Transcript PSK-31 - Ole Virginia Hams Amateur Radio Club

PSK31 – A Popular Digital Mode
Presentation to the
Ole Virginia Hams
Amateur Radio Class
by
Karl W4KRL
March 18, 2006
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What is PSK31?
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It is a digital mode using a computer keyboard
It is “real time” – other stations see your typing
immediately
Enables live contacts between two or more
hams
It works great with low power, simple
antennas, and bad conditions
It is cheap and easy to connect your rig to a
computer - great software is cheap or free
It is a fun way to make contacts around the
world at practically any time of the day
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PSK31 Details
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“PSK” Phase Shift Keying modulates the phase of a
carrier. ''31'' is the baud rate of the PSK31 signal.
Developed by Peter Martinez G3PLX in the 90’s
Initially required expensive, complex hardware.
Took off in the spring of 1999 with soundcard software.
Another boost with panoramic tuning.
Uses ‘varicode’ to speed up transmission: Frequently
used characters are shorter than others.
50 words per minute is normal typing speed.
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Typical PSK31 Station
Simple
Antenna
HF
Transceiver
Personal
Computer
PSK31
Software
Soundcard
Interface
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Commercial Hardware
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RigBlaster – www.westmountainradio.com
RASCAL – www.buxcomm.com
MFJ1273/6/9 – www.mfjenterprises.com
DigiMaster (USB & rig control) – http://g4zlp.co.uk
Donner’s - home.att.net/~n8st/
EZ-PSK – www.hamstop.com
RigExpert – www.mixw.net/hardcon.htm
PSKMeter - www.ssiserver.com/info/pskmeter
PSK-series Transceivers www.smallwonderlabs.com
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Homebrew Interface
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PSK31 Software
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Freeware
DigiPan – www.digipan.net
 HamScope - www.qsl.net/hamscope
 Ham Radio Deluxe – hrd.ham-radio.ch
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Commercial
MixW – www.mixw.net
 TrueTTY – www.dxsoft.com
 RCKRtty – www.rckrtty.de
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Where to find PKS31:
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HF (High Frequency) PSK frequencies:
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160 meters
80 meters
40 meters
30 meters
20 meters
17 meters
15 meters
10 meters
6 meters
2 meters
- 1.838
- 3.580
- 7.035
- 10.140
- 14.070 The place to start!
- 18.100
- 21.080
- 28.120
- 50.290
- 144.144
Operation is typically Upper Side Band (USB) mode.
Frequencies range from the lower frequency, upward by three (3) kHz.
In theory, a hundred PSK31 signals fit into the same spectrum as one
SSB signal might occupy.
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Other Digital Modes
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Morse Code (CW) – When All Else Fails
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Radio Teletype (RTTY)
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Hardcore hardware – now much easier
Difficult to tune, no lower case letters
Packet – Not dead yet
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The first digital mode
Very simple equipment
Can be read by ear
Store and forward – no live contacts
APRS – Automatic Position Reporting System
Soundcard Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Revolution
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A simple path to nearly all digital modes
If you’ve got it – use it
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More Digital Modes
Hellschreiber
 AMTOR, Throb, Clover…
 Slow Scan Television (SSTV)
 PACTOR and WinLink
 Digital Radio Mondiale
 “HF Digital Handbook” ARRL
 ARRL HF Digital Communications
Course (EC-005)
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PSK31 in Action
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Thank You!
Good luck with your course.
 See you on the air!
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