[TenTec] Newbie question (PSK31)

Radman radman@best.com
Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:28:10 -0800


>Can somebody explain to me how the modes PSK31/FSK31 work?<

73,
Scott,KC0BUS

************

Scott & all,

Jim Reid provided some excellent URLs for learning more about PSK31.
However, some individuals may not have Internet access so I'll provide a
brief description of the PSK31 mode:

History credits Peter Martinez, G3PLX with the development of PSK31.
Originally, Martinez called the new mode, "Varicode" -- due to the fact that
it uses a varying numbers of bits for each character. PSK31 literally means,
"Phase Shift
Keying, 31.25 bit rate."  It uses an alphabet very similar to Morse Code,
yielding text speeds of about 50 wpm. The cleverness of PSK31 is its narrow
bandwidth of 31Hz -- allowing extremely tight filters, and its high text
speed. In addition, it does not require a "lock condition" or "handshaking"
with a second station. This allows high speed roundtables with several
stations in QSO. Required equipment includes a transceiver capable of
SSB/LSB transmit mode, a PC with a standard sound card (instead of a TNC)
and PSK31 shareware that you can download from the Web sites Jim Reid has
noted. A bit of simple wiring; grab your keyboard and you're ready to go.

What does PSK31 sound like? Some say it sounds like "high-speed Sonar." Some
say it sounds like wild bird calls in the jungle. Others say it sounds like
the future of amateur radio. You can listen to PSK31 sounds at the Harvard
Wireless site:
URL -- http://hcs.harvard.edu/~w1af/psk31.html

Or, listen for PSK31 on the call freqs: 1838.150, 3580.150, 7035.150,
10140.150, 14070.150, 18100.150, 21080.150,
 24920.150, 28120.150. Remember, these are *narrow* signals that require
careful tuning and a stable receiver -- like a Ten-Tec, perhaps ;)

Have fun es 73,

Conrad Weiss - NN6CW




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