What is PSK31?
As the name implies, PSK (phase shift keying) modulates the phase of a carrier, and the number ''31'' references the actual bandwidth (31 Hz) occupied by the PSK31 signal.
Phase modulation has more advantages than CW. CW uses amplitude (On/Off) keying. In a noisy or distorted propagation environment, the amplitude of a signal will shift and vary much more than the phase of a signal.
The baudrate used by PSK31 is 31.25 baud. It is intended as a means of keyboard to keyboard communication (about 50 wpm) between two or more operators using a very small frequency spectrum.
When compared to CW, PSK31 is a much better operating mode. By comparing the small bandwidth of PSK31 and measuring its gain against a CW filter of 500 Hz; 10 * log (500/31) dB = 12 dB, quickly reveals that a CW transmitter must put out 15 to 18 times more power than a PSK31 transmitter, to achieve the same signal to noise ratio at the PSK31 receiving station. This is the reason the PSK31 operating mode has gained so much popularity in such a short time. The end result is that a HAM can operate with reduced power and smaller antenna installations. For example; My 20 meter, 14.070 MHz (USB), PSK31 antenna, is located in the attic of my garage (about 14 feet above ground)
1 = Transmit audio (coarse) level adjust.
2 = Transmit ON-AIR indicator.
3 = Receive Audio (Ext Spkr).
4 = To Transceiver MIC or Data port (connector type depends on transceiver data I/O port).
5 = Sound Card ''OUT''
6 = Sound Card ''IN''
7 = To RS-232 comport for ''Automatic Tx/Rx PTT'' control via PSK31 software.
ISO-KITS are available Assembled and Wired.ISO-KIT and "RASCAL" are ® TM and © 1999-2001, BUX CommCo
The *RASCAL PSK31 interface is complete with all input and output (I/O) connectors and plugs, ready to ''Plug-N-Play'' ........ NO, you don't have to trek to the parts house to buy additional cables or connectors, they're included!The PC Sound Card and RS-232 comport (used for automatic PTT), is ISOlated from the transceiver by an optoISOlator (phototransistor). The LINE IN and LINE OUT, to and from the PC sound card, is ISOlated by ISOlation transformers, which make it effectively immune to potential ground loops. A level control is provided to adjust the audio to the transceiver.
No wall-wart, or external transformers are needed, which makes the "RASCAL" ideal for portable and field-day operations. The "RASCAL" can easily be used with portable computers.
Because no external power is required the "RASCAL" is easy to interface with a laptop computer. NOTE; Insure that your laptop sound card is compatible with the Creative Labs TMSound-Blaster.Order number is the ISO-WIRED-''number'' from the choices below. BE SURE to add the word ''WIRED''.
Total Assembled/Wired price is; $39.00 USA. Includes shipping and case shown in the above photo.
Click Here for BUX CommCO ISO-KIT order form.
Foriegn ISO-kits listed above, assembled; $39.00 plus $20.00 Par-Avion,
Total = $59.00s for foriegn shipping and handling.
All parts and components shown in the diagrams below are included in each ISO-KIT.This includes:
A full page, large, legible, AutoCad (original) hardcopy drawing of your interface. 3.5 mm sound card interface connectors with leads attached, opto-couplers/PhotoTransistors, IC socket, transformers, capacitors, resistors, hook-up wire, and solder.
If the ISO-KIT (diagram) calls for an external speaker connector, it is included in your ISO-KIT.
Microphone, or accessory port connector. (this includes the 'hard-to-find' 6 pin MINI-DIN, 7 pin DIN, 8 pin DIN, and 13 pin DIN accessory plugs), for Alinco, ICOM, KENWOOD, and YAESU transceivers. For DRAKE, and TenTEC transceivers, a 1/4 inch stereo (3 circuit) connector is included.
In short, every component you need to build your ISO-KIT interface, ready to plug-N- play is included in each ISO-KIT! All you provide are the hand-tools, solder, and soldering iron.
All in all, it's an evenings fun that you will enjoy for countless, hours of PSK31, SSTV, RTTY, ASCII, AMTOR, Packet and other modes that are now possible using a Creative LabsTM compatible sound card.
Once completed, you have the PSK31, RTTY, and SSTV interface that you can be proud to tell others that you home-brewed. NO OTHER PC to SOUND CARD INTERFACE OFFERS ALL THIS FOR $25 dollars!
My goal is NOT to sell an interface parts kit, but to help all hams get into PSK31, as I feel that PSK31 is one of the most attractive and enjoyable digital modes I've yet to witness in over 55 years as a HAM. PSK31 is truly a mode that enables HAMS to communicate one on one, as well as in round-tables, using nothing more than your PC sound card, this simple interface, and your transceiver, be it HF SSB or VHF/UHF FM.
CLICK HERE to read the Sound Card 'setup' for PSK31 software and ISO interface procedures.
Most all HF transceivers are NOT rated for 100% duty cycle, and PSK31 is a KEY DOWN mode. ° Don't use the audio speech processor, turn it OFF. ° Don't use the transceiver VOX circuit to key the transmitter. ° Don't run full RF output power, adjust output level to less than half power!When Operating PSK31 on HF:
The ISO-KIT interfaces shown on this page are also designed to work with many SSTV sound card programs. For SSTV sound card related software click here!!!
| Download and FTP sites. | The original PSK31 program written by Peter Martinez, G3PLX. |
With Tutorials |
| ftp from PSK Home Page | ||
| from PSK Home Page | ||
| WinPSK | by Moe, AE4JY | |
| PSK-GNR | by Al, WD5GNR | PSK-GNR |
| MixW32 | by Nick, UT2UZ | |
| DX4WIN | by Steve, NR4M | |
| TrueTTY | by Sergei, UA9OSV | TrueTTY |
| WinPSKse | by Dave, KA1DT | |
| DxPSKus | by Christian, F6GQK | |
| DigiPan | by Nick, UT2UZ and Howard, KH6TY | |
| WinWarbler | by Dave, AA6YQ | |
| WriteLog | by Ron, K5DJ | |
| Zakanaka | by Bob, K4CY |
For an in-depth tutorial about PSK31, CLICK HERE.
If you have a PC that is in the 100 MHz (486 or later) class with a 16 bit Sound Blaster (or ''Creative Labs" compatible) sound card, and an HF SSB transceiver, you've hit ''pay-dirt.'' From here on, everything is a picture of simplicity in itself.
My favorite passion when talking about PSK31 is to make note of how it conserves our precious spectrum. PSK31 is not a frequency hog; It's very narrow bandwidth of 31 Hz... yes, hertz, not kilohertz, allows us to have a dozen or more QSOs in a one kHz (1000 Hz) band pass. Add to all this, the fact that the narrow bandwidth of PSK31 reduces QRN and QRM.
I've worked over 100 countries on PSK31, and I've yet to run more than 50 watts to make a DX contact.
As an author of many books and magazine columns for the past 40 years, my typing speed is fluent at 60 to 70 words per minute. My point is that I am hard pressed to keep up with the speed in which PSK31 handles my typing speed to the target station. It's not uncommon to read most stations at 30 to 50 wpm.
PSK31 offers us plenty of fun and so far, it's been a ''rush'' for me. In my 50 years as a HAM, this mode is the most seductive of them all.
Download the program and connect only the sound card LINE IN, to your HF transceiver external speaker port and tune to 14073.00 LSB and watch the waterfall screen for vertical, yellow, scrolling, PSK31 signals. It won't be long before your back at this page, looking up the transceiver to sound card interface diagram so you can begin full operation with PSK31.
Other frequencies where you may find more PSK31 activity are:
1838.150 3580.150 7035.150 10140.150 14070.150 18100.150 21080.150 24920.150 28120.150
|
Back to the PacketRadio Networks Home Page.
Back to the BUX CommCo ·™® Radios and Accessories Home Page.
Back to the AmateuRadio Home Page.
Reproduction in any form must have the written permission of the author. The "PacketRadio Users Notebook" is © and ® tm G.E. "Buck" Rogers Sr. 1985 - 2000. Web Page Design and HTML By For More AmateuRadio information, Click here and GoTo AmateuRadio.ORG G. E. 'Buck' Rogers Sr K4ABT d/b/a BUX COMMCO Copyright © 1996-2000 All Rights Reserved
|
Buck "
