Sorry, another stupid "how do I get started" thread

raisindot · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 08:49 AM

Sorry to ask this type of question again, but I have tried to navigate the Wiki and previous answers and am still mystified over what I need to decode non-voice utility transmissions.

I have an Icom R-75, and want to use a PC for decoding (i.e., no "box" or other control thingie in between). I can easily run an audio cable from the PC to my audio interface. Since the R-75 already has RTTY and other utility modes built in, I assume I don't need anything more "in-between."

Question is, what then do I need to decode transmissions? I'm only interested in receiving, not transmitting.

Is there one piece of Windows software that decodes RTTY, or shows images, etc. or do you need several different versions? If so, what are the most affordable (i.e., either shareware or freeware) programs out there?

Again, sorry for the redundancy, but it's not easy to understand a lot of this stuff.

Suzie

ka3jjz · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 11:01 AM

Suzie - did you read this article?

HF Digital Decoding - The RadioReference Wiki

This will give you a good head start, including many links to software (some free) that you can check out. The world of digital is varied; it depends on what you want to hear. If you are interested in maritime traffic, then a fairly simple package that does SITOR and FAX will serve you well. If you want to do amateur, then something like MultiPSK will be useful. If you want some military stuff (at least the stuff that can be decoded), then PC-ALE or MultiPSK would do the job (I should also note that Cuban number stations have been reported using PSK modes nominally only used by hams). And if you want to see the SSTV images from the Space Station (when the astronauts use it), that takes a bit more than just software.

Paying attention to the Utility DXers Forum logs will keep you pretty up to date with active freqs. You will need to understand a little about propagation - this is a worldwide list, so if someone hears something in Holland during the daytime, you might not have a shot at it here in the US....

But I suspect you've already got the idea, hi Read up and ask questions 73 Mike

eorange · #3 (**permalink**) 05-15-2009, 12:09 PM

Suzie, I have only used MultiPSK. It's totally free, and decodes just about every kind of decodable signal out there, including RTTY.

Sometimes it's hard to find a strong, copyable signal that actually is RTTY, so that part takes some patience (as in, is my audio setup correct? Is the audio level into the soundcard OK? Is the software set up right? All of this could be good, and then...am I getting a good signal? The patience is sifting through these variables. But once you "get it right", then everything after that is usually good to go.)

See this thread (my post is #6) about how I used MultiPSK to decode marine weather FAXes.

http://www.radioreference.com/forums...x-signals.html

lanbergld · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 08:50 AM

You might appreciate the hottest new Youtube video, of digital decoding from a portable radio, tearing up the internet worldwide.

YouTube - Neat Stuff with SITOR

(copy/paste into browser if hyperlink not present)

Larry Lanberg

Richmond VA

raisindot · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanbergld

You might appreciate the hottest new Youtube video, of digital decoding from a portable radio, tearing up the internet worldwide.

YouTube - Neat Stuff with SITOR

(copy/paste into browser if hyperlink not present)

Larry Lanberg

Richmond VA

When I see stuff like that, I get very scared. Something right out a Stephen King novel....

blinddog50 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Think Sammy needs a G/F or at least a few magazine subscriptions.

Astrak · #7 (**permalink**) 07-10-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinddog50

Think Sammy needs a G/F or at least a few magazine subscriptions.

Agreed.

SammyReed · #8 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 01:08 AM

OK, guys - Now it's MY turn.
(Pops one finger at a time - which with my broke pinky finger, I understand, is quite a chore)
I have been wondering why my SITOR and RTTY videos have been getting some views lately, so I did an online search for "neat stuff with sitor", and it led me to this board, which I'm glad to be a member of.
Gosh, Larry, I don't know quite what to say. Thanks a lot! I need all the viewers I can get. I don't know about "tearing up the internet", but these videos have been getting quite a bit of views lately. Thanks to everyone out there for your interest!
Well, that's right, I don't have a girlfriend. Until I can afford a partial, I don't guess I'll attract one for some time. Now, I used to get Frederick's catalogs when I was a teenager - and frankly, when the women were worth looking at. Nowadays, women in catalogs look too plastic for me. When I got a 1988 JC Penney catalog at a yard sale a couple of months ago, I could really tell the difference between the gals in the lingerie section THEN vs. NOW.
To answer the original question, in addition to the other programs mentioned, there's SeaTTY for WeatherFax. It'll save the graphics for you after the transmission is over, or you can click "stop" and "save". A freeware program called MMSSTV seems to be OK for SSTV pictures. I wanted to do a "Neat Stuff with SSTV" video, but my radio - and I'd guess the DX-440 in general - isn't friendly with the SSTV frequencies. I have to turn my computer monitor off to stop the whistling on those frequencies. I did get a few very staticy pictures, but I guess you have to get one of those things like an MFJ-956 to get much use out of SSTV on a DX-440. I guess you could call it a "low-end, front-end" radio. Gosh, It's amazing the stuff you read about a radio in between the time you BID on it, and the time you GET it.
Wait a minute - a Stephen King novel?