[HCARC] Digital Modes During Poor Propagation

[galeheise at windstream.net]

To All-

  This may not be interesting to everyone so I’ll keep it short and invite those interested in the subject to contact me directly for more information and a demonstration at my QTH.

  I’ve been off the air for sometime (Previous contest participation was two years ago) and in the process of getting back on the air I’ve been very disappointed in the higher frequency bands.  So, considering this fact I decided to put up two 30 meter antennas, a full wave loop and a vertical.  While this increased the number of functional bands the level of activity still wasn’t what I was searching.

  The HCARC May program on digital communications set me on a path reviewing low signal level digital modes.  I ended up interested in JT65 which is likely old news to old timers in the club but for those of you who are not familiar with it, you might want to consider this mode.

  The website K0PIR.us is an excellent resource of information on this subject.

  I’m already running Ham Radio Deluxe rig control and logging.  Two programs that integrate with Ham Radio Deluxe are WSJT-X for JT65 operation and JTAlert for automatic logging into the HRD Logbook.  JTAllert also integrates with a number of logging programs.

  After installing and setting up the software packages (K0PIR has a number of youtube posts showing how to do this) I gave this mode a try.  Fortunately have antennas for 10 through 80 meters and was surprised to find so much JT65 activity on various bands.  In fact I was tuning across 10 meters and thought the band was dead until coming to 28.076 MHz.  This level of activity may be in part because JT65 is an official mode of operation recognized by ARRL for awards.

  So, the upside to the effort, that was quite minimal, is one can find plenty of stations to work nearly any hour of the day.  In addition, when it appears bands are dead activity may be found on JT65.

  Since this may be an old topic for many in the club, if you are interested, please contact me directly for information and/ or a demonstration.

Gale
KM4DR