I applaud you for using the digi modes. These old guys, and I mean guys
who are stagnant and don't care about learning are sad. You are either
losing or gaining in knowledge there is no status quo. Enough of that,
my first venture into sstv was with a swan 700cx and at about 30-40
watts the power supply went. I later tried a tentec which worked good
but drifted too. I'll have to rig up the kenwood and see how it does on
psk...that will be interesting. I normally use 746pro using the
accessory jack, donner interface and laptop and usually hrd as the
software. For contests I use fldigi...73 es happy new year....Alan
http://bitterrootradio.ning.com/
John & Alan,
First, I have to congratulate you on venturing into digital modes. I
cannot tell you how many older hams scoff at the newer digital modes
as if they were nothing but teenage fads. I started in 1972 and I
also started with a Kenwood TS-520S and an SB-220 (my third rig, the
first one was a Hallicrafters TX and National Rx). I am still
somewhat new to digital modes, but my perception is that most digital
modes work through the audio in/out either rear panel or through
microphone. The newer radios have specialized input and output in
rear panel and I cannot recall if TS-520 did. Choosing a radio with
this interface makes life a lot easier. I have not yet used the
digital I/O of my ICOM 756PROII and I think I still use the audio I/O
for digital modes.
In some ways, the older tube radios a little better suited to digital
modes b/c the tubes are more forgiving for a longer duty cycle
operation. While you should not be transmitting more than 20-30
watts, mostly to avoid splatter on the PSK band-slice, you can push
the power a little and not worry about thermal shutdown on the earlier
transistor radios. I also refound SSTV. My first SSTV unit was a
handbuilt LC circuit that changed voltage based on KHZ off resonance
to decode SSTV and a small reel to reel tape recorder to save
transmissions. But now with a computer and built-in sound cards you
can have a blast even without much interface.
Anyway, welcome and thanks for sharing your experiences.
Michael K3MH
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*From:* digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] *On Behalf Of *Alan Wilson
*Sent:* Sunday, December 27, 2009 8:24 AM
*To:* digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
*Subject:* Re: [digitalradio] Re: Need your help picking HF radio.
thanks for the info, I recently got a like new 520SE but never
considered using it for digital work..73, Alan
Hello to all Group Members...
I am new to the Group - a 74 Yr Old -just returning to Amateur Radio,
after an absence of nearly 40 years, licenced in 1956, when 'Digital'
was just RTTY, and using 'proper' Teleprinters - Such as the Creed 7B
(Anyone remember these 'clatterers' ? !).
OK - I am new also to Digimode - so perhaps my unbiased view on the
topic here may be helpful (or not?).
I accidentally discovered PSK 31 about a month ago, and since then
have downloaded the many Digimode programs from the net for
evaluation for my needs, and read all I can on the topic, to get
insight and knowledge. I started by just listening (or is it
'watching'?).
I now have bought a 'proper' interface, and just this week have
started transmitting. Only able to work contacts around Europe -
Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, etc on 40M at present, but am
sure I will get further when my antenna is upgraded from a 20ft
length of copper wire end fed through a 9:1 Balun at 15ft hight, to
something better I am building. Plus when (and if!) the Bands 'Open
Up' - I don't hear European stations working anything outside Europe
at the moment, so I am quite happy that all is working as it should!
So - after a long winded pre-amble - here is the reason I write all
this, in this thread ! ....... The Thread starter was wanting to know
what Transceiver to buy for Digimode, that was good and cheap .....
Answer from me.... I am using a 150 dollar (off Ebay) Kenwood TS
520SE 'Boat Anchor' - and love it. It does all I need and more, it
has all the facilities and Specs that I need - and more, and - It was
cheap !!!
Sorry to 'ramble on, but when you are 74, you have earned the right
to bore the ass off everyone !!!
If - by some strange reason, you are interested in reading about my
setting up the current station, all about the Kenwood TS 520SE Line,
and my Amateur Radio 'Blog' - there are three really big pages of it
among all my other interests on my web site at www.John4Music
<http://www.John4Music>.TV
All the best to everyone in the Group, for the coming 2010,
Kindest regards,
John G3OBU
..............................................................
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:digitalradio%40yahoogroups.com>, "kd7jeh" <kd7...@...>
<mailto:kd7...@...> wrote:
>
> Merry Christmas to the Group,
>
> I am looking to buy another HF radio for PSK/digital. I am asking
what features I look for and why. Next question, what radio offers
more bang for the money and why?
>
> I would like to buy new but will consider a used one of older model
not in current production.
>
> Kd7jeh
>
--
Keep up with Ham radio in the Bitterroot:
http://bitterrootradio.ning.com/ <http://bitterrootradio.ning.com/>
