Digital advice?

[W1HD]

Maybe you can give me a bit of advice. I'm new to digital. I'm on WSPR a lot (40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m) but that's about it. I installed FLdigi but I find it frustrating trying to know what options to use to decode a given signal. I spent an hour the other day and managed to decode ONE signal (a ham who signed off moments later).
Is FLdigi good to use? Suggestions? Where should I go for a "how to" for digital?

 

[dickie757]

I'm a VHF/UHF data hound, but this post will get you further along.
Also, look at the signature for more info.

Are you just getting started in HF Digital?

If so this article in our wiki is for you. It touches on many subjects, including a couple that we had stickies for (identifying modes and schedules) that you will find useful. They've been moved to the wiki so other folks can update them when needed DXing Digital Utilities - The...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[jazzboypro]

I felt the same when I was trying to use MultiPSK. Apart from trying to identify a signal by listening to sample files there is not much one can do unless you have a well trained ear. Most often than not the signal disappeared long before I could identify it.

 

[nd5y]

One thing about fldigi and similar software that people never think of is that you can disconnect the radio and "transmit" the various modes through your computer speakers and develope a well trained ear.

I haven't been on HF for so long I don't know any good "HF digital modes for dummies" web sites. The wiki is probably a good start.

HF Digital Amateur Radio - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

 

[vagrant]

Here’s a hint if you are unable to discern a digital signal audibly or visually on the waterfall, simply round down the frequency when you find a digital signal. Then just search Google, or a webpage that has information on modes and the frequencies they use.

For example, 7070 kHz is probably PSK31. 7074 is probably FT8. You see, operators that use digital modes are looking for the same, so they use/meet on known frequencies for that particular mode. There is no mystery about it. I am not about to use the area where CW operators TX/RX if I am using PSK31, or FT8.

Perhaps use a web page like this for information. Frequencies for digital modes - PA8S

Have fun!

 

[jwt873]

WSJT-X does a good job at transmitting/receiving WSPR. The standard frequencies are 'in memory', so when you select a band, it will automatically go to the commonly used WSPR frequency used on that band.

You can tweak the default frequency up or down to avoid QRM. So, for instance, 10 Meter WSPR is on 28.124,600. Add 1500 for the offset and you have 28,126,100 You can slide up or down by a few 100 Hz.. That way you don't have everyone transmitting on 28.126,100

You won't find much WSPR outside of the adopted frequencies.

There isn't a lot to set up.. Just the TX Pct (The percentage of transmit vs receive time).

 

[K6GBW]

Selecting a digital mode kind of depends on what you want to do with it? If you just want to "contact" people with little to no true conversation then FT4 or 8 is the way to go. Personally, I don't see the point of a digital tap on the shoulder, but many do. If you want keyboard to keyboard conversations then you'll need to look at those modes. I personally have been using VarAC for over a year and it works very well. Easy to set up and I've had conversations with people as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and Japan. Reaching across the country is just flat out easy. Of course, if you want digital email there's Winlink. I use Winlink with the VaraHF modem software and it works fantastically.