Any DU Hams out there?

[Hokie]

Have you checked out EchoLink? It is neat. It combines amateur radio with VoIP technology. I am not in a good location for putting up an antenna farm so this is a good way to get back in the hobby.

www.echolink.org

PM me if you are on Echolink already.

[ramapo]

1. Looks interesting

I'm a long inactive ham (kd2mx). I've been thinking about getting back into it for a long time but never get around to making the investment in equipment. The antenna issue is a problem too.

Echolink might just be the ticket back in. I like that there's even a kit available to build the interface. How I miss the Heathkit days.

[Hokie]

2. You do not even need an interface

You only need an interface if you want to be a sysop. You can use Echolink with just a PC and a sound card. There are hundreds of repeaters and simplex stations linked to Echolink. There are even some HF stations linked.

[ramapo]

3. Thanks

Yeah just figured that out while perusing the site. Guess a decent microphone for the sound card wouldn't hurt.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. N1SVA

Also long inactive. :( Could barely remember my own call sign! *lol*

[ramapo]

5. Remember to renew!

Every once in awhile I have this flash that I've gone for so long that my license has expired and I'm SOL. I know I'd never get it together to go through the tests again. Think I'll check out the exp. date.

Anyway I've downloaded the Echolink package and will give it a try. Maybe it'll reignite old interests.

[DemoTex]

6. K9STR

Operational QTH is in the mountains of NC. I'm back in Dallas selling my house now. I haven't checked out EchoLink. I will when I get back. I regularly use PSK-31 on 10 and 20 meters, QRP. New Zealand, Australia, Japan, etc., are easily worked with QRP PSK-31.


Note the narrow bandwidth of both PSK-31 modes

[Hokie]

7. I need to check out PSK31

I just upgraded to extra and noticed some of the questions are about PSK31. It sounds like a neat mode. I used to run some AMTOR and RTTY with an AEA-PK232. I guess you can do PSK31 with just a sound card and a radio?

I am thinking about a Titan-DX Gap Vertical antenna. I still have my Ts440 which has not been on the air in years.

[ramapo]

8. Had good exp. with vertical

When I was on HF many years ago, I only had a vertical. I worked plenty
with it. That's what I've considered when I've pondered returning to the airwaves.

Have to confess to ignorance in regards to PSK31. I briefly scan QST each month but really haven't kept up. Maybe it's time....

[DemoTex]

12. I prefer a vertical for 10 meter ops. I use a Butternut HV-9.

For 20-meter PSK31, I use a dipole cut to 14.070 mHz, or the HV-9 vertical. The vertical works well for 20-meter SSB too, especially for my Airline Ham Net. Net control is often using a vertical (and I don't have a Yagi), so vertical polarization seems to be the best compromise.

[Don_G]

9. Not A Ham but A SWL'er

Would an Icom IC R-75 Reciever count as serious equipment?

[Hokie]

10. Absolutely

I am probably more into SWL'ing than amateur radio right now. I have a Grundig Satellit 800 and a Sangean ATS-909 that I use for travel. The Grundig is nice because it has the narrow filter for SSB but it is portable in name only.

[DemoTex]

11. Icom R-75 is VERY serious SWL equipment. Good choice.

No reason that I know of you can't hook up and monitor PSK31 and/or PSK63 (bandwidths of 31 and 63 Hz, respectively) as a SWLer. I like Digipan, which can be downloaded for free at:

http://www.digipan.net/


Beginning of Digipan "waterfall"

WinPsk, also good, is free at:
http://www.qsl.net/ae4jy/winpsk.htm

A WinPsk User Guide is available at: http://www.kender.es/~edu/download/winpskuser11.pdf

"Google" PSK-31 or PSK-63 for other info, including WinPSKse.


WinPSK screen shot