Posted: 4/5/2017 10:24:56 AM EDT
| Looking to get started tinkering with digital. I have an Icom 718 and am looking at getting the SignaLink SL-USB-13I. Anyone have experience with this combination? What mode and software to try first? Your favorite and why? Thanks |
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As to the configuration of the radio/signal-link, you should be fine - I would recommend a google search for setup of this as many, many people have done this (and I'm afraid that I would miss something).
As far as which mode, I'm an officianado of JT65. I was able to do WAS in about 6 months, and about another 2 months later I got WAS, single mode, single band completed (though I did have to IM brundoggie to get Hawaii  )
Note that JT65 is about as exciting as watching paint dry, I typically build kits, read books and search the internet during QSO's. One other benefit (detriment?) of digital modes is that it removes 'speech' from the equation. So, if you're a little mic-shy you get an opportunity to 'talk' to other hams without having to talk. |
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NOT jtx modes. These are a bit more finicky and take longer for the overs between stations. Great mode, but not first.
I suggest PSK31. PSK31 is mostly ruled by folks running macros in fldigi or Hamradiodeluxe. This means you have some time to fidget with which macro buttons to press while the other station blathers on using his macros about who he is and all his gear. I recommend setting up macros to stage all the text for the next over and then a TX/RX macro to send it. I use fldigi and would be glad to send you my macros if you want to try fldigi. After that then try psk63 (which the Russians love) . Same thing, just faster and shorter overs generally. After that, there is a nice ARFCOM Olivia mode wednesday night net. AFTER that...then install wsjtx and mess with the jtx modes. My humble opinion. |
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I have a Signalink that I use with my FT-450D and FT-817. Works well, but could be duplicated for much cheaper with some soldering, wire, and connectors. It does make for a simple solution to start out with though.
I also have a Wolphilink interface that I use with my FT-817 and either my Android phone, Android tablet, or even my Windows laptop. It's small and not badly priced. Works well for portable operations. JT65 is very prevalent and easy enough to get started in. The main thing is to watch the ALC on your radio to be sure you're not over driving your output audio and splattering all over the bands. Also, be sure to lower your power output. Most operators run 5-30W, and many antenna tuners are derated for digital modes. Check your manuals or call the manufacturer to be sure. PSK31 is much more conversational. You'd be well advised to eavesdrop for quite some time to understand the flow, which will help you craft your macros. Free text typing works as well, and can be used for longer QSOs, but the majority is all macro based. There is a AR15 Digital Guard net weekly on Wednesday evening. Check the pinned post in the Ham Radio section here for more details. |
| Ditto what others have said here. Start with PSK-31. Leave radio in USB mode and power set to 100W. Leave signalink volume level in windows at 50%, and adjust the TX knob on the signalink until you're getting about 20W power out of the radio. Watch the ALC meter on the radio, it shouldn't show any movement. Generally 20W is more than enough for most contacts. |
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Quoted:
Ditto what others have said here. Start with PSK-31. Leave radio in USB mode and power set to 100W. Leave signalink volume level in windows at 50%, and adjust the TX knob on the signalink until you're getting about 20W power out of the radio. Watch the ALC meter on the radio, it shouldn't show any movement. Generally 20W is more than enough for most contacts. Turn the power output on the radio up to full output and use the sound card drive from the PC to get up to the 20W you want. It makes for a better signal. I use the 20W generalization as power at the feedpoint, so remember you can run more than that depending on your feedline losses. |
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I have an IC-718 hooked up to a Signalink USB, running JT65 and JT9 using WSJT-X software with JTAlertX running on top of that. I rarely run more than 15-20 watts....have a severely compromised wire dipole antenna in my attic, and have managed to work the list below over the past 4 months...if you have specific questions about the setup or what to do next, dont hesitate to PM me here at the site.
Antarctica Argentina Australia Austria Azores Bahrain Balearic Islands Belarus Belgium Belize Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Bulgaria Canada Canary Island Canary Islands Cayman Islands Ceuta and Melilla Chile China Colombia Columbia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador England Estonia France Germany Gibralter Greece Greenland Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Isreal Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Kaliningrad Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Martinique Mexico Moldova Montenegro Namibia Netherlands New Zealand North Cook Islands Northern Ireland Norway Panama Paraguay Peru Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Scotland Serbia Slovak Republic Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Trinidad & Tobago Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Uruguay Venezuala Virgin Islands (US) Wales |
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Quoted:
Just installed fldigi on my computer and put my usb desktop microphone in front of the radio speaker. Tuned to 7.073 LSB and "listened" in on some PSK31 conversations. Looks like fun. Now just have to wait until the SignaLink arrives :( If your operating room is VERY quiet, you can actually go ahead and operate. Do the decodes using the desktop mic as you are, select those freqs you want to TX on. Key your hand mic and hold it up to the speakers when transmitting, and it will work just fine. Course if you cough or curse everyone tuned to the same baseband freq is gonna hear it. I did it for a whole weekend on my FT-840 while waiting on my easy-digi board to show up. |
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Just in case you have not seen this.. When setting up digital modes this will help decoding..
LINKY PSK31 is fun. JT65 flat out works.. RTTY is real good mode but was a PITA to setup for me. Cw, technically is a digital mode. Long learning cycle but is rewarding if you have limited power.. Look at wsjt package, wspr is fun to test your station with.. Prosise |