Ranger Communications RCI-5054DX Product Review page 8

KAM XL Multimode Communications Processor
With so many digital modes available as computer sound
card applications these days, is there still a place in the Ama-
teur Radio world for a multimode communications processor
like the new Kantronics KAM XL?
The answer is a qualified "yes," depending on the need...
• A stand-alone processor allows hams with older computer
technology to enjoy digital operating. With just a simple ter-
minal program, even a vintage Commodore computer can
"talk" to a stand-alone processor.
• A stand-alone processor offers flexibility to amateurs who
own fast sound-card-equipped computers. An external proces-
sor allows them to operate digital modes while using their
computer sound cards simultaneously in other applications.
• Despite the sound-card "revolution," there are still several
operating modes that are not commonly available as full-transceive
software applications. These include PACTOR and PACTOR II,
G-TOR, Clover and NAVTEX. With few exceptions, if you want
to use these modes you still need a stand-alone controller.
So What About the KAM XL?
The KAM XL is the latest product to build on the respected
KAM processor series. Its operating modes include packet (up
to 9600 baud), PACTOR I, RTTY (AFSK and FSK), NAVTEX,
CW, ASCII and WEFAX. The XL also includes goodies such
as GPS compatibility (connect a GPS receiver to the KAM
and you're ready for mobile APRS enjoyment), remote con-
trol with telemetry functions and a hefty mailbox that you can
access on packet or the TOR modes.
The KAM will also do PSK31, after a fashion. The meth-
odology is cumbersome, especially compared to the ease of
panoramic sound card software such as DigiPan and others.
Even so, it does work.
And, of course, the KAM XL continues the tradition of of-
fering dual ports. With dual radio ports, the KAM XL can
"gateway" between ports 1 and 2, allowing local packet to be
received, then transmitted over HF. All port connectors are
DB9s, except for the telemetry port that uses a DB15.
Hits and Misses
I put the KAM XL to work during the OK DX RTTY con-
test last December and it performed reasonably well. The tra-
ditional KAM "bouncing LED" tuning meter was a pleasure
to use. When it came to weak or fluttery signals, however, my
RITTY and MMTTY sound card software consistently copied
SHORT TAKES
text when the KAM could not.
On PACTOR the KAM was a winner. I could tune and copy
PACTOR signals within seconds. I also tried the KAM XL with
AirMail software, which is popular among WinLink 2000 us-
ers. AirMail recognized the KAM XL and worked perfectly.
The KAM XL copied CW remarkably well—even when the
sending was a little sloppy. I don't know if Kantronics actually
changed the CW decoding algorithm in the KAM XL, or if I
was just lucky, but the processor seemed to read CW better
than almost any other I have tried in recent memory.
The KAM XL still carries the G-TOR mode, but I couldn't
find anyone on the air to test it with, even after persistent
searches and CQs. There are a lot of G-TOR-capable KAMs
out there, but few hams are using the mode.
The KAM XL's NAVTEX mode was terrific for monitoring
maritime stations. I tuned to 518 kHz and quickly picked up
the following:
THE VICINITY OF CASHES LEDGE IN THE FOLLOWING
POSITIONS: 42-40N 069-00W AND 42-29N 069-00W. MARI-
NERS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION WHEN FISHING OR
CONDUCTING UNDERWATER OPERATIONS IN THIS AREA.
The nits to pick with the KAM XL include the absence of a
printed manual. The XL manual exists on a CD-ROM as an
Adobe Acrobat file, so you have to read it on your computer
screen, or print it yourself. The CD also includes PacTerm '98
for Windows by Creative Services Software (www.
cssincorp.com/), which runs beautifully with the KAM XL and
makes operating a breeze. (It beats the heck out of using
HyperTerminal in Windows!) The PacTerm '98 provided on the
KAM XL CD is only a demo copy. The full version is avail-
able for $79.95 from Creative Services Software. Pacterm for
Windows owners can upgrade for $29.95. Finally, the ports on
the back panel of the XL are unlabeled, which is annoying when
you're trying to set up the unit.
Is the KAM XL worth the cost? If you want multimode ca-
pability in a stand-alone processor, the KAM XL is an excel-
lent choice—as long as you don't need Clover or PACTOR II,
which are proprietary modes unavailable on the XL. On the
other hand, if you're content using sound card software for all
of your digital operating, any outboard processor would be a
difficult purchase to justify.
Kantronics, 1202 East 23rd St, Lawrence, KS 66046; tel
785-842-7745; www.kantronics.com. $399.95
Steve Ford, WB8IMY
UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN
QST Editor
From March 2002 QST © ARRL