[FARC] Digital Modes

Wed Mar 25 18:45:32 EDT 2009

just throwing in my 2 cents, I've been using MixW for about 5 years and it's very easy to setup and use.  It's not freeware, and I believe the current registration fee is $50, but it's been worth every penny.  Since it doesn't use registry entries, I have actually installed it onto a flashdrive and able to use it on whatever computer happens to be around.  The nice thing about that is that my qso logs travels with me and i dont have to go back and copy and paste the info.

I've tried Ham Radio Delux, and although I love the cost ($0), it just doesn't seem as easy to use.  I've also had some configuration issues with my interface, but that may be more user than the software.

another thing people may want to consider in addition to the standard computer software, is some of the pda based software that is available.  pocketdigi is a freeware program that will run on windows mobile devices.  the web site for for info and a loink to the download is http://www.n0hr.com/PocketDigi/PocketDigi_intro.htm.  pdas may be a bit small for regular use, but if you are looking to build a very small jump kit, or take it with you hiking, it might be something you want to consider.  I've played with it quite a bit and it does seem to work well, as long as you keep in mind it's main purpose is to provide some digital capability on a small handheld platform.

one idea I have been playing around with is to build one of the PSK20 units from Small Wonder Labs.  This unit costs $105, with another $30 if you want the custom case, and provides about 3-5 watts on 20m.  The excellent thing about this unit is that it only requires audio in and out connections, so no other interface devices (rigblaster or rigexpert or signal link) are necessary.  essentially you could carry around your software on a flashdrive, some sort of computer, a pair of audio cables, this unit, and a portable antenna, and start working PSK on 20m.  The web site is http://smallwonderlabs.com/swl_psk31.htm.  The reviews on this unit at eham and elsewhere dont seem to be able to speak highly enough of this unit (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/847).  This would be another great option for a jump kit, and being able to provide digital communications capability.

while i am on the topic of small wonder labs, I have just ordered 2 of the 40m rock-mites on 7122khz for Robert (KB3JYR) and I to put together.  from what i have read and been told from a few qrp types, this is one of the better kits to put together.  no toroids to wind, and only one smt with large spacing.  there are also a number of mods you can find for it online, and it fits into an altoids container.  at $29.00 each, it's worth the $ as a first or second kit building project.  The reviews on that unit can be seen at http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2547, and the web link for the unit is at http://smallwonderlabs.com/Rockmite.htm.

finally, if you are really adverterous, great at soldering, and looking for a 5 band digital qrp rig that will fit into an altoids container, you may want to look at the ATS-3B.  Although it wont be available again until the fall, this unit seems to be very highly sought after and probably worth the wait.  Give it a look at http://kd1jv.qrpradio.com/ATS3B/ats3b.HTM.

Anthony - N1IG

From: kirktal7237 at msn.com
To: FARC at mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:59:34 -0500
Subject: [FARC] Digital Modes

I know a few people in the FARC whom have 
experimented with the Ham digital modes and I wanted to pass along my 
experiences with these modes.  I want to say these are great modes 
especially for the "minimalist" station like my own.  The digital modes I've enjoyed the most so far are PSK31, 
RTTY, Packet, CW, and Olivia.  

PSK31

I've had the greatest of pleasure 
operating this mode over the past two years and I can tell you that had it 
not been for this mode I would have given up on HF for good.  

If you've got a computer, an HF transceiver, 
and an antenna, all you need is a digital interface and some software and you're 
ready for PSK31.  My digital interface is the West Mountain 
Rigblaster Plus and included with the interface is a digital soundcard 
application CD.  Everything you need to run PSK31, RTTY, and other 
soundcard applications is on the CD.   Other manufacturers of digital 
interfaces, such as the Signal Link by Tigertronics, also offer a soundcard 
application CD.   One caveat, most of the software on these software 
CD's is too old to run correctly on Windows Vista so be aware of this.  It 
runs fine on Windows XP and older operating systems however.  

To run PSK31 you don't need a lot of power and you 
don't need much of an antenna.  My antenna is a HY-Power QRP shortened 
dipole rated for a maximum of 150 watts.  It is 20 feet long and I have it 
in a sloper configuration.  This would be a perfect antenna for 
an attic installation.   In typical application I use between 15 
and 35 watts.  If I've got a real strong DX station coming in I really 
want to make contact with, I'll bump it up to 55 watts.  Beyond 
that I just have to let him go because if he can't hear me on 55 
watts he probably won't hear me at all.   This weekend I worked 
Scotland, Belgium, Spain, and France on PSK31.  

20 meter PSK31 action can be found on 14.070.15, a 
calling frequency supposedly, but more realistically the center of the 20 meter 
PSK31 universe.  Activity goes on here all day and early evening.  
Look for most DX action between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 and 6:00 p.m..  
There is also plenty of DX PSK31 action on 40 meters on 7.038.  

RTTY

I use a software package called MMTTY, included on 
the Rigblaster Plus's software CD.  There is not as much RTTY action 
on 20 meters as there is PSK31 unless you happen to be a RTTY contester and 
caught the RTTY contest this weekend.  RTTY can be found on 20 meters on 
14.080 to 14.095 typically.   RTTY is a cool mode and very similar to 
PSK31 in operation.  I just wish the software designers had put some sound 
effects in the software that would actually make it sound like an old radio 
teletype machine.  It takes a little more power to make contacts with RTTY, 
typically 30 to 40 watts I found.  

CW

No computer and digital interface needed to operate 
this "digital" mode, just a straight key.  I've been working and studying 
CW for the past 3 months now and have been using a computer program called "Just 
Learn Morse Code."  The program gives you the dits and dahs in 
random sequences and you type the letters in at the keyboard as you hear 
them.  You set the speed and just practice, practice, 
practice.  This got old after a month or so of doing it every day and I 
wanted to get on the air.  So I just jumped on in 
there.    Am not real fast on 
receiving but can do between 5 and 7 WPM accurately.  I send out CQ's on 
the straight key and wait for the response.  Then I grab a notepad and 
pencil and start copying.  I know you're supposed to do this in your 
head but I'm just not there yet.  I try to do CW every day to stay in 
practice.   

OLIVIA

This is a new HF digital mode I'm experimenting 
with.  W3FDK Rolan Clark turned me on to this mode.  Additionally 
there is an interesting article in the December 2008 issue of QST magazine on 
Olivia entitled "Olivia, the Magic Mode."   I can do the various 
formats of Olivia on 20 meters on 14.107.50 as this is supposed to be a calling 
frequency for Olivia.  The software I use for Olivia is called 
FLDigi.  FLDigi will also do all the other digital modes like PSK31, RTTY, 
THROB, THOR, Hellschrieber, MT63, MFSK16, et. al..  Other multi-mode 
digital soundcard applications will run Olivia such as Ham Radio Deluxe's DM780, 
MixW, MultiPSK, and others.

I've only made one contact on Olivia on 20 meters, 
14.107.50, Olivia 1000/32 format (which means 1000 HZ and 32 tones) and that is 
W3FDK Rolan Clark.  I check it all the time though, looking for those 
"GHOST" QSO's.  What does GHOST QSO mean?  Supposedly, according to 
the QST article, you can receive decoded Olivia messages on your computer screen 
without seeing any Olivia signal traces on your waterfall or hearing any Olivia 
signals.  The messages just start appearing on the screen right out of the 
blue.  I haven't had this happen yet, all I receive is garbage characters, 
but I'm still trying.  

PACKET

You need a computer with a serial port or a 
USB/Serial converter cable and driver, a Packet TNC, and a VHF radio that is 
equipped to do Packet.   You don't have to use a digital 
soundcard application but you can.  You could use Windows 
HyperTerminal on Windows XP and older operating systems.   Some 
Hams use MixW, Airmail, and other multi-mode digital soundcard applications 
to do Packet.  Right now I use Airmail.  Essentially what you're using 
your computer for in Packet is a computer terminal.  Remember those in 
the old computer mainframe days?  Windows HyperTerminal makes your PC a 
computer terminal.  The multi-mode soundcard applications usually have a 
"DUMB TERMINAL" mode which does the same thing.  

I can't profess to know exactly how Packet 
works, other than to say simply that you physically connect by radio to another 
Packet station's TNC via your TNC.  Once connected you type messages 
to and receive messages from the connected station.  If the connected 
station's TNC is equipped with a PBBS (a personal mailbox) you can send an 
"E-mail" message or bulletin to that station.   

Packet is a cool mode I think.  It's old 
and a little quirky making it especially appealing to me, and it's 
a command line type of interface;  you enter a command and wait 
for a response, no GUI's here!   It's 
not particularly fast, 1200 baud, but it is accurate and VHF makes it 
very reliable.  We have a local Packet node here in Frederick, FDK, on 
145.75 and hold a Packet "net" and ragchew on Saturday nights at 9:00 
p.m..   If you've got access to an old 
TNC, give Packet a try you may like it.  

If you have a "minimalist" HF station and antenna 
system, are frustrated with the poor band conditions, then HF digital 
soundcard applications are the way to go.  You'll be doing DX every day 
guaranteed and for the purist it is still radio! 

73
KB3ONM
Kirk  

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