HF Packet

I thought that I would share some findings in relation to HF Packet, after some recent exploration.  Firstly the Sound Modem developed by Andrei UZ7HO is a great piece of software, with recent improvements added towards the end of last year.  These include CAT control for PTT and also support for USB CN108 devices (Commonly used in VOIP setups).  I'm using the CAT PTT with my IC-7300, and it just works!

You can also run two modems within the audio bandwidth of you transceiver. So if you wanted to run APRS on the frequency allocated you can do that and then run a second modem on a frequency, say 800Hz down the band. This could be used for connecting to a BBS, mailbox or general chat in terminal mode or even a game of Chess.

I have included some screen shots of my settings.

You can see that the two modems are centered on 900Hz and 1700Hz.

Dual channel is active, TX rotation means that only one modem will TX at a time. and the third setting directs both modems to the one sound device.  Note also the PTT Port is set to CAT.

 

On HF in SSB mode it doesn't take much to be a little off frequency, and therefore render communications ineffective.  By adding additional RX pairs, at a spacing of 30Hz either side of the set frequency, allows a station that is 60 or 70Hz off frequency to still be decoded.

There is still some exploring required, but this is a good start!

Chess on 40m anyone?

I've always been interested in digital modes and I'm old enough to remember the days of Packet radio and BBSs.  Well packet is not dead! It's used for APRS and now also for the odd game of Chess.  Yes you heard correctly.  Joel VK8JG and I had a game of Chess (whist maintaining social distancing).  We did this using 300 bd  AX25 Packet on 40m.  this was achieved by using a program developed by  Andrei UZ7HO.  (Check out the link at the bottom)

PR-Chess connects seamlessly to another program called Sound Modem, which is a software based Packet modem for Window.

This was fairly easy to set up with my IC-7300, using the usb connection into the radio. And I suspect that it would work well with any modern radio with the usb connection.

Both these programs would work well on 2m at 1200bd.  If  you want to explore online gaming at a slow pace, then why not give Chess a go!

Check out  Andre's software here.

DXCC up to 65

Over the last week or two I managed FT-8 contacts into Ogasawara,  East Malaysia, Kaliningrad, USA and Sri Lanka (all confirmed).  This brings my DXCC total up to 65. 

Solomon Islands & USA a first!

Today, working FT-8, I managed to get a couple of new countries in the log, Solomon Islands and the USA.  Both will need to be confirmed, but I trust QSLs will come through, in time.

Self-Quarantine - Day 7

Well, we are now halfway though the 14 days self-quarantine, and I have proof!