Posted: 7/17/2007 8:56:35 PM EDT
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I would like to learn how to use my laptop and psk31 hardware to make HAM contacts. Could someone brief me, a small synopsis will do. What do I need to buy and what will work with my Yaesu FT840 and a laptop? Also, I would like to know if some frequencies are better and how this will help making contacts during a SHTF. THX |
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You can make your own interface (the schematic is all over the web) or buy one. I baought the Rigblaster Plug and Play. I use Digipan on the software side. Once you get the settings right it is really easy. It is even easier if you use the data jack on the back of your transceiver as all the outputs are line level. From there I usually hang out on 14.070 USB. There is always activity there. All digital HF is USB. You can also try 7.070-7.072. ETA: I'm running an Icom 706mk2G with the Rigblaster P&P into a Dell laptop. |
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Slasher, I just got PSK31 up and running over the weekend and made my first contact (with a guy in AL!). PM me if you have questions or to setup a QSO once you get going. 73 ETA: I was in a hurry to get out the door earlier. Now that I'm at work I have time for a more expansive answer  .The digital modes use a computer sound card to analyze signals received by an HF radio and to generate signals to be transmitted by it. To use them you need to connect the output of your sound card to an analog input on the radio (microphone or accessory input) and an input on the sound card to a source of audio from the radio (external speaker or accessory output). In addition, your computer needs to be able to "key the mike" so that it can initiate a transmission. This is accomplished by either interfacing to the PTT input in the mike connector or to a similar input on an accessory connector. As the earlier poster mentioned there are typically two approaches to doing this. You can either build a cable yourself -- it's simple and there are schematics on the Net -- or you can buy a ready-made product like West Mountain Radio's RigBlaster which is basically a sound card that plugs into a USB port. I went the route of building a cable that uses the PTT/audio out/audio in signals available in the accessory connector on the back of my IC-718 so that I wouldn't have to unplug my mike and external speaker. YMMV. Once you have the hardware interface taken care of you need software to make it all go. A lot of people use Digipan which I've heard is good. I got turned onto Ham Radio Deluxe, an amazing **FREE** program that controls your radio via a serial port. It comes with another program called PSK31 Deluxe which I have a little experience with -- it works well. Hope this helps. |
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This thread might be of help: the PSK zombie thread (it just won't die) It has been cut & pasted so many times, that it may be kinda rambling... But hey, it's free.. |
I tried my PnP for the first time last night and came up empty. What's interesting is that I wasn't hearing anything from the radio in my headphones. I tried the sample PSK file on the WMR CD and it came through so I know the sound was making it from the laptop, into the PnP, and back out to the phones. Not sure why I didn't get anything from the rig though. I've got mine plugged into the data jack on the back of my 718. I'm going to re-read the PnP manual for the umpteenth time and go back through the 718 manual.
I tried both of these and didn't hear much of anything. 
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Either the band was totally dead, or there is something amiss. Amongst the certainties of ham radio (ie. mentally ill people on 14.275, SSTV on 14.230, etc..) is that if you can't hear anything on 14.070, then the band must be totally dead. Some computer soundcard software is easier to adjust than others. My current computer is quite confusing. Very easy to adjust the wrong thing, preventing the soundcard from hearing anything. |
During the hour or so I've monitored the 3 kHz around 14.070 it seemed like there were always at least 4-5 QSOs in progress. |
I'm thinking I have something wrong. I didn't hear anything. I heard noise at least through the rig speaker but the phones were silent until I played the mp3 file.
I'll run through my soundcard settings again to see if that helps. |
It took about a whole day of screwing around with the settings. If you Are using the jack on the back of the radio the only thing that should be variable is on the computer end. Make sure the correct com port is selected. With the P&P it will set up a COM Emulator through the USB port. I think my Dell named this port COM4. Odd about no receiving. I have never NOT heard any PSK on 20m. Screw all the apps on the CD, only install the P&P driver. Just download and install Digipan 2.0. It was a whole lot easier to get working than MultiPSK. |
Yes, I've got the data cable going from the PnP to the accessory jack of the 718. I played around just a little before the YL and kid got home. Mine is set as COM7 and I've got that set in Digipan. I did Tx via Digipan and verified that I hear the Tx side through the headphones. I still don't hear any Rx noise though. However, I did notice that while Digipan is transmitting, I don't see any change on the radio display. I set it to ALC to make sure the level was ok and it's like I'm not doing anything. It's almost like the PnP is only letting certain things through. I also noticed that I managed to get the waterfall to stop running but I'm not sure how/why.
I fiddled around both 7.070 and 14.070 and only occasionally heard what sounded like PSK. Am I correct that the mode should be set to RTTY? If I have it set to LSB/USB I don't hear anything.
I'm using Digipan 2. I won't be able to fiddle much with it until Friday but I'll let you know how I fare. Thx. |
Well, that is a problem right there. RTTY is traditionally used only on LSB, even on 20 meters. Usually, the only adjustments I have to make when setting up PSK is the microphone input level. If you are keying the radio, but showing no power out, then you still got your settings wrong on your computer. At least, I think so. |
It is NOT keying the radio. This will either be related to the DATA plug itself not making the correct contact in the socket (I had this problem) or if the TX LED on the P&P is not lit the USB/COM port/software is the problem.
This is a new one on me. Does this only happen when you TX? If so that is normal.
No, should be set to USB.
Let me know I will see if I can send you some transmissions. I should be able to get to you pretty good since you are probably right inside my first skip. I always seem to hear FL and TX, nothing closer. ETA: I will be able to get on the air at 0030 Eastern 07/19 if you want to wait up. |
BTW, the excellent PSK DELUXE software package mentioned in GySgtD's thread has been revised, and rolled in a more comprehensive package called HAM RADIO DELUXE - still excellent, and still available for free. |
I did notice that if the CW light was lit (not sure what I did to do that) than the PTT light would also when I hit Tx. I'll double check the data cable again.
I'll have to see if I can duplicate it but it didn't matter whether I was transmitting or receiving.
Roger.
Thanks. I might be up. I'll post here if I am. |
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If you really want the most simply setup (KISS), get the tigertronics SignaLink USB. It has great reviews on eham.net. Eham.net also has info on getting up and running on PSK31. There are dedicated PSK31 frequencies. Here are some links to help you get started: Info on PSK31 - http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/psk31.html TigerTronics SignaLink USB - http://www.tigertronics.com/ Eham.net - http://www.eham.net 73! |
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I doubt it...just the USB version is in high demand...glad to hear it's down to 6 weeks, I must have waited 8 or 9 weeks for mine! Worth it though, 1st class and solidly built. Here's a link to the user reviews on eHam.net: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6395 |