PSK / QRP Page

.....Most of my operating over the years has been at QRP levels (5 watts or less)... While QRP is not for everyone, I find that the challenge and rewards suit me... Another aspect of our hobby that has always held my interest is Keyboard to Keyboard operation... A new mode of Keyboard operation was recently introduced that makes QRP RTTY operation a real joy, it is called PSK-31...

.....Simply put, PSK-31 is a mode that utilizes Phase Shift Keying (PSK) versus the more commonly used method called FSK or Frequency Shift Keying... I won't try to explain all of this as there are wonderful tutorials that I will point you to written by the authors of this new mode... Two of the most important aspects of this new mode are bandwidth conservation, and weak signal performance... A properly adjusted PSK signal will only occupy 31 Hz of bandwidth !!!

.....In the past, new modes may have seemed interesting, but the initial cash outlay for the required hardware has kept many of us from trying them... With the advent of the "Computer" age of Ham Radio, most of us have all the basics already in the shack... OK, you say, cut to the bottom line... How much is this gonna cost me ??? Well, if you already have a transceiver capable of SSB operation, and a computer with 16 bit soundcard in the shack, you can try out this mode for the price of two shielded cables, four connectors, two resistors, and a free download of the PSK-31 software...

.....So lets get started... I recommend that you first download the original PSK-31 program written by Peter Martinez, G3PLX... The file name is psk31sbw.zip and it is available at the official PSK-31 website:

Official PSK-31 Web Site
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.....After installing this software, read the help file from cover to cover... Everything you need to know to operate PSK-31 is contained in this manual... If you just can't wait to get started, plug a stereo patch cable between the speaker output of your rig, and the line input of your sound card (a fixed audio output is even better if it is easily available on your transceiver)... Tune to 14.070 and follow the simple setup instructions for the program... Within minutes you should see QSO's printing across your monitor...

.....BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TRANSMIT, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE MANUAL ON SOUNDCARD HOOKUP, SETUP, AND LEVEL ADJUSTMENT !!!!! I hate to shout but this point needs to be made very clear... The biggest mistake newbies make on PSK-31 is to overdrive their transmitter... Most soundcards produce far more audio than the microphone input on a ham rig can handle... This is where the two resistors come into play... In most cases you will need to build an attenuator to reduce the soundcard level to one that is compatible with your rig... Even with the attenuator, it will be possible to overdrive your rig and have a wide and dirty signal so pay attention to the help files on setup and connections...

.....Here is a diagram of the simplest and cheapest method to give PSK-31 a try...

.....This method of connection depends on either the use of your rigs VOX to key the transmitter or manual use of the MOX control... This interface does not provide any isolation between your soundcard and your rig but works quite well at QRP levels... Follow the tutorial on soundcard and level set up and you will soon be making PSK-31 QSO's... In the next installment, I will show you an easy to build interface that will isolate both audio lines, and an easy interface that lets your PSK software control your transmitters PTT...

.....One last thing, here are the links to two more programs you might want to try... PSK-GNR works with PSK-31 to give it a type ahead buffer as well as macros and a whole host of other features... DigiPan is yet another freeware PSK program that I use most of the time... I find it to be the easiest program for new users to grasp, and the ability to view several KHz's at once and just use your mouse for tuning is very nice... DigiPan also includes an easily used logging program...

PSK-GNR Website
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DigiPan Website
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.....Come on in, the water is fine... I think you will be amazed at the QRP potential of this mode...

.....As you can see from the following list, PSK-31 comes in many different flavors... It is available for the Windows, Linux, & Macintosh operating systems... After your learn the basics and are comfortable with PSK-31 operation, try all the different programs available for your operating system, and find the one that best suits you... If you come across a new PSK-31 program or resource not in this list, let me know so I can add it...

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PROGRAM	AUTHOR	Platform
PSK-31	Peter Martinez, G3PLX	Windows
PSK-GNR	Al Williams, WD5GNR	Windows
DigiPan	Skip Teller, KH6TY	Windows
DxPSK (US)	Christian Ramade, F6GQK	Windows
MixW32	Nick Fedoseev, UT2UZ	Windows
TrueTTY	Sergei Podstrigailo, UA9OSV	Windows
WinPSK	Moe Wheatley, AE4JY	Windows
WinPSKse	Dave Knight, KA1DT	Windows
WinWarbler	Dave Bernstein, AA6YQ	Windows
WriteLog	Ron Stailey, K5DJ	Windows
Zakanaka	Bob Furzer, K4CY	Windows
Logger	Bob Furzer, K4CY	Windows
PhaseShift	Edson Pereira, N1VTN	Linux
TWPSK	Hansi Reiser, DL9RDZ	Linux
Multi Mode	Chris Smolinski, N3JLY	Macintosh

[email protected] .....This website is maintained by Bruce Hopkins - KL7H/C6A using a Compaq Presario 7475 / 533 K6-2...This Page Last Modified: 12 September 2000...

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since 18 April 1999