--- In digitalradio, W4LDE Ron wrote: > I recommend that we all start > using the VFO plus the audio frequency or waterfall frequency. > Ron W4LDE
Hi Ron, I agree. Some modes are appropriately defined by RF centre frequency, Some modes are appropriately defined by VFO dial frequency. There certainly are many operators using digital soundcard modes who do not have CAT control on their rigs, so their display does not show the mode's RF center frequency. Probably the majority of hams on PSK31 don't use CAT control... they simply set their VFO dial frequency to 14070 USB. To know their RF frequency, they must calculate it by adding the audio frequency to the dial frequency. Many of us understand this mainstream fact, and define our sked frequency by VFO dial frequency + audio centre frequency. There is a trend to simply use the USB VFO dial frequency as the reference point for MFSK modes, with about ~1500Hz audio center for the signal. This rule of thumb enables a sked QSO to switch any mode or flavor that is desired by the operators at the time, and appropriate for conditions. The digital protocols that use fixed frequency audio signals are almost always defined by VFO dial frequency. Especially when there is a mix of voice, images, and data, it is by far more convenient and appropriate to simply call out the VFO dial frequency. Bonnie KQ6XA
