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In as much as the designs and circuits on these PSK Interface Home pages have been tested, Buck Rogers K4ABT, assumes no responsibility for safety, operation, or application of information contained herein.
Home of the 'Lil RASCAL'
Radio And Sound Card Audio Link
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. 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. 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 PSK31 has gained so much popularity in such a short time. The end result is that we can operate with reduced power and smaller antenna installations. Most PSK31 contacts are made using upper sideband (USB). Look for PSK stations around 3.580 MHz, 7.070/035 MHz, 14.070 MHz, 21.070 MHz or 28.070 MHz.
73 de BucK4ABT
The *RASCAL PSK31 interface is complete with all input and output (I/O) connectors and plugs ........ 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 special transformers designed for this purpose. The LINE IN and LINE OUT, to and from the PC sound card, provide a higher degree of immunity from potential ground loops and RF feedback. A level control is provided to adjust the audio to the transceiver.
Some "RASCAL" are available WIRED. When placing an order for the ''WIRED'' version, be sure to check the correct box on the order form, specify case color (WHITE or BLUE) and include the Order Number.The "RASCAL" does NOT require 'wall-warts,' or external transformers, this makes The "RASCAL" ideal for portable and field-day operations. The "RASCAL" can be easily used with portable computers. The "RASCAL" KIT is $25.00 Most important; The "RASCAL" Includes: Case, Cables, Connectors, Disk of PSK programs, and USA shipping!
Assembled/Wired price is; $49.00 USA. Includes shipping and White or Blue case shown in the following photos. PLEASE specify 'BLUE or WHITE' case.
Click Here for BUX CommCO ISO-KIT order form.Because no external power is required the "RASCAL" is easy to interface with a portable computer. NOTE; Insure that your sound card is compatible with the Creative Labs TMSound-Blaster.
Foriegn ISO-kits listed above, assembled; $49.00 plus $20.00 Par-Avion; Total = $69.00s for foriegn shipping and handling.
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.
BUX CommCo
115 Luenburg Drive
Evington, VA 24550
Make Checks or Money Orders payable to: BUX CommCo
24/7, FAX (804) 525 7818
We Accept; DISCOVER,VISA,and MasterCard
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 KIT (diagram) calls for an external speaker connector, it is included in your RASCAL 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 RASCAL KIT! All you provide are the hand-tools, 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, Packet, 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!
CLICK HERE to read the Sound Card 'setup' for PSK31 software and ISO interface procedures.
NOTICE !
(PAGE 1) Individual Parts, Components, and Cases listed or shown in the RASCAL PSK31 and SSTV interface diagrams, may be purchased HERE!
(PAGE 2) Antennas, Parts and Accessories for the HAM Radio operator, may be purchased HERE!
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 faster) class with a 16 bit Sound Card (that is ''Creative Labs" sound blaster compatible), and an HF SSB transceiver, you're ready to read PSK31. From here on, everything is simplicity in itself.
My favorite passion when talking about PSK31 is to note how it conserves our precious spectrum. PSK31 is not a frequency hog; It's very narrow bandwidth of 31 Hz... yes, hertz, not kilohertz, allow 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 more than 100 countries on PSK31, and I've yet to run more than 50 watts to make a DX contact.
In the past 40 plus years, I've written and authored many books and magazine columns, having done so has made my typing speed fluent at 60 to 70 words per minute. The point here is; I am hard pressed to keep up with the speed in which PSK31 handles my typing to the target station. It's not uncommon to read most stations at 30 to 50 words per minute.
PSK31 offers us plenty of fun and so far, it's been a ''rush'' for me. In my 50 plus years as a HAM, this mode is the most seductive of them all.
Download an easy to use PSK31 program such as ''WinPSK'' and connect only the sound card LINE IN, to your HF transceiver external speaker port and tune to 14.070 MHz, upper sideband, and watch the waterfall screen for vertical, 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 operating PSK31.
Here is a list of frequencies where you may find PSK activity:
1838.150 3580.150 7035.150 10140.150 14070.150 18100.150 21080.150 24920.150 28120.150
Go enjoy PSK31, it's fun, and... it's FREE..!
73 de Glynn E. "Buck" Rogers Sr. K4ABT
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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
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Buck "
