Category Archives: Digital

Articles and Information related to Digital Modes. Topics include PSK, RTTY, JT Modes, APRS, operating using Digital Modes, equipment, software, and more.

Antennas, Digital, Featured, General, Newsletter, Space, Station Equipment

EME Station 2.0 Part 1 – Goals and Station Design

EME or Earth-Moon-Earth contacts involve bouncing signals off the moon to make contacts. An EME station provides a means to make DX contacts using the VHF and higher bands. There are also some EME Contests in…

Source: EME Station 2.0 Part 1 – Goals and Station Design

We made some 2m EME contacts a while ago using the 2m antenna on our tower at about 112′. This experience created interest on my part in building a more capable EME station at some point in time. Well, the time has finally arrived.

2m EME Moon
A Four X-Polarized Yagi, 2m EME Antenna System

The article above explains our goals, plans, and design of a new 2m EME station at our QTH. The article covers plans for a new tower, antennas, and an SDR-based receive system.

Our plans are to build an 80th percentile station that utilizes four large, dual-polarity antennas in an array. The station will use the JT65 digital protocol and will support adaptive polarity via MAP65. The new setup will utilize WSJT and MAP65 software created for EME use by Joe Taylor.

Our plans are to begin construction of our new EME Station later this week with a new 26′ Rohn 55G tower going in first. You can read all about our plans via the link above.

Fred, AB1OC

Digital, Featured, General, Newsletter, Station Equipment

GPS Time Server – Accurate Clocks for Your Station

There are many reasons to have an accurate time source such as a GPS Time Server in your station. Getting the best performance from WSJT-X modes like FT8 require your computer clock to be synchronized to within a second…

Source: GPS NTP Server

We’ve recently added a GPS synchronized NTP time source to our station. The unit provides very accurate clocks (to within a microsecond) for WSJT-X modes like FT8. It also provides accurate clocks should we lose access to the Internet. You can read more about the GPS NTP server via the link above.

Fred, AB1OC

Activities, Digital, Education and Training, Featured, Field Day, General, Newsletter, Space, Station Equipment

Field Day Satellites, VHF+ and Fox Hunting

We will have lots of great activities for folks who are interested in operating on the VHF and above bands at Field Day 2019. Here are some of the activities that we’ll be doing:

  • Satellite Contacts using a Portable Computer Controlled Satellite Stations
  • Weak Signal SSB, CW, and FT8 Contacts on 6m, 2m, and 70cm
  • Fox Hunting using Radio Direction Finding (RDF) to find hidden 2m Radio Transmitters
  • Satellite Station, VHF+ Station, and Fox Hunting Training

Satellites at Field Day

Field Day Satellites
Field Day 2019 Satellite Passes – Saturday

We will have a lot of great satellite passes during Field Day this year! The table above shows a summary for Saturday. Sunday passes are also very good! You can see view the passes and associated details in our 2019 Field Day Satellite Pass Book.

Field Day Satellites
Computer Controlled Satellite Station

We will be using a Computer Controlled Portable Satellite station which features the new Icom IC-9700 Transceiver.

Field Day Satellites
Portable Satellite Antennas

Our Portable Satellite Station uses circularly polarized yagis and an Az/El Rotator system to enable us to track and make contacts through LEO satellites. You can learn more about the station hardware and software here.

VHF+ Station

VHF+ Station
VHF+ Antenna System

We are planning a serious VHF+ effort at Field Day 2019. We will be putting up a dedicated 40 ft tower with yagis, low-loss feedlines, and preamps for the 6m, 2m, and 70cm bands.

Icom IC-9100 Transceiver

The VHF+ station will use an Icom IC-9100 Transceiver and will support all modes including FT8 Digital operation via WSJT-X.

Fox Hunting

Field Day Fox Hunting
Large N1FD Fox

We will have several “Foxes” out during Field Day 2019. Fox Hunting (locating hidden transmitters using Radio Direction Finding) is a great way sharpen your RDF skills and have fun.

Training, Training, Training

Field Day Training
Field Day Satellite Training

We will be offering training on all of these activities at the start of Field Day 2019. Training will begin at 11 am at the VHF+/Satellite Station Tent. We will cover Satellite Operating, VHF+ Operating, and Fox Hunting then.

Field Day Training
Fox Hunting Training at Field Day

It might be worth coming to Field Day 2019 just for the training – Don’t Miss It!

See you at Field Day!

Fred, AB1OC

 

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