[pskmail] Re: PSKMail from near Sacramento CA
- From: John Douyere <vk2eta@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: pskmail@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:58:13 +1100
Hi John,
To add to Rein's responses, I have done also a lot of NVIS Pskmail, meaning
that in the 40 to 600 miles region from my server I have had very good
results with this type of propagation. The THOR, MFSK and PSKR modes give
the best results.
I use low (down to 6 feet, but with low power double that would probably be
better) horizontal antennas. I have used G5RVs succesfully but in my
experience an half wave end-fed antenna gives better results: a 134 feet
wire will tune nicely as end-fed on all bands (except 60M) if you have the
room. I have built this for my 5Watts FT-817:
http://www.qrpproject.de/Media/pdf/MultibandfuchsEnglish.pdf (see the
"English Manual" link).
Frequency choice is important and here at around 30 degree latitude I use
80M (mostly evenings and nights) and 40M (mostly mid-morning to afternoon).
With 60M soon available for digital modes in the US, that band could be of
value too.
On sandy or rocky grounds a horizontal reflector (5% longer than a
half-wave) on or close to the ground under your antenna gives a good signal
enhancement too.
Setting up a server is not difficult and I have a friend who set-up his on
Windows using the Cygwin shell and that works very well plus integrates
nicely with his other applications if that is the OS you are using.
Sorry if I stated the obvious.
Don't hesitate to ask questions.
73,
John (VK2ETA)
On Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 8:02 AM, Rein Couperus <rein@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi John, welcome to the list....
>
> I will try to answer your questions...
>
> >
> >(1) From my home location should a directional antenna be aimed northward
> toward the Vancouver BC server
> >or eastward toward the rest of the US?
>
> I would try first with a non-directional antenna, like a vertical. That
> would give you free vision toward
> all servers in reach. After you have listened for the beacons on top of
> the hour, you
> can pick the strongest direction. That may vary through the course of the
> day/night, depending
> on distances and frequencies. You can also send a ping on frequency and
> the client will tell
> you which is the strongest...
>
> >
> >(2) What is a minimum radio power needed from my location to get into the
> server. I am planning
> >to start by using Thor 22. My attainable power level maximum from my home
> is currently 30 Watts.
>
> I am presently using 10 Watts into 10 meters of semi-vertical wire on top
> of my RV... and when I
> ping during day time I get answers from 5 different servers. I am
> currently located in Spain,
> on a camp site near the Mediterranean...
> The nearest server is 2000 km from my present (mobile) location, and I
> have been
> able to test my own server in Eindhoven with 10 Watts, with modes ranging
> from
> PSK250R down to (new!) THOR4. This is a bad location with lots of
> multipath and doppler from the mountains.
> You can modify your mode table on the client (max 7 modes) , and the
> server will pick the best mode automatically.
> In the past have been using power levels down to 500 mW to get beacons
> through to servers 1000 km away,
> not unexceptional when conditions are really good on 30m. For ARQ you will
> need at least 5W, and
> it is nice to have some reserve for awkward situations.
> Don't forget between 5 Watts and 100 Watts is only 13 dB difference ...!
> That could mean a difference between S9+13 dB and S9.... (but also btwn S2
> and S0).
>
> >
> >(3) I also want to try with QRP power (5 Watts) from a nearby mountain
> peak or crest ridge on the Pacific
> >Crest Trail near Lake Tahoe. Is this feasible?
>
> See above... a lot depends on the receiving conditions at the server...
> you have to try, there are no guarantees....
>
> >Again, which direction should the antenna main lobe point from top of the
> ridge?
>
> Point it at the strongest server...
>
> >
> >(4) How do I really sign up to use the servers for PSKMail for my initial
> tests? It is not clear how to do this.
>
> You don't... unlike other systems PSKmail is fully open!
> The servers you choose to use need some information in order e.g. to send
> or get your mail.
> You can send that info by connecting to the server and sending your mail
> record.
> Passwords are encrypted.
> The servers don't share this information, so you will have to tell
> every server you want to use. Your record will be cached at the server, so
> once it works, it works.
>
> >
> >(5) How do I find users near me, in particular, those who may be
> implementing a server in the mid-California area.
>
> In your local club, via facebook, twitter, identi.ca (yes, PSkmail uses
> identi.ca), via mailing lists etc...
> PSKmail has no central organization, so the users have to organize their
> own servers.
> As the software is open source, you can even change your own software, add
> new services etc...
>
> 73,
>
> rein EA/PA0R/M
>
> >
> >Thanks in advance,
> >John Hestenes, KJ6CVB
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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