[Lowfer] newbie questions

[John Andrews]

Bill,

Can't help you with the Linux question, but I'm sure that others will.

Regarding the mode issue, you are correct that much of what's being done 
currently is related to propagation testing, would be of little use in 
emergency communications due to low data rates.

Of course, any mode that would work at 160 meters and down would work at 
600 meters, except for the increased noise, reduced ERP and long, deep 
fades. Regular speed CW works well, and takes advantage of brain 
processing. Stuff like PSK31 is perfectly useful, if you don't set your 
distance goals or accuracy requirements too far out. Text-based modes 
with forward error correction are more appropriate down here, giving up 
time for accuracy.

There's a somewhat out-of-date article at:
http://www.w1tag.com/600M_Modes.htm
It does not include CMSK and a couple of MFSK variants that have cropped 
up since it was written. It also does not include propagation testing or 
QSO-format modes like Opera, ROS, etc. W1VD and I will probably get a 
little more organized on this by the summer. We've found that real-world 
tests have to include the effects of summer static to be valid. But the 
article will give you some idea of what to expect.

My guess is that the prop test business will drop off if this becomes a 
ham band. It remains to be seen if sufficient occupancy will be achieved 
to support a large range of activity. Some of the keyboard modes really 
call for SSB generators and linear amplifiers, and unless commercial 
equipment becomes easily available, I doubt that there will be any 
bigger homebrew spurt in that regard than there has been at 2200M in EU.

John, W1TAG

On 2/26/2012 2:37 PM, Bill Cromwell wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm new here looking at all sorts of things that are brand new to me. I
> ended up looking at a couple of new lists due to the upcoming new band
> at 600 meters. Here I see QRSS, WSPR, ARGO, Opera (the name of one of my
> web browsers BTW), Wolf and several others. I feel like a new aspiring
> ham studying for the novice exam! I'm wading through okay.
>
> I have a question or two for the list members. So far I have downloaded
> and played with a couple of the souncard packages. To date just looking
> them over and wading into the manuals for them. I have been successful
> at starting (no on air ops) running them in WINE on a Linux box. This is
> NOT an OT question or statement about Linux v Windows. The fact is I run
> Linux. What I am more interested is what a minimum processor speed would
> be for some of these packages. I have found that Linux makes some of my
> older laptops more usable than newer versions of Windows. Some of the
> packages are not clear about minimum requirements - or I haven't yet
> found the specs. One package suggested it will run on a 400 MHz Pentium
> machine! I could use some suggestions about what has worked for others
> and what is just too dismally underpowered. I am interested in that
> because of the power budget for field operations. Faster always means
> higher battery drain. If older hardware is adequate I'm all about that.
>
> Looking at the speeds (SPEED?) of modes like QRSS I don't see them as
> useful for tactical communication in a large scale disaster but they
> could help the power budget for logistical and welfare traffic. I see
> they are also being used to "probe" propagation paths. That alone is
> worthwhile to me and I will try to get something up and listening as
> soon as I can. Are there other comments on how these slower speeds might
> be used. I can see that rag chewing is mostly off the table.
>
> There may be links to discussions about these same questions - links
> that I have not yet found. Pointers?
>
> 73,
>
> Bill  KU8H
>
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