Build a Digital Ham Shack

1. for SARC - Feb. 3, 2018 Build a Digital Ham Shack WA7EWC This presentation available at wa7ewc.wordpress.com 1

2. What is a Digital Ham Shack? • The Computer • The Rig/Computer Interface • The Transceiver • Software • Internet connection Note: this presentation is oriented for HF operation. 2

3. CAT Rig Control • Rig Control via CAT interface • Originally RS-232 Serial Interface • Brand specific commands to control frequency, mode, and other controls • Interface box, or USB cable between computer and rig 3

4. Interface Box / USB Cable The SignaLink USB CAT/Audio interface from TigerTronics.com. There are several manufacturers of CAT/Audio interface boxes. • Connect to rig via RS-232 connector, or other brand specific connector • Cable sets available for many brands • -or- Connect to Computer via USB with software drivers • Modern radios use direct connect USB cable with software drivers 4

5. Audio Interface Digital Modes use software to encode and decode digital information (e.g., text messages) for audio signals. Computer / Transceiver Audio Connection (independent of CAT control) • Direct connection: • Computer audio in/out • Transceiver mic in, audio out • USB cable: • Transceiver USB Audio • Comuter USB Audio Driver Software 5

6. Selecting a Computer for your Ham Shack Is this the PC in your Ham Radio shack? It might be time to upgrade your computer! You can put together a dedicated modern Windows 10 based PC setup with plenty of compute power for less than you might think. 6

7. The Ideal Computer for your Shack (In my opinion…) • Dedicated - ideally, you can permanently set up your computer and not have to share it for other tasks. A desktop is probably better suited than a laptop. • Performance - You don’t need an 8-core powerhouse. A dual or quad core CPU with 4Gb RAM (2GB can be okay), and a relatively fast disk with moderate capacity (250Gb or 500Gb). An SSD would be great, but costs more. • Cost - You can get a very nice certified refurbished PC and monitor for < $400. An adequate one for < $200. How much did you pay for your rig? A lot more, I bet. • Software - While there is great paid software, almost any software you might need can be found for free. 7

8. Recommended Tech Specs for a PC • CPU - Ham software does not need lots of CPU power. Web browsers and Windows do. A fairly new (up to 5 years old) dual or quad core should be plenty for a few years. A PassMark score between 3000 and 8000 is best, but as low as 1500 or so should be okay. Visitwww.cpubenchmark.net for PassMark scores for specific CPU models. • RAM - The more the better, but 4Gb should be plenty. 2Gb works, but can slow down responsiveness when running multiple programs. 8Gb is great. • Disk - Ham software is not big, including the databases. 250Gb or 500Gb should be plenty, but 1Tb or more is fine. A 7200 RPM disk is best. You can configure a 64Gb SSD plus a larger hard disk cheaply. Windows on the SSD, data on the hard disk. • Graphics - Doesn’t really matter unless you want to game also. • USB Ports - Four or more. At least a couple USB 3.0 ports nice, but current ham USB interfaces are USB 2.0. • Monitor Ports - Display Port and HDMI are the current standard interfaces. VGI and DVI still commonly found. Adapters available for most monitors. At least a 20” HD monitor is recommended. Two monitors are really nice if you have the space. • DVD Drive - who uses them anymore? Won’t hurt to have one. • SD Card slots - nice, but USB adapters are cheap. • Size - You probably don’t need big PCI cards, so a small form factor size is nice. 8

9. The WA7EWC Shack Computer • Computer - HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor Desktop • CPU - Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core. FlexMark score: 7070. (2012 vintage processor) • RAM - 8GB • Disk - 2TB 72RPM SATA • Ports - 4 USB 3.0, 4 USB 2.0, VGA, Display Port, RS-232 • OS - Windows 10 Pro 64 bit • Monitor - HP S2031 20” (1600 x 900, less than full HD) • Price - $230, Certified Refurbished (Late 2017 on Amazon) Refurbished Small Form Factor Computers on Amazon Many certified refurbished small form factor PCs from HP, Dell, and Lenovo, with Windows 10, can be found on amazon.com. Recent (early 2018) finds include a quite adequate HP dual-core CPU, PassMark 1634, 4Gb RAM, 250GB disk, USB 2 for only $100; up to a very nice current year model quad-core CPU, PassMark 9305, 8Gb RAM, 256Gb SSD for $380; and many others around $200. Most any of these would make a great ham shack computer. Nice HD monitors are available for < $100. With prices like these, it IS time for an upgrade! 9

10. Digital Modes Overview Digital Modes use software to encode / decode digital information (text) modulated for transmission via audio signals. Weak signal modes work below the noise floor! • RTTY - the granddaddy of Digital Modes. Uses FSK or AFSK keying. MMTTY is a popular interface program. Mostly by keyboard message generation, can have preset messages. Bandwidth: 250Hz • PSK31 - Since 1990’s, remains popular mode with rag chew capability. Typically an initial set of canned messages, followed by free exchange. Bandwidth: 60Hz. • FT8 - Has essentially replaced JT-65 in just 6 months! Weak Signal mode - lots of error correction, fixed protocols with minimal information exchange: Call sign, grid location, signal report. Operates on automated 15 second cycles. Bandwidth: 50Hz segment of shared USB passband - up to 40+ signals in < 2400Hz. • Olivia - Alternate weak signal digital protocol that is rag chew capable. Uses MFSK (Multiple frequency-shift keying) with different tones vs bandwidth combinations. Commonly 16 tones over 500Hz (16/500) or 32/1000. 10

11. Digital Mode Waterfalls RTTY Waterfall PSK31 2.4kHz Waterfall FT8 2.4kHz Waterfall (~30 signals) Olivia Waterfalls sample bandwidth/tones 11

12. Ham Radio Software Lots of Ham Software over the years. Most of it is obsolete. Searching Google for the “best” software yields tons of results, much of it now irrelevant. General Categories of Software • Software Suites - integrated collections of software meant to cover the basic needs of a typical operator. Will include some or most of following categories. • Logging / QSL - Log your contacts. Automate as much of the process as possible. File QSOs with QSL sites: eQSL, LoTW. Create QSL cards. Track awards and needed countries, states, etc. • Control Software - Basic control of your transceiver - frequency, bands, modes, filters, multiple vfos, memories, etc. • Digital Modes - operate RTTY, PSK21, FT7, JT-65, Olivia, CW, etc. • DX and Propagation - track DX Clusters, spotting, beacons, PSK Reporter, Weak Signal Propagation Reporter • Station Control, Antennas - Rotor control, antenna control, design 12

13. Weak Signal Modes: WSJT-X WSJT-X implements communication protocols or “modes” called FT8, JT4, JT9, JT65, QRA64, ISCAT, MSK144, and WSPR, as well as one called Echo for detecting and measuring your own radio signals reflected from the Moon. These modes were all designed for making reliable, confirmed QSOs under extreme weak-signal conditions, and originally developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT, an American astrophysicist and Nobel Prize in Physics laureate. • FT8 Example • This screenshot is of an actual contact on 1/25/18 between WA7EWC and XE1HON. • The left box show current activity. The right shows contacts. • The bottom block shows other relevant info. • One replies to a CQ simply by clicking on a station in the left box. The caller’s software will automatically start the contact if your reply is selected (usually the first reply). • Each line on the right (yellow/red) represents one 15 second exchange. The complete exchange is 90 seconds. 13

14. WSJT-X - More Screen Shots FT8 Waterfall After installing, the Settings screen allows you to configure WSJT-X. This screen shows setting up the radio to work through the rig control settings provided by DX Lab Suite Commander. It also has settings for specific radios. Auto logging box pops up after full exchange. It will be saved to the WSJT-X log file. If you also have JTAlert, the log can interface directly to other logging software for immediate QSO reporting. JTAlert is a highly recommended add-on for WSTJ-X. 14

15. fldigi by W1HKJ Fldigi supports many digital modes, including MFSK, MT63, Olivia, PSK, QPSK, RTTY, Thor, Throb, CW, and others. Many of these modes are no longer commonly used. Like other digital mode programs, it supports waterfall displays, basic rig control, logging, reporting, and some spotting. It is free, has decent documentation, and a large user community. There are other components fro W1HKJ that allow fldigi and associated programs to be configured as a software suite. 15

16. HRD DM-780 Digital Modes ($) DM-780 is the digital mode component of Ham Radio Deluxe. Support includes CW, RTTY, SSTV, PSK31, MT-63, QPSK, Contestia, Domino, Hell, MFSK, Olivia, Thor, Throb. It does a nice job of decoding CW. Integrates with HRD Logbook and Rig Control. “Super Sweeper” can show decoded content, including CW, right next to signal on waterfall. Example BPSK-31 contact 16

17. DXLab WinWarbler for Digital Modes WinWarbler supports PSK31, PSK63, PSK125, and RTTY on up 3 different freqs. Works with other DXLabs components (Commander, DXKeeper, SpotCollector.) 17

18. MMTTY MMTTY is a program for RTTY that is still being updated, and is widely used. 18

19. Software Suites • Ham Radio Deluxe ($) - A longtime favorite. Latest version is available for a license fee. May be the easiest to use suite. Features: • HRD Rig Control • HRD Logbook (with DX cluster support, spotting) • HRD Digital Master DM-780 • HRD Satellite tracking • HRD Rotor Control • DxLab Suite - Free and comprehensive suite • Commander - rig control • DXKeeper - log book with many features • Pathfinder - locates complete QSL info • WinWarbler - digital modes • DXView - displays full scoop on DX stations • SpotCollector - DX Spot collection and analysis • PropView - propagation prediction and forecasting • fldigi collection - Core digital mode program • fldigi - includes Logbook, DX Cluster, spotting, and more • flrig - full featured rig control program • flog - advanced logging capabilities • flcluster - access DX cluster nodes • flaa - interface to RigExpert antennal analyzers • flkey - interfact to Winkeyer 19

20. Ham Radio Deluxe HRD Rig Control 20

21. Ham Radio Deluxe HRD Logbook HRD Logbook Awards Tracking 21

22. Ham Radio Deluxe HRD Digital Master DM-780 22

23. Ham Radio Deluxe HRD Satellite Tracking 23

24. Ham Radio Deluxe HRD Rotor Control 24

25. DXLab Suite DXLab Commander - Main screen 25

26. DXLab Suite Commander Waterfall Display with spotting info (for IC-7300, IC-7610) Commander Bandspread with spotting info 26

27. DXLab Suite DXKeeper main log screen DXKeeper Contact capture 27

28. DXLab Suite DXKeeper Award Tracking 28

29. DXLab Suite DXView DX tracking info DXView World Map 29

30. DXLab Suite SpotCollector PropView 30

31. Logging Software Log4OM Log4OM has a dedicated following. It is free, and simple to use. It can do spotting, and interfaces to the major QSO/QSL services. 31

32. Logging Software N1MM Logger N1MM Logger is the world's most popular ham radio contest logging program. For CW, phone and digital modes, its combination of contest-optimized features is unmatched. 32

33. Other HF-Centric Ham Software This presentation is certainly not comprehensive. What other important software have I missed? 33

34. Minimal Computer! This is a truly minimal system that can run DXLab Commander with the waterfall. This is a screenshot of an HP Stream 7, 7” Windows 10 tablet, Atom quad core CPU, Flexmark 909, 1GB RAM, and a 32GB drive (15GB free space). And it works with my Icon IC-7300! 34

35. WA7EWC Station Rig: Icom IC-7300 Antenna: Hustler 6BTV Vertical QTH: Glenwood Springs, CO Station Computer: HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor Ham Website: https://wa7ewc.wordpress.com My real computer is an iMac. 35