One of the things that's on my Ham Radio Bucket List is to try and do some PSK31. That probably sounds strange. PSK is by all accounts a very popular mode; but it is one that I have never tried.
Looking in my log, I saw that the last QSOs that I made using a digital mode were made back in March of 2000. Some were RTTY and some were PacTOR. I used to do quite a bit of digi in the 90s. I guess the fascination wore off; as it seemed to be too much like "e-mail over the radio" for me. So ever since March 2000, it has been CW all the way.
One of the problems is that I no longer have a radio that will allow me to do PSK31. My K2, K1 and PFR3A radios are CW capable only. I was contemplating buying and building the SSB board for the K2; but that would involve messing with the crystal filter settings and they are PERFECT where they are now. I don't want to mess up a great thing.
So Bob W3BBO has come to my rescue once again; and is going to temporarily lend me his Warbler. This was a kit sold by the NJQRP Club a while back; and will allow me to do some PSK31 during the cold winter nights on 80 Meters this winter. With an output of 3 Watts, this still keeps me quite happily in the realm of QRP.
If I like it, there are the PSK series of kits offered by Small Wonder Labs. They are reasonably priced and if I end up REALLY, REALLY liking the mode, I can buy one for 20 Meters, say, for $120.
So do me a favor and don't report me to the CW police, OK? They might want to take away my Morse Code credentials. Hi!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least.
I don't think adding the SSB board to your K2 would involve messing up your CW filter settings. With the KSB added you get a whole EIGHT new filter settings, 4 for SSB and 4 for data. Your 4 CW settings should remain untouched.
ReplyDeleteHello Larry,
ReplyDeleteI like to work CW, but also other modes as well. Only one mode is boring for me. I like to chance so now and then. Good luck,
73 Paul