MT63 v2.0
(MT63 by IZ8BLY, assistance by:
VK2DSG & OH/DK4ZC)
Signal sounds like Uninterrupted roaring noise. Waterfall a full
bandwidth
Developed
for ionosphere made distortions, weak signal QSOs.
Digital mode approval: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/techchar/
NOTE: MT63 is now a Mode of MixW
Hardware:
A RIGblaster (1ea), Soundcard speaker
cables: Radio Shack-42 2387 (3ea).
RIGblaster:
Strap P1 to match your radio's Microphone.
(i.e. RJ45 IC706 page 9). Set Audio Level
Control full clockwise. Swith VOX/AUTO to AUTO, apply power. Cable RIGblaster to
radio and
computer, as shown in RIGblaster manual’s hookup diagram, (PC Speaker Out to Rigblaster In; PC Aux. In to
Rigblaster
Out). The RIGblaster interface will allow
computer speakers to continue to operate for music etc.
Note: Don't use low impedance un-amplified
speakers.
Computer Downloads:
http://xoomer.alice.it/aporcino/MT63/index.htm#download
Spectrum analyzer: GRAM50.ZIP
Install to MT63 folder:
Create a shortcut Icon
Reboot computer
Windows Sound card setup:
Master Volume: Master Volume to 1/3 of
the way up - Balance slider to the center
Wave Volume
to 1/3 of the way up - Balance slider to the center
Line In Volume to 2/3 of
the way up - Balance slider to the center
Microphone Volume to 1/3
of the way up
PC Speaker Volume to 2/3
of the way up
Recording Controls: Line In SELECT -
Volume to 1/3 of the way up - Balance slider to the center
Note: Turn the computer speaker volume control
knob most of the way, but not all of the way down.
Recommended frequencies:
3.583 (Net
7.105.5 10.137
14109.5 (Net
18.100 21.070
21.109 21.130 28.120
28.130
International Calling Frequency: 14109.5
MHz USB
MARS MT63
7.375.0 7.346.5 14.468.5
14.480.0
Radio setup:
Set all IF Filters to OFF (or as wide as
possible)
Set Audio RF to MAX
Set VFO to: 14109.5
Set Transmitter output power to ¼
manufacturer’s rated RF power output, 25 watts or
less is a
good operating setup for a 100 watt transmitter and provide linear performance.
Set Mode, use USB (is preferred)
Set Processor to OFF and SWR ON
Adjust Tuner for 1:1 with the normal
output on CW
Set ALC to ON and SWR OFF
Speak into the Mic.
Adjusting Mic. Gain so that ALC doesn’t occur above
the ALC Zone indicator.
Adjust Tuner for 1:1
Click on Tune 2 button (transmission
starts).
Adjust RIGblaster Audio Level Control,
stopping as transmitter output power reaches MAX
(ie. 25 watts) keep an eye on your ALC so
that ALC does not occur; run with NO ALC
indicating occurring; any ALC indicating,
results in your TX Signal being distorted,
and causing harmonics.
ALC can remain (on) to control drive limit.
Note: The RIGblaster Audio Level Control is
the most precise way to adjust the
Soundcard output voltage into the
radio. The Microsoft Volume controls were
designed to vary the voltage, through a
range of reasonable outputs for Speakers;
They were not designed to be adjusted
so precisely as to be reliable set to
5 millivolts.
To Operate:
Setup:
Click File – Select Preferences:
General: type CALL –
select Integration 32
PTT: Select COM1 and (Defaults)
Tools: (Defaults)
Click Mode – Select: 1000 Hz bandwidth –
Long interleave (Default mode)
Or: 500 Hz bandwidth – Short interleave (Bad
conditions)
Program the Macros.
Select a frequency clear of all other
signals by at least 500Hz.
To Transmit:
Click CQ macro - CQ message is sent and TX
automatically ends (EOT) after CQ message.
Enter Other CALL Other Name Other QTH etc.
Click CALL macro – start typing your message. After message Click on BTU macro
Click OFF button - TX automatically ends
(EOT)
Ctrl + C (clear buffer)
Transmit a File:
Click Ctrl + S
Select a File
Click OPEN (File is transmitted)
Start/Stop F-12
Spectrogram setup:
Click on GRAM4264 Icon (spectrogram
window is activated)
Click FILE
Click F4 Scan Input (set Scan Input
parameters)
Click OK (view signals on frequency) set VFO
that receive signal to start at 400Hz
To Exit: Click STOP - FILE - EXIT
Characteristics:
MT63 sounds like an uninterrupted roaring
noise, the waterfall looks like a full, not modulated signal.
Performs when conditions are weak and unstable,
fading and there is QRM
Immune to interference and deliberate
jamming
Any station that can be worked with 100W
of RTTY can be worked with 1W of MT63.
A good Signal: Signal to Noise: 34db –
Confidence: 100%
References:
http://www.geocities.com/iz8bly
http://www.uspacket.org/plan_a.html
http://mixw.net/beta/beta8/MixW216b8.exe
Test equipment software:
Audio Signal Analyser:
SpectrumLab v204b29 (speclab24b29.zip) www.xs4all.nl/~nl9222/software.htm
Oscilloscope, Dual-trace: WinScope 2.51 ( osc251.zip) www.electronicsaustralia.com.au/cgi-bin/downloads.pl?area=5
Spectrogram v5.0.8 (gram517.zip) http://neasmn.org/ben/software/software.htm
Analyzer 2000 v5.04 (Pay for) www.dxzone.com
MUF Charts: http://www.arrl.org/qst/propcharts/
DX Spots: http://hamcall.net/dxspots
DX Summit: http://oh2aq.kolumbus.com/dxs/
DX-Telnet v5.2 http://www.golist.net
Reflector: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mt63
Joe Mettle AA3EU sends: