The Pocqet PC is a small, battery-powered "palm top" computer that runs the DOS operating system and has an RS-232 serial port and non-volatile SRAM cards for disk storage. These little computers are absolutely perfect for use out in the field with battery power (like during Field Day) and in portable operating events: contest logging, serial terminal for control of rigs, note-taking, data gathering, etc.
Powered by 2 "AA" bateries, the Poqet PC has a flip-up 80 char x 25 line LCD display and a pretty usable keyboard. The 1 megabyte removable PCMCIA SRAM cards can also plug into your full-blown laptop in order to transfer files between the computers, and the built-in software (editor, calculator, scheduler, address book and terminal emulator) allows you to use this 8088 XT-compatible computer for many purposes around the radio shack.
The Poquet PC was marketed and sold in 1992 for about $300 as one of the first palmtop computers (along with HP), but was bought out by Fujitsu and then discontinued. Recently, a computer vendor in New Jersey latched onto large quantity of left-over and refurbished units and was selling them for a while for $25, including leather carrying case, modem and two 1MB SRAM "RAM-disk" cards. Another model has also just become available providing NiCAD batteries, larger SRAM cards and a backlighted LCD screen.
Check out the information and links below to learn more about how the Poqet PC is able to work for you in your QRP station.
To Order ... sorry, all sold out. No longer available from our NJ source.
An incredible FAQ site ... is at www.eskimo.com/~webguy/service/poqet.html . You must see this one! Al Wong's site is full of great tips on memory cards, Poqet Plus differences, getting other PCMCIA cards to work in the computer (like modem cards, other (non-ham) programs that work on this computer, and more). Thanks for finding this for us Seab, AA1MY.
Determining the performance of PC Plus ... see another good website from Al Wong - Comparing Fujitsu Poqet PC Plus Computers. Also note the feedback he's asking for (like your Plus' serial number, production date, revision code, and number of power modes). You'll even get a chance to run some tests for him too!
Great source of DOS programs .. Mike W9WIS tells us: Many of you may already know about this great resource for DOS programs (http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/msdos/index-msdos.html).... both shareware and free ware. I've been browsing the programs and trying a few and generally having a ball. It's fascinating..... 1000's of DOS and various programming language programs for download and it looks like many will run on the Poqet's, the ones I've tried have ! Pay particular attention to the electrical engineering and ham radio program sections in the index..... Wow !!
The Poqet PC web site is at http://www.bmason.com/PoqetPC/. This is a super site containing official unofficial software for the computers, and an FAQ list that is very helpful.
N2CX review ... introducing the "Deal of the Century"
N2APB review ... the Poqet PC Plus
WJ2V overviews ... setting up serial communications
WJ2V finds a way for native communications on the PC Plus ... setting up serial communications-2
KB2SSGM figuring out ways to ... connect to the PC Plus serial port without using that crazy little connector
WK8G advice for ... finding PCMCIA memory cards
AA2VK describes ... battery packs replacement
AA2VK describes ... making a 12V Cigarrette Lighter Plug Power Cord
N2APB finds ... Calculator programs and Hamcalc
K2UT discusses ... the null modem cable used to interconnect your Poqet with your desktop or laptop computer.
N2LO writes two Morse programs ...
1) Morse Code eXercise - mcx.com
This one will send up to 5 characters in a group and you you must buffer the characters in your head before you can type them in. Try it with just two Chars groups first and just the 26 letters of the alphabet. [Remember to type O ->CGA mode, and * ->power save off]
2) Morse Code Tutor ... mcit.com
It should be self explanatory. Notice that when you get one wrong it tells you in the prompt what it should be and resends. I wrote for my son who is just learning the code. So, it teaches it by "the sound of it". With a 5WPM requirement max we should have more generals on the air.
(N2LO is at revans@sarnoff.com )QRP-related DOS software programs known to work on the Poqet PC:
- Log EQF ... shareware contest logger for DOS (http://www.itis.net/eqf/ )
- PC Log ... contest logging program (?)
- Net Tamer - allows PPTP email connections (also has a cool mini-editor)
- PC Write ... oldie-but-goodie DOS editor
- Logger ... basic contest logging and dupe checking program from Bruce WB2QAP (bmilne@afcon.net )
- RX-320 ... Ten-Tec Rx controller (basic program from Tom Cooper, W1EAT)
- Procom ... popular file transfer & terminal emulator program
- MP ... oldie database program
- Poqet Utilities Disk ... supplied with most of the Poqet PC purchases
- CT ... v7 logger in fd and vhf mode
- NA ... Version 4, logger
- PA LOG ...this is special version of the NA program for the PA QSO Party.
- Jr-eqf ... logging program
- Pac Com Tiny-2 ... to run a packet TNC
- Logger v6.12c ... yet another logging program, with built-in feature of PSK31, and
includes beam heading/distance/locator for DX callsigns;
real-time Gray-line map; Satellite tracking, etc.
Freeware from http://www.itis.net/golist/download.htm (Link from Jim, KD1YV)
- Baycom ... BayCom is probably the most popular packet program available today.
It is very easy to install, setup and operate! BayCom is also a top notch performer!
It will run on just about any IBM compatible computer, from the old 8088's to the
new Pentium's! Jerry Parker WA6OWR reports that this popular packet TNC works
on his Poqet (it's not free or shareware, so visit http://www.tigertronics.com/baycom.htm
to obtain it.
