Q15X25 Mode (New QPSK) operating from the MixW2 v2.16 multi-mode program

Q15X25 is a 15 tone packet mode with a Kiss/AX25 Interface. Q15X25 is a DSP mode that operates like a modem to provide an ARQ mode designed for AX.25 and TCP/IP on HF with speed and reliability much greater than traditional HF ARQ modems. It uses 15 QPSK modulated carriers separated by 125 Hz, each modulated at 83.333 baud, 1950 BW. Q15X25 uses FEC and time and frequency interleaving in order to avoid most error sources. Transmission data rate is typically 2.5Kbp

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:

MixW v 2.16b8 http://mixw.net/beta/beta8/MixW216b8.exe

Q15X25 support DLL q15x25dll6.zip http://www.mixw.net/downloads.htm

Help Files: MixWMain.chm http://radioministries.org/k4set/MixW2_help.html

Help Files: mixw214help.exe http://radioministries.org/k4set/MixW2_help.html

Install Computer downloads to MixW folder

Unzip and create a Shortcut Icon.

Windows Sound card setup:

Click Configure -- Select Output Volume - Set Volume Control to 3 - Set Wave to 3 – Set Balance to Center

Click Configure – Select Input Volume – Select Line-in - Set to 3 - Set Balance to Center

Radio Setup:

Set all IF filters to off or as wide as possible

Set Audio RF to MAX

Set Transmitter output power to ½ manufacturer’s rated RF.

Set VFO to 14.109.5

Set MODE to LSB/USB Convention (14.109.5 USB)

Speak into the Mic. Adjusting the Mic gain so that ALC doesn’t occur above the ALC Zone indicator.

Set PROCESSOR to OFF and Set SWR to ON

Adjust Tuner for 1:1

Set SWR to OFF and Set ALC to ON

ALC can remain ON to control drive limit.

Click TX

Adjust RIGBlaster Audio Level Control, stopping as Transmitter output power reaches MAX. 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.

Click RX

MixW Setup:

Click MixW2 Icon

Click Help – Register (follow instructions)

Registration: Once Registered you will receive a Registration Email and an Attachment. Copy the Attachment into the

MixW folder and unzip.

Click Configure and Select Personal data then enter ONLY your Callsign, fill out whatever other data is called for. After your

amateur Callsign is entered in the personal data area, the program will then be Registered.

Click Configure – Type Personal Data

Click Configure – Click TRCVR CAT/PTT and setup

Click View - Select Spectrum – Select RF, USB – Select Waterfall

Click View – Select CAT Bar

MixW operation:

Setup Macros: AutoCQ – CQ 1 – Call 2 – RtrnCall – Info – Brag – Bye – ( Right-click Mouse on Window and setup micro text)

Click Options – Auto CQ – Stop (to stop Auto CQ)

Click Options - Select Set transceiver Fq. – Select Band – Select USB mode – Set Fq.

Setup to operate Q15X25 mode:

Click Mode

Click Packet

Click Mode Settings

Click Modem

Select Q15X25 bitrate: 2500 interleave: 16

Click OK

Q15X25 will appear in the lower Status Bar “Mode-box”, next to PACKET

Recommended frequencies:

3.560 3.635

10.139.7 10.146

14.109.5

18.117 (Q15X25 Packet Net)

21.1133

Q15X25 operating:

Type: Call

Type: Name

Type: RST

Click Macro Call2 (to call Station)

Note: Macro Set 1 (F1 through F12)

Macro Set 2 (press CTRL)

Macro Set 3 (press Shift)

Macro Set 4 (press shift + CTRL)

When they answer:

Type message in TX window

Click F9 or TX (goes into TX)

Type message in TX window

Click F10 or RX (goes to RX)

Click Bye to End QSO (Date & Time is sent)

Click Alt+S or Save (QSO is saved)

DX Spots:

DX Summit: http://oh2aq.kolumbus.com/dxs

DX Summit:

Click Spot Database Search

Search string: type Q15X25

Click Any Column

Click Search

DX-Spots

Click Frequency

Click Custom Spots - Digital

DX Spots Click Send your own:

Click Send your own

Type AA3EU

DX Call type AA3EU

Freq. type 14.109.5

Info.: DIGITAL Q15X25 Mode 2500/16 CQ CQ CQ

Click Submit

MUF Charts: http://www.arrl.org/qst/procharts/

DX Summit: http://oh2aq.kolumbus.com/dxs/

DX Spot: http://hamcall.net/dxspots

DX Spots http://www.ng3k.com/misc/cqc2005.html

DX-Telnet: http://www.golist.net

References:

MixW: http://www.mixw.net/

All about Q15X25: http://www.123-web-vintage-electronics.com/9/q15x25-ham-radio.html

ZL1BPU FUZZY Modes http://www.qsl.net/zl1bpu/

Reflector Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Q15X25/

Packet Radio: http://www.uspacket.org/plan_a.html

Q15X25 is a packet modem with a KISS/AX.25 interface designed for HF transmission of AX.25 packets and TCP/IP using Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) and forward error correction (FEC). It operates like a packet radio terminal node controller (TNC). Its 15 tones are separated by 125 Hz, each QPSK modulated at a symbol rate of 83.33 bauds to provide a raw data rate of 2500 bit/s in an occupied bandwidth of 2000 Hz. Its emission designator is 2K00J2D. Signals can be found at 14 109.5 kHz upper sideband.

A sample of the modulated signal is at: http://rover.wiesbaden.netsurf.de/~signals/TABLES/PSK.HTML#GW%20SINGLE.

Q15X25 was developed by Pawel Jalocha, SP9VRC, for the Motorola DSP56002EVM digital signal processing evaluation board in the late 1990s. Jolocha also developed MT-63.It has been ported to LINUX PC by Tomi Manninen, OH2BNS, see:http://he.fi/pub/ham/unix/linux/ax25/newqpsk/.This protocol has been implemented on Windows PC sound card. See www.mixw.net. This is still an experimental mode. Additional details toward an updated version are welcome and should be sent to [email protected]. Paul L. Rinaldo, W4RI
July 19, 2005