New Release of MultiPSK (4.18) Now Available

Multipsk is my absolute favorite digital decoder for the computer soundcard and the author, Patrick, F6CTE, just keeps making it better. This morning he has just announced the release of a new verson of MultiPSK (v4.18). His announcement is present below in its entirety

Hello to all Ham and SWL,

The new release of MultiPSK (4.18) is on my Web site (http://f6cte.free.fr/). It is not yet on Earl's and Terry's WEB sites.

The main modifications of MULTIPSK 4.18 are the following:

1) Decoding of the NWR SAME mode

NWR (National Weather Radio) SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) is simply a method of identifying the local area to which an alert message applies. It utilizes a digital data stream that contains the alert message with information about the type of event expected, its timing, duration, and location. The NWR SAME system is used in USA and Canada, in VHF (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz).

To listen NWR SAME messages: the NWS tests the NWR and SAME alerting technology weekly. These tests normally occur on Wednesday between 10 AM and Noon with some variations to accomodate local requirements.

This mode is available for licencied copies, only (otherwise, the decoding is stopped after 5 minutes). See specifications further on.

2) Transmission/reception of ARQ FAE QSP (indirect) mails through a "mails Server"

Differences between a direct mail and a QSP mail (indirect). A mail is direct if you can transmit it directly to the final addressee: A -->B.

If you can't transmit the mail directly because the final addressee can't be directly reached due to the link conditions, the mail can be forwarded by the connected station, which acts as a "mails Server": A-->C (mails Server)-->B.

For this, you must use a QSP mail.

A paper based on snapshots presents this new system:

http://f6cte.free.fr/QSP_mails_forwarding_easy_with_Multipsk_in_ALE_and_ALE400.doc

3) New macros:

- permits to ask to the other Ham or to the SWL monitoring your QSO to send you a reception report by e-mail. Your address must be specified in the "WEB ADDRESS" of your personal data ("Personal" button). It will be transmitted the following command "RPRT@LENemail addressCRC" which is the report demand. If correctly decoded, a reception report will be transmitted to the e-mail address that you specified, through Internet.

Examples of use of this macro

1) The main objective is to ask the other Ham with whom you are in QSO to send you a reception report by e-mail.

2) But it can be also done by a SWL monitoring your QSO.

3) This macro can be used in conjuction with a Multipsk beacon which mode can be controlled by a RS ID. For example, you can switch the beacon in BPSK31 and asks the beacon for a reception report. Afterwards, the beacon can be switched in Olivia by a new RS ID and a new reception report can be asked...

Note: this macro can be used for all digital modes (except JT65), CW included.

A paper based on snapshots presents this new system:

http://f6cte.free.fr/How_to_use_thehttp://f6cte.free.fr/How_to_use_the_«RPRT@»_email_reception_report_with_Multipsk.doc
The source code (in Pascal/Delphi and in English) to code/decode this command is available for the coding/decoding software developpers, by making the demand to F6CTE by e-mail.

- permits to send a Tune (non modulated carrier) with the command: . For example: (5% of power at 4000 Hz for 1 sec)

This function can be used for transmission tests or, perhaps, to create his/her personal "jingle" (short musical sequence).

- 's' gives the Signal to Noise ratio (in dB) obtained about 4 seconds before the switching to transmission.

- 'quality' for PSK modes only, gives the signal quality from 1/5 to 5/5 obtained about 4 seconds before the switching to transmission.

4) Improvements

Addition of a filter possibility in the SELCAL mode. Addition of 6 new memories of frequency and mode in the Transceiver window, for a total of 10 memories.

Some improvements for contesters: addition of a manual control of the QSO number, proposition of standard HF QRGs for the "Freq MHz" field, possibility to double the size of the "QSO->log" or "DXKeeper" buttons (in the "Logbook" window).

Note about translation of Multipsk.exe and Clock .exe: the 4.17 version of Multipsk/Clock has been completly translated to Spanish by Joachin (EA4ZB), from French. The translation file is on my Web site (http://f6cte.free.fr/Translation_files.htm).

NWR SAME (VHF)

The NWR (National Weather Radio) SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) is a digital system for transmission in USA and Canada, in VHF, of warning messages. There are, in fact, other agencies that NWS (National Weather Service) which use the SAME system. There are also many other messages that warning or watch messages.

Description :

Baud rate: 580.83.
Modulation : Logic 0 at 1562.5 Hz and logic 1 at 2083.3 Hz
Reception mode: FM
Character set : ASCII characters (8 bits)
Shape of pulse : rectangular
Bandwidth : about 1 KHz
Demodulation : non coherent
Bit synchronization : automatic using the signal
Character synchronization : automatic using predefined strings of characters (« ZCZC » and « NNNN »)
Lowest S/N: +4 dB

Each NWR/SAME message contains:

* 3 same digital messages containing (on a coded form) the event, the concerned areas, duration and broadcast station (for example: ZCZC-WXR-TOW-039173-039051-139069+0030-1591829-KCLE/NWS-). These messages are decoded by Multipsk.
* possibly a 1050 Hz warning alarm tone for 8 to 10 seconds,
* possibly a verbal spoken oral text of message,
* 3 digital messages « NNNN » for end of message.

If you don't already have MultiPSK, it is a most have program in any radio hobbyist shack. No self respecting Milcom monitors computer should be without this program. And the registered version opens up a whole new world of radio listening and worth every penny of the very inexpensive registration fee. If you pick up Patrick's program, be sure to tell him that The Milcom MP sent you.