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FT8 Burnout? Possible Remedy: Conversation

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by NW7US, Nov 22, 2017.

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  1. NW7US

    NW7US Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    For those of you who have dived into the crowded but fun pool of FT8 operation or one of the other Joe Taylor modes (such as JT65 or JT9) and are excited now about digital modes, here's something you might enjoy, too. Unlike those modes that allow you to make quick work of getting DX stations into your logbook simply by exchanging callsigns, a signal report, and a grid square, there are other modes that offer keyboard-to-keyboard conversational QSO opportunities. There are amateur radio operators who enjoy and covet the conversational digital modes. Seeking more than just wallpaper, these operators take joy in meeting new people and learning about their culture, their view of the hobby, and more. Some even develop long-lasting friendships because of the conversations they have via keyboard-to-keyboard digital modes.

    One such mode is known as Olivia and this mode offers keyboard-to-keyboard chatting for when you want to relax, and maybe make a friend. Ham radio is the oldest electronic social networking infrastructure.

    In 2005, SP9VRC, Pawel Jalocha, released to the world a mode that he developed starting in 2003 to overcome difficult radio signal propagation conditions on the shortwave (high-frequency, or HF) bands. By difficult, we are talking significant phase distortions and low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) plus multipath propagation effects. The Olivia-modulated radio signals are decoded even when it is ten to fourteen dB below the noise floor. That means that Olivia is decoded when the amplitude of the noise is slightly over three times that of the digital signal!

    Olivia decodes well under other conditions that are a complex mix of atmospheric noise, signal fading (QSB), interference (QRM), polar flutter caused by a radio signal traversing a polar path. Olivia is even capable when the signal is affected by auroral conditions (including the Sporadic-E Auroral Mode, where signals are refracted off of the highly-energized E-region in which the Aurora is active).

    Currently, the only other digital modes that match or exceed Olivia in their sensitivity are some of the modes designed by Joe Taylor as implemented in the WSJT programs, including FT8, JT65A, and JT65-HF--each of which are certainly limited in usage and definitely not able to provide true conversation capabilities. Olivia is useful for emergency communications, unlike JT65A or the newly popular FT8.

    Here is a demonstration of a two-way transmission using the Olivia digital mode on shortwave. I am in QSO (conversation) with KA5TPJ. There are two other Olivia QSOs just below our frequency. Just above us is a lot of FT8 activity. Below the two other Olivia QSOs are PSK31 QSOs. The band is active. Olivia is not dead!



    The [B}standard Olivia formats[/B] (shown as the number of tones/bandwidth in Hz) are 8/250, 8/500, 16/500, 8/1000, 16/1000, and 32/1000. Some even use 16/2000 for series emergency communication. The most commonly-used formats are 16/500, 8/500, and 8/250. However, the 32/1000 and 16/1000 are popular in some areas of the world and on certain bands.

    This can cause some confusion and problems with so many formats and so many other digital modes. After getting used to the sound and look of Olivia in the waterfall, though, it becomes easier to identify the format when you encounter it. To aid in your detection of what mode is being used, there is a feature of many digital-mode software implementation suites: the RSID. The video, below, is a demonstration on how to set the Reed-Solomon Identification (RSID) feature in Ham Radio Deluxe's Digital Master 780 module (HRD DM780).

    I encourage ALL operators in any digital mode such as Olivia, set the RSID feature on as shown in this example. In Fldigi, the RSID is the TXID and RXID (I believe).

    Please make sure you are using the RSID (Reed Solomon Identification - RSID or TXID, RXID) option in your software. RSID transmits a short burst at the start of your transmission which identifies the mode you are using. When it does that, those amateur radio operators also using RSID while listening will be alerted by their software that you are transmitting in the specific mode (Olivia, hopefully), the settings (like 8/250), and where on the waterfall your transmission is located. This might be a popup window and/or text on the receive text panel. When the operator clicks on that, the software moves the waterfall cursor right on top of the signal and changes the mode in the software. This will help you make more contacts!



    + NOTE 1: MixW doesn't have RSID features. Request it!

    + NOTE 2: A problem exists in the current paid version of HRD's DM780: the DM780 RSID popup box to click does not work. HRD support is aware of the problem. You can still use the textual version that you can select in the settings so that it appears in the receive text areas. If you click the RSID link that comes across the text area, DM780 will tune to the reported signal, and change to the correct settings.

    + NOTE 3: some websites publish frequencies that are right on top of weak-signal FT8, JT65 and JT9 segments. Even if that is a matter of contention, follow the regulations and be kind: DO NOT QRM weak-signal QSOs! AGAIN: make sure that your signal does not cross into other sub-bands where weak-signal modes are active. For instance, do not have any part of your signal at x.074 or higher, as this is the sub-band for FT8, JT65A, and JT9.

    Quick Reference: we in the active Olivia group suggest 8/250 as the starting settings when calling CQ on the USB dial frequency of 14.072 MHz with an offset of 700 Hz, on 20m--that translates to a CENTER frequency of 14.0729 MHz. On 40m, 7.072 MHz on the dial with an offset of 700 Hz (and again 8/250) which translates to a center frequency of 7.0729 MHz.

    An example of the calling frequency on 20 meters with a center frequency of 14.0729 MHz, 8 tones, and a bandwidth of 250 Hz:

    [​IMG]

    Also, do not quickly switch to other modes without calling CQ for at least a five-minute window. It is really horrid when people call CQ and change settings, modes, bandwidths, tones, every time they call CQ during the same session!

    There are several key resources that we in the Olivia community are developing, to make it easier for you to enter into the great world of Olivia. One is an active support e-mail group to which you can subscribe at https://groups.io/g/Olivia -- a group containing topical areas of interest which can be filtered so that you are not flooded by email containing topics of which you are not interested. It has a files section, as well, in which we will add helpful how-to instructions and so on.

    Another resource is our Facebook group, at https://www.Facebook.com/groups/olivia.hf -- also with a files area containing help files. This group is a great resource for getting help from like-minded Olivia digital mode enthusiasts.

    Some more eavesdropping on an Olivia QSO:



    And, two more:





    One last note: Olivia is NOT a weak-signal mode. There are no points won by barely making a contact. In the USA FCC regulations, you are directed to use only the power necessary to make the QSO. Typically, with poor propagation, using Olivia with an output power of 100w is the minimum to establish a reliable circuit. You just cannot go beyond your rig's duty cycle (don't burn out the finals in your radio!). You also must be sure that you do not overdrive the audio chain into your radio. Be sure that you do not have RF coming back into your audio chain. Yes, 100 watts is acceptable. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. After all, think about RTTY.

    Welcome to Olivia! See you on the waterfall.

    73 de NW7US
     
    KI7MJU, WB5THT, K5WRN and 15 others like this.
  2. WB8LBZ/SK2023

    WB8LBZ/SK2023 Ham Member QRZ Page

    Thanks for your post. I learned something.

    73, Larry WB8LBZ
    El Paso, TX
     
    K5VU, AE8W and VE7DXW like this.
  3. KG5THG

    KG5THG Ham Member QRZ Page

    One thing to keep in mind about RSID is that it will go out at full power. It is not a variably modulated type of signal like psk31, feld hell, olivia, etc... If you have a forward watt meter, and you are running 100 watts, you will see the watt meter pegged at 100 (just like with wsjt-x modes for example). When your CQ follows, you will see it's a lot like phone and the meter will hang around 20-40 watts (if your running 100 for example) on average (also depends on how hard your driving the sound card before you start running into ALC problems) . I have seen many an RSID announcing a transmission and the transmission never followed. It's still a very nice feature though. Alerts you to someone in your receive window and you can start making an adjustments necessary to try and pick them up. Had many a nice chat that was started with an RSID. Hopefully HRD will fix this feature. They broke it a couple of releases back and you can't click on the RSID popup. Using the Video ID feature is pretty cool when you see "PSK 31", etc... spelled out scrolling by on the water fall.
     
    K7FLY likes this.
  4. KK5JY

    KK5JY Ham Member QRZ Page

    That says it all. :)

    I enjoyed DM780 when I was running Windows (and when it was free). For those on Linux or Mac, don't miss out on Olivia and other modes. FlDigi runs on most platforms, even RasPi.
     
    K6SDW and NU4R like this.
  5. KB4MNG

    KB4MNG Ham Member QRZ Page

    I use to run RTTY with a robot terminal. It was a blast and you actually had conversation. I wish I had never got rid of that set up, it was awesome.
    [​IMG]
     
    VE3EEI, KE5OFJ, WB5THT and 4 others like this.
  6. K6BRN

    K6BRN Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Thomas (NW7US):

    Thank you for your very good article on the Olivia mode. I used to run RTTY, AMTOR, AMTOR-FEC and packet back in the '90's and was a little sad to see that all but RTTY (and a little packet - mainly for Cruisers) had bit the dust after I returned from a decade-long pause in my ham radio hobby.

    Olivia appears to be a good alternative to RTTY and PSK-31, so don't be surprised if you find me bumbling through my first few contacts in the near future. Your HRD advice was very welcome, as that is what I would use.

    On JT-65, JT-9 and FT-8... At least some rag chewing could be done via the JTAlert texting facility (internet). But with FT-8, which has a very rapid "Whack-a-Mole" rhythm, you are right - it's all about racking up contacts.

    Best Regards,

    Brian - K6BRN
     
  7. W5YAG

    W5YAG Ham Member QRZ Page

    It actually runs really well on a RasPi. I got bored a few few months ago and decided to see what that thing was capable of and I was quite surprised with how well FLDigi ran.
     
    KK5JY likes this.
  8. VE6XMB

    VE6XMB Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Thank you I enjoyed the article; however, I must disagree about the power levels, 30 watts is plenty for this mode, using 100 watts and more does not necessarily buy you anything. Being a forward error checking mode you do not need a strong signal like RTTY for perfect print. I have seen many station trying to run Olivia with high power only to destroy anyone else near them with all kinds of interference. A lower power "clean" signal will buy you more than power.

    Please keep the power to a minimum with Olivia, you just don't need it.
     
  9. KJ7WT

    KJ7WT XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    I have had a couple of Olivia QSO's a long time ago - several years ago, in fact. I rarely ever heard any Olivia signals at all, but did a lot of PSK31/63 QSOs. With band conditons as they are, I rarely had a SSB QSO, as my QTH noise levels are so high on 40 and 20 (S7-S9). PSK31 gave me the opportunity to have a chance at a conversation. When FT8 came along, I immediately began making QSO's with many new states and countries (or political units, or whatever they are called nowadays) but definitely miss the opportunity for more than just R -11, RRR, 73. Sadly, PSK31 is virtually dead, at least when I am able to operate, and SSB calling CQ for extended periods of time has resulted in just a handful of viable QSO's. I can give Olivia another try, but with limited operating time available, it is discouraging to call CQ and get no response. FT8 at least has the opportunity for a contact, however succinct, in a short period of time.
     
  10. WJ4U

    WJ4U Subscriber QRZ Page

    tldr;

    (recently found out what that even means)
     
  11. WB4M

    WB4M Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    My first RTTY setup was with a Robot 800 keyboard, I'm guessing around 1982 or so! It eventually had a chip go bad in it, and it was a custom chip and could not cross-reference it to another brand of chip. I don't even remember what I did with it.
     
  12. WB4M

    WB4M Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Just checked my log... My first Olivia QSO was 31 Mar 2006, and last one was 18 Jan 2010.. long time since. I always found it quite slow, and difficult to tune. I don't particularly like the digital programs that incorporate RSID. I'd rather use a more narrow mode such as PSK31, just simpler to use for me.
     
  13. K6BRN

    K6BRN Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Regarding digital mode power.... In a very down solar cycle....

    I totally agree with Robert, VE6XMB. Would everybody please run at PSK-31, Oliva, RTTY, FT-8 etc. at 5W maximum into an EFHW antenna at 6 feet? That way it will be MUCH easier for ME to make contacts with the enormous number of DX stations clearly running >>100W with (laser) beam antennas. :)

    And ... just what ARE we going to do with all those new, bright, shiny and expensive LDMOS amplifiers, and the many inexpensive, readily available tube amps now flooding the market? Hmmm. RTTY, anyone?
     
  14. KK2DOG

    KK2DOG XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    I personally don't like key-board chatting and no FT-8 burn-out here.
     
    W4LJ and NU4R like this.
  15. N4DJT

    N4DJT Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    After jumping on the ft8 bandwagon, I have gone between ft8 and psk-31. I do like to do a little keyboard rag chew now and then. nothing wrong with ft8. just need something a little more personal than signal report and 73 every now and then.
    as for power level.
    "Life is too short for QRP"
     

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