Northeast Missouri Amateur Radio Club

ARES Section



Modes to be used depends on band conditions.

Most HF are using Olivia 8-500 moving to 16-500 as band gets worse.
MARS uses Olvia 16-1000 only

Better HF or VHF might use MT63-2000L, 1000, 500 as band gets worse.
Mars uses MT63-1000L as a standard

Best VHF might use PSK-500R

MFSK-16 fits in here somewhere

Might use FSQ for keboard to keyboard comms, sort of like txt messaging, but multiple people can be used

All digital modes use USB, unlike LSB for voice on 40 and 80.
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The NBEMS system is comprised of a number of programs that work together:

fldigi - digital modem
flmsg - ARRL Radiogram, ICS213 messages, actually lots of premade or custom forms
flwrap - file encapsulation / compression
flamp - amateur multicast protocol
flarq - ARQ file transfer
flrig - rig control program, cooperates with fldigi

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Disable all filtering and noise filters on your radio. While some of them will work with digital modes, more testing as to which one can be used is needed.
RF and most touchpads don't work together. Use wired mouse if you run in to problems.

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FLDIGI

First time FLDIGI is run, it will put itself in configure mode to help set up certain configurations.

Use the menu Configure->Operator item to set the operator name, callsign, locator and so on.

Modem selection with Configure - Modems

Configure - Misc
NBEMS tab
Check needed boxes
You may not want "Open in Browser", it is more for Comm center use.
Enter path to flmsg.exe file - use locate button

Click the RXID & TXID in top right of screen
Unselect Configure - MISC - Sweet Spot

Reset waterfall with Configure - UI - Restart
Configure - Save Config
View - Logbook

Rig Control - Use the menu Configure->Rig Control item to set how you will control the rig. 

If you will key the rig via a serial port, in the Hardware PTT tab select Use serial port PTT, 
the device name you will use, and which line controls PTT. If in doubt, check both RTS and DTR. 
You must then press the Initialize button.
If you plan to use CAT control of the rig via the COM port, check Use Hamlib in the Hamlib tab. 
Select your rig model from the drop-down menu and set the serial port device name, baud rate, 
and RTS/CTS options as needed. If in addition you wish to use PTT control via CAT, also check 
PTT via Hamlib command. You must then press the Initialize button.

Sound Card Setup

Setting the proper levels on your computer sound input/output and your interface card will most likely
be your toughest setup job. Lots of little small changes can go a long way. NOTE: There is no perfect
setting and you should expect to adjust as needed when band conditions change, bands change or
modes change. Settings good for Olvia on 40m today will need tweaking for 2m psk tomorrow.

The people who are writing the fldigi software suite have just release a new comprehensive web
page on how to adjust everything for max performance. Give it a try at this link.
FLDIGI RX/TX Audio Adjustments ------------------------------------------------------------ Important MT63 configurations Under Modems - MT-63 Check use of 8-bit extended characters Uncheck 'Allow manual tuning' when used on VHF/UHF radios Leave 'Allow manual tuning' checked for HF Modes 

FLMSG

This program works in conjunction with fldigi, to easily send 'nicely' formatted messages. These messages are normally sent between served agencies and all are based on premade templates in the Template menu.

First time FLMSG is run, it will put itself in configure mode to help set up certain configurations. That mode can be entered anytime by clicking on the Config menu and selecting one of the drop downs. Each drop down menu items cooresponds to a tab on the config screen. The first menu option for personal data is the most important. The rest of the tabs/menus can be left in default mode.

The BLANK Message Form can be used for general utility/question messages. 
To send a CSV style file: Click on Form - CSV. Drag and drop your CSV file in to large box and click on AutoSend. 
When receiving a CSV file, flmsg will auto open in a screen to save from. Push export CSV button Save to desired location
To send a file of your own choosing, click Form - Transfer.
When the file is received, flmsg will open a screen allowing you to save it with the file name already filled in.

A checksum is sent with every message by flmsg and receiving station checks against that number to verify good copy. It doesn't correct anything, but does let you know about bad copy.

IF you have pre-created a message or have one to resend that message can be drag and dropped on the blue dot in the upper right corner of flmsg.

FLWRAP


FLDIGI can auto capture and save wrapped files Simple to use with drag and drop to wrap/unwrap  

FLARQ

Transfers blocks of data with checksums Blocks are automatically repeated if not confirmed Sending and receiving stations are locked in a hand shake mode until done Use FLARQ to ensure 100% copy received over and above the checksum,



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