psk31...

[74IN]

Waterfallgate?

How much is on VHF?

 

[74IN]

 

[W5LZ]

How much PSK31 on VHF? Very little, as far as I know. I don't think I've ever heard it other than on HF. Then again, my VHF/UHF capabilities are very limited.
- 'Doc

 

[SR385]

The biggest use of digi modes on VHF is with the NBEMS systems, narrow band emergency messenging system. They use error correction ARQ on top of the modes and entry forms for traffic handling for RACES/ARES use.

Doesn't mean you can't run them there, but there are a lot fewer ops on SSB on VHF and they tend to only pop up during openings...which are reasonably rare.

I run digi modes a lot on HF and really like the change of pace for when I don't feel like hearing noise or when conditions make phone ops tedious to do. My favorite is Olivia or MFSK16 on 80m when static crashes are bad...those modes have given me 100% copy in conditions where I can't even see the signal due to QSB or static crashes. They are slower than psk, Olivia is quite slow, but the copy is 100% and the slow pace makes for a nice rag chew mode actually....relaxed compared to the rapid fire of psk31.

 

[SR385]

NBEMS NBEMS info

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I have never heard PSK on VHF or UHF. Not one single time at all.

 

[74IN]

I have never heard PSK on VHF or UHF. Not one single time at all. __________________

I was afraid of that.

I took/passed both Tech and Gen in '06 and missed the CW thing by just a few days.

Work is a bitch, hard to test again.

I was intimidated about PSK31, now I see how easy it is.

Is Icom CAT and PSK31 Interface IC-703, 706, 78, 718 +more - eBay (item 370119361997 end time Jun-24-09 02:00:00 PDT)
This a good deal or can a motivated guy with a soldering iron do it?

 

[W5LZ]

At the price showing when I looked ($29.95 + shpg), and for the price of the required parts, I'd have to say it's a fairly good deal. But if that motivated guy happened to have a few of those required things laying around can do some fairly small soldering, I also don't see why he couldn't do the same thing fairly quickly. May not look as nicely done, but if it works, who cares? Within reason, naturally.
- 'Doc

Bunch of small "but's" in that. But I've found that a bunch of small buts are easier to look at that one big one. Just depends on how they are presented, right?
(all puns intended)

 

[Qwazyone]

I like watching the waterfall, every once in a while you will see letters and numbers appear, usually 73 or someone using something other than psk31 will indicate what they are using.

 

[Moleculo]

It's an OK deal, but...

I would rather just get a USB CAT cable and make the sound card interface. Oh yeah...that's what I did! It would end up being about the same price, but then you don't need the serial to USB adapter. If you want to wire up your own sound card interface, just pick up a 1:1 isolation transformer from radio shack and put it inline to eliminate a potential ground loop.

 

[74IN]

It's an OK deal, but...

I would rather just get a USB CAT cable and make the sound card interface. Oh yeah...that's what I did! It would end up being about the same price, but then you don't need the serial to USB adapter. If you want to wire up your own sound card interface, just pick up a 1:1 isolation transformer from radio shack and put it inline to eliminate a potential ground loop.

Could you point me to some info on how?

 

[W5LZ]

74IN,
If you haven't found an interface yet, try looking here;
Soundboard Interfacing

There's several on this site, probably the simplest is one that used to be used with 'JVComm' which was one of the earliest PC programs for SSTV (real dark ages stuff!). It amounts to an isolation transofrmer and some compatible plugs for sound card/radio. No automatic PTT, but if you've got VOX or can 'push da'button' it'll certainly work.
Bunch of different interfaces around, not all of them that complicated (installing or building), some easier than others to live with.
Have fun.
- 'Doc

 

[Highlander_821]

Here's the on I am using:

http://www.geipelnet.com/barry/PSK31.pdf

 

[Moleculo]

That one that 'Doc posted with the isolation transformer is all I did. I put one on both the TX & RX lines. That plus as USB CIV cable to control the rig is all you need. I went down the the local electronics store and bought the plug for the rear of the rig (I think Icoms come with an extra one anyway?) and a long mono 1/8" patch cable which I cut in half and soldered on new ends (to make two cables) and also put the isolation transformer inline. It works great.

 

[SR385]

That's basically all they are...pretty simple.

I've got a home brew, a Digimaster Dual and a Tigertronics Signalink USB. The Tigertronics is my favorite as it has less cables going on, but they all work fine.