Members of this group that are new to digital mdoes may find this web
site useful http://www.oliviamode.com/
What is Olivia?
Where can I find a computer program for it?
Olivia is a ham radio digital mode designed to work in difficult (low
s/n ratios plus multipath propagation) conditions on HF bands (though
it also works as well on VHF/UHF). The signal can be decoded even when
it is 10-14 db below the noise floor (i.e. when the amplitude of the
noise is slightly over 3 times that of the signal). It can also
decode well under other noise, QSB, QRM, flutter (polar path) and
auroral conditions. Currently the only other digital modes that match
or exceed Olivia in sensitivity are some of the WSJT program modes
that include JT65A which are certainly limited in usuage and
definitely NOT ragchew capable.
It was developed at the end of 2003 by Pawel Jalocha. The first
on-the-air tests were performed by two radio amateurs, Fred OH/DK4ZC
and Les VK2DSG on the Europe-Australia path in the 20-meter amateur
band. The tests proved that the protocol works well and can allow
regular intercontinental radio contacts at very low power levels. It
therefore lends itself to be an excellent QRP and rachew mode.
Olivia has many formats some of which are considered standard and they
all have different characteristics. The formats vary in bandwidth
(125,250,500,1000, and 2000hz) and number of tones used
(2,4,8,16,32,64,128, or 256). This makes it possible to have 40
different Olivia formats which have different characteristics, speeds,
and capabilities. Luckily only a relatively few are commonly used.
The standard Olivia formats (bandwidth/tones) are 125/4, 250/8,
500/16, 1000/32, and 2000/64. However the most commonly used formats
in order of use are 500/16, 500/8, 1000/32, 250/8, and 1000/16. This
can cause some confusion and problems with so many formats and so many
other digital modes. After getting used to the sound and look of
Olivia in the waterfall, though, it becomes easier to identify the
format when you encounter it. About 98% of all current Olivia
activity on the air is one of the 7 following configurations :
1000/32, 1000/16, 500/16, 500/8, 250/8, 250/4, and 125/4.
