Anyone Doing PSK31 on 11 Meters?

[Skipper 169]

Or thereabouts? I have been thinking of this for a couple months, but have been too busy and too broke to try it. Today, I had the time for research and downloaded DigiPan and installed it and used a simple boom mic on a headset thru the computer plugin to catch some code on the radio. I was able to at least see how it is supposed to work, although I did not get any really clear signals in the middle of the day to read. I was however able to go to a YouTube page with some recorded sounds that DigiPan did decode just fine. Now guess what? Yup, I'm hooked.

So now I got a few more questions. I have an RCI-2985dx with no digital port and can't find any cords to connect any of the available sound card to radio interfacing gizmos out there to it. Has anyone done anything like this with this radio? Any other tips?

I was specifically wondering where I can get the Mic wiring diagram and wire in an adapter of my own to use?

[Slyguy]

All you need to interface is mic audio in, external speaker or headphone audio out, and PTT. No special digital plug on radio needed. All PSK signals will be transmitted on USB. You can make your own interface pretty easily but I recommend the Signalink USB.

Try cbtricks for the wiring info on your radio. Remember this mode is nearly 100% duty cycle so make sure to watch your power output while transmitting or you will smoke your finals.

[Skipper 169]

Thanks Slyguy, it's the "All you need to interface is mic audio in," that I can not figure out. The only way to get the audio in is through the mic and none of these interfaces have anything like a 6 pin RCI compatible cable.

[Slyguy]

I see what you're getting at. Let me dig around for a little bit. I should have something for you by tonight unless one of the mic wiring gurus jump in.
The Signalink USB can come with a prewired cable but all it is, is an Ethernet cable with a mic or accessory plug on one end. You save about $20 by making your own.

[Skipper 169]

Thanks so much. I am really either dumb or anal when it comes to these kinds of things. I want to understand it in my head before I try building it, but you've just opened some shutters already. I actually have a whole box of cables and I know I have 5 or 6 old ethernet cables in there. I would need the 6 pin plug blank which I was looking around for today, they are under $5. So I guess I would need the wiring diagram.

Are you familiar with Digipan? This thing is really cool and I am trying to catch some signals tonight to practice on.

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Oct 5th, '13, 18:10

Slyguy, I have found a way to send and receive using just the PC, the radio and a Plugin PC headset with a boom Mic and then one of my PC speakers pulled to the front of the desk here, type in what I want to send, then key up next to the PC speaker and and hit TX in Digipan.

I assume, what said about the finals, they are only working as long as Digipan is sending? 20 to 30 seconds, if that?

[Slyguy]

I've never played with digipan. I use Ham Radio Deluxe's DM780. If your transmission is only 20 seconds that won't be a problem but if it's much longer than that it's the same as whistling into your mic on SSB for the entire transmission. Running digital you want to limit your power to around 50% max. You'll get out just as good. PSK31 and other digital modes are great weak signal modes. A lot of times you can't hear the audio at all but the computer will decode it just fine.

[Skipper 169]

A lot of times you can't hear the audio at all but the computer will decode it just fine.

I have seen this already I think.

So limit the power in SSB? It is generally set at about 22 watts. Turn that down, and what about an amp?

I know these are stupid questions, but this is the first day of getting into this.

[Slyguy]

A lot of times you can't hear the audio at all but the computer will decode it just fine.

I have seen this already I think.

So limit the power in SSB? It is generally set at about 22 watts. Turn that down, and what about an amp?

I know these are stupid questions, but this is the first day of getting into this.

The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
Same with the Amp. If it's rated at 100 watts run it at 50 max. Run it no more than 50% of what you normally run it to get a nice clean signal. I don't mean run it 50% of driving the snot out of it.

[Skipper 169]

Thanks, It finally dawned on me. Takes a bit sometimes. From what I have been reading and hearing though, it sounds like I can get out pretty good without an amp at all. It's going to take practice now, the more experience I get, the sooner I can talk others into doing this. LOL

[Slyguy]

Ok Gnd is pin 1
Mic audio is pin 2
PTT is pin 3
use the headphone jack for audio to your interface

[Skipper 169]

Thanks Slyguy. I found a picture of it last night also, for the 2985.

I have also tossed DigiPan and installed something called Fldigi. WOW, this little puppy is much nicer, much more powerful and does a boatload more modes than anything else I looked at, and it was seamless to install, small to download and just went right in. The waterfall is very nice too.

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Now it's a matter of getting a Signalink. Too new to find any used at this point.

[str8stroke]

Don't feel stupid by any means, I have been trying to get my Flex 3K to work right for the last month. It is way complicated, you have to build virtual patch cables for PSK. I shall soon have it figured out. I have also seen some guys do it with Handi Talks. Sorry, I am not trying to do it on 11 meters though. But, I guess its the same principle. I had it with my FT-450, I used the Signalink like Sly talks about. Good luck brother. IF you get it figured out, post how you done did it for the masses! lol See ya!

[Slyguy]

So limit the power in SSB? It is generally set at about 22 watts. Turn that down, and what about an amp?

To limit your output power just lower the TX audio with the knob on the front of the Signalink or the mic gain knob on the radio. Results will be the same either way. You don't have to mod the radio in any way. Every time you move up or down the waterfall you will have to readjust the tx level this way. The way your supposed to adjust it is turn the gain up just until the ALC starts barely moving then back it down a touch. At least that's how I do it on my IC-751.
It's a fun mode, you'll like it if you can get others to try it on 11 meters with you. Or spring for your general license. Give RTTY a try also. Generally the same thing but there will be two lines moving down the waterfall with some space between them that makes up the signal.

[19dt2120]

Some digi-mode frequencies are:
27.245 usb > ROS & OPERA
27.450 "" > SIM psk (never heard any station here )
27.500 "" > PSK31 RTTY CW Olivia etc
26.610 "" > ROS
27.700 "" > SSTV

[Skipper 169]

Some digi-mode frequencies are:
27.245 usb > ROS & OPERA
27.450 "" > SIM psk (never heard any station here )
27.500 "" > PSK31 RTTY CW Olivia etc
26.610 "" > ROS
27.700 "" > SSTV

I have the digital mode software for Opera and ROS, but the ROS one starts, then gets a popup saying that I can not experiment with it in the US, then it closes. In the Dispaly Reception Reports website, I have not seen ROS used in the USA, but lot's of Opera signals. [Please login or register to view this link]

On 27.245 usb and 27.500 usb, I occassionaly run across some PSK31, but it is very rare. It's being invaded by voice and noise toys. Being retired, I probably spend 6 hours a day just listening, so I do get a fair sample of whats out there. There is plenty of PSK31 and others on 10 meters, but I can only listen there.

At present, I am trying to cobble together some way to patch a 1/8" plug from my computer soundcard, into the Mic connector on the RCI-2985dx. I am able to trigger the TX with a patched in button, but just can't find the combination of pin numbers to connect the audio out from the sound card to the Mic cord going to the radio. Any help there would be very helpful. There will never be any way to get the software to force the triggering of the key circuit, but I can easily do that mechanically, if I can just get the signal from the soundcard into the radio audio in circuit through the Mic cord.

Right now, I have tested sending the signal out on 27.500usb using the audio from my computer speakers, through the Mic held up to one of the speakers. The problems in testing this mode are hard to overcome. I live in a small town and there are very few people on air here and none that I can connect with to test this over the air. Everyone else I know from chats or forums are too far away from me to reliably connect with. LOL What a huge frustration this is becoming. Watching my power meter as the signal goes out, it shows it making it to the antenna, but I have never gotten any reply. Also, this radio has no ALC meter, so I have no idea what the signal looks or sounds like, it may just be hash for all I know.

That's whre I am at at this stage. Any suggestions from anyone with experience is appreciated.

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Oct 27th, '13, 08:37

Ah, Success. I was able to actually get my number replied to from a TX this morning on 27.5000usb. This answers the question of is it possible to send a legible signal using just the computer speaker with a Mic held up to it.

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Oct 27th, '13, 08:59

Much more success. Just had a 3 or 4 minute conversation with a guy in the South of France at 30w. How crazy is that?

Now, a problem, where do I read or find out about some of these code phrases they use? What is BTU? I feel stupid all over again. LOL

[Slyguy]

Now, a problem, where do I read or find out about some of these code phrases they use? What is BTU? I feel stupid all over again. LOL

BTU means Back To You
PSE please
PSE KN please come now, or only the person he is calling should answer
SK means end of conversation
TKS thanks

[Skipper 169]

Thanks Slyguy, easy to remember. I notice that some people are using what looks like made up numbers as in CB. I guess that makes sense too, at least for people here. Not sure what the laws are in other countries. This just opens up a whole new part of radio for me. I am getting pretty disgusted with belches, fighting and stupid noise toys on SSB and even now, on the Free channels. I suppose it's only a matter of time for this to get infected.

[peterwo2e]

i been trying for a few years to call psk31 cq on the cb spectrum for some time now. No takers. I love MIX W. has all modes and I use the free version without any problems. a few days ago I was transmitting SSTV on 27.000 usb great contacts to only Europa I made a pile up really quick. It was great and I got some great images. I started years ago with digipan psk31 by just putting the computer mic next to my radio speaker to decipher the signals. However transmitting it became more complicated so I bought an icom radio and that was much easier to hook up. I have many dx contacts thru the years in just about all digital modes. Its wonderful to able to hold a QSO to Europe for over an hour with just 5 watts on psk31. I never tried Olivia I heard this is a very narrow mode and great for qrp work.
However I will be working these frequencies in the future 27.245 usb > ROS & OPERA
27.450 "" > SIM psk (never heard any station here )
27.500 "" > PSK31 RTTY CW Olivia etc
26.610 "" > ROS
27.700 "" > SSTV
When the bands are open or slightly open. Listen for me
Good luck and good dx

[Skipper 169]

peterwo2e, I am on now, 27.5usb. PSK31 is the best so far, fastest for 31, narrow band and gets the job done when conditions are good. I have only found one other guy to talk to in the USA, I do not understand this, since digi modes are the way to go. 40 people can chat on a single band, where only one could before if they were close.

I use Olivia 8/250 quite a bit when conditions are getting bad, but it is by no means narrow band, it is as the name inplies, 250hz wide, not 31 or so like PSK, and it is as slow as molasses in January. Also, it is 100% duty cycle, bad for the finals, although I have chatted to Eastern France for half an hour using 1.5w.

Do you have a copy of ROS that works here in the US? I have tried several of the most recent updates and they get a nasty ARRL popup and then close. If you have a copy and willing to share, PM me.

I very seldom venture away from 27.5usb though, for obvious reasons. I am on now though and will be till about noon EST. TX me.

[Foliant]

Some digi-mode frequencies are:
27.245 usb > ROS & OPERA
27.450 "" > SIM psk (never heard any station here )
27.500 "" > PSK31 RTTY CW Olivia etc
26.610 "" > ROS
27.700 "" > SSTV

27.245 usb > ROS & OPERA & SSTV (mostly digital SSTV "Easypal" but sometimes even the old analog SSTV)
27.245 LSB > JT65HF Like
27.235 -FM or USB- > PSK, AFSK, RTTY


Regards
Patrick

[19dt2120]

Do you have a copy of ROS that works here in the US? I have tried several of the most recent updates and they get a nasty ARRL popup and then close. If you have a copy and willing to share, PM me.

I have a idea!
A lot of people here in Holland are using a dns switch to watch US,Can or UK content on Netflix .Maybe it will also works for ROSS by using a Can. or Mex. DNS.

[Skipper 169]

Hey 19dt2120 , we talked yesterterday on PSK31. 2US105. Ha, nice contact. Yes, that might work. I am sure that is how they take control of the program. I know one operator in Juarez that uses it all the time from there, and it is within sight of the boder. LOL

By the way, using DM 780, I was able to RX my first picture from France and also TX two to the same contact that sent me his, using the DM-780 built in tab for SSTV. That was pretty nice.

If you want to watch Free TV on the internet, start here;

[Please login or register to view this link]

If you want more, I have many other links for Free TV that work fine. I have stopped my cable service here cause it was costing too much and now I use DSL for much cheaper and even it is fast enough for TV. I bought a 31 inch Visio flat screen TV for my monitor and now I watch TV from one window while I can surf the net in another. I can get almost all TV stations from Russia to the USA for free. If you want my Free TV bookmarks folder, send me a PM and I will send it to you.

[19dt2120]

Sorry but I'm not interested in the US Broadcast !Only in some US TV series,which I'll get by Usenet.

But did u tried the DNS-switch option or is that projeckt in the refrigerator?

[Skipper 169]

I have no idea how to do the dns switch. And this is my work computer also. I don't want to chance messing it up for other things.

As I said, about those TV links. USA channels are only a small part of them. They have listings for almost every country, from South America to Asia.

[19dt2120]

First thing you have to do is keep your private IT and work IT always separated !
You don't want that your private things mess up your work related stuff on the computer!
Especially for the Hobby it would be nice to have an extra PC or Net/Notebook .New or 2e hand ,it doesn't matter. It will give you a better feeling if you 'don't have to be a scared of to do wrong things with it and you can experiment &learn a lot with it .