[GreenKeys] AEA PK232

[Jack]

ZCZC

 

The AEA PK232's show up on Ebay quite often. They have been

around for a long time and were the first "multi-mode" packet

modems.  They have an RS232 port for a "terminal" and interface

to a radio with standard audio connections (transmit and receive).

The unit can operate on packet, RTTY and CW from what I can

recall. Heathkit marketed a version of the PK232.

 

The RS232 port can be set for any "terminal" baud rate,

and can go down to 110 baud. In the past, I used a Model 33 with

my PK232 on a 2 Meter packet network. Most Hams used

the PK232 with a PC optioned as a basic video terminal

(HyperTerminal). I also used an old ADM dumb terminal

with my 232 and even a Teletype Model 40 terminal (that

was a long time ago).

 

The audio side of the PK232 can be adapted to use a Dovetron

or other RTTY converter as a "front end", giving you adjustable

MARK and SPACE tones. This is a standard feature of the PK232, not

something that needs to be "hacked". You could even interface 

a simple TU that has the standard 2125/2295 tones (so you could

copy ITTY with an ASCII machine, for example).

 

The manual is needed to understand all of the options and

commands. It was written by Norm, W2JUP (SK),

who I helped to first get onto RTTY in the 70's.

 

There have been many versions of the 232, some of the later

ones having a "mailbox" feature. However, any of them would

work as a basic Baudot-to-ASCII converter as explained above.

 

One hint.the 232 uses two internal batteries to retain its memory.

I think they are standard AA penlight cells. If you find a really

old 232, make sure the batteries have not corroded and destroyed

the innards.

 

Jack K2TTY

 

NNNN

 

 

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