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My regular readers are probably aware that I am preparing to do a NPOTA activation very soon in Shenandoah National Park (I dropped that news on March 11th), and that I plan on adding a new twist - a Mobile PSK31 NPOTA activation. I'm actually planning on hitting the minimum number of contacts on voice first, and then switching over to PSK31. I'm doing it this way so that if I have any PC related issues, I'll still have enough contacts in for the activation to count!
To get ready for this, I did some temporary equipment installation today, so that everything is ready to go when the big day comes. It's been raining for a couple days, so like many of my projects, it started with taking the antenna's off the car so that I could pull it into the garage. The garage is nice and dry to work in, but the lighting does weird stuff to my iPhone camera - sorry for that!
For any non-ham readers, PSK31 is basically a method of sending digital signals with Amateur radio, that allows for keyboard to keyboard chat - basically like instant messenger (IM) without the internet - but it's even more instant then IM because the data is sent as you type. It's not bad if you can type faster than the data rate (it averages 51 wpm for lower case letters,) but if you hunt and peck the person you are talking to gets to watch you type and make your errors in almost real time.
To get ready for this, I did some temporary equipment installation today, so that everything is ready to go when the big day comes. It's been raining for a couple days, so like many of my projects, it started with taking the antenna's off the car so that I could pull it into the garage. The garage is nice and dry to work in, but the lighting does weird stuff to my iPhone camera - sorry for that!
For any non-ham readers, PSK31 is basically a method of sending digital signals with Amateur radio, that allows for keyboard to keyboard chat - basically like instant messenger (IM) without the internet - but it's even more instant then IM because the data is sent as you type. It's not bad if you can type faster than the data rate (it averages 51 wpm for lower case letters,) but if you hunt and peck the person you are talking to gets to watch you type and make your errors in almost real time.
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To make this work, you need some kind of interface between the computer and radio (usually.) The interface I use is the TigerTronics SignaLink. It is a basic soundcard interface, but they are reasonably priced compared to some of the fancier options, and they do the job well. The basic interface is the same for all radio's, but there are different model numbers if you want to get them with cables pre-made for your specific type of radio. In addition to the cables, there are internal jumper settings based on the radio type, but there are pre-made plug-in modules that can be used instead of the jumpers as well.
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In a mobile environment, where vibration is a factor, I highly recommend using the plug-in module, as it is less likely to vibrate loose than individual press-fit jumper wires.
The arrangement of equipment for this trip is temporary, but I still wanted things mounted out of the way, so they wouldn't get banged around loading and unloading bags. This is important, because the real purpose of this trip is for a family vacation - the park activation is secondary, and is just happening on the way home.
With that thought, I used some very large zip ties to hold the SignaLink to the bottom of the rear parcel shelf. I put it in a location where adjustments are easily made from outside the car, with the trunk open. There are 2 connections that need to be made to the interface - the first is the connection to the radio. In this case, that was simple because the radio body is mounted right behind the Signalink interface. The other connection is a USB cable to the computer that is being interfaced. More on that in a moment.
The other connection that I wanted to make to the radio from the computer, was a standard rig control interface. I wanted this so that the digital mode software being used (fldigi) can read the operating frequency from the radio. I also plan to use this connection for logging, because it is easier to do rapid logging when you can read some data from the radio (I learned this during my first ever pile-up when doing my first NPOTA activation). The standard Yeasu cable goes from a mini-din on the radio, to a DB9 serial connection. I just use a standard serial to USB converter cable to go from that to the computer.
With that thought, I used some very large zip ties to hold the SignaLink to the bottom of the rear parcel shelf. I put it in a location where adjustments are easily made from outside the car, with the trunk open. There are 2 connections that need to be made to the interface - the first is the connection to the radio. In this case, that was simple because the radio body is mounted right behind the Signalink interface. The other connection is a USB cable to the computer that is being interfaced. More on that in a moment.
The other connection that I wanted to make to the radio from the computer, was a standard rig control interface. I wanted this so that the digital mode software being used (fldigi) can read the operating frequency from the radio. I also plan to use this connection for logging, because it is easier to do rapid logging when you can read some data from the radio (I learned this during my first ever pile-up when doing my first NPOTA activation). The standard Yeasu cable goes from a mini-din on the radio, to a DB9 serial connection. I just use a standard serial to USB converter cable to go from that to the computer.
If you're following along, this means that I now have 2 USB cables that need to get from the trunk to the front passenger seat of the car, where I will be operating the computer and radio. I made a quick trip to Staples for 2 USB extension cables - in the store they were marked at $33, but on their web-site they were advertised for $7.49. I showed the cashier the website price on my phone and he gladly matched the web price - one of the two was a mistake, but I'm not sure which. I'm just glad that my temporary cables didn't end up costing me nearly $70!
This is another spot where, even though this is a temporary arrangement, I wanted the cables protected and out of the way. I put some split loom around the cables, to protect them during their temporary use. I was then able to route the USB cables along the bottom of the parcel shelf, and down the back of the rear seat of the car. I used some velcro straps that I had to temporarily hold the cable to the back of the seat, so that it won't be flopping around back there, getting in the way of our luggage. I then fished the cable under the back cushion of the seat, into the passenger compartment, where it tucked down between the center console and the front passenger seat, and exits at the passenger seat feet. From this spot, it can stay coiled up during most of the trip, but when I am ready to operate, I can fish it out and plug it in my computer.
For anyone that's curious, I don't carry .50 caliber ammo around with me - the ammo can has stakes and rope that I use for extra guying with my Buddipole antenna in situations where my normal guying method wouldn't be sturdy enough.
Time for a test! With everything in place, and the wires available at the correct locations, I jumped into the passenger seat and fired up the radio and the fldigi software. Success! I had two short contacts - one with KC0VCC out of Colorado, and one with WU2F from the University of Central Florida. I made these contacts while stationary in the driveway, but it was enough of a test to convince me that everything is ready to go for my attempt at what I think will be a first - NPOTA mobile PSK31.
Is mobile PSK31 crazy? Will you be trying to contact me? Let me know your thoughts on this, or anything else - leave a comment!
Is mobile PSK31 crazy? Will you be trying to contact me? Let me know your thoughts on this, or anything else - leave a comment!
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