Digimodes are very popular among radioamateurs and the psk31 is the most popular qrp digimode. For experimenting in digimodes, first you need a transceiver to computer interface (ready made or homebrewed) and second, a dedicated software too (for software have a look in my software page).
If your purpose is to emit good enough signal for the receiving radioamateur to understand you easily and your antenna lacks a high mast, then you have to try digimodes or CW. Try narrow bands and enjoy DXing. Digimodes, the perfect way to qrp. Remember digimodes are 300 times more pleasant than others! Currently I am using: a) the Digimaster usb MiniPRO 2 A high performance true isolated audio DATA interface for ALL afsk Ham radio DATA modes. A very reliable interface made by Neil G4ZLP. You can connect two radios with one interface! Nice. http://www.g4zlp.co.uk/index.shtml  The MiniPRO 2 worked flawlessly from the first installation. No any additional driver installation was needed from my Win XP-PRO operating system. The MiniPRO 2 contains a built in "selector" so that I have two radios connected (HF + VHF), with either being selected via push button, as required. Very convenient for using two radios with one interface. I am using it permanently in the shack. PTT and CAT was made by CT17 CI-V CAT interfaces also produced by Neil. Support through e-mail is very good by Neil himself. b) the Signalink USB: http://www.tigertronics.com/ Signalink USB contains a soundcard and this can prevent from some operating trouble! Nowadays I am using the Signalink mainly for portable operations.  Furthermore, you need only two cables. One to t/x and one to pc (usb). No additional cables no mess! And of course easy PTT. You have not very much to do, Signalink USB is plug and play. Not computer geeks thay have not anything to fear. So, in other words Signailink is also for lazymens / είναι για τεμπέληδες / tembeller icindir! Tigertronics has a very informative support page: http://tigertronics.com/sl_suprt.htm   FT-817 and digimodes Adjust carefully menus 24 - 27, below are my settings: Menu # description settings 25 DIG MIC 50 26 DIG MODE USER-U 39 PKT MIC 50 40 PKT RATE 1200 T/X mode: DIG Bellow is an interesting video from N7JFP on how to adjust FT-897, Signalink and DM780 (HamradioDeluxe suite) enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig0j9oIUo2E For software have a look in my Software page You must transmit a clean signal (be aware not to splatter!). There is some devices to help you in that matter made by radiohams: http://www.ssiserver.com/info/pskmeter/ http://kk7uq.com/html/imdmeter.html I strongly recommend that, you have always attached such a device while transmitting in digimodes. Finally, please read the below site and correct your IMD: http://www.psb-info.net/IMD-Measurement.html Tips in digimodes: Don't use excess power, qrp to 20-25W is enough (otherwise you may damage your t/x). Turn any filters, noise blankers, compressors, off and turn mode to USB. When you try to decode weak signals among strong signals, disabling AGC or reducing RF gain or both, helps. First find and decode a signal without an interface, just place your computers microphone close to transceiver speaker! Monitor your signal before transmitting. Through your headphones attached to interface (Signalink USB has a monitor jack for this purpose, also many other devices has similar options). Or you can place another transceiver or receiver near the transmitting one, without any antenna attached. This way you can hear the transmitted audio. Always and from time to time check your transmitted signals quality (imd), either with any of the above mentioned devices or ask a friend of you to monitor. Please, do not transmit in any digimode if you have not a clean signal. Below are some very informative sites: http://www.rsq-info.net/Station-Setup-Checklist.html http://eu.srars.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=240&Itemid=185 http://www.mymorninglight.org/ham/psk.htm If you have questions or difficulties, always ask to your elmer. My digimodes elmer is George SV8GXC a keen digimodes user here in Greece. If you want to be a serious digimode user:
Do not overdrive the rig. Use pskmeter or tune properly your rig.
See the following video from N7JFP and learn how to emit a good signal and how to combine and work with FT-897, Signalink & DM780 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig0j9oIUo2E&feature=related or by K7AGE about clean psk signal (especially for FT-897) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3CwHaX7t5M&NR=1 Overdriving leads to splatters and as you know, good operators not splatter!
Avoid ground loops. Use only isolated rig to computer interfaces.
Use a good quality soundcard (some onboard or cheap soundcards have a high noise figure) so, you'll have a clean signal and weaker signals decoded. Cluster for digimodes http://hamspots.net/alldigi/ PSK31 PSK31 is my prefered digimode and the most used among radioamateurs nowadays, in the internet you can find too many information about: http://aintel.bi.ehu.es/psk31.html http://www.qsl.net/g3vgr/psk31.html http://members.cox.net/jrehak/PSK31.htm interesting psk31 tutorial: http://www.qrparci.org/content/view/4521/118/ PSK31 frequencies, remember mode always USB. Some transceivers has specific digi mode selection like DIGI (FT-817), USB-D (IC-PROIII), etc. 1838.150 3580.150 7040.150 10142.150 14070.150 18100.150 21080.150 (although most activity can be found 10 kHz lower) 24920.150 28120.150 50285.000 psk31 center of activity 144138.000 psk31 center of activity 432088.000 psk31 center of activity |