Posted: 12/16/2008 2:56:28 PM EDT
| So is there anyone in the SF that is into digtal HF? I have messed with PSK31, but I am curious if there are people out there using HF packet...stuff like pactor? |
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So is there anyone in the SF that is into digtal HF? I have messed with PSK31, but I am curious if there are people out there using HF packet...stuff like pactor? i do PSK31 via HRD/DM780. want to try it out? from ME to NJ should not be a problem if we can pick the right night for it. http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/Programs/DigitalMaster780/tabid/89/Default.aspx ar-jedi |
I used to be into HF packet in the early 90's and was wondering the same thing. I was also into rtty for a while. I read last night on QRZ that HF packet is alive in Ohio(where I'm from originally) and used to forward mail and NTS traffic. I always liked packet, HF/VHF and wondered why it pretty much died...
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Well I do not have the setup yet. I was looking at signalink by tigertronics I like the idea of the usb support. I will keep you mind for when I get up and running, surely the trip from ME to NJ should be easy enough.
I remember back in the mid 90's when I first got my ticket, packet was still big. It was kinda fun, the local BBS was like and old school craigslist. I bought radio stuff, and even milsurp at times. But internet pretty much wiped out vhf packet. The only thing that appeals to me about VHF digital is these stations that get you into the winlink network. HF packet looked interesting this signalink will get me started to see if I like it. Ham radio has always been something fun for me, but I've always figured incase our telcom networks really get disrupted it sure would be nice to poke my head up and see whats going on out there. |
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Quoted:
Well I do not have the setup yet. I was looking at signalink by tigertronics I like the idea of the usb support. I will keep you mind for when I get up and running, surely the trip from ME to NJ should be easy enough. i have the Signalink USB and it is a very good unit. it really is the easiest and most straightforward approach to getting any kind of digital mode in and out of a HF rig. the USB powered Signalink also keeps the number of cables needed to a minimum. Quoted:
I remember back in the mid 90's when I first got my ticket, packet was still big. It was kinda fun, the local BBS was like and old school craigslist. I bought radio stuff, and even milsurp at times. But internet pretty much wiped out vhf packet. The only thing that appeals to me about VHF digital is these stations that get you into the winlink network. the internet did kill off VHF packet. i was also very much into packet in the early 1990's as well –– in fact i was posting using netnews via a UUCP feed over a KA9Q-enabled TCP/IP link with a KISS-enabled MFJ1270B TNC and a homemade 56K GRAPES/WA4DSY modem feeding a 440MHz transverter. that ought to bring back some memories! Quoted:
HF packet looked interesting this signalink will get me started to see if I like it. PSK31 really isn't packet, per se. PSK31 is a very, very, very low bandwidth method of weak-signal "IM-ing". you can literally get very good copy out of signal that you can't even discern from the background noise. and, the "waterfall" display (a la the Matrix movies) is a truly innovative way of tuning around the various PSK31 QSO's. Quoted:
Ham radio has always been something fun for me, but I've always figured incase our telcom networks really get disrupted it sure would be nice to poke my head up and see whats going on out there. http://losdos.dyndns.org:8080/public/verizon-CO-NYC-13sep2001/ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html ar-jedi |
| There is a local pactor group but I have not looked much into it. There is a larger Winlink group also and one of the members is going to send me some info on what they are doing. I have been hearing quite a bit of positive comments on WSPR as a alternitave to PSK31. Either are much better than voice for communicating with less than stellar band conditions. Here is a link for WSPR. I am curious if anyone else is running it. |
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interesting arcticle ar-jedi!
I knew that psk31 was not packet, I was just kinda lumping it in, even though it wasnt technicaly right. I think if things go well with PSK31 I am going to look into expanding my digital capabilities. I like knowing that I can still pass data/messages with packet...hf or digital, is a mode that I would like to have. It would be fun to be able to converse with other SF folk on their too! This WSPR stuff, if I undertand it. It seems to beacon a digital signal, and then reports its results online to show where the propagation is? Do I have this correct? Almost kinda of like automaticly getting signal reports from other stations? |
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I'm also doing alot with PSK31 and the Signalink USB. At this point if the internet isn't available I'll skip the whole digital packet thing. I'll take that a step farther by saying if the internet isn't available probably not much else will be either so I really don't regard packet as a backup plan.
PSK will do everything that I need. I've made some amazing contacts with 30W of power under some terrible band conditions. PSK seems to be very efficient and some of the conversations I've had with people are among the best I've had on ham radio. The other nice thing about PSK is it very much resembles instant chat so at a basic level there is familiarity. Good luck, I'm in Maine also, feel free to IM me if you need some help in the future. |
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I use digital modes extensively for Army MARS comms. We use Pactor with Airmail for PMBO comms. This allows us to send e-mail and e-mail attachments over HF.
In an EMCOMS siuation, most served agencies depend on e-mail. It's what they are used to. If there is no Internet availablity, they can log onto my wireless LAN and forward their eomms to me. I then send their e-mail to the destination via HF radio using Airmail over Pactor. It's really the shiz. I've even sent a fairly large powerpoint presentation as an attachment and it was 100% intact upon receipt. We can also receive e-mail messages then send them directly to the recipient's laptop via a portable LAN. 
I also use MT-63 and Olivia for NVIS portable comms out of deployment zones. Both are exceptional forward error correcting modes. They also run well from a program called MixW. If I can be of any assistance, IM me. |