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#1
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
I need a bit of help...
I'm pretty new to this PSK thing. I got to admit that I think it is a very interesting way to have a QSO and that I've enjoyed the handful of contacts that I've managed to have so far. I've learned a lot about PSK and radio in general as I fumbled around trying to get set up and on the air. Which leads me to where I need help. I've run into a number of "first timers" on the air and we all share the same set of questions about the digital modes, the software, the hardware setup and the syntax of a QSO. I'm fairly proficient at using Google, but I can tell you that there are a lot of details that are hard to find when you are setting all this up for the first time. Is there a good resource that explains the following: 1. The hardware required to link your radio to the computer sound card 2. The software choices you have 3. How to setup the radio to get a clean signal out, and how to know it's right. 4. How to make a QSO (What do all the letters mean???) a) How to answer somebody or call CQ b) How to end a transmission so they know you are done c) What does 599 mean and how do I formulate the RST reports d) How to end the QSO I'm already though #3 and I've learned a lot of the QSO syntax by just doing it and watching other QSO's, but surely somebody has already compiled all this information someplace. Where might that be? I'm also looking for information about how to harness my PSK software to drive my logging software so I don't have to keep manually entering all the log data. What software is out there that does this, and where can I find it? -= Bob =- |
#2
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
A whole lot of digital mode operations are adapted from CW. Bear in mind
though, a lot of it is out of lazy typing rather than good operating practice. It is always best to be clear. Use English properly and simply to avoid confusion. For contest operation it is usually specific to the contest. The interface technology is similar for most of the sound card type modes. You need to understand attenuators and impedance transformation theory but there are particulars for individual models of radio. Rig control is different and usually involves a serial interface rather than audio interface, but again is specific to adapt to the radio. The change to USB ports is a complication. Rf energy in the shack brings other problems into the mix. Google is your friend. There are volumes on the various subjects. There is usually a learning curve because of the specific needs of your particular station. My setup is a bit crude but ever evolving. I have found transformer coupling with proper attenuation to deal with impedance matching and common mode interference issues. I keep threatening to build it all into a small box complete with automatic audio source selection with level control, RX out buffered to different outputs and data switching. Look into MFJ and RigBlaster for store bought solutions that are highly adaptable to a variety of rigs and situations. I'm also looking for information about how to harness my PSK software to drive my logging software so I don't have to keep manually entering all the log data. What software is out there that does this, and where can I find it? Look at logging programs that fetch the band, frequency and maybe mode from the rig control port. All you need to do is paste the callsign in from PSK. I bought LogEQF quite a while ago and like the readability and speed of it, but it's kind of a personal thing depending on how you set up the other stuff too. I like to make timestamp macros in the whatever Digi software, so that the timestamp will be put into the QSO as a redundancy and all gets saved to cache. |
#3
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
"KC4UAI" wrote in message ... I need a bit of help... I'm pretty new to this PSK thing. I got to admit that I think it is a very interesting way to have a QSO and that I've enjoyed the handful of contacts that I've managed to have so far. I've learned a lot about PSK and radio in general as I fumbled around trying to get set up and on the air. Which leads me to where I need help. I've run into a number of "first timers" on the air and we all share the same set of questions about the digital modes, the software, the hardware setup and the syntax of a QSO. I'm fairly proficient at using Google, but I can tell you that there are a lot of details that are hard to find when you are setting all this up for the first time. Is there a good resource that explains the following: 1. The hardware required to link your radio to the computer sound card 2. The software choices you have 3. How to setup the radio to get a clean signal out, and how to know it's right. 4. How to make a QSO (What do all the letters mean???) a) How to answer somebody or call CQ b) How to end a transmission so they know you are done c) What does 599 mean and how do I formulate the RST reports d) How to end the QSO I'm already though #3 and I've learned a lot of the QSO syntax by just doing it and watching other QSO's, but surely somebody has already compiled all this information someplace. Where might that be? I'm also looking for information about how to harness my PSK software to drive my logging software so I don't have to keep manually entering all the log data. What software is out there that does this, and where can I find it? -= Bob =- Most of the better PSK software includes logging as part of that software. Then you can export the information in the ADIF format and import that file to your general log. Dee |
#4
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
KC4UAI wrote:
I need a bit of help... I'm pretty new to this PSK thing. I got to admit that I think it is a very interesting way to have a QSO and that I've enjoyed the handful of contacts that I've managed to have so far. I've learned a lot about PSK and radio in general as I fumbled around trying to get set up and on the air. Which leads me to where I need help. I've run into a number of "first timers" on the air and we all share the same set of questions about the digital modes, the software, the hardware setup and the syntax of a QSO. I'm fairly proficient at using Google, but I can tell you that there are a lot of details that are hard to find when you are setting all this up for the first time. I hear ya! Lots of times we don't have enough background to go on. One good tool however is in the programs themselves. Many of them have "macros" that you hit a function key and it sends a pre-made bit of text to the transmitter. That is a pretty good place to look for the conventions. and most of us on PSK31 are not as big sticklers for those conventions, so making a "mistake" won't be all that embarrassing. Is there a good resource that explains the following: 1. The hardware required to link your radio to the computer sound card This one isn't too bad to google. http://www.geocities.com/n2uhc/interface.html http://www.w7ji.com/psk.html has a nice little interfaces. I suppose the caddilac interface would be one using optoisolators. The interface I built is similar to the second one on the Geocities page. I use isolation transformers for both the audio transmit and recieve, and a potentiometer to trim the audio level. 2. The software choices you have My favorites are DM780, (see description below) Digipan, and for quirky value - Zakanaka. There are others, but these three are free. Google on those names. for the downloads. 3. How to setup the radio to get a clean signal out, and how to know it's right. Just as a rundown, on PSK, it is best to have all the audio TX levels as low as possible, consistent with putting a signal on the air. Most important is to keep the ALC from engaging. This often limits your power output, but you shouldn't be using too much output on PSK31 anyhow. It's a narrow BW mode, and any flaws in a signal will make problems for other OPs, especially at higher powers. My rule of thumb is 25-30 watts, but never higher than 50 watts. 4. How to make a QSO (What do all the letters mean???) What you need to do is a google search on Q-Signals. There will be a lot of them, not all are applicable any more. a) How to answer somebody or call CQ It's largely a matter of personal preference. Some call CQ twice, some three times. A few do a whole slew of CQ's, which is not needed for PSK, since we can see a person on the waterfall as soon as they start transmitting and tune them in a very short time. Those extended CQ's are for modes where the sending OP is found manually. But is CQ From (or "de") your callsign . You then repeat. Then listen. Give the other Ops a chance to reply. I've seen a few Ops who space their CQ's so cloe that by the time I've answered them, they are in the middle of calling CQ again. To answer a call, I usually give their callsign twice, then mine twice. After establishing a QSO, it is just once. b) How to end a transmission so they know you are done During the call Back to you - BTU their call de your call Ending the call 73's their call de your call SK. c) What does 599 mean and how do I formulate the RST reports d) How to end the QSO This is an interesting one. Strictly speaking 599 doesn't apply to PSK. It means something like signal strength, readability, and tone. That, plus a lot of users just give everyone a 599, no matter what their signal is. I read somewhere about a alternative numerical exchange for digital users, I'll try to find it again. I'm already though #3 and I've learned a lot of the QSO syntax by just doing it and watching other QSO's, but surely somebody has already compiled all this information someplace. Where might that be? I smile when I read this because one of the big troubles I had when learning live copy Morse code was that most CW ops use a lot of abbreviations. I was copying words that didn't make any sense to me - and I assumed I was wrong. Wasn't until after a good bit of copying that I figured it out. Most PSK'ers use a lot more plain English than say CW operators do. Some things such as CQ, 73's and SK are fairly common, and are a nice connection to our roots, but PSK is not like repeaters, where the repeater owner has complete say so about how others speak when they use it. I'm also looking for information about how to harness my PSK software to drive my logging software so I don't have to keep manually entering all the log data. What software is out there that does this, and where can I find it? I would recommend Digital Master-780, which is part of the Ham Radio Deluxe suite. This program does a lot of things for you, as well as the basic program: Rig control - This is very nice, as many items that might be a menus item on the radio are now a mouse click on teh computer display. Multiple modes - DM780 does PSK in it's many flavors, RTTY, Feld-Hell Olivia, CW, and many more. mouse over a callsign, and it tells you the country, and if th estation is in the log yet. right click, and it places the call sign in the log window, and looks up the station info via an internet call sign server. It has plenty of macros, which are easily modifiable. When you sign with the other op, it enters the QSO in the logbook. Then it will upload the log to Eqsl.cc. Lots more features too. Best of all, It is free, as well as being probably the best program of it's type. - 73 de Mike N3LI - |
#5
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
On Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:24:19 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:
This is an interesting one. Strictly speaking 599 doesn't apply to PSK. It means something like signal strength, readability, and tone. That, plus a lot of users just give everyone a 599, no matter what their signal is. I read somewhere about a alternative numerical exchange for digital users, I'll try to find it again. You may mean QSA 1-5 -- readability - with QSA 5 being a "solid" contact. I've started using that system - it makes more sense. If there is a problem with the "cleanliness" of the signal, tell to Op in words what you are observing. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon e-mail: k2asp [at] arrl [dot] net |
#6
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
On Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:24:19 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote:
Ending the call 73's their call de your call SK. When I learned Morse in the Dark Ages, I learned that ending signal as VA - which is exactly the same thing. I always associate SK with "Silent Key" - an operator who has passed away. My ending macro says "K2ASP Clear" - remnants of my Public Safety radio dispatch days. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon e-mail: k2asp [at] arrl [dot] net |
#7
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
Phil Kane wrote:
On Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:24:19 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote: Ending the call 73's their call de your call SK. When I learned Morse in the Dark Ages, I learned that ending signal as VA - which is exactly the same thing. Why yes. I'd never heard of that. I always associate SK with "Silent Key" - an operator who has passed away. My ending macro says "K2ASP Clear" - remnants of my Public Safety radio dispatch days. The nice thing is having the options. Do you get on PSK much? Some times of the day there are nice paths from Oregon to PA on 20 meters. - 73 de Mike N3LI - |
#8
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
On Sep 26, 10:49 am, KC4UAI wrote:
but surely somebody has already compiled all this information someplace. Where might that be? Well now.. Just saw this on the ARRL's website... Covers the syntax questions I had quite well... http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/Eth-...E-1jul2008.pdf Even though I'm still reading it, I would recommend this to all folks new to Ham Radio before they get on the air. The rest of us may want to skim though it and see how our operating practice squares with the ideal. -= bob =- |
#9
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
... My ending macro says
"K2ASP Clear" - remnants of my Public Safety radio dispatch days. -- Using the "k2asp" call is improper police proceedure!! I'm putting you on report!! At least we don't have a macro for "breakity broke!" |
#10
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How to PSK? What do all those funny letters mean?
On 2008-09-30, Michael Coslo wrote:
Phil Kane wrote: On Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:24:19 EDT, Michael Coslo wrote: 73's their call de your call SK. When I learned Morse in the Dark Ages, I learned that ending signal as VA - which is exactly the same thing. I always associate SK with "Silent Key" - an operator who has passed away. Well, there is some similarity with the end of a contact and the end of a mortal life, so perhaps that is why the double meaning of SK But whether you spell it SK or VA, the derivation of the signal is from American Morse, where it is "30" ...-. for 3 and a looooong dash for zero. And "30" is the abbreviation you still see now and then in published matter, where it means "the end" Jim, W6JVE |
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