Re: [digitalradio] Re: Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!

2006-12-01 Thread Rein Couperus PA0R
On Thu, 2006-11-30 at 17:50 -0800, Leigh L Klotz, Jr. wrote:
> This is an interesting point of view, to take it from an economic and 
> performance tradeoff.  If I might ask (if this threa continues), would 
> you all mind posting your rig and antenna systems as well? It would be 
> interesting to see if there is a correlation between OS choice and rig 
> choice.  Homebrewers and Linux, or IC7800 and Windows, etc.
> 73,
> Leigh/WA5ZNU

I use a Ten Tec ORION, an Elecraft K2 and an FT897D with UBUNTU Linux.
(or with Mandriva Linux if using the pskmail live CD).

Rein PA0R




Re: [digitalradio] Re: Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!

2006-12-01 Thread Harv Nelson

OK Leigh,

Hope this is what you're looking for.

OS  LINUX debIAN, etch (testing, release) runing on two laptops, and four
desktop/server machines. since they all run the same OS, they all network
easily and paly nicely with the router.

RIGS  HF = Kenwood TS 850 and FT 897 (coupled/controled  with the Acer 3000
laptop.  using HAMlib and a variety of other linux programs too numerous to
mention here.  SSTV to PSK and APRS.  I'm patiently waiting for something
For ALE and DRM.
VHF RIGS.  old Radio shack 2mtr base.  yaesu 2800M. Several handis. (yaesu
409RH =APRS mobile.)

antennas.  HF =G5RV at 35 feet.
6mtr homebrewed 5element log-Yagi.  "tower"= 10 ft armstrong stepladder.
2merter = various homebred concoctions. and bed springs.

other boxes include  antenna tunners and switches.
two old PK232 MBX modems that were used for packet and Pactor.  mt63 and PSK
now seem to fill those nitches with less noise and frustration.

in short... my homebrewing, building, experimenting, and  testing is done
mainly on the computers and antennas.
I live in far norther Wisconsin on Lake Superior and back in the woods.  by
the time the UPS man gets here with the parts I order over the internet,
I've forgotten where they fit in whaterver projects I had going on.  LInux
provides a fine platform to vent all my fiddling puttering and fix-it urges.

HArv, N9AI




On 11/30/06, Leigh L Klotz, Jr. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


  This is an interesting point of view, to take it from an economic and
performance tradeoff. If I might ask (if this threa continues), would
you all mind posting your rig and antenna systems as well? It would be
interesting to see if there is a correlation between OS choice and rig
choice. Homebrewers and Linux, or IC7800 and Windows, etc.
73,
Leigh/WA5ZNU
I wonder if we might get people to post their
On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 4:09 pm, Dave Corio wrote:
> Having just finished experimenting with a dual-boot system, I would
> like to add my two cents worth.
>
> In my humble opinion, and if all things were equal, I would choose
> LINUX as my OS over Windows in a second. As far as using it for all
> else than ham radio, it is superb in most ways. While it does have a
> pretty steep learning curve, anyone who was used to the old DOS way of
> doing things can pick it up pretty quickly.
>
> But all things are not equal. While there is certainly some excellent
> amateur radio software for LINUX, and more coming out all the time,
> there simply isn't the wealth of development going into that area to
> produce programs that are truly competitive with what exists for
> Windows. Add that to the problem of compiling the programs and finding
> the necessary parts for assembling them, it is too early in the
> lifespan of the OS to expect that level of competition.
>
> I found that LINUX folks are amazing in their willingness to help a
> neophyte learn the ropes of the system, and some of the amateur
> software will be absolutely amazing given time. But, for me at least,
> that time isn't now. When it is, I'll be the first to recant my
> association with "Windoze" and jump on the LINUX bandwagon! I hope that
> day is sooner rather than later!
>
> 73
> Dave
> KB3MOW
>
>
 



Re: [digitalradio] best mode to use for weak signal HF work and other mode discussions

2006-12-01 Thread KV9U
Brett,

There are several sound card modes commonly used in addition to the most 
popular PSK31 and 45 baud RTTY That would be MFSK16, Olivia, Hell, and 
Throb/ThrobX. Although there are others, I rarely, if ever hear them. I 
no longer seem to hear any MT-63 and the CHIP modes came and went quickly.

I wanted to do more experimenting with DominoEX and last night I got to 
work some 160 meter NVIS. We started out on MFSK16 but I have been 
having a lot of problems with this mode as of late and maybe it is 
because my soundcard is not calibrated correctly, but I find that I have 
to use about 10 to 20 Hz offset RIT in order to print the other station. 
MFSK16 really does require extremely accurate tuning of perhaps 4 Hz or 
so. My rig is an ICOM 756 Pro 2 which is supposed to have very good 
stability at 0.5 ppm.

The other station and I tried some PSK31 for a short time when I lost 
him on MFSK16 and was just able to get him to try DominoEX at 11 baud. 
His signal was close to the noise although it was not that noisy on 160 
since we are in the winter season. The print was very poor at 11 baud, 
so we dropped to 8 baud and things got better. Even at 8 baud, the speed 
of transmission is still faster than MFSK16. We had a CW station come up 
about 50 Hz below us and when that station was transmitting, it 
drastically affected the print of the DEX mode, even at 8 wpm. The one 
thing that DEX has going for it is that it is less critical to tune in.

If often wonder if a mode that has a very wide ability to print even if 
not tuned in well has to have some tradeoffs in robustness compared with 
critical to tune modes. Anyone have specific information about that?

We probably should have tried even slower speeds because later on I had 
great difficulty copying him and took lots of hits. He is running Linux 
so did not have the FEC version of DEX. My experience in the past was 
that the Viterbi coding helps a great deal in good printing, even at 11 
baud, but of course your speed drops by all of 50% so you are just a bit 
slower at 11 baud/FEC than you would be with MFSK16.

It would be interesting to hear of other station's experience with DEX 
and DEX/FEC and various speeds with and without FEC, particularly with 
the lower baud rates on low band NVIS type operation.

One of the things that I have to accept is that almost none of these 
modes will work very well on the lower bands with high QRN levels from 
summer static.

Can anyone say with some degree of certainly what modes you think will 
get through on the low bands with high QRN levels?

73,

Rick, KV9U



Brett Owen Rees VK2TMG wrote:

> All,
>
> I find that I normally use PSK31 - as that is what most other stations 
> use
> and is popular. But, I see a lot of stations that I cannot work - yet 
> I can
> see their trace on the waterfall. Often, they are responding to my CQ and
> they just don't make it. Why do people respond to a 2 * 3 call with a 
> 1*1 or
> 1*2 call? There seems to be a strategy for psk31 mode that involves 
> sending
> information multiple times - like a poor man's FEC. I expect that is why
> they know who I am - from listening to my 2 * 3 call.
>
> The thing is - is there a mode that if I can see them on the waterfall 
> then
> I can work them? I see no reason why we can't just go 
> narrower/slower/more
> FEC and go right down into the noise. And why not have it be adaptive 
> - and
> be able to become faster and wider if conditions are good - and even 
> have a
> feature of being able to set a max bandwidth for those who may be
> constrained or for where a number of stations are sharing a 2.4KHz 
> segment?
>
> Things I like about PSK31:
> - easy to tune with start bars, idle bars and ending tail (sorry, my 
> naming
> scheme here)
> - narrow bandwidth
> - popular
>
> Things I dislike:
> - lack of RX sensitivity at times
> -  errors at low SN
>
> Features that would be nice:
> - reliable, verified delivery
> - ability to use as part of a 'stack' so as to use for APRS or TCP/IP or
> file transfer or ALE or sounding or whatever
> - easy tuning
> - highly adaptive under trying conditions
> - be basis of keyboard mode DX mode
> - Open Source
>
> Please - I would like your opinions on this. Perhaps one of the current
> modes could be adapted - or am I trying to re-invent the wheel? What 
> is the
> best that is out there currently and can we make use of it? In an ideal
> world what would be the theoretical best that we could aim for? I 
> understand
> that with Turbo codes that it is possible to come very close to 
> theoretical
> limits - are amateur protocols using such techniques? Having done some
> reading about DominoEX there appears to be various workarounds which 
> may be
> required in order to make a mode practical - like being able to work 
> around
> a carrier on the frequency.
>
> 73 de Brett VK2TMG
>
>
>
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Chec

RE: [digitalradio] Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!

2006-12-01 Thread DuBose Walt Civ AETC CONS/LGCA
Are you referring to ham radio applications or other more "normal" 
applications?  I haven't had any problems with normal/regular Linux programs 
and even many ham radio programs...but I'll admit that some of the ham radio 
progrmas take a lot of work to get them loaded correctly and running correctly.

Walt/K5YFW
-Original Message-
From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Michael 
P. Brininstool
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 10:12 AM
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [digitalradio] Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!




From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Kevin 
O'Rorke
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 5:47 PM
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [digitalradio] Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!


Seriously, until Linux programs can be installed as easily and reliably 
as Windows programs (I HAVE NEVER EVER HAD AN INSTALLATION PROBLEM IN 
WIN) then Linux has not a dogs chance in Hell of competing with Windows.
I enjoy the challenge of fighting with Linux and consider myself an 
apprentice geek in that realm, but really what John
says is, unfortunately true.
.
  

I have been using *NIX since 1986 (before Windows) and have never like Windows.
The installation problem to which you refer will probably never be fixed in 
Linux.
That is because, to do so, means standardizing distros and configs --something
die-hard *NIX fans will not stand for.  The reason I prefer *NIX is that I can 
have it my way.

The analogy I like to use is this:

You go in the the M$ (MicroSoft) restaurant and sit down, the waiter brings out 
your meal.  You do not have a choice in what to order, or how it is prepared, 
just how many copies of the meal.

I go into the *NIX restaurant, and talk to the cattle barron, and negotiate 
which cow he will let me purchase and for how much.  He then hands me a butcher 
knife and sends me into the field.

As much as I do not want to have to butcher my own meat, if that is the only 
way to get beef instead of the mystery "meat" of the year, and get it cooked to 
my specifications, then I will do it that way.  Pre-packaged distros are just 
paying someone to butcher and wrap the meat for you.

The problem I see, is that Linux interfaces are trying to become M$ Windows, 
and are starting to lose their original appeal.


 


[digitalradio] Rfsm2400 v.045

2006-12-01 Thread radionorway
Hi all,


Version 045 is out

http://home.broadpark.no/~saanes/rfsm2400_v045.zip


>From the readme file:


Changes in version 0.42.

(+) RFSM-2400 allow simple remote control and IPC (option
"AutoTranseive").
Directory "TRANSEIVE" is permanently scanned for files (remote commands).
Allowed next remote commands:
1) Text file with name "connect"  - command "Connect", content of file
is name of called abonent.
2) File with name "disconnect" - command "Disconnect", file is empty.
3) Text file with name "sendfile"  - command "Send file", content of
file is full name of transfered file (NOT required place transfered
file to directory "TRANSEIVE" ;).
4) File with name "stoptrans" - command "Stop transfer", file is empty.
After operations is done, files will be deleted.
So, file "sendfile" will be deleted after transfer is doing.


Changes in version 0.45.

(+) Option "AutoTranseive" renamed to "Enable file-based IPC".
 Program writing to directory "TRANSEIVE" two files for display
current status: 
- "connected" - when connected;
- "transfer" - when sending or receiving files.
When connect is lost or abonent is disconnected, file "connected" will
be deleted.
When transfer is doing or stoped, file "transfer" will be deleted.

(+) Languages switch support. See options and directory "LANGUAGES".
Sorry, but system messages not translated in this version. Coming soon. 

(+) New option - "Delayed user messages". 
Enabled - display user messages only when sended, grayed - display
when typed (gray color) and when sended, disabled - display when typed
(old style).

(-) Fix bugs in packet monitor.


73 de LA5VNA Steinar












--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, Steinar Aanesland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> 
> Go to http://rfsm2400.narod.ru/ and download the latest
> MIL-STD 188-110 Modem.
> 
> (Or use my link, it's faster)
> http://home.broadpark.no/~saanes/rfsm2400_v42.zip
> 
> 73 de LA5VNA Steinar
>




RE: [digitalradio] Re: USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms

2006-12-01 Thread DuBose Walt Civ AETC CONS/LGCA
Red Cross, Salvation Army and the like frequencies are just commercial 
frequencies requiring the same bandwidth as other users of the 
frequencies...they have no special frequencies.

However, I would think that DHS would approach the FCC about setting aside 
disaster communications frequencies that don't reside within the commercial 
frequencies.  What is unfortunate is that the ITU really controls the bandwidth 
of the frequencies on HF world wide so there is not really any or many 
available frequencies on HF that can be used for wideband use EXCEPT the 
hambands.  Even our military frequencies that we in the U.S. (Region II) cannot 
be used in other parts of the world.

The clostest thing we have to a disaster frequency is the 5 MHz frequency that 
is used in Alaska.  When you consider the actual needs of frequencies set aside 
for disaster communications, there just isn't enough bandwidth available...what 
IS available is amateur radio frequencies.

I fear that if amateur radio operators in the U.S. don't accommodate NGO HF 
communications needs...and choose to give the NGOs their own disaster 
frequencies, those frequencies will come out of the hambands.  It may be a case 
of play with the NGOs and meet their "sometime" communications needs or lose 
frequencies to them altogether.

Walt/K5YFW

-Original Message-
From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of jgorman01
Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 7:06 PM
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [digitalradio] Re: USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms


Let me paraphrase N7DC's comment.  The local, state, and federal
governments and NGO's want our help - then they should provide the
equipment and the bandwidth for its use- and that bandwidth is out
there, assigned to agencies and NGO's now.  I've checked and both the
Red Cross and Salvation Army have HF frequencies assigned to them. 
I'm sorry they can't afford the equipment to use these assignments. 
With the recent letters to the FCC about how Homeland Security money
would be wasted if the 500 Hz bandwidth restriction wasn't changed I
wonder why the NGO's have not applied for and received Homeland
Security money to provide their own equipment needed to use these
assignments.  The money is obviously available!

This is where I philosophically disagree with your position.  I
believe you are saying since they can't afford it, then lets change
the amateur bands so we can support the NGO's business needs, i.e.
wide bandwidth high capacity HF links for disaster communications.  I
wholeheartedly disagree with this.  For example, for general class
licensees on 80m there would only be space for about seven 8 kHz
channels.  I am sure that if 8 kHz bandwidths were allowed, there
would be a sufficient number of hams who would fill up the space
thereby driving out all other modes and causing a lot of hams to cease
operating entirely.  This could easily end up having an unforeseen
detremental effect, one of limiting the number of hams available for
disaster support.  Please ask yourself the question why, if the FCC
won't let them use wide bandwidth modes on their own frequencies,
should amateur radio do it for them especially when it has a
detremental effect on our own service?  

I think the ham bands should be set up for what hams need on a day to
day basis.  Then, if this can help support NGO's or even governmental
agencies, then fine.  If they won't accept the level of service we can
provide, well that is their loss.  I am afraid that if we begin
defining the ham band allocations, modes, and bandwidths based upon
what non-ham organizations need to support their business plans
(disaster services) we are on a very slippery slope that can lead to
unintended consequences to the amateur service.  

Jim
WA0LYK

--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "DuBose Walt Civ AETC CONS/LGCA"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Most "emergency" communications is in reality disaster
communications and is NOT in support of "governments" but rather
non-governmental agencies, i.e. the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. 
These organizations do need very high-speed throughput modes that are
robust to meet their operational needs and do not have the funding to
provide hardware to support the need.
> 
> Since the agencies supported are not government organizations (NGO),
they cannot provide frequencies or bandwidth to support their
communications needs.  If the NGO has HF frequency/frequencies, they
are controlled by the FCC and have strict bandwidth limits for their
type of service.  Even governmental agencies/organizations are
controlled by a federal agency that limits their frequency use, power
and bandwidth.  Amateur radio is the only source that actually has a
change for providing frequencies and bandwidths to meet NGO needs.
> 
> But needing higher-speed and more robust modes is not the only need
of NGOs...they also need robust chat and text modes that are robust
for instant command and control ope

Re: [digitalradio] best mode to use for weak signal HF work and other mode discussions

2006-12-01 Thread Patrick Lindecker
Hello Rick,

>If often wonder if a mode that has a very wide ability to print even if 
>not tuned in well has to have some tradeoffs in robustness compared with 
>critical to tune modes. Anyone have specific information about that?
The ability of DominoEx to be tuned very easily is that the modulation is an 
IFK one and not a MFSK one. It means that you measure a difference of frequency 
not a frequency in absolute as in MFSK. The good point it is easy to tune (no 
absolute reference of frequency) but the bad point is that when you do an 
error, the second symbol is also in error...you double the error (it's a bit 
like in PSK31, which one measures a difference of phase: if you do a error on 
one symbol, the next symbol will be also in error).

>Can anyone say with some degree of certainly what modes you think will 
>get through on the low bands with high QRN levels?
I think Olivia must be good but Contestia is more close to ideal as twice 
quicker than Olivia with a minimum S/N just 1 or 1.5 dB superior to Olivia.

73
Patrick



  - Original Message - 
  From: KV9U 
  To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 7:49 PM
  Subject: Re: [digitalradio] best mode to use for weak signal HF work and 
other mode discussions


  Brett,

  There are several sound card modes commonly used in addition to the most 
  popular PSK31 and 45 baud RTTY That would be MFSK16, Olivia, Hell, and 
  Throb/ThrobX. Although there are others, I rarely, if ever hear them. I 
  no longer seem to hear any MT-63 and the CHIP modes came and went quickly.

  I wanted to do more experimenting with DominoEX and last night I got to 
  work some 160 meter NVIS. We started out on MFSK16 but I have been 
  having a lot of problems with this mode as of late and maybe it is 
  because my soundcard is not calibrated correctly, but I find that I have 
  to use about 10 to 20 Hz offset RIT in order to print the other station. 
  MFSK16 really does require extremely accurate tuning of perhaps 4 Hz or 
  so. My rig is an ICOM 756 Pro 2 which is supposed to have very good 
  stability at 0.5 ppm.

  The other station and I tried some PSK31 for a short time when I lost 
  him on MFSK16 and was just able to get him to try DominoEX at 11 baud. 
  His signal was close to the noise although it was not that noisy on 160 
  since we are in the winter season. The print was very poor at 11 baud, 
  so we dropped to 8 baud and things got better. Even at 8 baud, the speed 
  of transmission is still faster than MFSK16. We had a CW station come up 
  about 50 Hz below us and when that station was transmitting, it 
  drastically affected the print of the DEX mode, even at 8 wpm. The one 
  thing that DEX has going for it is that it is less critical to tune in.

  If often wonder if a mode that has a very wide ability to print even if 
  not tuned in well has to have some tradeoffs in robustness compared with 
  critical to tune modes. Anyone have specific information about that?

  We probably should have tried even slower speeds because later on I had 
  great difficulty copying him and took lots of hits. He is running Linux 
  so did not have the FEC version of DEX. My experience in the past was 
  that the Viterbi coding helps a great deal in good printing, even at 11 
  baud, but of course your speed drops by all of 50% so you are just a bit 
  slower at 11 baud/FEC than you would be with MFSK16.

  It would be interesting to hear of other station's experience with DEX 
  and DEX/FEC and various speeds with and without FEC, particularly with 
  the lower baud rates on low band NVIS type operation.

  One of the things that I have to accept is that almost none of these 
  modes will work very well on the lower bands with high QRN levels from 
  summer static.

  Can anyone say with some degree of certainly what modes you think will 
  get through on the low bands with high QRN levels?

  73,

  Rick, KV9U

  Brett Owen Rees VK2TMG wrote:

  > All,
  >
  > I find that I normally use PSK31 - as that is what most other stations 
  > use
  > and is popular. But, I see a lot of stations that I cannot work - yet 
  > I can
  > see their trace on the waterfall. Often, they are responding to my CQ and
  > they just don't make it. Why do people respond to a 2 * 3 call with a 
  > 1*1 or
  > 1*2 call? There seems to be a strategy for psk31 mode that involves 
  > sending
  > information multiple times - like a poor man's FEC. I expect that is why
  > they know who I am - from listening to my 2 * 3 call.
  >
  > The thing is - is there a mode that if I can see them on the waterfall 
  > then
  > I can work them? I see no reason why we can't just go 
  > narrower/slower/more
  > FEC and go right down into the noise. And why not have it be adaptive 
  > - and
  > be able to become faster and wider if conditions are good - and even 
  > have a
  > feature of being able to set a max bandwidth for those who may be
  > constrained or for where a

Re: [digitalradio] Re: Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!

2006-12-01 Thread Paul L Schmidt, K9PS
Leigh L Klotz, Jr. wrote:
> This is an interesting point of view, to take it from an economic and 
> performance tradeoff.  If I might ask (if this threa continues), would 
> you all mind posting your rig and antenna systems as well? It would be 
> interesting to see if there is a correlation between OS choice and rig 
> choice.  Homebrewers and Linux, or IC7800 and Windows, etc.
> 73,
> Leigh/WA5ZNU

Interesting idea...

Rig: currently IC-718 with TCXO, purchased in February 06 to replace my
TS-430S which was purchased new in 1982. :)

Computer: P4 3.4 GHz purchased Dec 2004 to replace my old Asus T2P4
motherboard which was running a K6/2 at 233 MHz (which replaced the
original K5 processor I had in it)

OS: Fedora Core 3 (the K6/2 runs Red Hat 6.2)  Crossover version 4.2
to support MS-Office 2000.

Antennas: Inverted Vees and Dipoles that will cover 160-10 with
a Heath roller-inductor tuner, and tuner built from an old ARC-5 to
cover 160m.  I only rarely venture above 60m anyway, and do a lot
more tinkering and listening than I ever do transmitting.

Soundcard interface and CI-V interface - homebrew designed and built.

I probably don't fit the description of either a typical ham or a
typical computer user.

- ps


Re: [digitalradio] USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms

2006-12-01 Thread Patrick Lindecker
Hello Leigh and Jose,

>The parameters to look for from Patrick are the RS code groups and 
>maximum correction coefficient. It is likely that the same seed data p 
>is used in all cases, so there is no need for a registry of data codes. 
>(I.e., if you can decode it, you don't need to know what it means since 
>you have already found the right decoder g and frequency f).
I use a limited sub-set of the RS code groups because through translation in 
time and in frequency RS codes are not orthogonal between themselves which is 
logic as RS has a set of solutions which are cyclic by parts (I don't see this 
in the litterature but it is obvious when you see the solutions...).

The problem is to stay with a fix relationship between each RS solution and its 
mode label ("0" for "BPSK31"...), exactly as in SSTV each code sent previously 
to the SSTV picture is related to a given SSTV code.

73
Patrick




  - Original Message - 
  From: Leigh L Klotz, Jr. 
  To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 5:38 AM
  Subject: Re: [digitalradio] USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms


  From what I can gather, the code is just an ECC'd data block and the 
  contents of the data aren't that important; it is the decodability 
  itself that is. If you can use arbitrary modem decoder g() and decode 
  data p with center frequency f with g(p,f) yielding null|(q,r) where r 
  is the correction coefficient, then you iterate over all decoders g and 
  pick the one that produces the highest r, without reference to q. In 
  all likelihood, only one decoder g() will yield a non-null result, 
  however, if you also iterate over frequencies f then you may get 
  multiple succesful decodes.

  The parameters to look for from Patrick are the RS code groups and 
  maximum correction coefficient. It is likely that the same seed data p 
  is used in all cases, so there is no need for a registry of data codes. 
  (I.e., if you can decode it, you don't need to know what it means since 
  you have already found the right decoder g and frequency f).

  73,
  Leigh/WA5ZNU
  On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 1:08 pm, Jose A. Amador wrote:
  > I see it would be interesting to "register and publish" the codes that
  > Patrick used by some "central authority"
  > (maybe, Patrick himself). For me, it is similar to the I2C codes
  > that the semiconductor industry
  > uses, and Philips, as inventor of the concept, is the registering 
  > authority.


   

[digitalradio] Re: best mode to use for weak signal HF work and other mode discussions

2006-12-01 Thread Bill McLaughlin
Hello Brett,

Not sure there is a "best" modeall are trade-offs to some degree 
in terms of speed/bandwidth/sensitivity/robustness/other-stuff. 
Suspect if there was one best mode we would all use itThe variety 
of modes is part of the appeal; you want psk31 but also FEC? Use 
psk31F (for example). "verified delivery" - well then an ARQ 
mode such as Amtor/Pactor/PAX/PAX2/AX.25 and othersmore 
sensitivity? 
Try WSJT JT65, about the best I know of offhandspeed? PSK220/220F 
burns along if you have a good path..Chip and MT63 seem very 
robust but, like the rest, at a price. Tuning tolerance? DominoEX 
seems to only care if you take a stab in the dark at the correct 
frequency.Would consider few other than SlowFeldXPas for aircraft 
reflection work on VHF...very short signal bursts? Try JT6M 0r 
FSK441; heck, I even use CW sometimes :) 

Not trying to be flip and know I included modes outside your question 
about "weak signal HF" modes, but I think it pays to be flexible in 
terms of mode, conditions, band, and desires. Best advice I can give 
is to try them all and see what you like and what suits your 
operation conditions and style.

Be well, 73

Bill,  N9DSJ




--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Brett Owen Rees VK2TMG " 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> All,
> 
> I find that I normally use PSK31 - as that is what most other 
stations use
> and is popular. But, I see a lot of stations that I cannot work - 
yet I can
> see their trace on the waterfall. Often, they are responding to my 
CQ and
> they just don't make it. Why do people respond to a 2 * 3 call with 
a 1*1 or
> 1*2 call? There seems to be a strategy for psk31 mode that involves 
sending
> information multiple times - like a poor man's FEC. I expect that 
is why
> they know who I am - from listening to my 2 * 3 call.
> 
> The thing is - is there a mode that if I can see them on the 
waterfall then
> I can work them? I see no reason why we can't just go 
narrower/slower/more
> FEC and go right down into the noise. And why not have it be 
adaptive - and
> be able to become faster and wider if conditions are good - and 
even have a
> feature of being able to set a max bandwidth for those who may be
> constrained or for where a number of stations are sharing a 2.4KHz 
segment?
> 
> Things I like about PSK31:
> - easy to tune with start bars, idle bars and ending tail (sorry, 
my naming
> scheme here)
> - narrow bandwidth
> - popular
> 
> Things I dislike:
> - lack of RX sensitivity at times
> -  errors at low SN
> 
> Features that would be nice:
> - reliable, verified delivery
> - ability to use as part of a 'stack' so as to use for APRS or 
TCP/IP or
> file transfer or ALE or sounding or whatever
> - easy tuning
> - highly adaptive under trying conditions
> - be basis of keyboard mode DX mode
> - Open Source
> 
> Please - I would like your opinions on this. Perhaps one of the 
current
> modes could be adapted - or am I trying to re-invent the wheel? 
What is the
> best that is out there currently and can we make use of it? In an 
ideal
> world what would be the theoretical best that we could aim for? I 
understand
> that with Turbo codes that it is possible to come very close to 
theoretical
> limits - are amateur protocols using such techniques? Having done 
some
> reading about DominoEX there appears to be various workarounds 
which may be
> required in order to make a mode practical - like being able to 
work around
> a carrier on the frequency.
> 
> 73 de Brett VK2TMG
> 
> -- 
> ===
> Brett Rees VK2TMG
> http://lisp.homeunix.net
>




Re: [digitalradio] Re: best mode to use for weak signal HF work and other mode discussions

2006-12-01 Thread bruce mallon
Ive had good luck with psk-31 


--- Bill McLaughlin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Hello Brett,
> 
> Not sure there is a "best" modeall are
> trade-offs to some degree 
> in terms of
> speed/bandwidth/sensitivity/robustness/other-stuff. 
> Suspect if there was one best mode we would all use
> itThe variety 
> of modes is part of the appeal; you want psk31 but
> also FEC? Use 
> psk31F (for example). "verified delivery" - well
> then an ARQ 
> mode such as Amtor/Pactor/PAX/PAX2/AX.25 and
> othersmore 
> sensitivity? 
> Try WSJT JT65, about the best I know of
> offhandspeed? PSK220/220F 
> burns along if you have a good path..Chip and
> MT63 seem very 
> robust but, like the rest, at a price. Tuning
> tolerance? DominoEX 
> seems to only care if you take a stab in the dark at
> the correct 
> frequency.Would consider few other than
> SlowFeldXPas for aircraft 
> reflection work on VHF...very short signal bursts?
> Try JT6M 0r 
> FSK441; heck, I even use CW sometimes :) 
> 
> Not trying to be flip and know I included modes
> outside your question 
> about "weak signal HF" modes, but I think it pays to
> be flexible in 
> terms of mode, conditions, band, and desires. Best
> advice I can give 
> is to try them all and see what you like and what
> suits your 
> operation conditions and style.
> 
> Be well, 73
> 
> Bill,  N9DSJ
> 
> 
> 
> 
> --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Brett Owen
> Rees VK2TMG " 
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > All,
> > 
> > I find that I normally use PSK31 - as that is what
> most other 
> stations use
> > and is popular. But, I see a lot of stations that
> I cannot work - 
> yet I can
> > see their trace on the waterfall. Often, they are
> responding to my 
> CQ and
> > they just don't make it. Why do people respond to
> a 2 * 3 call with 
> a 1*1 or
> > 1*2 call? There seems to be a strategy for psk31
> mode that involves 
> sending
> > information multiple times - like a poor man's
> FEC. I expect that 
> is why
> > they know who I am - from listening to my 2 * 3
> call.
> > 
> > The thing is - is there a mode that if I can see
> them on the 
> waterfall then
> > I can work them? I see no reason why we can't just
> go 
> narrower/slower/more
> > FEC and go right down into the noise. And why not
> have it be 
> adaptive - and
> > be able to become faster and wider if conditions
> are good - and 
> even have a
> > feature of being able to set a max bandwidth for
> those who may be
> > constrained or for where a number of stations are
> sharing a 2.4KHz 
> segment?
> > 
> > Things I like about PSK31:
> > - easy to tune with start bars, idle bars and
> ending tail (sorry, 
> my naming
> > scheme here)
> > - narrow bandwidth
> > - popular
> > 
> > Things I dislike:
> > - lack of RX sensitivity at times
> > -  errors at low SN
> > 
> > Features that would be nice:
> > - reliable, verified delivery
> > - ability to use as part of a 'stack' so as to use
> for APRS or 
> TCP/IP or
> > file transfer or ALE or sounding or whatever
> > - easy tuning
> > - highly adaptive under trying conditions
> > - be basis of keyboard mode DX mode
> > - Open Source
> > 
> > Please - I would like your opinions on this.
> Perhaps one of the 
> current
> > modes could be adapted - or am I trying to
> re-invent the wheel? 
> What is the
> > best that is out there currently and can we make
> use of it? In an 
> ideal
> > world what would be the theoretical best that we
> could aim for? I 
> understand
> > that with Turbo codes that it is possible to come
> very close to 
> theoretical
> > limits - are amateur protocols using such
> techniques? Having done 
> some
> > reading about DominoEX there appears to be various
> workarounds 
> which may be
> > required in order to make a mode practical - like
> being able to 
> work around
> > a carrier on the frequency.
> > 
> > 73 de Brett VK2TMG
> > 
> > -- 
> > ===
> > Brett Rees VK2TMG
> > http://lisp.homeunix.net
> >
> 
> 
> 



 

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Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.
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[digitalradio] how to make a good mode

2006-12-01 Thread David Michael Gaytko // WD4KPD
a question

is it better to spread the componets of a data stream across a band
width of frequencies along with some type of redundancy, or have
several independent streams with same info in each with maybe some
type of time delay per stream ?

like maybe 5 or so psk streams of independent data set side by side.

david/wd4kpd


Re: [digitalradio] how to make a good mode

2006-12-01 Thread Danny Douglas
Back as far as the 60s, there were multiplex rtty circuits that sent the
same info on several "channels".  When the receiver received the separate
streams it then "voted" on whether the bit was a mark or a space.  Whichever
one "won" the vote, (more channels showing that status) the receiver came
out with that as the proper data bit.  It made it possible to send messages
in the same speed as a single channel, but much more accuracy was obtained.

We could actually send two messages at a time on that system, since we used
double sideband transmissions, with the upper sideband carrying one set of
signals, and the lower sideband another set of signals.  I believe lthe Navy
also used something like that for broadcasts to all ships in an area?

Early sattilite systems had Frequency division multiplex - each embassy was
assigned a separate modem and a separate frequency on the bird.   Later on,
it became Time Division Multiplex, which then allowed one channel on the
bird, to handle a half dozen or more ground stations all at the same time,
and each faster than the older modems - at that.



Danny Douglas N7DC
ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA
SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB all
DX 2-6 years each
.
QSL LOTW-buro- direct
As courtesty I upload to eQSL but if you
use that - also pls upload to LOTW
or hard card.

moderator  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Original Message - 
From: "David Michael Gaytko // WD4KPD" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "DIGITALRADIO" 
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 8:07 PM
Subject: [digitalradio] how to make a good mode


> a question
>
> is it better to spread the componets of a data stream across a band
> width of frequencies along with some type of redundancy, or have
> several independent streams with same info in each with maybe some
> type of time delay per stream ?
>
> like maybe 5 or so psk streams of independent data set side by side.
>
> david/wd4kpd
>
>
> Need a Digital mode QSO? Connect to  Telnet://cluster.dynalias.org
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.3/561 - Release Date: 12/1/2006
6:36 AM
>
>



[digitalradio] Re: USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms

2006-12-01 Thread jgorman01
Your argument isn't logical.

If the NGO's don't have the resources to use the frequencies they
currently have assigned, where would the resources come from to allow
them to use amateur service frequencies reassigned to the land
fixed/mobile service?  How would they convince the FCC to allocate and
assign new frequencies when they aren't using the ones they have?

The ITU controls the segments assigned to different services.  For
example, 3750 - 4000 kHz in Region 2 can be amateur, land, or
aeronautical.  The FCC just can't create a new "service" for this
segment without agreement of the signatories of the ITU.  Therefore,
these frequencies would have to be assigned within the land
fixed/mobile service and end up with the same restriction that their
current assignments have.  

Lastly, I just can't understand where so much data is going to come
from in a disaster that the FCC could justify moving HF amateur
allocations to land fixed/mobile.  Amateur radio should not be the
primary service that handles megabytes/gigabytes of data on a
continuous basis for logistics, etc. for NGO's or the government. 
This is close to the line of using amateur radio as a full blown
communications carrier.  If amateurs involved with emcomms are
"selling" this to NGO's and the government they are doing so without
consulting with all the other amateur service licensees that share
these frequencies and getting their agreement.

Jim
WA0LYK

--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "DuBose Walt Civ AETC CONS/LGCA"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Red Cross, Salvation Army and the like frequencies are just
commercial frequencies requiring the same bandwidth as other users of
the frequencies...they have no special frequencies.
> 
> However, I would think that DHS would approach the FCC about setting
aside disaster communications frequencies that don't reside within the
commercial frequencies.  What is unfortunate is that the ITU really
controls the bandwidth of the frequencies on HF world wide so there is
not really any or many available frequencies on HF that can be used
for wideband use EXCEPT the hambands.  Even our military frequencies
that we in the U.S. (Region II) cannot be used in other parts of the
world.
> 
> The clostest thing we have to a disaster frequency is the 5 MHz
frequency that is used in Alaska.  When you consider the actual needs
of frequencies set aside for disaster communications, there just isn't
enough bandwidth available...what IS available is amateur radio
frequencies.
> 
> I fear that if amateur radio operators in the U.S. don't accommodate
NGO HF communications needs...and choose to give the NGOs their own
disaster frequencies, those frequencies will come out of the hambands.
 It may be a case of play with the NGOs and meet their "sometime"
communications needs or lose frequencies to them altogether.
> 
> Walt/K5YFW
> 



Re: [digitalradio] Re: USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms

2006-12-01 Thread w6ids

Well, you're right IMHO, however, there's something more.  Generally, in 
this
country we've sacrificed personal freedoms by virtue of the DHS and the
Patriot Act, yet no one has complained yet.

Any interest by EMCOMM folks or anyone else who would entertain the
notion of giving away something else to the DHS for any reason such as
you addressed worries me greatly.  We're not a commercial service nor
should we even try to act like one.

Digital Radio and all other forms of technology we help develop should
remain within the real scope of this HOBBY.  If we help EMCOMM in
some fashion, super.  If volunteering our services to the extent we have
available, kudos to us.  But leave it at that and don't sacrifice anything
more of our valuable resources.  We're already out of sync with the
rest of the world, again IMHO for whatever that's worth.

Howard W6IDS
Richmond, IN

- Original Message - 
From: jgorman01
To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 10:35 PM
Subject: [digitalradio] Re: USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms

Your argument isn't logical.

If the NGO's don't have the resources to use the frequencies they
currently have assigned, where would the resources come from to allow
them to use amateur service frequencies reassigned to the land
fixed/mobile service?

>SNIP< >SNIP<



Re: [digitalradio] USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms

2006-12-01 Thread Leigh L Klotz, Jr.
Ok so if there are multiple solutions then there is data to ECC, not 
100% ECC of a constant, so it is indeed correct that there is a need for 
a registry, and I was wrong.
Leigh/WA5ZNU
On Fri, 1 Dec 2006 4:07 pm, Patrick Lindecker wrote:
> Hello Leigh and Jose,
>
>> The parameters to look for from Patrick are the RS code groups and
>
>> maximum correction coefficient. It is likely that the same seed data p
>> is used in all cases, so there is no need for a registry of data codes.
>> (I.e., if you can decode it, you don't need to know what it means since
>> you have already found the right decoder g and frequency f).
> I use a limited sub-set of the RS code groups because through 
> translation in time and in frequency RS codesĀ are not orthogonal 
> between themselves which is logic as RS has a set of solutions which 
> are cyclic by parts (I don't see this in the litterature but it is 
> obvious when you see the solutions...).
>
> The problem is to stay with a fix relationship between each RS solution 
> and its mode label ("0" for "BPSK31"...), exactly as in SSTV each code 
> sent previously to the SSTV picture is related to a givenĀ SSTV code.
>
> 73
>
> Patrick
>
>> - Original Message -
>>
>> From: Leigh L Klotz, Jr.
>>
>> To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
>>
>> Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 5:38 AM
>>
>> Subject: Re: [digitalradio] USA: No Advanced Digital HF Data Comms
>>
>> From what I can gather, the code is just an ECC'd data block and the
>>
>> contents of the data aren't that important; it is the decodability
>> itself that is. If you can use arbitrary modem decoder g() and decode
>> data p with center frequency f with g(p,f) yielding null|(q,r) where r
>> is the correction coefficient, then you iterate over all decoders g and
>> pick the one that produces the highest r, without reference to q. In
>> all likelihood, only one decoder g() will yield a non-null result,
>> however, if you also iterate over frequencies f then you may get
>> multiple succesful decodes.
>>
>> The parameters to look for from Patrick are the RS code groups and
>> maximum correction coefficient. It is likely that the same seed data p
>> is used in all cases, so there is no need for a registry of data codes.
>> (I.e., if you can decode it, you don't need to know what it means since
>> you have already found the right decoder g and frequency f).
>>
>> 73,
>> Leigh/WA5ZNU
>> On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 1:08 pm, Jose A. Amador wrote:
>>>  I see it would be interesting to "register and publish" the codes that
>>>  Patrick used by some "central authority"
>>>  (maybe, Patrick himself). For me, it is similar to the I2C codes
>>>  that the semiconductor industry
>>>  uses, and Philips, as inventor of the concept, is the registering
>>>  authority.
>
> 

Re: [digitalradio] Re: Linux versis Windows: Let the debate begin!!

2006-12-01 Thread Brett Owen Rees VK2TMG

HF setup

I run an Alinco DX-77 with a homebrew interface. KVM cables and old scsi
cables make for great shielded wiring. It's all a bit basic with TX keying
hanging off the back of DB9s plug etc - but it works. Computer is 2.2 GHz P4
with Debian installed from a Knoppix CD, and then updated over the Internet.
20m antenna is a dipole with coax balun, and 160-40m is an inverted L
through a manual ATU situated at the feedpoint to the shack. I build all of
my antenna and interfaces but typically buy radios new - less headaches that
way. Primary software is fldigi alpha versions.

For VHF APRS (VK2TMG-1) I run an ebay special FDC FD-150A HT to a 1/4 wave
groundplane, and also an FT-2800M to a copper jpole for local repeater use.
This is connected to a 1GHz P3 Windows XP box running AGWPE and UI-View. On
my motorcycle (VK2TMG-10) I run an APRS tracker comprising 1/4 wave
groundplane, Opentracker and Tait 2020 on 2m - all re-programmed/constructed
by myself.

Internet setup comprises ADSL router, IPCOP (Linux-based 166 MHz P2)
firewall, primary lisp.homeunix.net (Linux Mandrake install) 500 MHz P2
server, Wifi AP, 2 switches, XYL computer (XP) and laptop (Win 2k). If
electricity ever get's real expensive I will have to shut some of it down hi
hi.

73 de Brett VK2TMG


--
===
Brett Rees VK2TMG
http://lisp.homeunix.net