. On the same page, we also recommend UN-checking the "show link messages" box, to avoid terminal-window clutter. Click OK to save settings and close the Options window.

Then open terminal window, and check the "red" text- Airmail should display "license OK". At that point you are set! Airmail selects P3 mode automatically whenever you select a station supporting P3 (check the Modes menu). If you set your radio-freq manually, be sure to use USB mode, and subtract 1.5 khz from the station freq for all P3 channels (and for all channels, if you changed the Airmail settings as recommended above). This means you will need to change any station frequencies you already have programmed into you radio’s memories (or better yet, use Airmail's remote-control to set the radio frequency). Remember that P3 ALWAYS uses a 1500hz center-freq, and 1.5khz freq-offset, no narrow filter.

--Jim
sysop@sailmail.com