Program by Peter Martinez G3PLX called PSK31 for Windows soundcard.

Version 1.08 is available. It's a freeware for amateur use only.

If you have not got it yet.....

You can download it here.

This program operates under Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT, in conjunction with most known types of 16-bit sound card.

PSK31 is used to transmit and receive text over a radio link using Phase Shift Keying. A SSB transceiver is needed (a Class C transmitter is not suitable), with the PSK signal generated and received as an audio tone.

PSK31 overview - taken from PSK31 help file

In spite of new DSP technology appearing in HF data modes, traditional RTTY has maintained it's popularity. There is evidently a special quality in RTTY that is missing in newer modes. It may be that RTTY is easier to use, or more "hands-on", or more sociable since you can listen-in and join-in which an ARQ link cannot do. It may just be because RTTY is cheaper.

A new mode is emerging over the last year which may bridge the gap between RTTY and the high-tech modes. Based on an idea by SP9VRC, the PSK31 mode is based on the use of low-cost DSP starter kits and public-domain software, using modern DSP techniques to implement a basic live-QSO transmit-receive keyboard-to-screen mode. The bandwidth of PSK31 is much lower than any other data mode, which means it can work at lower signal levels in today's crowded bands.
The basic idea of PSK is that keying is done by phase-shifting the carrier rather than frequency-shifting it. The bandwidth is equal to the baudrate rather than to the shift plus the baudrate. With the chosen baudrate of 31.25, that brings the bandwidth down from the 300-500Hz of other modes down to 31Hz. By using an alphabet similar to morse with short codes for common letters, the text speed of PSK31 comes out at about 50 wpm. By using the narrowest possible filters in the transmitter and receiver, the performance of PSK31, even without error-correction, is certainly better than most, and has the added advantage for live QSOs that the performance degrades very gracefully as the signal drops. For paths where errors occur in bursts rather than randomly, PSK31 can be switched to use a convolutional code at the transmitter and a matching Viterbi decoder at the receiver. QPSK, with 4 phase-shifts instead of two, is used for this, but the bandwidth and text speed stay the same. The price paid for this robustness is a tighter frequency stability requirement and a delay of 640mS in the decoder.

Have fun and I 'll see you on PSK ....


PSKGNR by Al Williams WD5GNR - Front End for version 1.06 of PSK31.

PSKGNR is a simple program that works with PSKSBW (V1.07 & 1.08) to provide many features including:

-Type ahead
-Single-key call signs (yours and your partners')
-Transmit file
-20 macro strings
-Serial numbers
-Current date time with GMT offset
-Internet and CDROM callsign lookup

It's free and not very old so take your chances !

PSKGNR only works with Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT.

News:

Version 1.33 -- ADIF logging is here!

Version 1.32 -- Flawed; please use 1.32.1... adds slash 0 support in conjunction with PSKSBW 1.07

Version 1.31 -- Save/load options to a file (good for troubleshooting); print macro cheat sheet from Macro Palette

Version 1.30 -- Use ^. to switch to RX with CWID Version 1.29 -- Use FCC database on your hard drive (read the manual for instructions)

Version 1.28 -- automatically start/close PTT programs (requires V3 of PTT programs)

Version 1.27 fixes some problems with shrinking windows and adds support for Buckmaster CDROM.

Version 1.26 fixes minor problems and add support for external PTT keying (check out KPTT on the download page).

Version 1.25 fixes the RCV button to work like ^\ and adds Flying Horse CDROM lookup (experimental).

Version 1.24 makes all receive switchovers visible (you can select the character used). This means there is no longer any difference between ^0, ^R, and ^\. Also, this version prohibits you from entering ^0s that don't make sense. Options to start up with all palettes. Please be sure the PSKGNR window is active before attempting to use PSKGNR commands!

Version 1.23 adds QRZ CDROM lookup capabilities

Version 1.22 adds word buffering and callsign palette (both optional, of course).There is now a manual - a little better than the old readme file. Replace ^0 in your macros with ^\ if you want to see a backslash to mark where you switch to receive.

More new features: improved macro palette, international call sign servers, shift-click buttons same as right-click, copy calls to clipboard for logging, setting call clears name, friendlier macro names. New features: call sign/name in status bar (click to set, shift click to clear). Also click on TX to switch transmit mode on/off and click on BPSK/QPSK to change mode. Change callsign lookup URL (on the F12 screen).

I have one report of F11 not working with PSK31SBW -- please report this along with your OS, PSK31 version, etc. Do not report F11 not working with PSK31EVM! Unless, of course, you know why it doesn't work! If F11 works with your copy of PSK31EVM you should report that! Now works (sort of) with EVM. F11 doesn't work with EVM and I don't know why (no EVM here). Never let it be said that I'm not for free choice! If you turn on the "Use PSK31 keys" option, you can use PSK31's FKeys to control PSK31 and the "standard" PSKGNR FKeys are control keys. The default is off, so if you have gotten used to PSKGNR the way it has been, everything still works the same. New in 1.17 - Use the arrow keys for PSK31 control if you like and hide the buttons if you like. 1.18 adds support for up/down arrows too.

Converting to Ø produces some other character on international character sets! Consider disabling this for contests or DX work.

Some of you have asked about supporting this effort. I'm not looking for money for this program. However, if you insist on doing something, consider making a donation to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital which helps kids (often at no charge) who have leukemia and cancer. My dad died from leukaemia and this was his favourite charity -- they are good folks there and leukaemia is a tough illness for anyone, especially a child. Don't send any money to me! Send it right to St. Jude's! If you like, you can make the gift in memorial of Cecil Williams, but that's strictly up to you. Thanks for helping.

Al Williams

SPECIAL NOTE:

Current version is 1.34

If you need the entire environment, you'll need to download the two disk set. This contains V 1.27. You can download it here. Two parts: pgnr27_1.zip 1.1Mb and pgnr27_2.zip 0.9Mb.

Unzip both disks to one directory and run SETUP. If you are upgrading, you do not need to download these disks, just get PSKBARE.ZIP, below.

If you have the VB6 runtime environment, you probably only need this file: pskbare.zip (98K). This contains v 1.33

Thank you Al.
 
 

Operation is simple. The first time you run the program you'll need to set your call (on the Xmit | Set My Call menu). Also go to Tools | Options and set the path to PSK31SBW.EXE and your time offset to GMT. You can also set any macros you want. If you want spaces around things like call signs, you can store spaces in the macro slots.

When you run PSKGNR, it will find a running copy of PSK31SBW or it will run it for you. Rearrange the windows so you can see both at once. PSKGNR remembers the size and position you set for PSKGNR, and now remembers PSK31SBW's position. If you don't like this behaviour, you can turn it off.

You can type into the box that appears in PSKGNR. When you hit Send or F9 (default), PSKGNR begins sending to PSK31SBW, switching it to transmit mode. Hit receive to switch back when the text is complete. Use Ins/Del to move the PSK31SBW centre frequency.

More information: http://www.al-williams.com/wd5gnr/pskgnr.htm


LogPsk ver. 18.08.99

1. Introduction

This software represents a logbook for amateur radio usage. It work better together with PSKGNR(PSK Front End by WD5GNR). It has the possibilities to work on two modes; normal QSOreport is 's and Contest. In this version is implemented only one type of contest in which the RSa (T) + a serial number represent the current number of QSO. Because it isn't available database with DXCC list of prefixes, it couldn't calculate automatically the multiplier and point/QSO so, until this database will be ready, this feature it will not be available(unfortunately).

http://www.megaone.com/yo3fff/



Another stunning bit of software is available.

Is called

LOGGER

created by Bob K4CY

http://www.itis.net/golist/download.htm

I am using PK-232MBX with Logger.



If you have any problems downloading from this page please let me know

email


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