Fax480 was originally implemented on the ViewPort VGA SSTV interface and software is available (typically Ver. 5 of Fax480) for downloading from a variety of sources. The only drawback to this software is that it was originally written for "standard" VGA adapters that could only display 16 grayscale steps in the 640x480 mode. Although the software is completely compatible with systems in use today, images are displayed and stored with just 16 grayscale steps, compared with 256 grayscale values in most software being run today. If the interest is there, I can make the software available at this site as well.

Shortly after the original Pasokon "Classic" board was introduced, I wrote a version of Fax480 (Fax480P) for the Pasokon system that John Langner bundled with his software up through version 2.X. If you are still running this early software with your Pasokon board, the software should be on your disk. Note however that this software has the same 16-step grayscale limitation as the software for the ViewPort system. It will work just fine with todays systems, especially if you have a "standard" VGA card installed. However, since almost everyone is using Super VGA cards today, you really should upgrade your Pasokon software!

Current versions of Pasokon Classic (3.1 and later) fully support Fax480 in the main SSTV software, so there is no need for a separate program. You will find Fax480 as the default option under the MISC modes. If it is not there, you don't really have the "latest" 3.1 revision and you should take advantage of an upgrade (it should be free if you are registered).

Pasokon Lite (serial interface) also supports Fax480 in versions 3.1 and above - again, find it under the MISC modes.

WinPix Pro, which uses the sound card for the SSTV interface, has supported Fax480 from the earliest software releases. Version 2.54 is the current release and does an excellent job with the mode. Some of the earliest releases had a few problems with the code for Fax480 and you really should upgrade to the current version as it is a fine piece of software. One little note: despite the fact that Fax480 is black and white mode, pictures should be saved as 24-bit images if you intend to use them as Fax480 images. If they are saved as grayscale images, the palette will be changed just prior to transmission, which will make the image much darker than you intended. There is no problem if color images are used for Fax480.

Ben Vester's serial port software has supported Fax480 from its initial release.

The word I received is that the latest version of WinSkan (KA1LPA's soundcard SSTV program) supports Fax480, but I don't have a lot of details yet. If you have questions, I would suggest that you contact Jamie.

N7CXI's ChromaPix (a state-of-the-art soundcard program) does not yet support Fax480, although some hi-res color modes have recently been added. Jim has all the essential information on Fax480 so it is probably a matter of his time constraints and the number of requests he receives.

I am presently at work on a Windows-compatible program for Fax480 that will use the soundcard as an interface. Much of the work has been done (in Delphi 3), but I still have much to learn about the soundcard and many other projects, so there is no definite date promised yet for release.

I will try to keep this list updated on a regular basis, but be sure to notify me about new releases, using the e-mail address below.