Posted: 12/12/2012 2:54:28 PM EDT
Ok I want it all  I want a very versatile (lots of modes) and easy to use software. I stumbled on to Fldigi and when I hooked up my freshly delivered tigertronics interface I was able to RX and TX into a dummy load. Is this the best software to use? I know it does not have one mode that I want to use JT65hf, but I understand that it is a stand alone program.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Ok, so I used FLDIGI tonight. I made a contact with mexico XE1/AA0AA 5 watts. It made me laugh because I have Mexico confirmed 160m-6m. and I was exited. So I guess I got the darn thing to work. I only opened the instruction manual to figure out where the jumpers go. It was fun, but weirdly like text messaging. |
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Quoted: Ok, so I used FLDIGI tonight. I made a contact with mexico XE1/AA0AA 5 watts. It made me laugh because I have Mexico confirmed 160m-6m. and I was exited. So I guess I got the darn thing to work. I only opened the instruction manual to figure out where the jumpers go. It was fun, but weirdly like text messaging. Take a $1500 radio, $1000 laptop, $500 in other junk, string it all together and end up with... A $3000, 32-baud wireless modem! |
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Ok, so I used FLDIGI tonight. I made a contact with mexico XE1/AA0AA 5 watts. It made me laugh because I have Mexico confirmed 160m-6m. and I was exited. So I guess I got the darn thing to work. I only opened the instruction manual to figure out where the jumpers go. It was fun, but weirdly like text messaging. Take a $1500 radio, $1000 laptop, $500 in other junk, string it all together and end up with... A $3000, 32-baud wireless modem! Looking at it like that... Damn. I have a really expensive modem. My FT-2000D cost more than the example modem. Now I feel like a dope 
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The four most popular digital mode programs are probably DM780 (part of the Ham Radio Deluxe--HRD--suite of programs), Fldigi, MixW and MultiPSK.
HRD/DM780 is extremely complex and feature rich. It is still free but not for long. Download a copy to have around for later. MixW is very highly regarded but is not free. MultiPSK is extremely capable but the interface is a psychedelic nightmare. Also, some of the more advanced functions require a shareware payment. Fldigi is probably the best combination of simplicity and capability. It is 100% free. I recommend Fldigi. It will run 99% of the modes out there and will keep you happy and busy for quite a while. It even has automatic eQSL upload now. |
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I've used DM780 since day one. Tinkered with the others but keep going back to DM780. Probably because I know it inside and out.
As for JT65-HF you pretty much are going to use a standalone program from IZ4CZL. Once set up it's boringly easy to make QSOs. JT65 is about as exciting as watching paint dry but the more you putz with it the more you are impressed with its weak signal capabilities. Many DX stations who have less than stellar antenna setups are finding out about the mode and are getting on. Just this morning T6 Afghanistan was on 20m. Hell of a pileup trying to work him. 25w with any kind of semi-decent path will do you. 5w will get you the lower 48 of the USA if the band is open. Know of one dude who has used the mode exclusively for a year and has WAS from all bands from 160 to 10. He's now working on 6m and doing WAS all over again except doing it QRP. Myself a few others are doing trials on 6m and 2m. Mostly as an easier alternative to the rather difficult to understand interface of WSJT. Have had some success on 6m but yet to get a QSO on 2m. |
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I've used DM780 since day one. Tinkered with the others but keep going back to DM780. Probably because I know it inside and out. As for JT65-HF you pretty much are going to use a standalone program from IZ4CZL. Once set up it's boringly easy to make QSOs. JT65 is about as exciting as watching paint dry but the more you putz with it the more you are impressed with its weak signal capabilities. Many DX stations who have less than stellar antenna setups are finding out about the mode and are getting on. Just this morning T6 Afghanistan was on 20m. Hell of a pileup trying to work him. 25w with any kind of semi-decent path will do you. 5w will get you the lower 48 of the USA if the band is open. Know of one dude who has used the mode exclusively for a year and has WAS from all bands from 160 to 10. He's now working on 6m and doing WAS all over again except doing it QRP. Myself a few others are doing trials on 6m and 2m. Mostly as an easier alternative to the rather difficult to understand interface of WSJT. Have had some success on 6m but yet to get a QSO on 2m. Boringly easy is fine with me. There is really nothing easy about doing 160m DX. I have made it as far as Chile on 160m CW with 200w. I am sure JT-65 will give me the extra I need to get into eastern Europe
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Ok, so I used FLDIGI tonight. I made a contact with mexico XE1/AA0AA 5 watts. It made me laugh because I have Mexico confirmed 160m-6m. and I was exited. So I guess I got the darn thing to work. I only opened the instruction manual to figure out where the jumpers go. It was fun, but weirdly like text messaging. Take a $1500 radio, $1000 laptop, $500 in other junk, string it all together and end up with... A $3000, 32-baud wireless modem! Well since you put it that way...... |