AEA Information Index

Back to Home Advanced Electronic
Applications, Inc. (AEA)
Index Page
Compiled, written and HTML'd by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
Maintained by Robert Meister WA1MIK and by Mike Morris WA6ILQ

AEA Manuals and Introductory Information:

AEA Background and Introductory Information
You should read this page first.

AEA Morse Memory Keyer model CK-1 Instruction Manual 580 kB PDF file
Scanned and donated by Dale Cheek NY5B

AEA "Contester" Morse Memory Keyer model CK-2 Instruction Manual 1 MB PDF file
Scanned and donated by Bill Perkins KB4KFT

AEA DM-1 Deviation Meter Manual 418 kB PDF
Includes large schematic at end. Scanned and donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

AEA 144 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions (official copy) 500 kB PDF donated by AEA Technologies

AEA 144 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions (early version) 34 kB PDF
Donated by Mike Reed N7ZEF

AEA 144 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions (late version) 38 kB PDF
Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

AEA 220 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions 99 kB PDF
Donated by Ron Bouder KA3CNT; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

AEA 440 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions 99 kB PDF
Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

Two AEA Isopole Sales Flyers 207 kB PDF
Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

"Facts About Vertical Antennas" - a technical writeup by AEA 207 kB PDF
Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY

Radiolink RL-1 Manual 16.36MB PDF
Donated by Jim WB0WKJ.

Brochure for the MBA-RC Code Converter 2.2 MB PDF
Donated and PDF'd by Don Abeles WA7UUL
The MBA-RC is a single box that is a full function decoder and display unit for Morse code, Baudot (5-bit RTTY/Teletype) and ASCII (7 or 8 bit RTTY/Teletype/computer) data streams. It takes in audio from any HF, VHF or UHF radio, TTL, current loop or serial signals plus +12v (at about 1.2 to 1.5 amps) and outputs its own 32 character scrolling display or drives a printer.

Manual for the MBA-RC Code Converter 3.8 MB PDF
This Instruction manual is dated 1982.
Donated and PDF'd by Don Abeles WA7UUL

Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-1 1.37 MB PDF
Donated by Rich Rohweder N7FDM

Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-1 2.47 MB PDF
Donated by Jim Larsen AL7FS

Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-2 725 kB PDF

Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-3 3.25 MB PDF
Donated by Jim Larsen AL7FS

Manual for the "Morse Machine" Keyer model MM-3 3.25 MB PDF
Seems to be a later version of the MM-3 above... but with a different name.
Donated by Mike Morris WA6ILQ

PK-88 Packet Controller Operating Manual 21.7 MB PDF
Revision D, dated March 1990, complete with schematics and board layouts. Donated by Steaven Rogers W4YI and Kenny Rogers K4KR

PK-90 Packet Radio Controller Operating Manual 8.3 MB PDF donated by Scott Withrow KC9LQV
Revision C, dated January 1988. Appendices supplied by Mike KCØTA.

PK-900 Packet Controller Operating Manual 4.06 MB PDF
Revision D, dated March 1993, complete with schematics, interconnecting cable wiring information and board layouts. Donated by Mark Sihlanick N2QT

PK-900 Manual 5.4 MB PDF
Dated November 2004. Donated by Greg Beat W9GB

PK-232 MacRATT with Fax Manual 14 MB PDF
scanned by Richard West KH2EE, PDF'd by Bob WA1MIK

PK-232 MacRATT with Fax Manual 5.5 PDF
The above manual monochromed, pages cleaned, blank pages removed by Bob WA1MIK

PK-232 Operating Manual 5.4 MB PDF
Revision B, dated Sept 1986. Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

PK-232 PC-PAKRATT Manual 2.1 MB PDF
Dated June 1988. Donated by Bob WA1MIK

PK-232 Technical Reference Manual 4.0 MB PDF
Preliminary Release / Revsion A, dated May 1987. Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

Timewave DSP-232 Plus Manual (2005) 253 kB PDF
Donated by Greg Beat W9GB

AEA DSP-2232 Operating Manual 8.1 MB PDF
Donated by Don Abeles W7UUL

2400 baud DPSK Modem Operation Instructions 253 kB PDF
Donated by Greg Beat W9GB

PK-232 Low Power CMOS Upgrade Kit A.06135 Documentation 191 kB PDF
Donated by Greg Beat W9GB

"TNC GPS Upgrade Addendum" subtitled "GPS Operation" 474 kB PDF
The introduction says that this writeup is applicable to all of the PK series. Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

PK-232MBX Operating Manual 3.1 MB PDF
Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

PK-232MBX EPROM Installation Instructions 85 kb PDF
Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

PK-232MBX Node Gateway Option Supplement 447 kB PDF
Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

PK-232MBX Revision Supplement (dated July 1990) 57 kB PDF
Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

The PK-232 was the flagship of AEA's product line, and THE unit that other companies tried to equal. Few products in the history of amateur radio have endured the test of time as well as the PK-232. Even fewer products in the digital age have survived more than one decade. The PK-232 was introduced in 1986. Offering all of the current digital modes - RTTY, AMTOR and CW - in one box made it an immediate success. The orders rolled in and AEA licensed the design to the Heath Company to produce the HK-232, a kit version of the PK-232. Over the next few years, several firmware upgrades added additional functionality and increased the reliability. In 1989, AEA introduced the "PakMail" upgrade, a mailbox daughterboard with battery-backed memory. Later in 1989, the mailbox daughterboard was integrated into the PK-232 main board to make the PK-232MBX. The new PK-232MBX had a number of other hardware changes, including changing the front panel LEDs from all red to a combination of red, yellow and green and adding a hole in the bottom of the housing to allow removal of the battery jumper without removing the housing. In 1993 AEA added Pactor and Gateway modes to the PK-232. The final AEA upgrade, GPS compatibility, came in 1995. AEA sold their last PK-232MBX units in early 1996, intending to replace the PK-232 with the new DSP-232. Unfortunately, AEA closed its doors in 1996. They sold the data products line to Timewave and the antenna products line to Tempo Research of Vista, CA. In late 1997, Timewave shipped the last of the remaining AEA units. In the fall of 1998, Timewave introduced the DSP upgrade for the PK-232MBX. This upgrade substantially improved performance resulted in the PK-232/DSP. In addition to its precision DSP filters, the PK-232/DSP featured lower power consumption, a reset switch and an overload LED. In 2001 the advent of the sound card modes, especially PSK-31, brought yet another upgrade to the PK-232. Timewave engineers created the PSK sound card interface board, a testament to the amazing flexibility of the original PK-232 design. In 2005 Timewave added the USB upgrade to support the new generation of PCs that lack a RS-232 serial port.

AEA EPROM Images and Information:

NOTE: EPROMs aren't forever. Given enough time they will all drop bits (also known as "bit rot").
If anyone would like to read the EPROMs in their AEA unit and email us the image files we will host them here.
Then as folks have problems due to bit rot they can erase and reburn their EPROM chips and get their unit working again.
Just right-click on the .hex or .bin files below and "Save As" to your local hard drive, then erase and reburn your PROM chips.
Note that each EPROM chip has a notch in the pin 1 end. Watch that you get them in the right direction, you will destroy
the chip if it is installed in the socket backwards! And it's way too easy to fold a pin underneath. So look twice and BE CAREFUL.

These EPROM images are provided without support for you to replace the same version EPROM in your unit. There may be newer
versions here than you have in your unit. A newer version may or may not work in your unit, especially if they require changes to
the hardware (extra or replacement chips, circuit changes, or a daughter board).

Don't bother emailing us if you don't find your version or what you need. Everything we have on AEA is here.

DSP-2232:

The DSP-2232 followed the PK-232. It's basically a PK-900 with DSP and more and better modems.
Each EPROM image file is 65,536 bytes and goes into a 27C512. This firmware is Version 7.0A dated 1993-12-01.
Could someone please provide the startup display for this PROM set? (like what is shown below)
dsp2232-u2.bin (U2) dsp2232-u3.bin (U3) dsp2232-u4.bin (U4)

PK-88:

Provided by Pierre F8EGQ from s/n 897119
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-88 Packet Controller AX.25 Level 2 Version 2.0 Copyright (C) 1986-1991 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 23.AUG.91 pk88-27c256-e1744-sn-897119.bin

PK-90:

This PK90 EPROM image is Version 2.0 and was supplied by Scott Withrow KC9LQV.
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-90 PAcket Controller AX.25 Level 2 Version 2.0 Copyright (C) 1986 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 03.FEB.87 Checksum $6B pk90-03feb87.bin

The photo of the main board below was supplied by Scott Withrow KC9LQV.
Click here for the photo

PK-900:

These PK900 EPROM images are an older stable version and were supplied by Paolo IZØDRA.
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-900 Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986-1993 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 01.MAR.93 pk900-01mar93-u36.bin pk900-01mar93-u37.bin

These PK900 EPROM images are Version 7.1 and were supplied by Nick G4IRX.
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-900 Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986-1995 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 15.SEP.95 Ver. 7.1 pk900-15sep95-u36.bin pk900-15sep95-u37.bin

This PK900 EPROM image is for the DCD State Machine option and was supplied by Nick G4IRX.
pk900-e1730-state-u51.bin

The photo below was supplied by Nick G4IRX shows the EPROM locations.
Click here for the photo

PK-232 and PK232MBX:

PK232 Provided by Azelio Boriani
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232 Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 15.SEP.86 The EPROM is a 27256 with label: E1408. The PK232 is serial number is 02507.
pk232-1986.bin

These EPROM images with 1987 and 1988 in the filename are the old original code with the fax option included. They run in the original PK-232 without the memory expansion card or newer mother board.
pk232-1987-u2.hex pk232-1987-fax-u3.hex

PK232 Provided by Pierre F8EGQ from s/n 21584
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232 Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986, 1987 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 25.JUN.87 Checksum $E3 pk232-1987-e1479-pk232-sn-21584-u2-27c256.bin pk232-1987-e1480-fax-sn-21584-u3-27c128.bin

PK232MBX Provided by Pierre F8EGQ from s/n 60475
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232 Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986, 1987 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 25.JUN.87 Checksum $E3 pk232mbx-lo-e1742-sn-60475-u2-27c512.bin pk232mbx-hi-e1743-sn-60475-u3-27c256.bin

PK232 Provided by Randy AB9GO
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232 Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986, 1987, 1988 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 23.FEB.88 Checksum $FC pk232-1988-u2-27c256.hex pk232-1988-u3-27c256.hex

PK232MBX Provided by Pierre F8EGQ from s/n 40757
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232M Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 31.OCT.89 Checksum $E3 pk232mbx-e1687-sn-40757-u1-on-daughter-board-27c512.bin

PK232MBX Provided by Robert Gallahan ACØKC from s/n 52493
Both ICs are 27C512-02. When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232M Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986-1991 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 01.AUG.91 pk232mbx-lo-01aug91.bin pk232mbx-hi-01aug91.bin

PK232MBX Provided by Randy AB9GO
This EPROM image with 1990 in the filename is for the PK-232MBX. It installs in the "LO" socket on the upgrade daughterboard. There is no "HI" EPROM.
pk232mbx-1990-lo-only-27c512.hex

PK232MBX Provided by Phil HA5OF
This EPROM image has a 19.JUL.90 release date and is for the PK-232MBX. It installs in the "U2" socket of the MAIN board. There is no "U3" EPROM or daughterboard. This is from s/n 46382.
pk232mbx-1990-lo-only-27c512.bin

These EPROM images with 1991 in the filename are for the PK-232MBX.
pk232mbx-1991-u2.hex pk232mbx-1991-u3.hex

These EPROM images with ver70 in the name are version 7.0 images for the PK-232MBX.
pk232mbx-lo-ver70-u2.hex pk232mbx-hi-ver70-u3.hex

These EPROM images for the PK-232MBX PACTOR release came from Pino IK2HEW.
They report as Build Date 05.Mar.93. No other version info was available.
pk232mbx-lo-05mar93.bin pk232mbx-hi-05mar93.bin

These EPROM images for the PK-232MBX came from Salvatore I4FYV.
They report as Build Date 05.Mar.93 N. Both ICs are 27C512; s/n M03907.
When started, the unit displays this information:
AEA PK-232M Data Controller Copyright (C) 1986-1993 by Advanced Electronic Applications, Inc. Release 05.MAR.93 N. pk232mbx-lo-u2-05mar93-v7.bin pk232mbx-hi-u3-05mar93-v7.bin

These EPROM images for the PK-232MBX came from John Browning KG4KDT.
This is Version 7.1. Both ICs are 27C512. No other info was provided.
pk232mbx-lo-v71.hex pk232mbx-hi-v71.hex

The newest version of EPROMs contains dsp-72 in the filename and these are newest version EPROMs that work in the PK-232MBX and include the PACTOR 1 protocol. These are the ones most people would want for upgrading an older PK-232MBX.
pk232mbx-dsp-72-lo.hex pk232mbx-dsp-72-hi.hex

TNC2 Clone:

Provided by Pierre F8EGQ
When started, the unit displays this information:
PacComm TINY-2 Packet Controller AX.25 Level 2 Version 2.0 Features: KISS PERSONAL MESSAGE SYSTEM V 3.0 CLOCK CHIP SUPPORT CWID Release S1.1.6C1 30/01/90 - 32K RAM Copyright U.K. by SISKIN ELECTRONICS Checksum $2C tnc2-clone-27c256-cksum-ec13h.bin

Provided by Dave GØOFC
When started, the unit probably displays some of this information:
PacComm TINY-2 MARK-2 Packet Controller (c) Copyright 1985-1997 PacComm Packet Radio Systems, Inc. AX.25 Level 2 Version 2.0 Features: KISS PERSONAL MESSAGE SYSTEM CLOCK CHIP SUPPORT Expanded NMEA 183 (GPS) SUPPORT Release 5.0.0 September 17, 1997 Copyright 1993, Software 2000, Inc. paccomm-v5.bin

Anyone want to contribute some other EPROM images?

Here are some photos of the EPROM installation.

The picture pk232mbx-roms.jpg shows how the PROMs should be installed in the PK-232MBX.

The picture pk232-mem-expansion.jpg shows the memory expansion board that was available from AEA to upgrade a PK-232 to a PK-232MBX. The board provides additional ram and sockets for 2 larger eproms (ver70 software EPROMs shown installed).

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This page initially created 14-Oct-2004 by Mike Morris WA6ILQ as part of the "Other Manufacturers" page. This AEA page was created in May of 2009.

No infringement of AEA's, Tempo's or Timewave's copyrights is intended. The only reason we are doing this is that you can't find AEA information anywhere. If anyone had these files on their public web site we wouldn't need to.

This web page, this web site, the information presented in and on its pages and in these modifications and conversions is © Copyrighted 1995 and (date of last update) by Kevin Custer W3KKC and multiple originating authors. All Rights Reserved, including that of paper and web publication elsewhere.

	AEA Background and Introductory Information You should read this page first.
	AEA Morse Memory Keyer model CK-1 Instruction Manual 580 kB PDF file Scanned and donated by Dale Cheek NY5B
	AEA "Contester" Morse Memory Keyer model CK-2 Instruction Manual 1 MB PDF file Scanned and donated by Bill Perkins KB4KFT
	AEA DM-1 Deviation Meter Manual 418 kB PDF Includes large schematic at end. Scanned and donated by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	AEA 144 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions (official copy) 500 kB PDF donated by AEA Technologies
	AEA 144 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions (early version) 34 kB PDF Donated by Mike Reed N7ZEF
	AEA 144 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions (late version) 38 kB PDF Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	AEA 220 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions 99 kB PDF Donated by Ron Bouder KA3CNT; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	AEA 440 MHz Isopole Antenna Assembly Instructions 99 kB PDF Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	Two AEA Isopole Sales Flyers 207 kB PDF Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	"Facts About Vertical Antennas" - a technical writeup by AEA 207 kB PDF Donated by Gary Richardson N6LRV; PDF'd by Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
	Radiolink RL-1 Manual 16.36MB PDF Donated by Jim WB0WKJ.
	Brochure for the MBA-RC Code Converter 2.2 MB PDF Donated and PDF'd by Don Abeles WA7UUL The MBA-RC is a single box that is a full function decoder and display unit for Morse code, Baudot (5-bit RTTY/Teletype) and ASCII (7 or 8 bit RTTY/Teletype/computer) data streams. It takes in audio from any HF, VHF or UHF radio, TTL, current loop or serial signals plus +12v (at about 1.2 to 1.5 amps) and outputs its own 32 character scrolling display or drives a printer.
	Manual for the MBA-RC Code Converter 3.8 MB PDF This Instruction manual is dated 1982. Donated and PDF'd by Don Abeles WA7UUL
	Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-1 1.37 MB PDF Donated by Rich Rohweder N7FDM
	Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-1 2.47 MB PDF Donated by Jim Larsen AL7FS
	Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-2 725 kB PDF
	Manual for the "Morsematic" Keyer model MM-3 3.25 MB PDF Donated by Jim Larsen AL7FS
	Manual for the "Morse Machine" Keyer model MM-3 3.25 MB PDF Seems to be a later version of the MM-3 above... but with a different name. Donated by Mike Morris WA6ILQ
	PK-88 Packet Controller Operating Manual 21.7 MB PDF Revision D, dated March 1990, complete with schematics and board layouts. Donated by Steaven Rogers W4YI and Kenny Rogers K4KR
	PK-90 Packet Radio Controller Operating Manual 8.3 MB PDF donated by Scott Withrow KC9LQV Revision C, dated January 1988. Appendices supplied by Mike KCØTA.
	PK-900 Packet Controller Operating Manual 4.06 MB PDF Revision D, dated March 1993, complete with schematics, interconnecting cable wiring information and board layouts. Donated by Mark Sihlanick N2QT
	PK-900 Manual 5.4 MB PDF Dated November 2004. Donated by Greg Beat W9GB
	PK-232 MacRATT with Fax Manual 14 MB PDF scanned by Richard West KH2EE, PDF'd by Bob WA1MIK
	PK-232 MacRATT with Fax Manual 5.5 PDF The above manual monochromed, pages cleaned, blank pages removed by Bob WA1MIK
	PK-232 Operating Manual 5.4 MB PDF Revision B, dated Sept 1986. Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP
	PK-232 PC-PAKRATT Manual 2.1 MB PDF Dated June 1988. Donated by Bob WA1MIK
	PK-232 Technical Reference Manual 4.0 MB PDF Preliminary Release / Revsion A, dated May 1987. Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP
	Timewave DSP-232 Plus Manual (2005) 253 kB PDF Donated by Greg Beat W9GB
	AEA DSP-2232 Operating Manual 8.1 MB PDF Donated by Don Abeles W7UUL
	2400 baud DPSK Modem Operation Instructions 253 kB PDF Donated by Greg Beat W9GB
	PK-232 Low Power CMOS Upgrade Kit A.06135 Documentation 191 kB PDF Donated by Greg Beat W9GB
	"TNC GPS Upgrade Addendum" subtitled "GPS Operation" 474 kB PDF The introduction says that this writeup is applicable to all of the PK series. Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP
	PK-232MBX Operating Manual 3.1 MB PDF Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP
	PK-232MBX EPROM Installation Instructions 85 kb PDF Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP
	PK-232MBX Node Gateway Option Supplement 447 kB PDF Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP
	PK-232MBX Revision Supplement (dated July 1990) 57 kB PDF Donated by Jim Lange WA2RJP

	The picture pk232mbx-roms.jpg shows how the PROMs should be installed in the PK-232MBX.
	The picture pk232-mem-expansion.jpg shows the memory expansion board that was available from AEA to upgrade a PK-232 to a PK-232MBX. The board provides additional ram and sockets for 2 larger eproms (ver70 software EPROMs shown installed).