How about a FreeDv hour as well?

[VK2DUX]

How about we organise a weekly one hour sked for FreeDV operators as well, given the raging success of Feld Held last week>

So do we have anyone interested? If so, what is the consensus for freq, day of the week and time?

73's de John VK2DUX

P.S. I just bought a signalink and desperate to use it!!

[VK2DUX]

Well due to the overwhelming interest the FreeDV hour will immediately follow the Feld Hell hour at 7pm on tuesday. So why not come up and try some digital voice on HF?

de John VK2DUX

[VK5ZT]

Well....I was listening but did not hear you.....

Seemed to get Hell working OK...better gear next week


Cheers

Tim VK5ZT

[VK2DUX]

Ok fine Tim hopefully conditions will be a tad better next week. May I ask what gear you are using? I have a usb signallink.

John VK2DUX

[VK4WDM]

I had a look at the FreeDV webpage. Looks like fun. Can I run it with my current digital setup which is a TS2000, SignaLink interface and a PC running Win 7?.

73

Wayne VK4WDM ( but a big kid at heart)

[VK2DUX]

Yes that should be fine Wayne. If you would like to test before next tuesday evening, just message me on vklogger ichat when I am online.

John VK2DUX

[VK5ZT]

John

Setup here is described on the HELL thread.
All I do is add a USB headset when using FreeDV
All seems to work as I have had other QSOs and heard people.
Did not seem to be much of anything there last night...some faint traces on the waterfall.

See what happens next week....

Cheers

Tim VK5ZT

[VK2DUX]

Hi Tim,
How are you triggering the PTT on transmit with FreeDV?

john vk2dux

[VK5ZT]

Hi John

The PC is a desktop in my shack and has a couple of RS232 com ports.
One of the control lines from the com port switches the TX line on the 857 via an opto isolator in the interface.

It's a bit harder if I need to use USB (laptops in my van). I guess I could use the radios on VOX but I have built a USB based interface for use with laptops that detects the audio coming from the PC
and keys the TX on....sort of another type of VOX. The trick is settling on a suitable delay before it drops out.

Some digi software offers the option of putting a tone on one audio channel and the signal on the other. You then only need to detect the presence of the tone to key the TX.

Cheers

Tim VK5ZT

[VK2DUX]

I take my hat off to you Tim. Impressive answer.

john vk2dux

[VK3BBB]

Hi John, (VK2DUX) I have an SM1000 and a Signalink, works really well.
Was wondering what frequency you suggest using for a FreeDV net?.
Regards........Brian..........VK3BBB

[VK2DUX]

Hi Brian,
Us FreeDVers will probably continue on after the Feld Hell sked from 7pm onwards each tuesday on 7.037 LSB. We can of course qsy elsewhere if required.

If you would like to test freedv beforehand, I am quite often on VKLogger iChat and always available to play digital.

john vk2dux

[VK3BBB]

Thanks John,
There is currently a gathering of FreeDV operators from VK3 and VK5 that
use 7.177 from about 9am Sundays, the VK5 WIA broadcast is on there as well.
I generally monitor 7.090 SSB when I am in the shack and can QSY anywhere
if requested. My Skype username is my callsign if you wish ton call me.

Cheers.............Brian..........VK3BBB

[VK2DUX]

Sorry Brian I just saw your post. Ok fine, well just grab me whenever you see me on vklogger. I will check out that WIA broadcast on 7.177 next sunday.
john vk2dux

[VK2DUX]

Don't forget that our FreeDV sked, will immediately follow Feld Hell, at 7pm on 7.1770 lsb.
cheers john vk2dux

[VK2DUX]

I think most of us are pretty worn out following the Feld Hell hour. Might I suggest that we pick another evening from 6pm to 7pm EST on 7.177 lsb for of FreeDV testing. By doing so, we may be a tad fresher and conditions perhaps more favourable.

de john vk2dux

[VK3BBB]

Hi John VK2DUX, I listened to the Hell net tonight and decoded VK2DUX, VK3IH, VK5RM and a VK7 (have forgotten the call)
Was interesting indeed. I then heard you calling CQ on FreeDV on 7.177 but you couldn't hear me.............
I will be there again next week.
73.........Brian...........VK3BBB

[VK5RM]

Hi Brian,

Was on freeDV last night and monitored for about 1 hour but heard nothing.

I think the propagation drops off about the time DV starts.

Anyway any suggestions for another night perhaps a little earlier would suit.

Copied VK3IH and VK2DUX on Feldhell last night.

Phil vk5rm

[VK2DUX]

Thanks for your feedback Brian VK3BBB and Phil VK5RM. Yes sadly I did not copy either of you. How about we move the FreeDV sked to thursday night at 6pm? Hopefully propagation will be better for us.

de john vk2dux