Posted: 12/8/2010 8:44:26 AM EDT
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So I took the plunge and ordered a SigmaLink USB and the appropriate cables, which will all be arriving this evening. This will be my first foray into the world of digital communications, so I am a total newb here and will take any advice anyone has to offer me. This is going to be a lot of fun.
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turn off DSP.
Took me forever to figure out why my signals weren't coming in that well. DSP really messes with the signals. What radio are you running? As for software, I highly recommend the Ham Radio Deluxe suite. I do more digital than anything. If you're interested in playing when you get it, let us know. |
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If you have a switch or menu setting to disable AGC, turn it off. If you can't, then you'll need to be very careful with the gain from the computer. You don't want any AGC action at all.
What type of radio do you have? I might be able to help out with more specific steps, but basically what you'll do is set the output power to 10-15 watts (if you have that setting) then turn off AGC (if possible) and turn the mic gain and the audio out from the computer all the way down. With the transmitter connected to a dummy load or tuned to a quiet slice of the band, have the software transmit a test signal (i.e. "VVV VVV VVV TESTING DE <yourcall>"). While it's transmitting, bring up the mic gain and the audio out. Watch the output power and bring up the levels until you're seeing full power out. Switch to AGC and make sure the needle doesn't move at all. At that point you should be good to go. You can bring the power up to 20-25 watts if you want but there won't typically be a huge different between 15 watts and 25 watts. Just make sure the AGC is not deflecting if you change power levels. Tune to a PSK freq and either call CQ or go back to someone calling CQ. Be sure to ask how your signal looks. If the other station says you're overdriving or splattering, back off your mic gain. If your signal looks good you can use the drive to adjust your final output power up or down as necessary. You should be able to get a perfect signal out of any hardware - it just takes a little tweaking. I used to get great signal reports when using a TS-520s with tube finals. Enjoy PSK! It's fun to make DX contacts on 15 watts when you can't hear any other modes. You can also do lots of other modes with that interface. RTTY is fun for contests because you can run high power and work some great DX (CQ WW RTTY is a fun contest). SSTV is fun too. |
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I am trying to use the SignaLink with an Icom 746 and HRD, but I have run into a problem. HRD wants a com port to control the rig, but there is no com port, only USB. Without it, I don't think I can transmit. From what I've read on the HRD forums (http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=6208), it sounds like I will need a USB to serial adapter and a CI-V cable to make it all work. Very annoying.  I am going to try my luck with the FT-817 next. |
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The Signalink only provides the digital interface. Rig control is another matter entirely. However, contrary to what you're thinking, you can most certainly transmit. You don't need rig control to operate. It just makes things a little cleaner.
So turn that into a  and get that puppy on the air!
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I'm a digital mode guy. For those of us with modest stations digital opens doors that would be closed if we were stuck with SSB. PSK31 is my primary mode. For a good primer on PSK take a look at the YouTube videos from K7AGE.
I run a Signalink interface with HRD as the software. Any questions on setup or operation don't hesitate to post. What radio and antenna setup you running? The info would help in tweaking a few settings. I think you'll find that once you do digital you'll be wowed by what you can do with 50w and a dipole. Once you get comfortable with PSK you can play with some of the other modes. RTTY and Olivia/Contestia are the most common behind PSK. I've been tinkering with JT-65 which was designed for EME operation but has found a niche in terrestrial HF comms. Software has been ported just for terrestrial JT65 and that mode is impressive. 25w is more than enough for QSOs to the lower 48 and 35w will get me pretty much any DX I can decode. |
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Quoted:
I am trying to use the SignaLink with an Icom 746 and HRD, but I have run into a problem. HRD wants a com port to control the rig, but there is no com port, only USB. Without it, I don't think I can transmit. From what I've read on the HRD forums (http://forums.ham-radio.ch/showthread.php?t=6208), it sounds like I will need a USB to serial adapter and a CI-V cable to make it all work. Very annoying. I am going to try my luck with the FT-817 next. You do need a USB serial adapter if you want to do rig control (reading or setting the frequency, mode, etc). It's also used for PTT (push to talk) so the computer can put the radio into TX mode. However, you should also be able to set the rig to VOX so the audio from the computer triggers it. I've operated that way on several radios and it works fine. You just need to tell HRD that it's running VOX so it doesn't complain about not being able to talk to the radio. |
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Quoted: You do need a USB serial adapter if you want to do rig control (reading or setting the frequency, mode, etc). It's also used for PTT (push to talk) so the computer can put the radio into TX mode. However, you should also be able to set the rig to VOX so the audio from the computer triggers it. I've operated that way on several radios and it works fine. You just need to tell HRD that it's running VOX so it doesn't complain about not being able to talk to the radio. I think that's what I was missing right there. I will let everyone know how it goes when I get home. |
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You do need a USB serial adapter if you want to do rig control (reading or setting the frequency, mode, etc). It's also used for PTT (push to talk) so the computer can put the radio into TX mode. However, you should also be able to set the rig to VOX so the audio from the computer triggers it. I've operated that way on several radios and it works fine. You just need to tell HRD that it's running VOX so it doesn't complain about not being able to talk to the radio. I think that's what I was missing right there. I will let everyone know how it goes when I get home. I don't have HRD in front of me and it's been a while since I've run it, but IIRC there's a PTT tab in the configuration dialog. Just set that to disabled or VOX and disable the radio connection (different tab) and you should be g2g. |
| Open DM-780. Go to "Program Options". Click "PTT" in the L/H list. Click the radio button "None". In the notes section of that dialog box it states the following: "If you are using a soundcard such as the excellent Tigertronics SignaLink USB which has built-in PTT control then let the SignaLink control PTT." |
| It took a little digging in both HRD and in the manual for the 746, but I got it worked out and I sent my 1st PSK31 test signal out into the ether this evening. I need to work on some level adjustments, but that is doable. I should be operational sometime tomorrow night/Saturday afternoon. |
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It took a little digging in both HRD and in the manual for the 746, but I got it worked out and I sent my 1st PSK31 test signal out into the ether this evening. I need to work on some level adjustments, but that is doable. I should be operational sometime tomorrow night/Saturday afternoon. Congrats! 
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Cool beans dude. You'll have a blast. Might as well jump in with both feet and join this year's PSK Deathmatch. 
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Cool beans dude. You'll have a blast. Might as well jump in with both feet and join this year's PSK Deathmatch. Oooooo.... I wonder if I can have my antennas up by then
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The Signalink should most certainly be able to key that radio. Either from the mic jack or the data jack.
Pulling any of these pins to ground should key the radio. You would want HSEND for HF and VSEND for VHF. Don't do PTT through CAT. do it through the VOX PTT in the Signalink. |
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So are most contacts nothing but macros generated QSOs, or was that just because of the deathmatch contest this weekend? I just got licensed but I've monitored a bit of PSK. From what I've seen macros are the norm but I occasionally see rag chewing. Or bit chewing 
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| Contests are definitely macro-driven. During non-contest periods it's a toss-up. I know that a lot of people limit themselves to macros which can be infuriating. It ties up the band for a lot of stuff most folks don't care about. Do I really care that you're using HRD or what kind of computer you're running? Not really. I tend to do a mix. I intersperse real-time stuff with my macro templates and try to incorporate answers to questions or feed off their input. For example, if they mention the weather than I'll generally do the same. |
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Contests are definitely macro-driven. During non-contest periods it's a toss-up. I know that a lot of people limit themselves to macros which can be infuriating. It ties up the band for a lot of stuff most folks don't care about. Do I really care that you're using HRD or what kind of computer you're running? Not really. I tend to do a mix. I intersperse real-time stuff with my macro templates and try to incorporate answers to questions or feed off their input. For example, if they mention the weather than I'll generally do the same. At least when they send macros you know you'll have enough time to go get a beer 
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Quoted: Is there a digital primer for guys who essentially memorized the answers to those questions on the exam, and never took the time to learn? Thanks, -Slice I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who did that...  I'm pretty green when it comes to the digital part of the band, but its not so bad. Ham Radio Deluxe can seem a bit overwhelming at times, and there's a few hoops you gotta jump through to get it all working, but it seems pretty straight forward after that. Here's what I've learned so far: The waterfall is kind of creepy and cool at the same time. There's a balance between the RF power of your rig and the output of the soundcard/interface. If you see any swing in the ALC, your soundcard/interface input is too high. Lower the level or raise the RF power. Macros conversations are dull. On a bad night, you can work the Canary Islands with 35 watts on 40m. Unlike voice comms, you can listen to music while you're working the band. Just make sure you're not broadcasting your music through your computer to the ham bands. I'm playing digital ham radio on 7035 right now if anyone wants to fire up their rig and look for KB3GJL. |
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I tend to go with the flow. If the other station wants WX or station info, I'll give it to them. Questions are answered if asked which as often as not may turn into a half hour ragchew. On the other hand if the station is in contest mode and just wants a sig report, I've got a macro for that. Keep in mind that English isn't the first language of many hams. They may know only enough to give a minimum exchange. I run into that on phone frequently. With PSK and the macros you can know very minimal English and are still able to complete the contact.
One of the things I like about JT-65HF is that you are so limited in the characters you can transmit per exchange that you don't have a chance to do a ragchew. Additionally you can have zero knowledge of the other stations language and still complete a QSO. A typical exchange is this: CQ ON4LBN JO20 ON4LBN K0W EM40 K0W ON4LBN R-19 ON4LBN K0W R-18 20W DPL 73 ON4LBN K0W 73 Each line takes 50 seconds to transmit then up to another 10 seconds to decode. The above is a 6 minute QSO. Line 5 is about as close to a ragchew as you can get. 20 watts into a dipole, 73s. Some other examples of line 5 and 6: 25W SLOPER 73 TU 30W OCF 73 10W/V DON 73 20W DP TU 73 25W 2EL 73 TU QSL LOTW 73 The power and antenna reports are useful for propagation info. You do have time to hit the fridge or toilet between exchanges. Software is available from IZ4CZL here. |
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Quoted: What do you expect.....old guys don't text (PSK). The average ham is 50 plus! Macros are all they can handle. some of us "old guys" were the ones who started the digital ham stuff for you. I was involved in the development of the AX.25 protocol that was used for packet radio. |
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What do you expect.....old guys don't text (PSK). The average ham is 50 plus! Macros are all they can handle. some of us "old guys" were the ones who started the digital ham stuff for you.
I was involved in the development of the AX.25 protocol that was used for packet radio. Woah, you're one of the three people who still uses packet? 
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What do you expect.....old guys don't text (PSK). The average ham is 50 plus! Macros are all they can handle. some of us "old guys" were the ones who started the digital ham stuff for you. I was involved in the development of the AX.25 protocol that was used for packet radio. Woah, you're one of the three people who still uses packet?  NO. but I am one of the ones who developed it 30 years ago. It lost most of it's benefits when HTTP was developed in 1993. now I use PSK31, and WSJT running FSK441 and JT6M |