digital modes

[va7aax]

i just read a post about ham radio and digital modes and copyrights and stuff. then , i was looking through a QST and i see an article .its about vintage equipment and boatanchors. do you think that the digital modes as a complication ? or advancement ? . i am not an OF by any means but i dont know what attracts me to boatanchors .

[N5PVL]

Digital modes are not an unnecessary complication when they are used responsibly.

All of the difficulty and controversy associated with WinLink2000, for example, stems from irresponsible operating behavior on the WinLinker's part, and irresponsible promotion of WL2K on the ARRL's part despite clear evidence of legal problems with WL2K and even clearer evidence ( Comments made by amateurs to the FCC ) that indicate over 80% of responding amateurs do not want WinLink QRM all over the ham bands.

Contrast that with the friendly, responsible way that other digital modes like PSK31, RTTY, Packet and MFSK have been handled over the years.

Any mode, digital or otherwise will tend to be a liability when it is misused, or promoted irresponsibly.

[W3MIV]

Digital modes are no different from other modes: Their value to amateur radio is completely dependent upon how, where and why they are applied on the bands.

Most of the modern digital modes use the soundcard in a computer to create the particular type of modulation that is translated from your keyboard and inserted into your transceiver, and the soundcard also translates the audio received by the rig back into characters on the screen. The operation is one of an audio signal being fed into your rig and you can generally use a boat anchor by feeding the audio output of the soundcard to the mic input.

You will need an interface to couple your computer to your transceiver -- these are simple transistor circuits that can easily be built from scratch or ordered as kits or finished units. Among the simplest kits is the Rascal from BuxComm (do a google search). Buck has a fair amount of information on his site as I recall.

Give PSK31 at try. Download DigiPan -- one of the very best programs around for PSK. It is free and very easy to learn and use.

Look on the ARRL site for sub-bands in which to operate PSK31. Generally, PSK operation will be found just above the CW sub-bands -- look around 7070 on 40 and at around 14070 on 20 for activity.

GL and have fun.

73

[N5PVL]

It's true... PSK31 is very popular and rightfully so. Of all the new "soundcard" digital modes, PSK31 is the most impressive accomplishment of all ( in my estimation ) because it engenders friendly, responsible operation that we can all be proud to be associated with.

PSK31 really does seem to bring out the very best in hams and ham radio. - I like a lot of the other new digital modes too, but none of them can really compare to PSK31 and what it has brought to the hobby.

[cu2jt]

You can work some really "rare" DX on PSK31. The pile-ups don't come near the type of bedlam you get on SSB or CW.

Also, most of the PSK contacts are more than just the standard "599TU" format.

If you want to be a "green" ham, PSK is it. You don't need to run more than about 20-40 watts and the bandwidth is only some 50-100 cycles. A kilocycle can host 10-15 PSK signals.

Come up and see me on around 7070 KHz some day. You will most likely run into FM5, PJ7, FY and other exotic callsigns.

An other digital modes is MFSK, which is wider in bandwidth but very robust. Also, there is OLIVIA, which can be run in different bandwidths and tones, from very wide to quite narrow. OLIVIA is also a very robust mode. You may not see the signal on the screen but still have 100 percent print. If you invest in the MixW program, you will have access to most of the digital modes. All you will need is an interface to electrically isolate the computer from the radio.

[ky5u]

And remember that RTTY and PSK31 should stay above .060 (like above 7.060 and 14.060) with the exception of the RTTY DX fcy of 7.040. Yes, contests kinda change all that, but normally.... This comes under the heading of being good neighbors with CW. Many thanks!

[N5PVL]

I get some of the same thing on weekends, when we see RTTY contest stations in the autoforwarding sub-bands.

It used to bother me, but I've gotten to where I like to "read the mail" on those RTTY QSO's. After all, it's just on weekends sometimes, and most of the RTTY ops move away from the Packet signals after a while anyway, so they can QSO better.

I can remember though when I thought it was just awful. - Then the ARRL came along with WinLink to show us what REAL interference from thoughtless, lid-like operation was all about.

After being repeatedly wiped out by ARRL/WinLink QRM mills, those RTTY contesters look like the best ham radio buddies a fellow ever had.

Individual attention to good operating procedure is very important, but it is difficult to promote good operating behavior among individual hams in the light of the ARRL's institutionalized, organized QSO-crashing activities via WinLink2000.

Remember when the ARRL used to stand for and promote good operating procedure, and looked upon the good stewardship of our ham bands as a solemn, serious responsibility? - I can remember those days, and looking at the ARRL today is like looking at an old friend who has become addicted to drugs. Appalling degeneracy there now… - A terrible waste of potential.

It will always be important that individual hams take their responsibilities as an amateur radio operator seriously, but before we can expect any progress there, we’re going to have to get the ARRL out of the organized interference business and give them whatever kind of help or hurt it takes to get them to drop the juvenile, scofflaw attitude about PART97 that has taken hold there at ARRL HQ.

Charlie, how many times have you gotten "bit" by the loop supply on a model 19 or 28?

Jim

[N5PVL]

cu2jt says:
Quote[/b] ]
If you want to be a "green" ham, PSK is it.

There's a concept the ARRL ought to try on for size.

I'd like to hear more about being a "green ham" and no, I don't mean inexperienced hams, or hams who read Dr. Suess!

I'm talking about spectral responsibility and good manners.

[wa9cwx]

It has been MANY years since I spent any real time in the RTTY bands.

I operate digi modes infrequently these days (except for the ORIGINAL digi mode !).

I do a little PSK and RTTY on 40, maybe a few QSOs per month.
I know nothing about the WinLink robots, or whatever they are called.
I WOULD like to listen to them, and see what all this talk is about.
Any Frequencies?
And, what am I listening FOR?
Is it a continuous transmission, or just that it starts up without checking the frequency FIRST?

I am confused about the whole issue, as it has remained in the background of my operating interests.

Thanks for any info.

Frank

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (wa9cwx @ Mar. 06 2007,13:05)]I know nothing about the WinLink robots, or whatever they are called.
I WOULD like to listen to them, and see what all this talk is about.
Any Frequencies?
And, what am I listening FOR?
I think you will find some information on Howard Teller's pages at:


DigiPan site (http://www.digipan.net/)


WinLink is an over-the-air email program that uses PacTOR II or III to send and receive digital traffic between a roving "ham" and a stationary station that links to the internet.

It is not ear-decipherable, and the raucous signal occupies some 2.5kHz when WinLink is using PIII.

Though its users are supposed to listen for traffic before interrogating a distant WinLink server, it is problematic in that the distant server's response could easily wipe out other traffic that the initiator cannot hear because that traffic may be out of his range, but still within the "skip" boundary of the server.

Hope that makes sense to you.

[wa9cwx]

Yep, thanks.
And I will check the link.

Sounds like an impolite robot, hell, there are enough human non-listening hams, and I wouldn't think we need another gadget that hooks to the internet.

But, then again, I still think of radio as magic http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif