Quick Cookbook Guide to PSK31 – in pdf format
What you need:
- HF SSB transceiver (QRP OK)
- Antenna
- PC with soundcard (Pentium preferred)
- Interface and cables (see below)
- PSK31 program (see list below)
Interface:
- Connection from radio audio-out / speaker-out to PC line-in / mic-in
- Connection from PC line-out / spkr-out to radio audio-in / mic-in
- Connection from PC serial port to radio PTT-in
Available interfaces:
- K4ABT BUX Rascal ($20-40) kit or assembled – http://www.packetradio.com/ psk31.htm
- SignalinkUSB ($99) – http://www.tigertronics.com/
- RigBlaster ($50-100) – http://www.westmountainradio.com/
- MFJ ($50-100) – http://www.mfjenterprises.com/products.php?catid=10
- KK7UQ ($55) – http://www.waypoint.com/users/~discobay/model_ii.htm
- Green Heron Radio Boss ($124) – http://www.greenheronengineering.com/RB_Overview.php
PSK31 program:
- Digipan – http://www.qsl.net/kh6ty/digipan.htm
- WinPSK – http://www.imiwebs.com/winpskse/
- MixW – http://mixw.net/
- Hamscope – http://www.qsl.net/hamscope/
- Fldigi – http://www.w1hkj.com/
How to get on the air fast with PSK31 (using Digipan and the Rascal interface as an example)
Connections
- Ensure your rig is configured for SSB and on the air
- Ensure your PC has Digipan loaded
- Connect the Rascal speaker cable to the rig’s speaker jack
- Connect the Rascal Mic plug to the rig. This is for TX-audio in and PPT control
- Connect the Rascal serial cable to the PC Com1 port
- Connect the Rascal line-in cable to the PC soundcard Line-In
- Connect the Rascal line-out cable to the PC soundcard Line-Out
Operations
- Run (execute) Digipan
- Tune radio to a PSK frequency (ex: 14.070 MHz)
- The Digipan Waterfall display (bottom half of screen) should be mostly blue with yellow speckles and some yellow lines. If it is too yellow (gain too high), reduce your AF Gain on the rig and / or reduce your Waterfall drive (click on Configure; Waterfall drive, then lower the gain bar).
- Look for a ragged vertical yellow line and click directly on it. This is a PSK signal and you should see the decoded text in the upper screen window.
- Set your rig power output to 10-50 watts max.
- Click on Configure; Transmitter drive and lower both the Wave and Volume Control bars to one division above the bottom. Most problems with PSK comes from excessive transmitter drive.
- Enjoy.
