Hello to all,
As said by Bonnie, Multipsk proposes now some basic ALE functions, but not in
the official version (which is still 4.1.2). For instance, it is only under a
test version.
For the Hams interested by testing ALE, Unproto or ARQ FAE, here is the
original test message.
73
Patrick
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
Hello to all,
For the ones interested by the MIL-STD-188-141A mode (ALE), I have finished the
coding/decoding of this mode. Not all ALE functions are present but the basic
ones (AMD messages).
I have also added two new modes (under the same "141A" mode): an Unproto mode
(to do QSO as in PSK31) and an ARQ mode (fast, error-free and 8 bits).
So I propose to do tests in all these different modes, as usual.
Here is the message that I'm going to send to Yahoo groups when I will have
finished. It abstracts the differents possible configurations.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Decoding/coding of the MIL-STD-188-141A mode and more.
Multipsk proposes a sub-set of ALE functions. However, it exists other ALE
functions and also other mode (i.e MIL-STD-188-110). But Multipsk gives several
additional functions compared to the FS 1045A specifications, as, for example,
the Unproto mode which permit to work as in PSK31, or the ARQ FAE mode which
permits QSO fast and error-free.
Here is a list of the different ways to use this mode:
* Sounding (button "Sounding (TI)") with THIS IS preamble: you signal your
presence and will accept a call (and, hence, an automatic link) from a
responder.
* Sounding (button "Sounding (TW)") with THIS WAS preamble: you signal your
presence but don't accept a call from a responder.
* Reversely, you decode a sounding with a THIS IS preamble or an "Anycall",
global or selective, you decide to call the station (button "Answer to RX") and
so you establish an automatic link.
* Individual Call (button "Call" + callsign in the combobox) to establish an
automatic link with a precise Ham station, the transmitted message being stored
in the radio-mail (button "Mail").
* Reversely you can be called and alerted (alert for licencied versions, only)
by this individual call, the received message being stored in the radio-mail
(button "Mail").
* Collective call to a local net (button "Call" + net adress in the combobox)
to establish an automatic link with several Ham stations, the possible
transmitted message being stored in the radio-mail (button "Mail").
* Reversely you can be called and alerted (alert for licencied versions, only)
by this net call, the possible received message being stored in the radio-mail
(button "Mail").
* Automatic scanning (buttons "Scan" and "Stop") of several frequencies until
being alerted on reception either a valid frame or your own call, according to
the selected option (for licencied versions, only).
* Unproto ("without protocol") communication (buttons "RX" and "TX"). You
manage the QSO as in PSK31 or MFSK16... and you know how you are received by
the other Ham (through the LQA: BER and SINAD).
* Unproto beacon (button "Beacon"), transmitted with the LQA, so as to give
possibility to the other Hams to know how they are received by your beacon.
* ARQ FAE communication. You manage the QSO as in PSK31 or MFSK16, but in this
case it is an ARQ mode (not a FEC mode as in Unproto). There is no error in the
transmission, each frame being acknowledged. It is a fast and relatively
sensitive "full-duplex" exchange mode.
Some ALE frequencies: 3617, 7040.5, 14109.5, 21117.5 KHz
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
PSE, see the specifications at the end of this message.
This test version in a ZIP test package is available in my site
http://f6cte.free.fr/MULTIPSK_TEST_19_02_2007.ZIP
It contains the Multipsk test version, the help files (in English and French)
and the specifications (in English) of the ARQ FAE mode.
Create a tempory folder (C:/TEST, for example), unzip the files in it and start
C:\TEST\TEST\Multipsk.exe (the auxiliary files will be created automatically).
You could prefix your transmission with an ID video or a RS ID as for an other
mode. Prefer the RS ID as it is much more sensitive that the Video ID and
allows an automatic tuning.
In ARQ FAE, use the RS ID only for the CQ (not along the QSO) and, once the
link done with another Ham, stop it!
For the contextual help, click on the right button of the mouse, with the focus
over the mode button "141A" (for example).
Use also the button hints (wait a fraction of second over a button).
For the European Hams, I propose 3617 KHz USB this saturday at 21h00 UTC. I
call (during one quarter of hour) in Unproto. During the test, in case of
problem (loss of transmission), the "emergency mode" will be PSK10 (which is
the more sensitive and the most easy to see and to tune).
We will try sounding, call (with AMD messages), Unproto, ARQ FAE, beacon...
If 3617 Khz is not free let's say 3614 then 3611, 3608, 3605 or 3602 KHz.
Note: the band between 3600 to 3620 Khz is available in Europ for that type of
wide band transmissions.
Other skeds are welcome...
Let's say that the end of this first test period will be the 03/03/2007.
For the test, here is the "Louise text"
LOUISE AND PHILIP PLAN TO VISIT WASHINGTON, DC. THEY ARE GETTING ADVICE FROM A
TRAVEL AGENT ON THE BEST WAY TO GO. LOUISE PREFERS A SCENIC OVERLAND TRIP TO
THE AIRPLANE. ON THE OTHER HAND, SHE FEELS DISCOMFORT OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER ON
THE BUS OR THE TRAIN.
AND RENTING A CAR IS OUT OF THE QUESTION SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL
DRIVER'S LICENCE. JUST AS THEY MAKE UP THEIR MINDS TO TAKE THE BUS, NANCY TURNS
UP AND SOON HAS ONE OF HER BRAINSTORMS...
Note: the standard mode (+ Unproto) permits messages in ASCII 7 bits (English).
ARQ FAE permits exchange in ASCII/ANSI 8 bits (English, French, German,
Russian...) but not ideograms (Japonese).
73
Patrick
MIL-STD-188-141A ("141A")
+ Unproto + ARQ FAE
Standard mode
Description (standard):
Baud rate : 125 bauds
Speed : about 76 wpm
Modulation : FSK 8 tones (3 bits)
Reception mode: only one side (USB or LSB), USB is recommended
Character set : ASCII characters
Shape of pulse : rectangular
Space between tones : 250 Hz,
Bandwidth : 2000 Hz,
Demodulation : non-coherent,
Synchronization: automatic using the signal
Coding : Golay and average on 3 frames (with a 2/3 voting logic)
Interleaving : yes (within a block of 48 bits)
Drift tolerance : 10 à 20 Hz/mn according to signal-to-noise ratio,
Pmean/Ppeak : 1
Lowest S/N : -4 dB
Note: pieces of information about this mode can be found on the FS-1045A
specification ("Telecommunications: HF radio Automatic Link Establishment") and
in the WEB sites:
* http://www.hflink.com/beta/ (PCALE software, Charles Brain G4GUO)
* http://www.n2ckh.com/MARS_ALE_FORUM/ (MARS-ALE software, Steve Hajducek
N2CKH/AAR2EY)
Before each frame, it is transmitted 12 symbols, alternately on the lowest
frequency and then on the highest frequency, so for a duration of about 0.1
second (12/125 s). This is aimed to permit the symbol synchronization just
before the frame reception. This does not exist within the FS-1045A
specification:
Unproto mode
It is proposed an Unproto (for "without protocol") mode. For this, special
frames are transmitted. They contain the necessary information and don't obey
to any protocol. Each frame is formed in the following way:
a) the information LQA (BER+SINAD) corresponding to the last received frame,
transmitted according to the FS-1045 specification,
b) the preamble "COMMAND" followed by CHR(0) and by the ASCII message (CHR(0)
to CHR(127)), transmitted according to the FS-1045 specification. As soon as,
at least, one character is present in the editor, this command is formed. It
can't be transmitted more than 32 characters by frame.
If there is no character to transmit, this command is not transmitted. So, it
will remain the LQA and the preamble THIS WAS followed by the call. This small
frame will be the idling frame.
c) the preamble THIS WAS followed by the call, transmitted according to the
FS-1045 specification.
Advantages: this mode permits to work as in PSK31, the transmission and the
reception being freely done by the Hams. There is no previous connection
(link). The systematically transmitted LQA permits to each Ham to know, at any
moment, how he is received by the other Ham.
"Unproto" beacon: it is proposed a beacon working (TX then RX, alternately),
which in TX, transmits according to the Unproto mode previously defined. The
advantage of this beacon is that it will be enough to a Ham to transmit an
Unproto frame between the Unproto frames from the beacon, to know how it is
received by the beacon (thanks to the LQA).
ARQ FAE mode
This new ARQ mode is located, for the modulation, between the FS1045A DTM and
DBM ARQ modes. For the protocol it is located between the FS1045A DTM and DBM
modes and PAX/PAX2 modes.
"ARQ" is worth for "Automatic Repetition reQuest" and "FAE" for "Fast
Acknowledged Exchange".
It is a bilateral mode, which means that messages can be transmitted from A to
B and from B to A, in full duplex (protocol one, not physical one). The ACK or
NAK answer can be accompanied or not by a message (as in PAX/PAX2).
The characters exchanged are 8 bits length so as to permit exchange in all
ASCII-ANSI languages (English, French, German, Russian...), but not those with
ideograms (as Japonese).
Contrary to DBM mode, the length of the frame is variable and depends of the
message length (as in DTM mode). But as DBM mode, the blocks are not
redundantly repeated and there is a global message interleaving (but with a
variable ID).
ARQ FAE modulation description:
Baud rate : 125
Rough speed : maximum: 148 wpm (for 30 characters length message) or 184 wpm
(for 63 characters length message)
Use speed : maximum in unilateral: 88 wpm (for 30 characters length message)
and 125 wpm (for 63 characters length message)
: maximum in bilateral: 120 wpm (for 30 characters length message) and 164 wpm
(for 63 characters length message)
Modulation : FSK 8 tones (3 bits)
Reception mode: only one side (USB or LSB), USB is recommended
Character set : ASCII +ANSI characters (8 bits)
Shape of pulse : rectangular
Space between tones : 250 Hz,
Bandwidth : 2000 Hz,
Demodulation : non-coherent,
Synchronization: automatic using the signal
Coding : Golay
Interleaving : yes (global within a block of data (message + CRC))
Drift tolerance : 10 to 20 Hz/mn according to signal-to-noise ratio,
Pmean/Ppeak : 1
Lowest S/N : - 6.5 dB
*********************************************************************************************************************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: expeditionradio
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 5:50 AM
Subject: [digitalradio] ALE with MULTIPSK
HFLINK welcomes all MULTIPSK users to ham radio ALE operation.
For the past 7 years, a global network of ALE Ham Operators has
been growing. The purpose of the network is to enable ordinary
Voice, Text, or Data QSOs in any mode.
The ham radio ALE network is live 24/7/365 for QSOs or Propagation
Testing. It is on hot-standby for Emergency/Relief Communications.
We invite all operators to participate and enjoy QSOs using ALE.
At first, ALE and its protocols may seem complex, but it is well
worth the initial learning curve. The ALE network is really a
framework for many sub-networks or individual hams to operate.
ALE has become the built-in standard in commercial HF transceivers
for initiating communications. Many hams are using these ALE HF
transceivers on the ham bands. For ALE to function to its full
potential, fixed frequencies called "ALE channels" are used. All
the ALE channels are USB Upper Sideband and listed by USB dial
frequency (VFO frequency). ALE initiates QSOs in any mode.
In ham radio, the ALE channels have been frequency-coordinated
with the 3 IARU regions. This makes it possible for hams to
establish communications internationally via ALE, and for inter-
operation between hams and other emergency services.
Please see the ham radio ALE channel list attached below.
Everyone is invited to use these established ALE channels.
All operators interested in ALE are invited to join HFLINK group.
http://hflink.com
We are looking forward to linking up with you!
73---Bonnie KQ6XA
HFLINK Founder
HFLINK is an international resource for radio operators using ALE
Automatic Link Establishment and Selcall Selective Calling; for the
development of communications for organisations, Emergency / Relief
communications networks; for the development of ALE operating methods
applicable to Amateur Radio Service; for High Speed and Robust HF
Communications, and Ionospheric Propagation Systems. HFLINK is the
Frequency and Address Coordination group for International Amateur
Radio Automatic Link Establishment and Selective Calling.
More info: HFLINK WEBSITE <http://hflink.com>
http://hflink.com
==INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO ALE CHANNEL LIST 2007==
CH# FREQ kHz SIDEBAND COMM USE DESCRIPTION
01-1806.0 USB VOICE/DATA IARU R2,3 (Sounding R2,3)
02-1840.5 USB VOICE/DATA IARU R1 (Sounding R1)
03-1845.0 USB VOICE/DATA IARU R1,2,3
04-1996.0 USB VOICE/DATA IARU R1,2,3
05-3596.0 USB DATA/VOICE IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R2)
06-3617.0 USB DATA/VOICE IARU R1,3 (Sounding R1)
07-3626.0 USB DATA/VOICE IARU R1 (Sounding R3)
08-3791.0 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS=
09-3996.0 USB VOICE IARU R2
10-5371.5 USB VOICE IARU R1,3 (Emergency R2*)
11-5403.5 USB VOICE IARU R1,3 (Emergency R2*)
12-7030.5 USB DATA IARU R3 Asia (Sounding R3)
13-7040.5 USB DATA IARU R1 (Sounding R1)
14-7065.0 USB DATA/VOICE IARU R1,3
15-7102.0 USB DATA/VOICE IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R2)
16-7185.5 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
17-7296.0 USB VOICE IARU R2,3
18-10136.5 USB DATA/VOICE IARU R1,2,3
19-10145.5 USB DATA =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS(Sounding R1,2,3)
20-14100.5 USB DATA IARU R1,2,3
21-14109.5 USB DATA =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS(Sounding R1,2,3)
22-14342.5 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
23-14346.0 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
24-18106.0 USB DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R2,3)
25-18117.5 USB VOICE/DATA =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS(SoundingR1)
26-18157.5 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
27-21117.5 USB DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R1,3)
28-21157.5 USB DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R2)
29-21437.5 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
30-24926.0 USB DATA IARU R1,2,2 (Sounding R1,2,3)
31-24977.5 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
32-28117.5 USB DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R1)
33-28146.0 USB DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R2,3)
34-28327.5 USB VOICE =COMMON ALL IARU REGIONS
35-50162.5 USB VOICE/DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R1,2,3)
36-144162.5 USB VOICE/DATA IARU R1,2,3 (Sounding R1,2,3)
Note 1 Amateur Radio ALE Upper Sideband Standard
All Amateur Radio ALE channels use "USB" Upper SideBand.
USB Dial Frequency (VFO Frequency) is listed.
USB conforms to international standards for ALE, and
enables compatibility with commercial transceivers, and
interoperability with other services and organisations.
Note 2 Amateur Radio ALE Channel Use
The ALE list is designed for international, regional, and local
use in the Amateur Radio service. All channels are subject to
the different rules, regulations, and bandplans of the region
and local country of operation. It is the responsibility of
every operator to maintain the highest technical standards for
all transmissions. Some channels or modes in the list may not
be available in every country. The HF spectrum is a shared
resource, so there is no guarantee that a channel is clear in
any local area or region.
Note 3 Amateur Radio ALE standards:
1. ALE System = MIL-STD 188-141 ; FED-1045 (8FSK, 2.2kHzBW)
2. Call or Sounding transmission duration: 30 seconds or less.
3. Scan rate: 1 or 2 channels per second.
4. Sounding Interval = 60 Minutes (or more) (for same channel)
5. CQ Call = NETCALL to "HFL" net (or "QRZ" on sounding channels)
6. Digi Texting Audio Centre Frequency= 1500HZ (to 1800HZ)
7. Short text messaging standard = AMD
8. TWS SOUNDING (Recommended)
9. Always transmit "TWS" to clear link after ALLCALLS or LINKING!
Note 4 Amateur Radio ALE NETCALLS (always use 3 characters)
1. HFL = CQ, ALL AMATEUR RADIO ALE STATIONS (10 member slots)
2. HAM = EMERGENCY LIASON NET: AMATEUR TO NGO/GOV (10 member slots)
3. GPR = GEO POSITION REPORTS (3 member slots)
4. RPT = STATION STATUS REPORTS (3 member slots)
5. QRZ = OPEN RESPONSE NET ON SOUNDING CHANNELS (3 member slots)
6. CQA = RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE (3 member slots)
Note 5 Amateur Radio ALE Timing Standards
1. Tune Time (TT) max = 1 second (or 1045mSec)
2. Time Wait for Reply (TWR) max = 2 seconds (or 2048mSec)
3. Link Quality Analysis (LQA) time out = 3 hours (or 180 minutes)
4. Linked PTT Inactivity (TWA) time out = 6 minutes (or 360 seconds)
Note 6 Amateur Radio ALE Sounding
A sounding is an ALE station identification transmission,
consisting of only your own callsign. A sounding may be
initiated manually by the operator. Please always use TWS sounding.
Repetitive hourly soundings may also be transmitted by the
operator. When using repetitive hourly soundings, please only
transmit the soundings on the designated sounding
"pilot channels" for your IARU Region, as marked "sounding"
in the channel list.
Note 7* The 5MHz Channels
The 5MHz operation and frequencies may vary in each country.
Although 5MHz ALE and SELCALL transmissions are authorised in
some countries, USA does not yet allow it on 5MHz.
Therefore, operators in USA may receive monitor the 5MHz channels,
but care should be taken to lock out the transmitter from making
ALE or Selcall transmissions (except in case of an Emergency).
Note 8 This channel list is located on the internet at
http://hflink.com/
Date Effective on 01 JANUARY 2007 (01/01/07), this list
supersedes all previous channel lists.
Info: For more information about ALE please see the website:
http://hflink.com
Version HFLINK2007A
HFLINK.COM WEBSITE <http://hflink.com/>
http://hflink.com
