DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS PAGE

This is the page that lists sites to visit to obtain the software that is recommended for use in our local ARES operations.
As you can see it is a work in process.  Anyone with suggestions or links that can be helpful are asked to forward data to [email protected]

Please be patient for the graphics to load.  They are worth the wait as most are actual screen capture files with the latest software.
The majority of the software recommended is FREEWARE, and is excellent!  It was developed by and for amateur radio operators.

Ease of use and low cost audio interface cables, are the main reasons we recommend it be the common and standard for our use.
 

BANDS
Being capable of using individual and multiple bands that are appropriate to an emergency exercise or real time event, is one of the great assets that ARES operators and groups can provide.  It will be our intent to operate with appropriate modes on all of the bands available to radio amateurs.  Experimentation will be undertaken to determine the best modes for the frequencies to be used.

HF           160 - 6 meters
VHF        144 and 220 meters
UHF        440 and higher
 

LOW POWER
Given the possibility of limited resources during an actual real time emergency, efforts will focus on using low power ( less than 50 watts on HF, and 10 watts on VHF, UHF ) to ensure reliability.  Creating and developing linking or relay processes will be required.
 

PC's / LAPTOPS etc.
The new software programs that are being written require a minimum computer speed of 133MHz (higher recommended) to realize the full capability of the graphics that are incorporated.  Software is still available for machines slower than this, and we are looking for reliable programs that can be run on anything from 486's and up.  A couple of programs are being reviewed that will permit standard NTS message handling via packet radio.

TRAINING
As we work toward confirming Basic Training Schedules, we will later add sessions that will deal with these specialized modes of operation.  Most will be on-air and in the spirit of adventure and learning.  Remember, most of us learned to use computers from the games available first.

MODES
Without restricting the flexibility the amateur hobby provides, we intend to operate and become proficient with:

SSTV


 

RTTY / PSK31


 

PACTOR

http://web.recorder.ca/~ve3bdm/DIGNTS.HTML
 

      PACKET TNC SYSTEMS

APRS


 
 

LINKS - Get your software here!
 
http://www.qsl.net/mmhamsoft/ SSTV, RTTY,Logging, antenna analyzers, software Communications and Ham Tools
http://www.buckcommco.com/ PSK31, SSTV, Packet Many great ideas and toys
http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/interface.html PSK31, SSTV, RTTY,  Audio Interfacing tips and schematics
http://www.qsl.net/wm2u/psk31.html PSK31 Great Primer for PSK31 mode
http://www.aintel.bi.ehu.es/psk31.html PSK31 Interesting Site with Basics and Links
http://www.netsync.net/users/obrienaj/psk.htm PSK31 Another guide for this mode
http://users.mesatop.com/~ghansen/ Multi-mode HamSoft Software package
http://www.winlink.org/  PACTOR - WinLink / Airmail Pactor Software
http://www.packetradio.org.uk UI-View APRS Software Software package for ALL APRS modes
http://www.qsl.net/mb7ufo/dload.html UI-View APRS Software Current versions and add-on programs
http://www.tapr.org APRS, PACKET The original TAPRS site with programs
http://www.qsl.net/va3jtr APRS Ontario Maps and local information
http://nwaprs.org/beginners.htm APRS Beginners site for this mode
http://www.peaksys.co.uk WINPAK 6.70 Packet Radio software with audio and more
     
http://www.tigertronics.com/ Signal Link Interface Links to everything a ham is interested in
http://www.westmountainradio.com/index.html RIGBlaster Interface An AMAZING source of software programs / links

Other sites for information about Digital Communications

http://web.recorder.ca/~ve3bdm/DIGNTS.HTML
http://aintel.bi.ehu.es/psk31theory.html

Know of other sites that would be of interest?  Send them (or yours)  to [email protected] and have them published here.

                                           

D. Lortie VE3REK - SGBWS ARES.
Copyright © 2003 [South Georgian Bay West Simcoe ARES]. All rights reserved.