Download HF Digital Modes


Fldigi- Realtime Messaging System

Winmor – Radio E-mail System

Digital Modes are a means of operating Amateur
Radio from a computer keyboard

In this context, we are normally talking about chat
modes used on the HF (high frequency) bands


Used to have a regular conversation in a similar way
to voice or CW, where one operator talks for a minute
or two, then another does the same.
Normally a two party QSO, but these chat modes
could allow multiple operators to take part in a net.

The computer acts as a modem(modulator demodulator)
◦ Sound card used to convert digital of PC to analog
audio for the radio
◦ Can use the built in PC sound card or external such
as Tigetronics SignaLink

Software program can control the transceiver
depending on type
◦ Remote control connector (Icom CI-V or Serial)
◦ Audio input via ACC connector or Mic

Many software programs available
◦ Digipan, HRD/DM780, MixW, MultiPSK, HamScope
& Fldigi

Most are multi-mode
◦ PSK, DominoEX, MFSK, RTTY, CW..

Easy tuning of signals using “Waterfall”
display
◦ Shows multiple QSOs

Prearranged message “Macros
◦ CQ, Me/QTH, Rerun, Brag..

Because of sophisticated digital signal
processing, digital modes can offer:
◦ Performance that cannot be achieved using voice (and
in some cases even CW), through the use of reduced
bandwidth
◦ PSK31 uses100 hertz channels with 30 hertz signals
◦ Tens of QSOs in a 3Khz bandwidth versus one voice
◦ Improved signal-to-noise performance (Reception
below noise level)
◦ Reduced transmitter power requirement (Typically use
5 to 30 watts)
◦ Some modes also offer built-in automatic error
correction

Digital Mode operating procedure is not
unlike Morse operation
◦ Many of the same abbreviations are used (CQ, DE,
FB, K, SK, PSE, btu.. )

Software such as Fldigi makes for simple
operation
◦ Most of the procedural business is setup for you
using the keyboard and point-click mouse
operation


A multi-mode software program intended for
Amateur Radio Digital Modes using a PC
Operates in conjunction with HF SSB radio
◦ Most digital modes use USB
◦ Sometimes used in VHF/UHF operation for NBEMS
(Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System)

Uses PC sound card I/O to radio
◦ May also use external sound card such as SignaLink
USB from Tigertronics

Uses audio-frequency signals
◦ Sound card converts digital characters of PC to analog
sounds for radio

Software can typically control several radio
functions depending model
◦ Change Band and Frequency
◦ RF Power, Squelch, Speaker Volume

Fldigi is a multi-mode

Fldigi runs on multiple operating systems
◦ Can operate several digital modes
◦ Fldigi includes popular modes, such as PSK,
MFSK, RTTY, DominoEX, Olivia, Contestia and
even CW
◦ Linux, OS-X(MAC) and Windows

Lead Developer: Dave Freese – W1HKJ
◦ WWW.W1hkj.com
◦ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/linuxham
Emergency Radio E-mail Systems
Getting Started with Winlink 2000
&
RMS Express with Winmor TNC
Radio E-mail Systems
Winlink 2000 (WL2K)is a worldwide
system for sending and receiving e-mail
over radio
 The connection from the users computer
does not depend on the Internet


Widely used by mariners, RV Campers and
various groups for emergency
communication
Winlink Messaging System
Perth, Australia San Diego, CA Brentwood, TN
Common Message Servers
(CMS)
5 Mirrored Servers Located Around
The World
Radio Message Servers (RMS)
Servers Maintained by Hams Around The World
Provide Internet Connection to CMS Servers
Ham Radio Station
Running RMS Express & Winmor TNC
Internet
Halifax, NS
Wien, Austria
Winlink Messaging System
Like regular e-mail, Winlink messages
are sent to a specific address, and may
contain attachments such as pictures,
maps, ICS forms, etc.
 E-mails can be sent between other
Winlink stations and normal
SMTP/POP3 e-mail servers like
gmail.com

Winlink Messaging System
E-mails sent through Winlink on the ham
bands must follow the usual rules for
amateur radio communications
 May not be used for commercial
applications, and messages may not be
encrypted
 You can go to this site to check the
current status of RMS servers


http://www.Winlink.org/RMSHFStatus
Winlink Connection Modes

There are four paths a user can connect to the
Winlink system


Via HF radio to one of the RMS hubs
Via VHF/UHF radio to a local RMS hub

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Via Telenet protocol over the internet

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Two RMS stations in V.C on 145.650 MHz
Can use Outpost packet systems to send e-mails
Terminal emulation program that allows computer users to
connect interactively to a server and access remote sites,
e.g. on the Internet
Via Winlink Webmail over the internet


Like using G-Mail
Need Winlink e-mail account: “ham call”@winlink.org
HF Winlink Operation
Using HF radio, it is possible to connect
to the Winlink system over long
distances
 Often used by mariners to get
information and send e-mail while
cruising the high seas
 In a disaster, HF Winlink allows us to
connect to a area where the internet may
still be operational

Radio E-mail Systems
As with all digital modes, certain
protocols are used to encode data into a
form that can be transmitted over radio
 Two protocols are used for sending
Winlink messages over HF radio

Pactor 3
 Winmor

Pactor 3

Pactor-3: Is a superior protocol that can
reliably send data over long distances with
weak signals over extremely noisy conditions
 Used by most mariners and emergency
organizations for contingency communications


Unfortunately, Pactor-3 is proprietary protocol that
requires a TNC that costs about $1,400
The ACS/ARES radio room here at ECSS has a
Pactor-3 system
Winmor
WINMOR: Winmor was developed by
the Winlink development team as a low
cost alternative to Pactor 3
 It is an open protocol, and operates
through low cost sound card devices
such as the SignaLink USB


$1,400 Vs $100
Pactor vs Winmor
System
Rate bits/sec Bandwidth
(Max)
Cost (Approx)
Pactor I 200
Pactor II 700
300Hz
450Hz
Pactor 2722
III
Winmor 329
500
Winmor 1314
1600
2.2 – 2.4Khz $1.2K – 1.6K
500Hz
$50 -150
$1K - $1.5K
Windows w/
Sound Card
1600Hz
Windows w/
Sound Card
Equipment Needed for Winmor

Requirements are modest
Computer running Windows XP through
Windows 7 with at least 1 GB of Ram
 RMS Express Client software and associated
ITSHF Propagation prediction
 A SignaLink USB sound interface
 A HF radio and associated antenna


Winmor RMS’s are found on 80,40,30 & 20
meters
HF Channel Selection
Winmor WL2K Session
Winmor Sound Card TNC
Further Information
On the web at:
 http://www.winlink.org/
 http://www.Winlink.org/ClientSoftware
 http://www.greg-hand.com/hfwin.32.html
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WINMOR
The End
Mike D’Amore – N6MDA