Table Of ContentComputers
in
Amateur Radio
by Steve White, G3ZVW
with contributions by other authors
Radio Society of Great Britain
Published bythe RadioSociety of Great Britain, 3Abbey Court, FraserRoad, PrioryBusiness
Park,Bedford MK443WH.
First published 2013
© Radio Society of Great Britain 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted inanyform,orbyanymeans,electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,without the prior written agreement ofthe
RadioSociety ofGreatBritain.
ISBN 9781-9050-8685-6
Publisher's note
The opinions expressed inthis book arethose ofthe authors and not necessarilythose ofthe
publisher.Whilethe information presented isbelievedto becorrect, the authors,publisher and
their agents cannot accept responsibility for consequences arising from any inaccuracies or
omissions.
Front cover: KevinWilliams
Compilation,editing andtypography:SteveWhite,G3ZVW
Production: MarkAllgar, M1MPA
Printed inGreat Britain by Charlesworth PressofWakefield
ii
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Introduction
2. Datamodes 5
3. Logging Software 17
4. Antenna Modelling 48
5. Propagation Modelling 60
6. Terrain Modelling for HF 79
7. Software Defined Radio 87
8. Data Modes Software 100
9. Slow Scan Television 123
10. Internet Remote Operation 133
11. D-Star 144
12. Automatic Packet/Position Reporting System 162
13. Electromagnetic Compatibility 172
14. Internet Linking 188
15. Interfacing and Interfaces 195
16. Live InternetApplications 200
17. The Raspberry Pi 208
18. Useful Programs and Web Links 217
Appexdix 1 The Modern Personal Computer 224
Appexdix2 Software on the CDthat Accompanies This Book 234
Index 247
iii
Meet the Contributors
Internet Remote Control
Wojtek(Berni) Bernasinski,GOIDAlSP5GU
Myinterestinradio beganat primaryschool,when afriend made acrystalset
from an electronics kit.The fact that it needed no battery simply amazed me
and from then on I was hooked! My first job was repairing radiopagers at a
companywhere,aswellastaking my Morsetest firstthen my RAE,myfriendly
manager gave me the opportunityto build radio projects.This issomething I
still enjoyand do today.
In 1993 Istudied Electronics at the Warsaw Technical University in Po
land, duringwhich Igot ajob inthe mobilephone industryasavoicemailand
text messaging engineer.In 1998 Ileft forGermany,where Iset upvoicemail
and text messaging servers and services for new mobile phone companies.
One leap in technology where I was directly involved in was the implementation of GPRS in the
Deutshe Bahn railway mobile network,who were the first to use it inworld. In2000 I changed my
careerand embarked on getting an AirlineTransportPilots Licence.
Iama keen contester and havewon numerousevents and beenawarded many trophiesand
certificates.Iam nowacommercialpilotworkingfora majorUKairlineand liveinan urbanareawith
lotsof noise and littlespace for a80mantenna,so havemade acomplete remote station.Thanksto
afriend who lives inaveryquietlocationmyantenna isathisQTH,over 1OOkmfrom my home.With
itIamableto enjoyworkingfive HF bands,hearingstations Iwould neverhave done before.
Antenna Modelling
IanBirkenshaw,G4UWK
I became a short wave listener at the age of ten and was first licensed as
G8ZAG in 1980.IhaveaBSc inElectronic Engineering fromthe University of
Walesandam now retiredfrom acareerinCivil,MilitaryandSpace Communi
cations and Computer Networking, having worked both in the UK and over
seas.My last working role was as a Radio and Communications Technology
Consultantforthe National Health Service.
Ibecame interested inantenna modelling to help inthedevelopmentof
better low profile directionalantennas for DXing from difficult urban environ
ments.Thiscan best be described as 'workinprogress'.
Automatic Packet/Position Reporting System
Chris Dunn, G4KVI
I live with my wife who is also licensed, in Midsomer Norton, near Bath. My
interest in radio started at school while bored in Chemistry and Iwent on to
pass my RAEin 1980.
Iwasveryactive duringthe 1980sandtriedalmost allaspectsofamateur
radio.Iworkedfor manyyearsasaFieldEngineerinthe CableTVindustry.I'm
amemberof RAYNETand spentseveralyears asagroupcontroller.
Ihavebeeninvolved with APRSforseveralyearsandset upMB7UB,the
Bathdigipeater. IamalsocurrentlytherepeaterkeeperfortheGB3UBrepeater
at Bath University.
iv
HFTerrain Modelling
Alan Hydes, G3XSV
I was first licensed in 1968 and served a couple of years as Secretary of
SouthgateARC, before leavingforSouthampton University.Igained aBSc in
ElectronicEngineering in1974.Mycareersince then has been inthe compu
terindustry,starting with IBMasagraduateR&DengineeratHursleyParknear
Winchester.In19821moved toHewlettPackard,firstly inWokinghamand later
transferring to Bristol.
I have always been interested in the HF bands, OX,and particularly in
contesting.OnmovingtoBristolIbecameinvolvedwiththeBristolRSGBGroup.
Ihave been Chairman of their contesting arm,the Bristol Contest Group, for a
numberofyearsandamdelightedwiththesuccesswehaveenjoyed,especially
infielddaysand IOTA.
My interest inHFterrain analysis came aboutwhen tryingto pick good HFcontestsites andto
understand what types of antenna and heights were needed.
ElectromagneticCompatibility
John Pink,G8MM/F5VKU
After leaving college with a degree in physics, Ifollowed a long career inthe
field of measuring instrumentationand radiocommunication.Afterworking for
Redifon Communications and the Plessey Company Ijoined Hewlett Packard
andwasabletofurtherdevelopaninterest inmicrowavetechnology.Ibecame
aspecialist in precision measurements using automatic network analysers at
both low frequency and microwaves. I remained with HP for over 15 years,
servingfromtimetotime onvariousITU-Rworkinggroups.IremainedwithUS
based companiesforalmostallmyworking life,working withScientificAtlanta
onsatelliteearth terminalsforanumberofyears andthen asManaging Direc
tor of Wiltron Measurements - a company specialising in microwave instru
mentationfor over17years.
From 1990 until retirement I was Director and General Manager of the UK arm of Anritsu, the
renownedJapanesemeasuringinstrumentcompany.DuringthistimeAnritsu-Wiltrondevelopedanumber
ofleadingedge products, includingscalarnetwork measuringsystems, microwavepowermetersanda
Bluetooth protocol analyser.Although inasenior management position,Iwasableto remainintouch
withtechnology.Iretired in2002andhavebeenactivelyengaged inEMCmatterswiththe RSGBEMC
committee.IamalsoamemberofvariousBSIcommitteesandworking partiesconcernedwithEMC.
Iwas licensed in 1960 as G30QB and in2003 was able to get the callsign G8MM re-issued,
which had been inthe familysince 1937. Icurrently also hold F5VKU.
v
Raspberry Pi
PeterGoodhall,2EOSQL
In 2000 I became interested in amateur radio after finding out about digital
modes.After a couple of years as ashortwave listenerItook the Foundation
Licence in2002, attainingthe callsign M3PHP In2008, after leaving Bucking
hamshire New University with a degree in MultimediaTechnology - Web De
sign, Iattained my Intermediate Licence.
Since leaving university Ihave been working as afreelance web devel
operforavariety ofclients,whichlets me playaboutwithallsorts ofcomputer
technology,althoughmywork isheavilybiasedtowardstechnologiesthatwork
on Linuxbased systems.
Myinterests inamateurradiocentreonanything Icanuseacomputerto
further the experience, I'm still keen on digital modes but also contesting and recently operating
through amateur radio satellites, both portable and from home. I also help run a large numberof
amateur radio websites, including HamTests.
Software Defined Radio and Data Modes Software
Mike Richards,G4WNC
Inspiredbymyfather,Itookto radioandelectronicsconstructionataveryearly
age and we spent much of my early teens putting radios together. We were
fortunate to have two excellent component stores locally and most Sunday
evenings were spent window shopping. This informal apprenticeship served
mewellandset me upforagreat careerwithBTthatspannedsome 40years.
DuringthattimeIworked onjustabouteverything from polesandholesthrough
to broadcast services, with asignificanttime dealing withthethen emerging
fieldof datacommunications.
Mywritingcareerstartedabout25yearsagowhenIwasaskedtowritethe
RTTYcolumninpw. Sincethen Ihavebeenwritingregularcolumnsandreviews '-----"''-----'_ -..---.c'''''--'
foravarietyofmagazines.FirstlicensedasG8HHA,myamateurinterestsreallytookoffinthe1970swhen
Iwasableto linkmyCompukitUK-101computerwithafriend'sTRS-80usingfullduplexon2mand70cm
andanold300-baudmodem.Sincethen myinteresthasfocused onthedigitalsideofamateurradio.
Logging Software
MikeRuttenberg,G7TWC
Ihavebeen licensedsince 1994and operate mainlyincontests dueto limited
facilities and restricted environments in London locations over the years, in
deed contesting is mylifeblood. Ihavebeen a regularattendee atthe contest
stationsofvariousgroupsovertheyearsandhavewonsectionsofCQWWand
CQWPXeventson SSB and CWO
Iwork in Information Technology as a Quality Assurance websitetester
and love nothing betterthan making sure the PCin myshack isoptimallyset
up. I have ten years of experience in database management from previous
employment ina database marketing company,so cross-checking logs and
'looking underthe hood'ofthe database file behind N1MMtotake maximum
advantage doesn't phase me.Ifeelathomewith most modernloggingsoftware packages - specifi
cally N1MM, MixW,SO,WinTestand Writelog - but also haveexperience of olderpackages.
vi
D-Star
DaveThomas,MWORUH
MypassionforradiocameaboutfromthedaysofCB.Iwasintroducedtosome
local amateurs around that time,but didn'ttake things further.In2006,whilst
volunteering, Iwas travelling with a paramedic officer when thevehicle radio
burst into life.Theofficerexplained that the transmissions were detectable on
ascanner-anitemIhadinmypossessionatthetime.Followingthemonitoring
of these transmissions, Isearched the Internet for other possible local trans
missions. It was then I then came across the new amateur radio licensing
structure. I was hooked and took my Foundation licence exam in February
2007, followed by my Intermediate licence exam in August 2007. Initially I
operatedon HFand VHF,SSB and data (including SSTVand PSK31).
In2008 IdiscoveredD-Starandbeganto assistinthepromotionofthe mode bygivingtalksand
demonstrations at local radio clubs. I am the Administrator for GB7CD in Wales, the only D-Star
repeaterthat isowned and operated by South Glamorgan RAYNET, of which Iama member.Ialso
holdaNoVforMB6BA, Wales'firstsimplexD-StarGateway.IworkfulltimeforaLocalAuthority and in
myspare time respondto 999 calls on behalf ofthe Welsh Ambulance Service,also assisting alocal
search and rescue group,the Cardiff and Vale Rescue Association.
Propagation Modelling
Gwyn Williams, G4FKH
Mycareerinradiostartedin1965when Ijoinedthe RoyalAirForceandtrained
as a Telegraphist, which means that I was taught to type and to send and
receive Morse. I was lucky enough to be stationed at an overseas station
where Morse was the only means of contact with the outside world. It was
during this time that I became interested in propagation. Upon my demob I
went intocommunications (IT)inthe Cityof London.Ipassed my RAEin1975
and became G4FKH.
It was inevitable that I would combine my hobby with computers and
automation and now write programs in PERLfor propagation prediction pur
poses.Iuseallthe programsthat Iexamine inmychapter,aswellassomethat
donotgo into.
My HF propagation predictions appear inRadCom and on the RSGBweb site.Ialso prepare
propagation predictions forthe magazines of two other national radiosocieties and maintainafew
databases inAccess,whichthe 5MHz group use and publish ontheirweb site.
Slow-Scan Television
PaulYoung,GOHWC
My interest in radio started when Iwas around 12 as a Short Wave Listener.
LaterIwas into CB radioand finallyIgot around to taking the RAEin1985.A
year later I got my A licence. Once licensed Isoon got into SSTVand built
myself a Robot 1200 clone, designed by G3WCYand G4ENA. Myfirst move
overto SSTVon the PCwas with Pasokon SSTY, byWB20SZ.
I was also involved in packet radio when it was all the rage and ran
packetBBSGB7AAA.WilelivinginNorthamptonIwasanactivememberofthe
localradioclubandserved onthe committeefor anumberofyears.
OvertheyearsIhaveworkedinPMRandcellularcommunications.These """"'~~~ ..
days I drive a truck around the UK and sometimes run SSTV from it while
parked upatnight.
vii
All other chapters
SteveWhite,G3ZVW/AF6SU
I became interested in electronics and radio at an early age, having been
brought up in a home that had a cupboard full of electronic components. I
heardmyfirst radioamateuronahomeconstructedcrystalsetandpassed the
radioamateurs'examattheageof17,whilestillatschool. After leavingschool
Ifollowed an engineering career intelecommunications,initially with Post Of
fice InternationalTelegraphs and thenvarious computerand communication
companies.InparallelwithworkIwasalwaysinvolvedwithmylocalradioclub,
serving in various posts on the committee for over 20 years and taking an
active interest in home construction, contest operating and helping newly li
censed operatorsget themselvesset up.
At various times in the 1980s and 1990s I tutored students who were studying forthe radio
amateurs' exam, helping a large number of them gain their amateur radio licence. I developed a
methodofteaching the basics ofMorse code inaremarkablyquicktimeframe andforoverten years
organised amateur radio events.
In 1997 my technical experience and broad knowledge of amateur radio ingeneralled to me
becoming the Technical Editor of Radio Communication and in1998 the Editor.After leaving RSGBI
becamearegularcontributortoRadComand Ihavealsowrittenforothermagazinesintechnicaland
non-technicalcapacities. Forthelasttwelveyears IhaveproducedtheRSGBYearbook,theRigGuide
and was also Pat Hawker's biographer.
My interest inamateur radio isstill mainly centred around home construction and contesting,
and Iam regularly active on the bands.
viii
Introduction
1.
Introduction
by SteveWhite, G3ZVW
When electroniccomputers first becameavailableto the publicthey
were too expensivefor all butthe mostwealthyor enthusiasticto
aspireto owning one.Theirfunctionalitywas also extremely limited.
WithoutsuchthingsasBASIC interpreters, machinecode program
ming was the orderofthe day. This, and the factthat memorywas
expensive, resulted inprogramsthatwere compact, but not intuitive
to write or debug. Astechnologyadvanced, memory became less
expensive,storageand transferring data between machines became
morestraightforward,and programseasierto write.
Radio amateurswere quickto discoverthatacomputercould be
used inconjunction with theirhobbyto make operating easier or
providesomething extraatthe station.When the Internetstartedto
become popularitwasclear thatthe world was going to change
dramaticallyand some peoplethoughtitspeltthe end for amateur
radio, but itwasn'tto be.Computers becameappliancesthat just
abouteverybodywanted,competition betweencompanies resulted in
prices tumbling,and the hithertotechnicalchallengesofbuilding one
disappeared. Computers simply becametools thatdid jobs.
These days it ispractically impossibleto avoid the microproces
sorandjustabouteverybody has somecomputing powerattheir
disposal, even ifit isonly inahousehold appliance. Computers are
practicallyan essential part of amateurradio, butfew of us usethem
to do everything they arecapableof doing.
Forthe purposesofthis book,the machine discussedwillthethe
IBMcompatibletype. Such machines usuallyrunaversion ofMicrosoft
Windows.
Desktop machinesareeasily modified,asthe devices and con
nectors arestandardandtherearenumerouscompaniesmanufacturing
1
