FLDIGI gets TCP KISS port

From the FLDIGI yahoo group, see the alpha release information below.  Big news is that (probably courtesy of KK5VD), FLDIGI now has a fully functional KISS TCP port.  If you remember from earlier posts on this blog, FLDIGI provided dual UDP ports in the past.  Worked extremely well with BPQ32, but was hard to interface with other software packages.  My solution was always to route things through BPQ32, but I can see the advantage of being able to eliminate the BPQ32 middleman and go directly to FLDIGI.

I can confirm from testing yesterday evening that the 7342 TCP port works great in SIMPLY KISS mode with APRSIS32.

I encourage others to download this alpha and try it out on your favorite APRS or KISS TERMINAL client.  I will probably even try it out on RMS Express in the next few days!

---------------------------------

at Source Forge, files/alpha_tests/

Alpha 3.23.10.07

Author: David Freese <iam_w1hkj@w1hkj.com>
Date: Fri Apr 15 13:14:49 2016 -0500

Suppress dockable macros

* suppress use of dockable macros
- creates a minimal vertical pixel height of 411
- allows use of fldigi on vertically challenged screens
- user can manually modify the fldigi_def.xml file to
disable the dockable macro set
<!-- type: bool; default: true
Allow dockable macros -->
<DOCKABLE_MACROS>1</DOCKABLE_MACROS>
set value to false, 0.
- or disable on the configuration tab for macros
- the "View/Hide 48 macros" menu item will be hidden when
DOCKABLE_MACROS set to 0, false

Author: David Freese <iam_w1hkj@w1hkj.com>
Date: Thu Apr 14 07:11:22 2016 -0500

Packet Prep

* Modify confdialog.fl for later addition of Packet Modem tab

Author: Edouard Lafargue W6ELA <edouard@lafargue.name>
Date: Wed Apr 13 15:15:35 2016 -0500

Portaudio Mono

* Observed on OS X, fldigi cannot work on audio cards with mono
output
- it requests 2 channels from PortAudio no matter what and
portaudio
will complain if the audio output is only mono.
- modified SoundPort::init_stream to make sure that if
max_channels < 2
sd[1].params.channelCount is updated to max_channels

Author: Robert Stiles <kk5vd@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12 13:28:00 2016 -0500

KISS, 8PSK, FLARQ icon Modifications

* KISS TCP/IP
- Add TCP/IP KISS interface
- Add Start/Stop (UDP/IP) and Connect/Disconnect (TCP/IP) option.
- Add Listen/Bind Option.
* Operator selectable 4/8/16PSK preamble duration
- Add code to allow user to change the preamble duration to improve
throughput when not operating via repeater. (KL4YFD).
- Add user selectable checkbox on PSK (8PSK) modem configuration
interface panel for above addition (KK5VD).
* Update FLARQ icons

Author: David Freese <iam_w1hkj@w1hkj.com>
Date: Wed Apr 13 07:38:53 2016 -0500

FSQ message files

* Changed # directive behavior
- save named message to new file
- append unnamed (callsign) message to callsign file
* Added date time stamp to each received "call" message
- user configurable

Author: David Freese <iam_w1hkj@w1hkj.com>
Date: Tue Apr 12 13:38:23 2016 -0500

FLARQ

* auto i/o - Added socket interface to allow separate program to
access
- CONNECT
- DISCONNECT
- CONNECTION_STATE
- SEND_TEXT
- RECEIVE_TEXT
Allows similarly modified flmsg to send/recv messages using
flarq / ARQ transport protocol.
* ARQ reset - force complete reset of all ARQ processes
- drops link without any indicator to connected station
- equivalent of stopping and restarting flarq
- courtesy demands that you inform the CONNECTED station
to also kill the connection at that end of the link.
- use Control-Left_click on the "CONNECT / DISCONNECT"
button to initiate the forced reset.
* Update ARQ icons

Author: David Freese <iam_w1hkj@w1hkj.com>
Date: Thu Apr 7 20:59:50 2016 -0500

focus behavior

* remove focus grab behavior of FreqControl widget

Author: David Freese <iam_w1hkj@w1hkj.com>
Date: Sat Apr 2 08:26:15 2016 -0500

PTT delays

* Corrected reversed on/off sense
* Increased max delay to 5000 msec
* Changed increments to 10 / 100 msec

73, David, W1HKJ

Powerpoints shown at Green Country Hamfest

Please see links below for Powerpoint slides that were shown during the two presentations at Green County Hamfest.  One covered RMS Express/Winlink 2000 for Emergency Management Communications.  The other covered Yaesu Fusion Voice and Data.

If you have any questions, please email ae5me at yahoo.com.

And thanks to everyone who attended the sessions and Green County Hamfest!

--Jeff AE5ME

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r9k0l403mqmyira/Comparison%20of%20Amateur%20Radio%20DV.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ldn76lzxbobz8h/Yaesu%20Fusion%20Voice%20and%20Data.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k4boa6a62u8bkgq/wiresx_hri200.pdf?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6z6398s0vw7l2gh/RMS%20ExpressWL2K%20Training.pdf?dl=0

Neat correspondence on digital project

Wanted to share with the group some correspondence between Tom McElroy W4SDR and I regarding using AndFLMSG (Android FLDIGI) for a science project.  Fun stuff!  Looking forward to seeing how it works out!

Thanks a lot Jeff - it's working better than I thought it could.

We're sending large images with ease via simplex across the county.

It's just great.

We'll make some vids at some point.

73

Tom

W4SDR

On Tue, Apr 5, 2016 at 12:06 PM, Jeff Scoville <ae5me@yahoo.com> wrote:

Tom,

BPSK250 or BPSK1000 usually work well on FM repeaters.

--Jeff AE5ME

 

No problem with taking time to get back to me Jeff.

Being busy at work sure beats the alternative, huh?

We'll get the girls working on AndFLMSG with their Android phones and tables for now.  That'll give them plenty to do.

What digital mode do you recommend use for FM repeater work?

73

Tom McElroy

W4SDR

678 778 3743

On Mon, Apr 4, 2016 at 11:20 PM, Jeff Scoville <ae5me@yahoo.com> wrote:

Tom,

There is an Android version of FLDIGI that would work for going cell phone to cell phone via audio.  It is called AndFLMSG.

If you are willing to go up to the $80 tablets that are available (Winbook 700s and HP Stream 7s), you can run FLDIGI on a windows environment.  Or you can go with the UZ7HO soundmodem, which allows multiple modes in both FSK and PSK.

If you stick with Linux, there is a version of Dire Wolf (packet and APRS soundmodem) that will run on the Raspberry Pi (version 2 or 3).  You can also run FLDIGI on the Raspberry Pi.  I personally prefer to attach the Pi to the 7" touchscreen that is currently sold for $65, as it makes it very tablet-like.

Hope that helps you out.  Sorry it has taken this long to get back to you!

--Jeff AE5ME

---

From: Tom McElroy <tommcelroy.mail@gmail.com>
To: AE5ME@yahoo.com
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2016 10:28 AM
Subject: Digital modes on HT's

Hello Jeff,

I've operated FLDIGI from a laptop hardwired to radios in years past.

I recall being able to Tx and Rx from the speaker/mic of the laptop to the speaker/mic of the HT.

But I can't recall the digital mode, or the software used.

Nowadays, I would hope that we can do that same thing with smartphones running FLDIGI (or some other the text-to-tone software) audibly coupled to an HT.

I have two new hams KM4BUN and KM4PQG anxious to demonstrate "text messaging isn't just for cell phones" as a science project. 

Of course, hardwired audio improves S/N, but for demonstrations, it's good to let the audience hear the process as well as watch the text appear.

Any suggestions you can send this way are appreciated.

73

Tom McElroy

W4SDR

Geosynchronous HAMSATS

Interesting information from packet radio world:

From: VK2BOD@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To  : SAT@WW

Geostationary ham radio satellites
**********************************

EngineerIT magazine reports on the quest by radio amateurs to get
transponders on geostationary satellites

The article quotes President of AMSAT DL, Peter Glzow DB2OS, and descri
eostationary ham radio satellites
**********************************

EngineerIT magazine reports on the quest by radio amateurs to get
transponders on geostationary satellites

The article quotes President of AMSAT DL, Peter Glzow DB2OS, and descri
eostationary ham radio satellites
**********************************

EngineerIT magazine reports on the quest by radio amateurs to get
transponders on geostationary satellites

The article quotes President of AMSAT DL, Peter Glzow DB2OS, and describes
the transponders planned for the geostationary Es'Hail-2 satellite, expected
to be operational in 2017 at 26 degrees East.

Also mentioned is a project to build a transponder for a US satellite which
could be in a geosynchronous orbit around 74 de
bes
the transponders planned for the geostationary Es'Hail-2 satellite, expected
to be operational in 2017 at 26 degrees East.

Also mentioned is a project to build a transponder for a US satellite which
could be in a geosynchronous orbit around 74 de
bes
the transponders planned for the geostationary Es'Hail-2 satellite, expected
to be operational in 2017 at 26 degrees East.

Also mentioned is a project to build a transponder for a US satellite which

could be in a geosynchronous orbit around 74 degrees West.

Read the EngineerIT article at
http://www.ee.co.za/article/radio-amateurs-quest-geostationary-satellites
html

Es'Hail-2
http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/


What is a Geosynchronous orbit ?
http://amsat-uk.org/
grees West.

Read the EngineerIT article at
http://www.ee.co.za/article/radio-amateurs-quest-geostationary-satellites
html

Es'Hail-2
http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/


What is a Geosynchronous orbit ?
http://amsat-uk.org/
grees West.

Read the EngineerIT article at
http://www.ee.co.za/article/radio-amateurs-quest-geostationary-satellites
html

Es'Hail-2
http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/


What is a Geosynchronous orbit ?
http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/na-gso-sat/


NC5R Phase 4 Update for Palomar Amateur Radio Club November 4, 2015
http://www.ntms.org/files/Feb2016/PARC_4on4.pdf
http://amsat-uk.org/2015/11/08/geosynchronous-ham-radio-project-video/

Presentations at Green County Hamfest April 9th at noon and 1PM

The TDRC will be making two presentations this year at Green County Hamfest in Claremore, OK.

Noon April 9th
RMS Express and Winlink 2000
How to send messages in an email-like environment with no internet over HF/VHF/UHF and even microwave.  Especially pertinent for emergency management personnel interested in sending information in a format other than voice.

1:00 PM April 9th
Yaesu Fusion Voice and Data
Learn what are the capabilities of Yaesu Fusion, including high-quality voice, short text messages, small photographs, and interconnection of repeaters and simplex stations via internet on Wires-X.  The TDRC has a UHF Fusion repeater in Mounds, OK on 444.575 Mhz.

WSPR Info

Contributed by AJ5W (David)

With all apologies to the ham-centric podcast 100 Watts and a Wire (which is a fun show if you’ve never tuned in), the FSK mode WSPR can provide results with far less power.  WSPR was developed by Nobel-winning physicist Joe Taylor, K1JT, to study propagation.  I occasionally set up my software-defined radio to run WSPR since it can largely be left unattended.  This past weekend, I set up the SDR to run WSPR with one watt of output on 40 meters.  My “beacon” was set up to transmit 20 percent of the time and listen for other stations during the remainder of the operation.  The total operational time for this test was a twenty-hour period from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon (some operators let WSPR run uninterrupted for days or weeks at a time).  Oh, and the antenna – a shortened, end-fed resonant dipole…in the attic.  Less than ideal is a pretty big understatement.

Unsurprisingly, my one watt signal on 40 meters was robustly received across the contiguous United States and southern Canada.  Now for the WOW factor.  There were two reception reports from stations in Australia (see screenshot).  The station in southwestern Australia, VK6XT, is nearly 11,000 miles from Tulsa – on ONE watt!  Not only did he hear me, but I heard him as well.  Even though this was a passive “contact,” it demonstrated that DX – extreme DX – is possible with low power and a modest antenna.  In theory, a bona-fide two-way QSO was possible since we each heard one another’s station.  Not bad for one watt and a wire strung through my attic.

If you are looking for a new challenge in the world of digital HF, give WSPR a try.
Resources:
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wspr.html
http://wsprnet.org/drupal/

Tulsa Digital Radio Club Meeting Saturday, March 12th

The next Tulsa Digital Radio Club meeting will be Saturday, March 12th at 1 PM.  It will be held at the Broken Arrow Central Library at 300 W. Broadway.

We will cover "RMS Express message addressing".  The Tulsa system is now linked via HF, VHF, and internet to the N5CST system in Poteau, OK and the KC5OAS system in Magnolia, AR.  We also have a full-time internet connection to the Branson, MO N0KFQ system.  We will show you how to address messages to recipients on the other systems.

As always, we can answer general questions you may have regarding digital modes from packet all the way up to FLDIGI (PSK31, Olivia 8-500, etc.) and everything in between.

Speaking of Winmor, the AE5ME-12 system is now full time on 7100 kHz and 3595 kHz.  We also have a 'weak signal" experimental Winmor port on 144.23 Mhz USB that has allowed an operator in West Tulsa county to connect using 2 watts.

Also, don't forget to check in to the statewide APRS net this weekend, which coincides with the start of the meeting at 1 PM.  We will be operating the net from the library.

Hope to see you at the meeting!

--Jeff AE5ME