Digital Modes Meanderings
Fldigi and Digital Mode Identification Methods
By the time the year 2011 rolled around I was in my eighth year of digital mode operating and getting fairly use to digital mode operations and methods. I was by no means an expert (I’m still not!) and still had much to experience and learn. So far the MixW software had served me well and I really did like the mode selections, operating features and the logbook structure. But times change and operating requirements do as well. I started hearing more often in my QSOs the mention of a software program called Fldigi. I think Fldigi had been around for a couple of years but I just never paid much attention to it. I felt I was already operating the Cadillac of digital mode soundcard software with MixW. That viewpoint was an arguable one. About this same time I had also had been hearing and reading about a digital mode identification system that helped to identify most of the different digital modes and their variations. The Reed – Solomon Identifier (RSID) is a special transmission designed by Patrick Lindecker (F6CTE) for the software program called MultiPsk. It has been adopted and adapted by other digital soundcard mode programs including Fldigi, but not by MixW. The exclusion of this great feature from MixW made my decision to leave the MixW fold an easier one. Fldigi was now my digital mode software of choice. I felt Fldigi and its creators were more closely linked to the digital mode user community and supported the user’s interests better. I have to say that MixW is still a very fine software package but it just has not evolved with the changing digital mode world. In addition, Fldigi is freeware. Repeat after me, “Free is good”.
The only two digital mode identification systems that I am aware of are RSID and the video ID. Both types are supported by Fldigi. Many digital ops are new to the digital modes and don’t use or know about these identification systems. Even some more experienced digital mode operators are only slightly more informed about these identification features and their use. RSID is a special transmission that can be added to the start of your digital mode transmission which sends a code identifying the kind of mode you are about to transmit. If another user of the RSID system has the receiving function of their RSID turned “on”, their software will be able to “read” the mode of your transmission and inform them via a pop-up box or message. This usually only happens at the start of the transmission.
The video ID is included in Fldigi in addition to RSID. I am not sure how many other digital soundcard software programs have this feature. An image of the printed letters, which identify the mode of transmission about to be transmitted, can be “painted” on the waterfall directly before your waterfall trace. In Fldigi, you can select a default set of abbreviated identifiers or customize an identifying message. A cool ability of this custom feature is to create a short message before your transmission starts (e.g. CQ, CQ DX, 73, IOTA NA-012, THROB4, HELLO!). You can choose to continue the message on each transmission, or manually turn it off after initial contact or after an one time utilization depending on the nature of the message. You do not need to identify a PSK31, PSK63, or standard RTTY (45 baud/170 HZ) mode with either RSID or a video ID. These modes are so well known and utilized that identification is easily done by visual means alone.
The only two digital mode identification systems that I am aware of are RSID and the video ID. Both types are supported by Fldigi. Many digital ops are new to the digital modes and don’t use or know about these identification systems. Even some more experienced digital mode operators are only slightly more informed about these identification features and their use. RSID is a special transmission that can be added to the start of your digital mode transmission which sends a code identifying the kind of mode you are about to transmit. If another user of the RSID system has the receiving function of their RSID turned “on”, their software will be able to “read” the mode of your transmission and inform them via a pop-up box or message. This usually only happens at the start of the transmission.
The video ID is included in Fldigi in addition to RSID. I am not sure how many other digital soundcard software programs have this feature. An image of the printed letters, which identify the mode of transmission about to be transmitted, can be “painted” on the waterfall directly before your waterfall trace. In Fldigi, you can select a default set of abbreviated identifiers or customize an identifying message. A cool ability of this custom feature is to create a short message before your transmission starts (e.g. CQ, CQ DX, 73, IOTA NA-012, THROB4, HELLO!). You can choose to continue the message on each transmission, or manually turn it off after initial contact or after an one time utilization depending on the nature of the message. You do not need to identify a PSK31, PSK63, or standard RTTY (45 baud/170 HZ) mode with either RSID or a video ID. These modes are so well known and utilized that identification is easily done by visual means alone.
Examples of video ID
However, it is acceptable to use ID methods for the lesser used variations such as QPSK, PSK-R and the wider bandwidth lesser used PSK modes such as PSK- 250 and PSK-500. The wider bandwidth modes are used more on VHF and UHF. So if you choose to experiment on the HF bands, identification will be appreciated by those less informed of these modes existence. Also do not use video identification where the message is considerably wider than the mode you are using (e.g. 500 HZ wide video mode ID with PSK125) or in crowded band conditions. You will be a nominee for “LID of the Year” otherwise.
NOTE: LID is ham short hand for a poor operator. It is extremely unflattering to be called a LID. Don’t be a LID.
NOTE: LID is ham short hand for a poor operator. It is extremely unflattering to be called a LID. Don’t be a LID.