[RTTY] PSN Modulation & PSK31 with Icom

[Dave]

I was in a similar situation last December with Europa. TO4E's strategy for
handling the pileups on PSK was to randomly jump around the band with short
CQs. I found broadband decoding -- the capability to detect and decode every
QSO on the band -- quite helpful in this situation, as I could click on the
their trace immediately after seeing the "de TO4E" decoded. Several PSK
applications now provide this capability, most recently including Digipan. I
used WinWarbler; no surprise, since I wrote it. WinWarbler's ability to
extract callsigns from the decoded QSOs and list them in a separate window
was helpful in assessing propagation over the course of the day.

    73,

        Dave, AA6YQ

-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Don Hill AA5AU
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 9:07 PM
To: 'RTTY Reflector'
Subject: [RTTY] PSN Modulation & PSK31 with Icom


OK, this is not a RTTY question but it pertains to getting VU4 on digital!

I've just wired my IC-775DSP for PSK.  When I first transmitted PSK31, I
found the power output slowing going up and down from about 50-70 watts.  I
knew my cable and setup were correct so I started thinking there may be some
transmit settings in the radio that need to be checked.

Sure enough, the IC-775 has an option for PSN modulation on or off in the
SSB mode.  Off is analog and On turns on PSN modulation.  I'm not sure what
PSN is because I can't find anything in the owner's manual that says what it
is and a Google search returned all Icom-related stuff without a definition.

I turned PSN modulation off (analog) and keyed the radio - lo and behold the
power output was steady at 50 watts.  Not only that, I was able to get 150
watts out of the radio before the ALC meter started to kick up whereas I
couldn't only get 70 watts before turning PSN off.

Can someone tell me what this PSN modulation is and what advantage it is for
SSB (not PSK31 obviously).  My guess is it should be turned off for PSK31.

I'll be practicing my PSK skills in the coming days in preparation for the
upcoming VU4 Dxpedition.  I've been told that one of the operators is
experienced on PSK and I want to be sure I'm ready.  With the Dxpedition
likely to have a weak signal, PSK might be an easier way to get them in the
log.

VU4 is one of two I need Mixed to have them all (7O is the other - too bad
the DL trip didn't count).

Thanks,
Don AA5AU


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