Computers and Ham/Shortwave Radio

LINKS

MsScan Slow Scan TV, Weather Fax, RTTY, Morse Code Software Site for IBM compatibles

Slow Scan Television on Shortwave or Ham Radios. Many downloads of many programs used for reception and explanation of simple interfaces to marry the radio to the computer

Tons of Programs for Hobbyists, Slow Scan, Fax, Rtty, Signal Analyzers, DSP, Oscilloscope, Voice Recorders, Sound Analysing, Spectrum Analyzer.

SSTV , Fax, Morse Code Freeware Shareware Downloads.

Digital Modes

Ham radio operators communicate using voice as well as Morse Code, but computer to computer on-the-air communication is also popular among hams. Hams have their own wireless BBS (Bulletin Board Service) and E-mail system in which a ham from any part of the world can get access to another ham's computer and exchange information on-the-air.

Hams also obtain their own Orbital Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio (OSCAR). Some satellites have Robots which will respond to the call and reply back and some work as repeater. Hams can exchange pictures on-the-air through Slow Scan Television (SSTV) or Fast Scan Television (FSTV).

There are different modes of on-the-air computer to computer communication. Radio Teletype (RTTY) is used for transferring text messages. Packet Radio, Amateur Teleprinting Over Radio (AMTOR), Packet Teleprinting Over Radio (PACTOR) can even transmit data or files.

With simple or not interfaces at all, you can tune the Shortwave Bands as well and capture many signal on the bands using a wide range of software, some freeware, some shareware, but the profession ones are not free.

Most software packages for Pc's will tell you if you need an interface or just to hook your audio from your receiver directly to your sound card. Some programs use a simple interface using a small chip called the 741 op amp and 4 small diodes which take the serial port voltage and powers the chip. It is an extremely simple circuit and connects to the serial port of the computer Com 1 or Com 2. There is a host of programs on the net that will run with this universal type interface. Actually , if you are not electronically inclined yet, you can always purchase complete packages, interface and software already to go so you can be ready to start experimenting immediately. However, us diehard types always want to the cheap route and get out the soldering gun and start melting things up. Circuit construction is not everyones fancy, but you will still get great satisfaction learning some of technologies past and present which are being used for the information age.

I have only touched on this one area of the hobby, but it extends far into the microwave range and UHF to GHZ satellite work. But, for most people the exhorbant prices of such experimentation would leave most of us bankrupt, although you can still hear the beacons around 29.500 on a shortwave set from the very early Ham Radio satellites sent up as ballast. Some actually still work and have not burned up yet.