Difficulty with PSK

[tom wylie-2]

I'm not sure this is the correct forum to ask for answers, but I am
using my K3....

My setup consists of a PC running Hamlogger  32  V 3.17 with both MMTTY
and MMVARI embedded.
I have a USB Microkeyer II from microham and of course my K3  with
latest software.

I have been running the K3 since last June.   I have been using RTTY
using both Logger 32 and Win-test without any problems what-so-ever and
in fact this its a great set up with the dual pass band filters in the K3.

This week I tried PSK31 - nothing.

I have called CQ till I am blue in the face and get no reply.   I called
a local ham to monitor my signals and he says there is NO signal only a
"pattern" on his screen, but he can tell when I start and stop
tansmitting.  

I have the K3 set to Data Mode - PSK D  31bps

I am using the official Microham interface to radio leads connected to
Line in / Line Out.
I have set the levels admittedly using RTTY....

ASs I said everything works fb in RTTY.

I can monitor the PSK tones using the K3 monitor facility and to me (not
an PSK expert) they sound OK.   I get output from the rig set at 25
watts.   I can also see this on my power meter.
My SWR is good.   I have tried varying the audio output from my PC to
the interface to the rig
from high to zero, but I cannot detect any material difference in the
level of tone via the monitor facility.   I have listened to my output
on another receiver and to me it sounds OK, but my friend insists it is not.

It may be that I am grossly over modulating - I dont know.   Apart from
varying the input in the Line IN socket via the K3 menue, is there any
other adjustment?

How have others set up their K3 to send PSK.   On receive, my set up
works very nicely and I
have received many DX stations using the filters in the K3, but I cannot
TX for some reason.

I tried downloading several PSK software programmes and run them
independently, but still I cannot get any other station to "see" my signal.

I have run out of ideas?    Can anybody help?

Tom
GM4FDM


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[Greg - AB7R]

PSK-D is ONLY for direct paddle input to translate CW to PSK or using a terminal program
connected to the RS232 port...such as the terminal tab on the K3 utility.  If you are using a
digital mode program as you are, you must use Data-A, not PSK-D.

-------------------------
73,
Greg - AB7R
Whidbey Island WA
NA-065


On Wed Apr 29  3:11 , tom wylie  sent:

>I'm not sure this is the correct forum to ask for answers, but I am
>using my K3....
>
>My setup consists of a PC running Hamlogger  32  V 3.17 with both MMTTY
>and MMVARI embedded.
>I have a USB Microkeyer II from microham and of course my K3  with
>latest software.
>
>I have been running the K3 since last June.   I have been using RTTY
>using both Logger 32 and Win-test without any problems what-so-ever and
>in fact this its a great set up with the dual pass band filters in the K3.
>
>This week I tried PSK31 - nothing.
>
>I have called CQ till I am blue in the face and get no reply.   I called
>a local ham to monitor my signals and he says there is NO signal only a
>"pattern" on his screen, but he can tell when I start and stop
>tansmitting.  
>
>I have the K3 set to Data Mode - PSK D  31bps
>
>I am using the official Microham interface to radio leads connected to
>Line in / Line Out.
>I have set the levels admittedly using RTTY....
>
>ASs I said everything works fb in RTTY.
>
>I can monitor the PSK tones using the K3 monitor facility and to me (not
>an PSK expert) they sound OK.   I get output from the rig set at 25
>watts.   I can also see this on my power meter.
>My SWR is good.   I have tried varying the audio output from my PC to
>the interface to the rig
>from high to zero, but I cannot detect any material difference in the
>level of tone via the monitor facility.   I have listened to my output
>on another receiver and to me it sounds OK, but my friend insists it is not.
>
>It may be that I am grossly over modulating - I dont know.   Apart from
>varying the input in the Line IN socket via the K3 menue, is there any
>other adjustment?
>
>How have others set up their K3 to send PSK.   On receive, my set up
>works very nicely and I
>have received many DX stations using the filters in the K3, but I cannot
>TX for some reason.
>
>I tried downloading several PSK software programmes and run them
>independently, but still I cannot get any other station to "see" my signal.
>
>I have run out of ideas?    Can anybody help?
>
>Tom
>GM4FDM
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
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... [show rest of quote]

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Tom,

Since this question keeps coming up, perhaps the manual should be
enhanced to educate users about terms such as ASCII that are commonly
used for data transmission.
See page 31 of the K3 manual, and you will find that PSK D is only used
for ASCII and paddle input to the K3.
Your application is most likely using soundcard generated tones.  
Therefore, you must use DATA A or (for RTTY) AFSK A.  Very few
applications send ASCII data for PSK operation.

I believe that is your entire problem.
I am not sure how you have your RTTY set up, perhaps the application is
sending ASCII data over the RS-232 interface and therefore will work if
the K3 is set to FSK D - you did not give those details.

If your application is sending ASCII data, there is no need for the
cables to the soundcard nor is there a need for any interface box with
the K3.  FYI, the K3 has the equivalent of a soundcard data interface
box built-in, you only need two stereo cables from the K3 LINE IN/OUT
jacks to the soundcard LINE OUT/IN and an RS-232 cable from the computer
to the K3.  Adding a separate interface box only complicates the shack
and the operation.

73,
Don W3FPR

tom wylie wrote:

> ...
>
> I have the K3 set to Data Mode - PSK D  31bps
>
> I am using the official Microham interface to radio leads connected to
> Line in / Line Out.
> I have set the levels admittedly using RTTY....
>
> ASs I said everything works fb in RTTY.
>  
> ...

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[tom wylie-2]

This is now sorted.   I am using DATA A and have had successful QSOs.  
I believe the manual is a little ambiguous in the description of the
modes and assumes knowledge or familiarity with the products, which is a
problem for somebody who just wants to try things out.

The MircokeyerII is a USB interface designed to go between the rig and
the computer carrying all the audio and switching.   It also has a built
in Winkey for CW so is indispensible.

See    http://www.microham.com/   for details if you are interested.

Thanks to all who have responded....

73 de Tom
GM4FDM



Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Tom,
>
> Since this question keeps coming up, perhaps the manual should be
> enhanced to educate users about terms such as ASCII that are commonly
> used for data transmission.
> See page 31 of the K3 manual, and you will find that PSK D is only
> used for ASCII and paddle input to the K3.
> Your application is most likely using soundcard generated tones.  
> Therefore, you must use DATA A or (for RTTY) AFSK A.  Very few
> applications send ASCII data for PSK operation.
>
> I believe that is your entire problem.
> I am not sure how you have your RTTY set up, perhaps the application
> is sending ASCII data over the RS-232 interface and therefore will
> work if the K3 is set to FSK D - you did not give those details.
>
> If your application is sending ASCII data, there is no need for the
> cables to the soundcard nor is there a need for any interface box with
> the K3.  FYI, the K3 has the equivalent of a soundcard data interface
> box built-in, you only need two stereo cables from the K3 LINE IN/OUT
> jacks to the soundcard LINE OUT/IN and an RS-232 cable from the
> computer to the K3.  Adding a separate interface box only complicates
> the shack and the operation.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> tom wylie wrote:
>> ...
>>
>> I have the K3 set to Data Mode - PSK D  31bps
>>
>> I am using the official Microham interface to radio leads connected
>> to Line in / Line Out.
>> I have set the levels admittedly using RTTY....
>>
>> ASs I said everything works fb in RTTY.
>>   ...
>

... [show rest of quote]

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Tom,

I did not mean to imply that you could not use an external interface box
with the K3, but I did mean to state that it is not necessary since the
K3 has the functions built in (except for the soundcard itself).  Yes,
if you need the other functions of the MicrokeyerII, then by all means
use it, it is a good choice.

The manual is clear provided one understands the meaning and
implications of terms (or standard usage abbreviations) such as ASCII,
FSK, AFSK, and other terms related to data mode operation.  There are
many resources in book form and on the web that can be helpful if there
is a question about the meanings and common usage - The ARRL Handbook
contains a good glossary of Digital Communications Terminology in the
chapter dealing with Modes and Modulation Sources.

As much as we would like to jump in and just "try things out",
technology has advanced to a point where that is often just neither wise
nor practical.  I believe we should have some understanding about what
we are dealing with first.  I like to relate it to a conversation - if
both parties to a conversation do not have an understanding of the
terminology used, there just cannot be a good flow of information.

73,
Don W3FPR

tom wylie wrote:
> I believe the manual is a little ambiguous in the description of the
> modes and assumes knowledge or familiarity with the products, which is a
> problem for somebody who just wants to try things out.
>
> The MircokeyerII is a USB interface designed to go between the rig and
> the computer carrying all the audio and switching.   It also has a built
> in Winkey for CW so is indispensible.
>  
>
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