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PSK31 – A Popular Digital Mode

PSK31 – A Popular Digital Mode. Presentation to the Ole Virginia Hams Amateur Radio Class by Karl W4KRL March 18, 2006. What is PSK31?. It is a digital mode using a computer keyboard It is “real time” – other stations see your typing immediately

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PSK31 – A Popular Digital Mode

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  1. PSK31 – A Popular Digital Mode Presentation to the Ole Virginia Hams Amateur Radio Class by Karl W4KRL March 18, 2006

  2. What is PSK31? • It is a digital mode using a computer keyboard • It is “real time” – other stations see your typing immediately • Enables live contacts between two or more hams • It works great with low power, simple antennas, and bad conditions • It is cheap and easy to connect your rig to a computer - great software is cheap or free • It is a fun way to make contacts around the world at practically any time of the day

  3. PSK31 Details • “PSK” Phase Shift Keying modulates the phase of a carrier. ''31'' is the baud rate of the PSK31 signal. • Developed by Peter Martinez G3PLX in the 90’s • Initially required expensive, complex hardware. • Took off in the spring of 1999 with soundcard software. Another boost with panoramic tuning. • Uses ‘varicode’ to speed up transmission: Frequently used characters are shorter than others. • 50 words per minute is normal typing speed.

  4. Typical PSK31 Station Simple Antenna HF Transceiver Personal Computer PSK31 Software Soundcard Interface

  5. Commercial Hardware • RigBlaster – www.westmountainradio.com • RASCAL – www.buxcomm.com • MFJ1273/6/9 – www.mfjenterprises.com • DigiMaster (USB & rig control) – http://g4zlp.co.uk • Donner’s - home.att.net/~n8st/ • EZ-PSK – www.hamstop.com • RigExpert – www.mixw.net/hardcon.htm • PSKMeter - www.ssiserver.com/info/pskmeter • PSK-series Transceivers - www.smallwonderlabs.com

  6. Homebrew Interface

  7. PSK31 Software • Freeware • DigiPan – www.digipan.net • HamScope - www.qsl.net/hamscope • Ham Radio Deluxe – hrd.ham-radio.ch • Commercial • MixW – www.mixw.net • TrueTTY – www.dxsoft.com • RCKRtty – www.rckrtty.de

  8. Where to find PKS31: • HF (High Frequency) PSK frequencies: • 160 meters - 1.838 • 80 meters - 3.580 • 40 meters - 7.035 • 30 meters - 10.140 • 20 meters - 14.070The place to start! • 17 meters - 18.100 • 15 meters - 21.080 • 10 meters - 28.120 • 6 meters - 50.290 • 2 meters - 144.144 • Operation is typically Upper Side Band (USB) mode. • Frequencies range from the lower frequency, upward by three (3) kHz.  • In theory, a hundred PSK31 signals fit into the same spectrum as one SSB signal might occupy.

  9. Other Digital Modes • Morse Code (CW) – When All Else Fails • The first digital mode • Very simple equipment • Can be read by ear • Radio Teletype (RTTY) • Hardcore hardware – now much easier • Difficult to tune, no lower case letters • Packet – Not dead yet • Store and forward – no live contacts • APRS – Automatic Position Reporting System • Soundcard Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Revolution • A simple path to nearly all digital modes • If you’ve got it – use it

  10. More Digital Modes • Hellschreiber • AMTOR, Throb, Clover… • Slow Scan Television (SSTV) • PACTOR and WinLink • Digital Radio Mondiale • “HF Digital Handbook” ARRL • ARRL HF Digital Communications Course (EC-005)

  11. PSK31 in Action

  12. Thank You! • Good luck with your course. • See you on the air!

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