Visit PSk31"Official"
Homepage for more information and
Background:
The PSK31 philosophy.
The interface:
You need three things, line in, line out, and PTT
from the rig to the computer. The complete Diagram for the interface
to the Acc socket on the Icom IC-706MKII is here
in PDF format. You can easily modify this circuit to fit any transceiver.
If you don't have anything on 20 meters (14.070MHZ) Small
Wonder Labs 80 E Robbins Ave, Newington, Ct 06111 makes a nice 1
watt transceiver for PSK31. (see QST June 200 pg32 for all the
details)
Software:
There is a plethora of software available for
PKS31. I have tried most of the more common ones including:
Digipan :
works very nicely on both receive and transmit.
it has a number of features: type ahead buffer, Waterfall display
and programmable function keys, but there is a limited number of
keys and there is no provisions for keeping on top. The top
function is very nice if you are running several programs at once,
such a logging program. Free --You can download Digipan
here.
Winpsk:
The receive on this program I think is somewhat
down. If you turn up the audio to see the display on the waterfall
the program responds with "please decrease the audio" announcement.
Also there is no type ahead buffer in this program. I think
this is a must for any digital commutations program. You can
try it for yourself download it
here.
Mixw32:
This program receives and transmits, RTTY, PSK31,
AMTOR, and FAX. works very nicely on both receive and transmit.
it has a number of features: type ahead buffer, Waterfall display
and programmable function keys. Brag text file. Transmit
and receive via the pause/break key crude logging build in.
Shareware -- You can download
it here.
True TTY:
This program receives and transmits, RTTY, PSK31.
It receives nicely, but there is no waterfall display only a
frequency display. There is a nice on-top feature.
type ahead buffer. shareware -- You can download
it here.
Write Log:
WriteLog includes support for communication with
all popular brands of radios. Networking computers for
multi-op operations uses reliable, high-speed Ethernet communication
capable of updating 500 QSOs/second! Nice program. There
is not a downloadable version you can try before you buy. You
can look at it here.
Logger:
Good all around program. Logging, rig
control, PSK31. You can just click on the call in PSK31 and it
logs the call time and frequency. Has QRZ, Ham Call, and Call
book lookup. Problems are that it is a 16 bit program and I
found it to lock up and die on my Windows 98 machine. The Dx
spots also do not work with out winsock (not used on win 98)
Free -- Download
it here.
Zakanaka:
This program was written to be a companion for
Logger or a stand alone program. I use it by itself with "LOGic"
logging program. It has type ahead buffer, 32 programmable
macro keys, special $keywords$ for use in sending $yourcall$ $call$
(his/her call) in your macros. Always on top feature.
Double click on the stations call to put it in the clip board for
pasting, Waterfall display and much more. Free - you can
download it here.
Coming Soon!
Look here for the review on LOGic logging program
with rig control, map functions, Dx spots, QSL printing, Contesting,
and more.
