[digitalradio] Re: Need your help picking HF radio.

[Music Maker]

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.TV

All the best to everyone in the Group, for the coming 2010,

Kindest regards,

John G3OBU




..
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "kd7jeh"  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
>

[digitalradio] Re: Need your help picking HF radio.

[Music Maker]

In addition to my post - I notgge that my Web Page URL doesn't appear as a 
'clickable' link - so - sorry folks - here is another attempt to produce a 
'clickable' link 

http://www.john4music.tv

Lets see if that works!

Cheers and Beers

John G3OBU

...--- In 
digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Music Maker"  wrote:
>
> 
> 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.TV
> 
> All the best to everyone in the Group, for the coming 2010,
> 
> Kindest regards,
> 
> John G3OBU
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ..
> --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "kd7jeh"  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
> >
>

[digitalradio] Re: Dxing and long winded digital ops

[Music Maker]

Hi Folks,

I fully understand everyones point of view over Macros, and hate them myself.   
 I must admit (as a very recent newcomer to Digimode), I do use the Macro for 
calling CQ, but more often return to others calling.

I would love to 'ragchew', but here in Europe, there are some underlying 
reasons why this is a rare occurance, and total Macro QSO's are the norm.

Most operators in Europe can't speak enough good English to conduct a 
conversation, (I can't speak Russian at all!), so Macros provide a way of doing 
it.  Secondly - and this applies world-wide - some operators are not very good 
typists, and are embarrased by their slow speed.Add to this dyslectic, 
disabled, and even illiterate, and Macros offer these people a life line.

I am the fortunate one, as I am a competent 'touch typist' and am quite happy 
at anything up to about 50wpm, so obviously am very comfortable in a 'rag chew' 
- How many other Amateur Operators are really comfortable and competent 
typists? (as a percentage of the whole).

Just my Point of view.

  John G3OBU

..


--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "obrienaj"  wrote:
>
> I'm all for a good digital mode rag-chew...but allow me to be the Grinch on 
> Boxing Day and gripe about digital ops that take FOREVER to sign-off when 
> working DXpeditions and the like.  Today when trying to work a needed entity 
> ,  and with a fading band, I had to patiently wait my turn while others that 
> had got through were sending such none sense as how many QSO's they had had 
> in the particular digital mode and the exact  time and date they had logged 
> the QSO.  Do we really need to know when you LOGGED the station you were JUST 
> working?
> 
> I did work the DX, but I can complain too, right ?
> 
> Andy K3UK
>

[digitalradio] Re: : tandem ride - lack of other modes ?

[Music Maker]

Hi Folks,

Re Mels Post "so these tiddly little sunspots are not really helping us to get 
across the pond."

Its 1330 UTC Sat 2 Jan 10.Have been looking around the Bands from here in 
Central UK, but cannot report accurately, as I have just erected a 'Homebrew' 
Vertical Antenna, which is an unknown quantity, combined with the very variable 
band conditions.

Yesterday at this time, I worked W2IX New York on 14.211MHz, and 4z4DX in 
Israel, plus a few Russian, Spanish and Italian Stations.

Today, I am working EW, RAS, HZ, EA, IK, IS, SQ, OH on PSK31 on 14.035, but can 
hear nothing over about 1,800 Km distance (1,000 Miles).

Its a great pity that conditions are so variable, as I would really like to 
know how my own unusually designed and make 36ft Vertical antenna is really 
working.   I am comforted by the fact that I don't hear other stations working 
any distance either.

I have done an article, with pics - on the construction of my new Vertical, (if 
anyone is interested, HI !)!   Its towards the bottom of the page - here - 
http://www.john4music.tv/7.html

Geez - I am sitting here typing this, with the phones on my head, and K1UA in 
Cape Cod has just started booming in at 5 and 9+20 on 14.175 SSB !!!  Working 
only Stateside stations.You just can never tell, can you?

Kindest regards and best 73's de

John G3OBU

[digitalradio] Re: G3OBU's antenna with digital mode DX

[Music Maker]

Dave,

The 'Unun' theory is well known and used, but to my knowledge, not
usually on long Verticals - In this case an effective length of 75 feet
high, the way I have wound the vertical 75ft wire spirally around the 36
ft pole.

The construction of long-wire antennas with a Unun is simple, both
electrically and mechanically, with no critical dimensions or
adjustments.

When using a Unun, a 9:1 will match 450 Ohms to 50 Ohms,  a 6:1 will
match 300 to 50 Ohms,  a 5:1 will match 250 to 50 Ohms and a 4:1 will
match 200 to 50 Ohms.

The long-wire antenna using a Unun will work well and give satisfactory
gain and directivity over a frequency range up to twice the value for
which it was cut.  In addition, it will accept power and radiate it
efficiently on any frequency for which its overall length is not less
than 1/2 wavelength.   Mine is worse than useless on 80 and 160!

My main inspiration came from this little article...

  http://www.m0ukd.com/Magnetic_Long_Wire_UnUn/index.php 


Sorry to travel so far 'Off Topic' on the Group, I started this as a
response to posts on long distance or DX Digital contacts during this
current propogation 'Low' Topic.However, I feel sure that the
subject is close to many amateurs list of favorite topics.   Also - It
is a 'Time-Served' privilege for those of us over 75 to 'Ramble on' -
without any idea what we are talking about!

73's de

John (G3OBU)

http://www.John4Music.TV 



\
...
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, Dave Ackrill 
wrote:
>
> obrienaj wrote:
> > John,
> >
> > I read with interest your web pages describing your vertical
antenna.  Please keep us informed on how it does on digital mode DX.  I
had to look twice at what I thought was a balun at first.
>
> I realise that we will probably be off topic, but a 9:1 UnUn is often
> used in random length wire antennas for frequencies under about 1MHz.
>
> There are often various arguments for and against the 9:1 UnUn, some
> people preferring the 4:1 version and others saying the 4:1 doesn't
work
> well for them.
>
> A quick google for '9:1 UnUn' will give quite a number of sites with
> designs and arguments about what type of earth connection/wire/antenna
> to use it with.
>
> Dave (G0DJA)
>

[digitalradio] Re: New digital interfaces for Christmas

[Music Maker]

I bought myself one for Christmas too !!  (Hey ! - I am Santa Klaus,
aren't I ? !! ).

What I would like to know (it hasn't been delivered yet!), is how good
members of the Group think that  it will be effective and suitable for
working in Digi Mode.  (at 25 GB Pounds - 37 US Dollars).The
manufacturer (I guess in a little hut in his back yard!), also wires in
the plug for the Mike and PTT to suit your particular Rig.

Its here 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180447898625&ssPage\
Name=STRK:MEWNX:IT 


Opinions please ... ??

At this moment, I can't afford a Tigertronics, etc - and took this as
the low-cost option.

73's de

John (G3OBU)

   www.John4Music.TV   



\
.

--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Westerfield"
 wrote:
>
> It is working pretty good already and all of those surface mount
components
> scare me a little.  I would need an electron microscope to make some
of the
> changes he suggests in the link.
>
>
>
> Rick - KH2DF
>
>
>
> From: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Siegfried Jackstien
> Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 3:27 PM
> To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: AW: [digitalradio] New digital interfaces for Christmas
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi rick and andy
>
> Maybe this is of interrest for you
>
> http://www.frenning.dk/OZ1PIF_HOMEPAGE/SignaLinkUSB-mods.html
>
> that guy made some mods to the signalink to improve linearity and
other
> things
>
> maybe it helps to further improve winmor (or any other digital-mode)
>
> dg9bfc
>
> sigi
>
>
>
>
>
>   _
>
> Von: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:digitalra...@yahoogroups.com] Im
> Auftrag von Andy obrien
> Gesendet: Mittwoch, 30. Dezember 2009 22:14
> An: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: Re: [digitalradio] New digital interfaces for Christmas
>
>
>
>
>
> Congratulations Rick, interesting to see the WINMOR improvments.  Is
it
> "better" than your Rigblaster ?
>
> Andy
>

[digitalradio] Re: G3OBU's antenna with digital mode DX

[Music Maker]

Hello Gary - Thanks for the interest and the info on Helical Winding of
my vertical antenna..

It really seems to do the business on 20 & 40 Metre Bands, but so far in
the 3 days the antenna has been up, I have heard nothing on 15 or 10. 
Another point is, that using my ATU (The Kenwood AT-230),  gives the
same 'S' reading, when peaked on receive, as when it is switched
'straight through'.

Today on SSB 20 Metres running less than 50 Watts, I have worked K1, N2,
KE4, CM8, 9K4 from UK, with reports of Signal strengths of between S6 to
S9+  -  so as you suggest,  it is hottest on 20M when the band is open,
which for the last couple of days has been from about 1300 to 1630 UTC
here.   I heard no DX PSK, but quite a bit of RTTY - I think there was a
contest on.

For the benefit of this thread, I have today photographed the actual
antenna, with a view of the helical winding up it - but is this really
what could be classed as 'helical winding', to qualify as the half
effective length you describe ?The turns are quite widely spaced, as
you will see.   Also, are you not sure that there is more to the formula
you quote,probably  involving diameter size and spacing of the turns?

Its here, at the bottom of the page 

   
http://www.john4music.tv/7.html 

Thanks to all who responded in  this thread.

John

(in central UK where the temp is 24 F', or minus 4.5 C , and snow
forecast over the next few days! = Global warming ???   B  !!!)



\
...





--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Nixon" 
wrote:
>
> A few thoughts...
>
> One old-time rule on Helical antennas is that it takes about twice the
amount of wire to accomplish what a straight piece of wire would do;,
so, for this case, that would be about 75/2, or and effective wire
length of 37.5 feet, or ~125 Meters (of I did my math right). That
length represents between 1/2 and 5/8 wavelength at 20 Meters, so it
(theoretically) would be ground-plane independent with a very low angle
of radiation.
>
> Sounds like it's working in any case! Congrats...
>
> Happy New Year to the group,
>
> Gary, WA6HZT
>

[digitalradio] Re: IZ8BLY's PSK63F + PSKFEC31

[Music Maker]

Glenn,

99% will always use PSK  31  ...  ???-   Only 3% will try something
new ?? ... !!

I assume that this survey for percentages, was completed after we
switched from using teleprinters and RTTY or to  Packet, AMTOR, or even
back in the good old days when we stopped using AM and started using SSB
(We used to call it 'Phone').

I suspect a lot more than 3% have open minds to evaluate different
advances, or that 99% will always use the same mode.

If not,  then we would still be using separate Transmitters with a apark
gap and Receivers with a crystal and Cats whisker, and sending each
other Morse.

At least in those days we didn't have Call Signs,  We all knew each
other, and Pontious Pilot was an Air Cadet !!!

73's

John

www.John4Music.TV 


\
.
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Glenn L. Roeser"
 wrote:
>
> It seems to me that we have been down this road before comparing the
different digital modes. One thing is for certain, no matter what modes
there are that may do much better than PSK31, 99% of all operators will
always use PSK31.
> It is almost impossible to get more than 3% of the operators to try
something new.
> Very 73 to all, Glenn (WB2LMV)
>
>
>
>
> 
> From: Vojtech bubn...@...
> To: digitalradio@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tue, January 5, 2010 7:41:56 AM
> Subject: [digitalradio] Re: IZ8BLY's PSK63F + PSKFEC31
>
> Â
> PSK63F is implemented in PocketDigi, source code is available.
>
> > PSK63F is in all cases better than PSK31. The only advantage of
PSK31 is its smaller bandwidth.
>
> The other benefit of PSK31 is quick turnaround. But I agree that
PSK63F shall be exercised and will be very useful at marginal
conditions.
>
> 73, Vojtech
>

[digitalradio] Re: Earthquake Haiti EMCOMM

[Music Maker]

>From Southgate Radio, today 

Earthquake net frequencies - 7045, 3720 kHz - Please keep clear
All radio amateurs are requested to keep 7045 kHz and 3720 kHz clear for
possible emergency traffic related to today's major earthquake in Haiti.

International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region II Area C Emergency
Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, reports that as of 0245 UTC on January
13, nothing had been heard from radio amateurs in Haiti, but that the
above frequencies were being kept active in case any Haitian hams manage
to get on the air, and in case of other related events in surrounding
areas, including aftershocks and a possible tsunami.

The following is from an e-mail from CO2KK:

A few minutes after the earthquake was felt in eastern Cuba's cities,
the Cuban Federation of Radio Amateurs Emergency Net was activated, with
net control stations CO8WM and CO8RP located in the city of Santiago de
Cuba, and in permanent contact with the National Seismology Center of
Cuba located in that city.
Regards and 73's, de

John G3OBU

www.John4Music.TV 



"
--- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "expeditionradio"
 wrote:
>
> Global ALE High Frequency Network (HFN) is now
> on ALERT for Haiti earthquake Emergency / Disaster
> Relief Communications (EMCOMM)
>
> more information:
> http://hflink.net
>
> HFLINK SPECIAL BULLETIN 13 JAN 2010
> Alert: Haiti Earthquake EMCOMM
>
> HFN Pilot Stations are active and ready 24/7
> for ALE calling, relay, and internet messages.
>
> All operators are encouraged to participate in
> the ALE Comm Centre live operator chat room
> http://hflink.net
> and activate Automatic Link Establishment radios
> on the ALE channel frequencies:
>
> HFN net (text/internet/sounding/calling)
> 3596.0 USB
> 7102.0 USB
> 10145.5 USB
> 14109.0 USB
> 18106.0 USB
> 21096.0 USB
> 24926.0 USB
> 28146.0 USB
>
> HFL net (emcomm/voice/calling)
> 3791.0 USB
> 7185.5 USB
> 14346.0 USB
> 18117.5 USB
> 21437.5 USB
> 24932.0 USB
> 28312.5 USB
>
> ===
> END OF BULLETIN
> ===
> Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA
> International Emcomm Coordinator
> Global ALE High Frequency Network
> http://hflink.net
>

[digitalradio] Which Digi Program ??

[Music Maker]

.
.
Hello Happy Hams

After returning to Amateur Radio after a very long absence, I am
'messing about' with digital modes - all of which are totally new to me,
and at almost 75 years of age,  my one very slow remaining braincell.

I have downloaded and appraised all the programs I could find mainly for
PSK 31, that will work with my little M0AQC (Alan) Interface.

 All seem to have their own individual merits and de-merits.  
MutltiPSK for example for its many supported modes - DigiPan or MixW for
their simplicity.But for facilities, information, sheer complexity
(for me!)Ham Radio DeLuxe.  Sadly, it doesn't seem to integrate well
with my aged but well loved Kenwood TS 520 SE !!

However, the program that appeals to me the most at the moment (this may
change as my experience and knowledge improves), is certainly Airlink
Express - I rarely see any stations using this, and the numerical
favourite on air seems to be MixW.

There obviously can't be a program that is 'One size fits all' - but for
me, not one of them has all the elements I want, without loads of
features I don't !!

I would be very interested to hear what programs others use -
particularly with 'Boat Anchor' Kenwood Transceivers (520, 530, 820,
830)

For reference - and to save hunting around for Digi Software - I think
most of it is available for download at this site -

http://www.xs4all.nl/~nl9222/digisoft.htm 


I am at present writing up my experiences in detail on my 'Amateur Radio
Blog'  on the Web Page at :-
    
  www.John4Music.TV  

Kind regards and 73's to all from this white, windy and cold country
called 'England'.   'Global Warming' - I think not !!!  HI

de

John  G3OBU