Posted: 7/7/2009 8:20:46 PM EDT
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So I went to field day this year and ended up helping another ham set up a new signalink usb so that he could work psk31. I am hooked, have ordered my signalink usb and it should arrive next week. wanting to learn more about this mode.
I have an old Katronics KPC3? does anybody still use these? I have not use it in 15 years ? before the internet, not even sure how to or what programs would work with it? |
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An excellent explainer of the more popular digital modes is here:
http://www.w1hkj.com/FldigiHelp/Modes/index.htm PSK31 is the most popular. Short QSOs for DX awards are the norm. Olivia is probably the next most popular. You can get decoding now just by putting a radio headset next to your computer microphone. Hot spots for activity include 3583, 7070, 10140 and 14070. 20M is usually hopping around 22Z. The simplest way to get started is to use the VOX keying feature of the Signalink and Fldigi software. More complicated and probably most popular is Ham Radio Deluxe. Both are free. You will eventually want to have the software control the radio. For that you'll need a computer-radio interface like a "Rigtalk" or similar product. Digital modes use the same prosigns as CW, e.g. "k" means "over". Most likely almost nothing has changed that way since you were using packet. Don't know much about packet but you do still hear it on the air quite a bit. Digital or "sound card" modes are popular because almost everyone with a radio has a PC, the software is free, rolling your own interface is cheap and operating is simple. It is also less disconcerting on weak contacts to see dropped characters rather than screaming repeatedly into the microphone or banging away furiously on the key. Finally it's easy to make contacts as you can often see 20 PSK signals at a time on the display on 20M. |
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I think you'll really like the SL. I got one earlier this year after having nothing but trouble with my Rigblaster Plug & Pray and getting shitty support from WMR. I wish I'd started with the SL. I love not having to screw with my PC soundcard settings. That Kantronics is a POS dinosaur. I'll IM my address and you can send it to me.
Quoted:
PSK31 is the most popular. Short QSOs for DX awards are the norm. Olivia is probably the next most popular. You can get decoding now just by putting a radio headset next to your computer microphone. Hot spots for activity include 3583, 7070, 10140 and 14070. 20M is usually hopping around 22Z. PSK31 is very popular and 20M has really been hopping lately. I haven't seen much activity on 40M for some reason outside of Field Day. Olivia is cool too. Even playing around with Hell. The simplest way to get started is to use the VOX keying feature of the Signalink and Fldigi software. More complicated and probably most popular is Ham Radio Deluxe. Both are free. You will eventually want to have the software control the radio. For that you'll need a computer-radio interface like a "Rigtalk" or similar product. I'll give high marks to HRD. I haven't downloaded v5 yet but it looks like it's got some cool new features. Of course there are still parts that need work. I don't think it's necessary to go to the expense of the Rigtalk. Digital modes use the same prosigns as CW, e.g. "k" means "over". Most likely almost nothing has changed that way since you were using packet. I bet you can find a cable from ZLP Electronics for a lot less that'll give you rig control. I think I paid $20 or so for my first one and then I bought another for a little more when I decided I wanted CW keying as well. Even though they're in the UK shipping was very fast. |
I've been running HRD v5 since it came out on Saturday. The QRZ.com lookup, log auto-populate and auto-eQSL.com features are ridiculously good. It's like cheating. I feel compelled to not call it a real QSO unless I actually copy name, QTH and locator even though as soon as I put the callsign into the log I get all that automagically. I definitely don't miss filling out QSO cards! 
Decode seems smoother and faster in all modes than v4. The darn thing is as complex and deep as ever, though. I feel like I need at least 3 screens to really run it at its full potential! I still submit that fldigi is the way to start. The simplicity of it compare to HRD and all that. All you need to do is set up the macros the way you want, blow off radio control and twist the knobs manually. The only downside is that you have to go back and put the freq's manually into the log. However once you get the hang of it you definitely want to add radio control, whether it's fldigi or HRD. The primary reason for this is that when you see a signal you want to center it in the passband using the "C" or "QSY" button then pop the narrowest filter you've got on for that mode. Then you don't have to worry as much about some honking signal elsewhere on a 3KHz passband messing with your QSO. I also set up that way when I call CQ. Of course with radio control you get a lot of other nice features also. |
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Quoted:
I've been running HRD v5 since it came out on Saturday. The QRZ.com lookup, log auto-populate and auto-eQSL.com features are ridiculously good. It's like cheating. I feel compelled to not call it a real QSO unless I actually copy name, QTH and locator even though as soon as I put the callsign into the log I get all that automagically. I definitely don't miss filling out QSO cards!
Decode seems smoother and faster in all modes than v4. The darn thing is as complex and deep as ever, though. I feel like I need at least 3 screens to really run it at its full potential! Glad to hear it. Interesting that the logbook is now separate also. I've had problems in the past with the QRZ lookups not working right. I think it worked for me in 3 and stopped in 4. Then parts came back with a later release of 4. Will both versions run on the same machine or will it hose things? I still submit that fldigi is the way to start. The simplicity of it compare to HRD and all that. I need to try it again. I haven't played with it since I got my SL. I really want to play with NBEMS though. All you need to do is set up the macros the way you want, blow off radio control and twist the knobs manually. The only downside is that you have to go back and put the freq's manually into the log.
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I have HRD downloaded and have looked around with it. I downloaded Digapan tonight and look forward to trying it our.. now just the waiting for the SL?
Still will probably try and get my KPC3 up and running. What program do you suggest to use with it? I have to confess I have not used it in 15 years so I cant even remember how to, but have all the documentation just no programs |