[digitalradio] Re: Success with FLdigi (CAT on Windoz)
I ran into a small issue with Windoz version 3.0 of Fldigi. Actually there is a bug relating to CAT; John is in the processing of fixing. If you use the rig.xml file and you make a configuration error, the serial READ request may never timeout and you will hang the COM port (only recourse if the reboot the PC). I've got it working nicely with two ports -- COM1 for PTT and COM2 for the CAT using an ICOM-746 PRO. Very nice indeed. If anyone is having problems with CAT, download PORTMON from the MS systools site; with this tool, you will be able to figure out the problem easily by seeing what Fldigi is sending and receiving from the radio. The use of XML for configuring the various radios is extremely clever and very flexible. 73, Bernie
[digitalradio] Re: Time to do something real with ALE400 ?
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew O'Brien" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I would second Andy's comments. ALE400 in ARQ mode is something that has to be experienced; quasi full duplex is really nice. A few weeks ago, I had a QSO with Txema who is located in Spain. Even though the conditions were very poor and we were both running about 25 watts or so, we were able to have a very nice QSO on 20 meters. When deep QSB occured, the ARQ kicked in and automatically did the retries. I would nominate this mode ( and Patrick's implementation!) as one of the major milestones for digital radio for 2007. 73, Bernie > > I think many people have had time to experiment with ALE 400 in ARQ > mode and the feedback about the throughput has been very good. Most > people have connected via arranged contacts and the use of the K3UK > sked page . Several people have suggested this mode is so effective > that it might be useful in emergency communication situations. So, I > think it is time to seriously test ALE400 under something more > elaborate than arranged contacts and keyboard chats. > > I have made not secret of the fact that I think the PC-ALE software > has the best capabilities of any other digital software when it comes > to locating other stations. The sounding , scan, pause, decode and > resume , ability of PC-ALE is amazing. For ALE400 to be useful it > must be able to do some of what standard ALE via PC-ALE can do. > Since Bonnie has suggested that ALE 400 should not share suggested > standard amateur ALE channels, is it not time for ALE 400 users to > develop a few suggested sounding and net channels? Perhaps just > three, 40, 30, and 20M and begin occasional scans. Should the ALE > 400 community also develop a NET CALL protocol and also establish a > weekly net? > > I think the initial experiments have been conducted very well, time to > move to the next level and see if ALE400 has any future beyond a geek > plaything :>) > > -- > Andy K3UK > www.obriensweb.com > (QSL via N2RJ) >
[digitalradio] Re: pskmail_puppy for windows
No luck getting a sound driver for my Dell desktop which uses the Crystal WDM chip set or an external USB sound card. A show stopper for now ... Looks like a nice package and works well other than the sound card issue. Regards, Bernie
Re: [digitalradio] Re: ALE station at Am-Tech Day (Saturday 17 March) California
I did hear the following ALE stations on 14109.5 yesterday during the Am-Tech Day. C02JA EA2AFR KU2A K5SKH I did get a brief ALE connection from Bonnie and EA2AFR. The band was in pretty poor shape and signals were barely moving the S-meter. I was only running 15 watts and with RRTY contest operators in that segment of the band, it made establishment of a ALE QSO rather difficult. I did discover that my ICOM VFO had to be set 300 Hz up (14109.8) in order the get ALE words to decode. With Spectrum lab, I was able to determine that the first set of ALE tones need to begin at 600 Hz for PC-ALE to be able to decode ALE transmissions. Perhaps the master oscillator in the ICOM needs to be re-calibrated? I am not sure what AF offset PC-ALE expects the first set of tones to occur. 73 Bernie - Original Message - From: expeditionradio To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 12:56 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Re: ALE station at Am-Tech Day (Saturday 17 March) California Since there is a RTTY contest today, may I suggest that operators who want to link with my Portable ALE station, at the Am-Tech Day Event, please make an ALE Individual Call or Net Call on one of the common ALE voice channels or in the WARC bands: 7296.0 10145.5 14342.5 14346.0 18106.0 18117.5 73---Bonnie KQ6XA > > I will set up my IC-F7000 HF Portable ALE station at > the Am-Tech Day event on Saturday 17 March. > Please call and link for an ALE demonstration QSO. > Here are some photos of my HF Portable ALE station: > http://www.hfpack.com/aleportable/icf7000.jpg > > ALE address: KQ6XA > Net addresses: HFL and QRZ > Sounding: 7102.0kHz and 14109.5kHz. > Scanning: All ham radio ALE channels. > QSO methods: SSB voice or AMD only > > Hours of operation: UTC 1900-2200 Saturday 17 March 2007 > > I will be on 14342.5kHz USB while mobile in route, > and arrive at 11 AM Pacific Time with my VX-1210 HF backpack, > Selcall 3332, Channels: 14342.5 kHz or 18157.5 kHz USB. > The ALE station is 125 Watts with a broadband portable dipole. > > See you there or on the air! > (Directions and details below) > > 73---Bonnie KQ6XA > > Am-Tech Day is an open monthly event for ham radio > technology and a watering hole for hams in California. > It is at the SLAC site near Palo Alto, CA > Saturday 17 March. Everyone is welcome, attendance is free. > Picnic tables for radio set ups... trees and lawns for antennas... > forums and presentations in the auditorium. > > AM-TECH DAY > DATE: Saturday 17 MAR 2007 > TIME: Morning to Evening. (HFpack Members peak at about noon) > LOCATION: SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator) see directions below. > FOOD: Barbeque at Noon. Hot dogs and BYO. > GOOGLE EARTH: http://www.hfpack.com/qth/AMTECHDAY.kmz > > REPEATER: N6NFI/Repeater 145.230- PL=100 > HF SSB: 18157.5kHzUSB, 14342.5kHzUSB, 5371.5kHzUSB, 7296kHzUSB > HF Peak Operating hours: UTC 1900-0100 > > 17 MAR 2007 > Presentations in the Auditorium : > 1:00PM - 2:00PM > Kristin McIntyre, K6WX > Radio Frequency (RF) Propagation: Physics, Mechanisms and Effects > > 2:00PM - 3:00PM > Neil Hays, W6FOG > Adventures in DX-Peditioning from Jamaica > > 3:00PM - 4:00PM > Rick Huisman, N6DQ > Internet Radio (Remote transceiver operation using Ten-Tec Omni VII) > > WEBSITE for Am-tech Day: > http://www.fars.k6ya.org/amtechday/ > > DIRECTIONS TO AM-TECH DAY: > Amateur Radio Technology Day can be reached easily from Highways 101 > and I-280. SLAC is located off of Sand Hill Road, less than a > mile east of Interstate 280 (towards the bay). > > * From U.S. 101, turn west onto either University Avenue or > Embarcadero Road, then turn right (north) onto El Camino Real and then > left (west) onto Sand Hill Road, and continue approximately 2.6 miles > west, turning left at Saga Lane. > * From Interstate 280, turn east (towards the bay) onto Sand Hill > Road, and proceed approximately 0.8 mile, turning right at Saga Lane. > > Once you turn onto Saga Lane, turn left after the guard shack onto > Loop Road and follow the signs to the parking lots below Panofsky > Auditorium, located around the bend (Parking lot C). Park and walk up > the concrete path to the buildings. > http://www.fars.k6ya.org/amtechday/images/slacmap.png > > 2575 Sand Hill Rd. > Menlo Park, CA 94025 > (0.8 mile east of Hwy 280 on Sand Hill Road) > > N 37.419830 > W 122.204568 > > Sponsored by the Foothills Amateur Radio Society. > For full details, visit: > http://fars.k6ya.org/amtechday >
Re: [digitalradio] Re: Domnio, PAX etc
My experience indicates that Olivia 16-500 and MFSK are very solid modes for the conditions that we presently are experiencing during the current phase of the sunspot cycle. I, like Bill, am amazed at Olivia's ability to copy signals that you can barely see on the waterfal and not even hear via audio. 30 meter propagation is sometimes not very good and Olivia really shines on this band. I have had a dozen or so QSOs with MT63 and that mode seems to give a binary result. There is a lot of FEC going on in this mode so it should work very well under poor conditions. If you can copy, the copy is excellent -- near 100%; otherwise, no copy whatsover. Not too many people seem to use this mode so I believe I need more experience before having a good appreciation of this mode under various conditions. 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: Bill McLaughlin To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 11:44 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Re: Domnio, PAX etc Well can only relate my impressions; hope others chime in I think even though DominoEX halves the speed when FEC in engaged, it is well worth the speed trade-off. 160/80 seems to vary night to night in this regard; probably due to qrn and multipath. It also depends on one's ability/willingness to read between the lines as there are a few hits at the higher speeds and one needs to brain- error correct as there is no ARQ. As for Throb; I find it very sensitive, but at times it does not seem to decode signals that are audiblenever figured out why. As for MFSK modes, yes they are very frequency sensitive although I have had little trouble tuning most, aside from a few that took a long time to sync. Multipsk's AFC seems to lock quite well on MFSK signals, not sure how other software doescertainly DominoEX is superior in that sense. I have not worked enought MT63 to comment. I have had better luck with CHIP64 although both seem to not be qrp modes and require a high signal to noise ratio... It is odd (but probably not so if studied correctly), on some nights (condx) certain modes just seem to work better under various conditionsat times I am amazed that Olivia can decode signals in the mudother times I swear at it...one night on a VHF path only PSKAM10 or JT65B would get through; guess that what makes it all fun. 73 Bill N9DSJ --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, KV9U <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi Bill, > > Yes, busy night tonight on 160:) > > The question I wanted to ask the group was whether they have found on > the lower bands (especially 80 and 160) that DominoEX (DEX) is better > when operating at a given speed such as DEX11/without FEC or is it > better at twice the speed, but with FEC, e.g., DEX 22 with FEC? > > Tentatively, I almost want to say that it may be better at the higher > speed with FEC. If true, and I am not sure it is, it could be because > the higher speed still has a fairly low baud rate, even for some serious > multipath on the lower bands. The 77 wpm speed with DEX22/FEC is faster > than is comfortable for keyboarding so a slower speed is not bad. The > DEX11/FEC does seem quite robust, even with static crashes and who knows > how much multipath. Of course you can never get 100% copy under certain > conditions when too much of the data is damaged and the Viterbi decoder > can not reconstruct the character. Then an ARQ mode would be needed. > > I wonder how well this type of mode would work with a PSKmail type of > program? I know that I had a very difficult time reading a PSK31 signal > that was up the band from me. The earlier station that I was talking > with for our weekly sked for experimenting with these modes at a "short" > distance of about 35 miles or so indicated that he had good luck with > MT-63 in the past but the faster (wider) mode seemed to work better due > to having the data spread out so far. Has anyone else found this on the > lower bands with MT-63? > > The ability to only approximately tune in DEX signals is extremely > helpful for me as I find that I have a difficult time locking in on > MFSK16. Earlier tonight WA9HCZ and I started our experiments with ThrobX > and although he could copy me solid, I could never decode his signal. So > I must have been doing something wrong. Ideally, these modes that need > extremely accurate tuning, should have some kind of display to help you > determine if you are far from locking in to the signal or not. Something > like we had with the early PSK programs. > > 73, > > Rick, KV9U
Re: [digitalradio] Digital software, 2 rigs and one PC?
Used PCs are dirt cheap these days. For example, a high end Dell GX1 (P3) sells for less than $100.00. Disk space is usually not an issue. 256Mb of RAM will run almost digital program. Suggestion: If purchasing a second machine, make sure it has both USB and RS-232 ports. A lot of the older digital programs do not support USB. I just run multiple PCs (nice for testing!). 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: Andrew O'Brien To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 7:25 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Digital software, 2 rigs and one PC? I'm just wondering what those people with more than one rig and just one PC do with their setup in the varying digital mode software? The software usually requires you to set up the configuration area for type of radio, baud rate, and PTT line. Do you have different folders of the same software each with different settings ? Maybe everyone has two PCs ? Andy K3UK
Re: [digitalradio] Those calling frequencies...
Speaking of the cluster, it appears that we may have reached a max on the number of users? I can no longer connect on weekend afternoons and after diner time EST. Maybe 20 users is the max? Any way of turning on an idle timer to log off stations that have been connected for say 12 hours and have not entered any commands? 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: Andrew O'Brien To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Those calling frequencies... From our cluster this evening DX de K3UK: 7072.7 K5WTAMFSK16 0118Z DX de VE3FWF: 3584.3 WB4YDY msfk 0123Z DX de K3UK: 3586.8 K5WTAMFSK16 Cqing 0125Z DX de K3UK: 3586.8 UNID THROB-2 weak, unidentified 0126Z DX de VE3FWF: 3584.7 N9CX mfsk 0146Z DX de VE3FWF: 3585.5 WB4GGS rtty 0148Z DX de VE3FWF: 3583.1 W1IDLmfsk 0152Z DX de K3UK: 3583.1 UNID MFSK16 sending picture 0156Z On 1/26/07, Peter G. Viscarola <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: ... are apparently working! As I type this (01:49Z) I'm watching 3 MFSK QSOs side by side on 80M, starting on 3583. It's a beautiful sight :-) de Peter K1PGV -- Andy K3UK Skype Me : callto://andyobrien73 www.obriensweb.com
Re: [digitalradio] PSK and Yeasu ft-101
I have four 4N29s in my stock. I'll send you one for free. I think the 4N29
will do the trick. The 4N29 will give 2500 Vdc isolation. They cost 20 cents.
Please confirm your address off list to my E-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and I'll
pop one in the mail for you.
The transformer can be anything close as the impedance for your radio output is
probably 8 ohms and the input to the computer is around 5K ohms. I do not use
any transformers in my setup.
http://www.w5bbr.com/soundbd.html has some alternative suggestions. The
isolation transformer prevents ground loops. Try what you have from the junk
boards. You can also wind a small transformer on a ferrite core. Check google
for design parameters. If you have some ferite beads, you should place one on
the input and output audio lines; that should help as well. I would recommend
placing all your interface components in a shielded box. I mounted RCA jacks on
the back of my interface box for the input and output interfaces and then used
standard audio patch cords which can be purchased already made up.
73, Bernie
- Original Message -
From: Bob
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [digitalradio] PSK and Yeasu ft-101
Hi Bernie, Thanks for the info
Does the transformer have to be a 600 ohm, I have some junk boards here I may
be able to scrounge a few from, but not sure of their value. And yes I could
use one of them 4N35's I would gladly pay you for it. The schematic you
refered me to was one I was looking at. The radio is very stable after about
45 min. I allready have the line in to the computer set up and using digipan.
73
Bob
KC9GMN
- Original Message -----
From: ve3fwf
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 7:22 PM
Subject: Re: [digitalradio] PSK and Yeasu ft-101
Have a look at
http://www.geocities.com/n2uhc/interface.html
This is the opto-isolated circuit I initially built for my HW-100 and it
works just fine with the ICOM radios.
The above circuit should work on your FT-101. The important thing is that
the rig should not drift. While a jump of 50 Hz is OK on SSB, it will cause
loss of signal on digital. You will be able to spot a drifting problem by
watching the signals on the waterfall. I can send you a 4N35 if you can't
source one locally; I'm fairly certain I have some spares. Radio Shack used to
have 1:1 600 ohm transformers but I don't know if they still carry these
anymore.
Good luck and join the fun on digital.
73, Bernie
- Original Message -
From: Bob
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 7:18 AM
Subject: [digitalradio] PSK and Yeasu ft-101
Hi Gang!
I am fairly new here to this group and have been reading some of the
posts. I would like to know if anyone here is using a older rig like mine, a
Yaesu FT-101 Z and running PSK31 mode, and what kind of interface they are
using. I have seen several schematics for homemade interfaces and am unsure
which would be the best to use, I have a 1.8 GHZ computer and a sound card in
it.
Thanks
Bob
KC9GMN
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7:30 AM
Re: [digitalradio] PSK and Yeasu ft-101
Have a look at http://www.geocities.com/n2uhc/interface.html This is the opto-isolated circuit I initially built for my HW-100 and it works just fine with the ICOM radios. The above circuit should work on your FT-101. The important thing is that the rig should not drift. While a jump of 50 Hz is OK on SSB, it will cause loss of signal on digital. You will be able to spot a drifting problem by watching the signals on the waterfall. I can send you a 4N35 if you can't source one locally; I'm fairly certain I have some spares. Radio Shack used to have 1:1 600 ohm transformers but I don't know if they still carry these anymore. Good luck and join the fun on digital. 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: Bob To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 7:18 AM Subject: [digitalradio] PSK and Yeasu ft-101 Hi Gang! I am fairly new here to this group and have been reading some of the posts. I would like to know if anyone here is using a older rig like mine, a Yaesu FT-101 Z and running PSK31 mode, and what kind of interface they are using. I have seen several schematics for homemade interfaces and am unsure which would be the best to use, I have a 1.8 GHZ computer and a sound card in it. Thanks Bob KC9GMN
Re: [digitalradio] IICOM IC-735
Extremely stable. Handles MT63 and MFSK with no issues. 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: k5yfw To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 21, 2007 5:41 PM Subject: [digitalradio] IICOM IC-735 Is anyone using an ICOM IC-735 on PSK31/63/125? Is it stable enough to support BSPK and QPSK? Tnx, Walt/K5YFW
Re: [digitalradio] Re: Trends in Frequencies for 40m Digi Keyboarding +(other bands)
The initial NA digital (PSK) frequencies were (and I guess) still are: 3.571 7.071 14.071 21.071 28.071 The primary NA RTTY freqencies are: 3.581 7.081 14.081 21.081 28.081 Whether official or not the above frequencies seem to be the defacto standards based on my experience. When 15 and 10 are open, 21.081 and 28.081 are quite active with RTTY. The RTTY contesters use these frequencies +/- 10 KHz almost exclusively. There does not seem to be any kind of band plan for 30 or 17 meters digital. I talked with one the directors of RAC (Radio Amateurs of Canada) at our club meeting last night and he agreed that the band plans are a mess. The band plan situation in Canada is now being actively looked at. 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: Brad To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 2:36 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Re: Trends in Frequencies for 40m Digi Keyboarding --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew O'Brien" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > By the way folks...my question now is why people in the USA use 7070 for > PSK? 7035-37 seems full of PSK31 DX, I'm not sure why we are not all there. > > Andy K3UK I'd like to ask the same question. 7070 and 7075 are two of our busiest phone frequencies. Brad VK2QQ
Re: [digitalradio] Re: Getting Started in ALE
Bonnie: Any suggestions? Is 16 bit OK or is 24 bit required? Some of the sound cards I looked at via Google cost more than my computer! The machines I have are Dell GX1s (built like a tank). The existing on board sournd card (Crystal Audio) works with no problem with all other modes and programs. Bernie - Original Message - From: expeditionradio To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 9:33 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Re: Getting Started in ALE --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew O'Brien" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Bonnie, when Bernie and I tested 2 weeks ago on 40M, we had good S5-7 > signals between us but neither of us could reliably decode . It was quite > odd, the visual tuning indicator in PC-ALE would alternate red/green and PC > ALE showed reception of attempts but no connect was achieved, we tried for > over an hour! > > Andy K3Uk That's typical symptom of a sound card problem. Sound cards and external USB sound devices are very cheap... replace the module and you should be 100% Bonnie BA7/KQ6XA
Re: [digitalradio] Are ham software authors afraid of ALE and associated protocols?
My limited experience with PC-ALE has not been a positive one. The wide frequency that the protocol uses can cause issues. Also, there is no way to offset the centre frequency. I my case, I could not even get two computers running back-to-back over audio cables to work reliably with PC-ALE. I suspect the cheap integrated sound card on my computers may be my issue. Also, the audio level settings are extremely tricky to set. Using the SPECTRUM LAB program I was able to determine that the response level across the 8FSK frequency domain is not constant. Also, some radios de-emphasize frequencies below 1000 Hz further causing issues. PC-ALE is currently not a plug-and-play program. Some parameters come for the configuration file while others need to be set via the GUI. Also, I find the tuning aids non-intuitive. I've never had any issues with other programs such as MIXW, Digipan, Stream, Trob, MultiPSK with these computers. To make things even more difficult, there appears to be no way to set PC-ALE to continually transmit characters in order to set levels on a scope. The PTT button does not seem to work but again, this could be my lack of understanding on how to properly use the program. I am very interested in this program but have run into issues that have halted my progress. Perhaps a new sound card is order? I sure would like to be able to hear PC-ALE signals over the air to refine my usage of the program. Other than a failed testing session with Andy (K3UK), I've never heard any PC-ALE signals on the air. 73, Bernie (I sure could use an ALE ...) - Original Message - From: expeditionradio To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 11:43 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Are ham software authors afraid of ALE and associated protocols? > KV9U <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I tried to find more information on the specifications but > did not find any. I would not consider this mode to be legal on > amateur radio frequencies until it has an easy to access > specification as required by the FCC. This really should be > detailed on the ARRL web site along with > the many other digital specs, don't you think? > > 73, > > Rick, KV9U Hi Rick, ALE, and the MIL-STD and FED standards it is generally associated with, are some of the few digital systems hams are using that already have extensive documentation specs published by US Government itself... this certainly meets the description disclosure requirements of USA's FCC for digital transmissions :) Some of the pertinent parts of the ALE description are in one of the articles on the HFLINK.COM website. The basic system is 8FSK at 125 symbols/second (125baud) with a 375bps data rate. ALE AMD The normal "universal" texting method used with ALE 8FSK is called AMD (Automatic Message Display). AMD is a basic feature in every HF transceiver that has ALE embedded. The text message scrolls on the transceiver's front panel display. AMD is also part of PCALE, and it displays on the screen. AMD is for short message texting, similar to SMS on cellular mobile phones. AMD is known in government comms lingo an "orderwire" message. 8FSK ARQ It is more efficient to sent longer text messages and binary or text by 8FSK ARQ instead of AMD. PCALE has several additional keyboarding and file transfer methods to choose from that use the basic 8FSK standard (with or without ARQ). The 8FSK formats most commonly used by hams are "DTM with ARQ" and "DBM with ARQ". PCALE interoperates seamlessly with ATM, DBM, and DTM. You can use any of these 8FSK formats at any time, or switch between them during the QSO. The ARQ functions in user-selectable time frames (such as 5, 10, or 30 second data block lengths) with user-selectable number of repeats. The operator can adjust the timing and repeats to meet conditions, and the receive decoding system in PCALE is flexible, to accept any timing that is being transmitted by the other station. You can also send one-way texting messages or files, such as might be used in a net or a QST. It is quite a clever and efficient system, especially using the excellent implementation that Charles G4GUO has developed in PCALE (and Steve N2CKH in MARS-ALE). Why no ALE in most ham digital software? Considering how widespread ALE has become among HF users in the world, to the point that it is the defacto standard now for HF comms, does it seem a bit odd that most mainstream ham digital software doesn't include basic ALE? There are many obscure and little-used modes included in some ham software, yet they don't include the most popular basic ALE calling functionality. Are most ham software authors afraid of ALE? I've often wondered if the NIH factor (Not Invented Here) is part of the reason for ham software authors' slowness to include the ALE-associated digital formats.
Re: [digitalradio] video noise
Once could write a book on this topic. When you refer to noise, are you using a CRT or solid state monitor? CRTs can generate a lot of noise and are typically not well shielded. The easy solution for this problem is to ditch the CRT and pick up a LCD monitor. As I mentioned in a previous post regarding this topic, many computers have very poor shielding and generate a lot of RF trash. Turn off each component until the noise goes away. Much of the leakage can occur from the cables and sometimes just re-routing the cabling helps. Also, you might try grounding the computer to your station ground. See the ARRL Radio Handbook for more information on this topic. Your local library should have a copy if you do not own this valuable reference. Regards, Bernie - Original Message - From: bgrly To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 11:27 PM Subject: [digitalradio] video noise Can someone point me to a reference for making a noisy computer quiet? Especially the video card ! ke4mz KE4MZ, Brent Dothan, AL [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.wb4zpi.org No trees were destroyed in the sending of this contaminant-free message. However, we do concede a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced.
Re: [digitalradio] Comparsion Between CW and Digital Modes
My view is that PSK31 is the most efficient from a spectrum usage and power usage point of view. Other modes have better error correction facilities but occupy more bandwidth. Olivia does a very good job copying signals that you can barely hear or see on the waterfall. For most people, 20 to 25 watts will work the world if the band is open. 5 watts is more of a challenge with the sunspot cycle being at the bottom but lots of people have many QSOs running 5 watts and a reasonable antenna. A dipole, 35 ft up, clear from adjacent metal objects should work well. Higher is better but 35 ft is fine. Be sure to try 30 meters; that band has little QRM and has had some decent openings lately. Look around 10141 kHz. Use Andy's (K3UK) digital DX cluster to help you find openings. Good luck and have fun. 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: jeffnjr484 To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:54 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Comparsion Between CW and Digital Modes Im wondering does the digital modes transmit about the same as CW for distance coverage on a 5 watt signal with dipole up 35 ft ? If so which soundcard mode would be about the same in signal strength.? I know CW gets through the best throughout years past when on a noisy channel or for long dx contacts but is the digital modes about the same ? jeff Kd4qit
Re: [digitalradio] Odd PC Issue
Hummm: Very interesting and here is a list of suggestions and questions: 1. What OS are you using and what browser? 2. How you tried FireFox or another Web browser? 3. Crack open the taskmanager and see what process (if any) is burning the CPU when you are experiencing the problem. If there is lots of CPU and no one process hogging the CPU, perhaps you have RF entering the CPU by the keyboard cable? Are your transmitting when you have the problem? Perhaps you have an automatic BBS that fires up and RF is getting into your system? 4. On Windows XP SP2, I've seen the process SVCHOST go into a tight loop when running IE 7. The problem does not occur when using FireFox. 5. Try another keyboard as per Dave's suggestion. 73, Bernie, Ottawa, Canada. - Original Message - From: Dave Corio To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 8:40 PM Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Odd PC Issue That is odd, Andy! Here are my thoughts Have you checked for an IRQ conflict with the keyboard? Is the keyboard wireless? Have you tried a different keyboard on that PC? Does the problem show up in all web-based situations, such as filling in forms, or only when posting to a forum where there is much more typing? Have you peeked at the performance monitor while typing to see if that is maxing out? I sure don't have the answers, and I'm not an expert (ask the XYL!!) but these are what I would look at. 73 Dave KB3MOW Andrew O'Brien wrote: I have typed this message twice, once in original format (see below) and once with a corrected format so that you could actually understand what I am typing. I posted it to a PC forum but received no answers, hopefully someone here has some ideas. For the past month or I have been having a problem with web based email, mostly to this and other Yahoo groups, also with Gmail postings. When I type the messages , many of the characters that I type do not make it to the screen. There is a significant lag, at times, but unlike typical lags caused by a slow Internet connection, sometimes whole words never make it to the screen! I thought it might be due to lack of RAM and upgraded this 2.6 gHz CPU PC to one with 512 MG of RAM. it did not solve the problem. I am using a cable modem with good speed. The problem NEVER occurred when typing email or using Outlook, or when composing items in Word. ONLY when typing in to web based applications. I have run spyware and virus checking software numerous time. There are periods that the problems goes away, sometimes for a day at a time . I have three other PC's in the house, two better performing PCs, and one an old 1.1 CPU with 256 of RAM, the problem never occurs on the other PCs. Since it is happening on the PC that I use for ham operations , I would like to find a fix for this issue .In general, the PC performs OK otherwise but does seem slower than one would expect, the CPU often shows as being 100% in use. Not always though. While typing this message, the CPU has not gone above 50%. Here is what the above message looked like before I fixed it for missing characters. For the past month or I have been having a problem with web basdemail, mostly to this nother Yahoo groups, also with Gmail postings. When I typ the messages , many of the chrcters that I type o not make it to the screen. There is a signific lag, at times, but unlike stypical lags caused by a slow Iternet connection, sometimes whole words evr make it to the scren! I thought it might be due to lack of RAM and upgraded this 2.6 gHz CPU PC to one with 512 MG of RAM. is did not solve the probm. I a using a cable modem with gspeed. The prolem NEVER occu when typingemail ugOutlook o when compsing items in Word OLY when typing in to wb based applicatns. I have run yware and vrus checkingsftware numerous time. There are periods ta the problems goes away, sometimes or a day at a time . I hethree othe PC's in the hos, two better performing PCs and one an old 1.1 CPUth 256 of RAM, the problem nver occurs on the othePCs. Since it is happening o the PC that I usef ham operati, I would like to fid a fix for this issue.In general, the PC performs OK otherwise but does seem slowerthan oewould expect the CPUoften shows as being 100% inuse. Not lways though Wile tyoing this messge, the CPU has not gon above 50%. Andy K3UK No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.9/622 - Release Date: 1/10/2007 2:52 PM
Re: [digitalradio] New to PSK31 - advice please ??
My experience in running digital (since 2002) is that RF can creep into the computer and that can cause some nasty issues. I finally fixed my problem by purchasing a properly shielded computer (a older Dell GX1). I use a home brew OPTO isolated interface from the computer to the PTT of the radio; very easy to make. Many computers today, especially clones, are not RF tight. There is some conductive paint that you can apply inside the plastic covers. If you are hearing RF trash from your computer on your receiver you can be pretty sure it may be susceptible to interference as well. Getting rid of the CRT monitor also helped eliminate any RFI from the computer. Try some ferrite beads on the audio lines and the mic input; that might do the trick but I suggest the 1:1 transformer is the best bet. 73, Bernie, Ottawa, Canada - Original Message - From: Dan Reed To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com ; digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 11:11 AM Subject: Re: [digitalradio] New to PSK31 - advice please ?? Radio Shack some times ha isolation transformers N0ZIZ -Original Message- From: adrianrav4 Sent: Jan 2, 2007 4:10 PM To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Subject: [digitalradio] New to PSK31 - advice please ?? Hi All Having just moved house (& country!), and set up the HF radio gear for the first time in quite a few years - I'm having a dabble with PSK31. I suspect that I'm having problems with poor isolation between the radio and the PC - at the moment the 'quickly knocked-up' interface is 'direct' - no opto or transformer isolation. I can read the PSK31 quite nicely (using DigiPan) - and load up the TX on low power (10W) - but higher TX power seems to generate odd squeaks and general instability ...also - I have yet to get a reply from any other station on PSK - which makes me wonder if my signal's getting distorted past the point of readability ? Does anybody have a source for 1:1 audio isolation transformers ? I can't seem to find them from the usual suspects (ebay, CPC...?) - would need to be an organisation that ships to Ireland. Many thanks in advance Adrian - EI5JV
[digitalradio] Re: 30M OLIVIA (procedure suggestion)
I suggest that perhaps we should at least call CQ on the hour and half hour to ensure that there is some chance of getting someone if the band is open. I worked KB9YGD this afternoon using Olivia 500-16 and the signal was so weak, it dit not even show up on the waterfall. I am monitoring 10.142 KHz as I type this E-mail and things are pretty dead. 73, Bernie, Ottawa, Canada --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, John Bradley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > 2100Z not a sound > > - Original Message - > From: Danny Douglas > To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 2:39 PM > Subject: Re: [digitalradio] 30M OLIVIA > > > > tg9akh is on 14.0737 rite nw > Danny Douglas N7DC > ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA > SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB all > DX 2-6 years each > . > QSL LOTW-buro- direct > As courtesy I upload to eQSL but if you > use that - also pls upload to LOTW > or hard card. > > moderator [EMAIL PROTECTED] > moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk > - Original Message - > From: John Bradley > To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 3:13 PM > Subject: Re: [digitalradio] 30M OLIVIA > > > difficult at best hi hi.. well 20 has since opened a bit so will go play up there, around 14073.5 or so > > john > VE5MU >
Re: [digitalradio] Re: 14078.4 Success! (what about PCALE?)
How about 7040500 USB? 40 meters might be open in the morning. How about 7:30 a.m. this Thursday? (I am on vacation this week !) 30 meters 10136500 USB could be a secondary. Anyone else is welcome to join in. I've yet to make an ALE QSO. I flexible with the time so you can pick any other time that suits your schedule. 73, Bernie - Original Message - From: Andrew O'Brien To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 9:03 PM Subject: [digitalradio] Re: 14078.4 Success! (what about PCALE?) --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "ve3fwf" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Any suggestions for PCALE? Not much activity so one channel per band > should be used. > > 73, Bernie, VE3FWF, Ottawa, Canada > Bernie, As the Canada Goose flies...we are fairly close. 80, 40, and 30M ALE frequencies should work between the two of us. Check www.hflink.com for the frequencies and let me know when you want to do some ALE tests. Andy K3UK Fredonia, NY.
[digitalradio] Re: 14078.4 Success! (what about PCALE?)
Any suggestions for PCALE? Not much activity so one channel per band should be used. 73, Bernie, VE3FWF, Ottawa, Canada --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Salomao Fresco" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi everybody! > > I don't think they (us) call it "calling frequency" for nothing, but perhaps > you can try this: > > next time you need to call the police, fire department, or the likes instead > of 911 dial 912, after all it's just a number away. > > Regards and Seasons Greetings to all > > > >
