[1000mp] PSK31 (& RTTY) on FT-1000MP

[Kok Chen]

On Jun 9, 2009, at 6/9    5:03 AM, G4GED Dave wrote:

> Wonder if any kind soul could please give me a bit of guidance as to  
> the
> minimum requirements and how to go about running PSK31 (& retain  
> RTTY) on
> the FT-1000MP?

The minimum requirements are

(1) the ability to be able to get the FT-1000MP to perform "PTT", and
(2) the ability to get audio to and from your computer.

Item (1) can be anywhere from (a) using MOX (yes, I have done that in  
the past), (b) using a reed relay, for example, to key the PTT line  
(be careful that because of the wired-OR diodes for PTT in the  
FT-1000MP, you might not be able to use a darlingtom optoisolator for  
this purpose. (c) using CAT -- if your software supports it or (d) use  
an audio driven ("VOX") device.

Unlike a rig such as the K3, the FT-1000MP's internal VOX does not  
work in PKT mode (see comment about USB/LSB mode later).  But there  
are VOX devices in the market (such as the Signalink or the microKeyer  
II set to "Auto PTT").

For item (2), you can get a variety of sound cards, including an  
external USB sound card ranging from the cheap iMic to an E-MU 0404.   
Or, Firewire sound cards such as the Edirol FA-66.

If your computer has built-in sound cards, you can use those, but be  
mindful that the quality can vary.  Moreover, you need to be careful  
that chimes, beeps, and sounds from programs such as iTunes do not  
accidentally go out on the air.  I always recommend that people get a  
sound card that the dedicate for digital ham work.  But if you want  
the cheapest way to test the waters, you can use the built in sound  
card by exercising some care.

You should use the PKT mode on the FT-1000MP.  I have found that  
pushing RF PWR to maximum and controlling the power using the Mic knob  
works well.  The Mic knob controls the AF level in PKT mode.  Monitor  
the ALC to make sure no bars are lit.  With the FT-1000MP, set the  
power below 50 watts when the idle modulation is being transmitter  
(the idle Varicode is transmitted when you are not typing).  PSK31 is  
not just differential PSK, but its envelope is also modulated to give  
it the narrow bandwidth operation.  50 watts at idle will represent  
100 watts peak.

Switch the FT-1000MP back to RTTY to use FSK.

You can use the USB or LSB modes in PSK31 to get the internal VOX to  
work, but you need to make sure the processor is off and the Mic  
preamp is not clipping (you need to control both the computer  
soundcards audio output level AND the Mic gain to get the proper drive).

BPSK31 does not care if you use USB or LSB.  QPSK31 needs you to be in  
USB, but good software will invert the spectrum for you, both in  
receiving and transmitting, allowing you to use the "standard" PKT  
mode on the FT-1000MP.  You can of course use the User Mode in the  
FT-1000MP to get USB instead of LSB (the normal state when choosing  
PKT mode).

Some of the above is mentioned in

http://homepage.mac.com/chen/w7ay/cocoaModem/MiscInfo/Interface.html

(click on the Audio Interface and PTT tabs in the menu near the top of  
the page to read more gory details.)  The tutorial is meant for users  
of cocoaModem, but most of it also pertains to sound card digital  
operation in general.  The picture at the bottom of the PTT page shows  
a simple hardware PTT that will work withe the FT-1000MP, since it  
uses a relay instead of an optoisolator.

73
Chen, W7AY