R2 and R3 are required only for the POCSAG mode.
For all modes but POCSAG you can remove R3 and replace R2 by a short cut.
RADIORAFT 3.21
RADIO SIGNAL DECODER SOFTWARE
Copyright (c) 1996-2002 by Francois
Guillet
All rights reserved.
RADIORAFT USER'S GUIDE
CONTENTS: See also the MODES AND OPTIONS - USER'S GUIDE
RadioRaft is intended to enthousiastics about radio technics of data transmissions, as well beginners as experienced.
WARNING
You are insured that RadioRaft is designed in accordance to the main specifications of
reception modes but not to all of them.
YOU SHALL NOT USE RadioRaft FOR PROFESSIONAL MONITORING WHEN SAFETY IS AT STAKE (modes
ACARS, NAVTEX, GMDSS-DSC...).
RadioRaft version 3.2 is a DOS program capable of automatic decoding of many radio data transmission modes found in the UHF, VHF or short-wave radio bands.
To help in identification of unknown signals, RadioRaft version 3.2 includes a baud meter, frequency meter, shift meter, quality signal indicator, signal tracking, bit by bit display...
Received texts can be saved to files or printed, partially or in their entirety.
Between the receiver and the PC can be either a very simple and inexpensive interface (see the Diagram of the interface) or a more sophisticated demodulator.
RADIORAFT 3.2 is not public domain.
There are two versions :
the free version and the full version, depending on the installation.
The RadioRaft software package is the same for the 2 versions.
The RadioRaft 3.2 software package may be freely copied and distributed. Unauthorized
sale of RadioRaft is strictly prohibited. The software and/or manual may not be modified
in any way without the prior written permission by the author.
You must keep confidential the codes for the installation of the full version.
The RadioRaft 3.2 free version is freeware and not limited in time!
Only the reception of the following modes is available:
CW Morse, RTTY Baudot, SITOR-A, ARQ-E, FEC-A, DIGIT.
The other modes can be detected or selected, but text will only be displayed in a small
window of 9 characters.
All other features are the same as the fully registered version.
This version is intended above all to evaluation purpose.
If you would like to access the full range of features that RadioRaft supports, you must register with the author or an authorized distributor. After registering you will receive your confidential codes for the installation of the full version. See the files README.TXT and ORDER.TXT for all details. They are included in the RadioRaft software package that you can download.
The author of RadioRaft:
Francois Guillet
10 route des Goulets
F- 44880 SAUTRON
FRANCE
E-mail: radioraft@wanadoo.fr
Official WEB site: http://pro.wanadoo.fr/radioraft/
Mirror site: http://radioraft.free.fr/
Modes supported are:
| ACARS-VHF | ARQ-E | ARQ-E3 | ARQ-M2 (+si-fec) | ARQ-M4 |
| ARQ-N | ARQ-6/90 | ARQ-6/98 | ASCII | AUTOSPEC |
| BAUDOT | CIS11 | CW (Morse) | DGPS | DUP-ARQ (Artrac) |
| FEC-A (FEC-1000) | GMDSS-DSC (1) | HNG-FEC | PACKET (Ax25) | PACTOR-I |
| POCSAG (2) | POL-ARQ | RUM-FEC | SI-ARQ (Arq-s) | SITOR-A (Amtor-A) |
| SITOR-B (Amtor-B) | SPREAD (11, 21, 51) | SWED-ARQ | UOSAT Oscar-11 | 1382 |
| BaudMeter | DIGIT |
(1) RadioRaft doesn't decode GMDSS distress messages
(2) Pocsag needs an interface with hysteresis adjustment
Mode names are in accordance with the recommendations found in the "Radio Data
Code Manual" by Joerg Klingenfuss (Klingenfuss Publications, Hagenloher Str.14, D-
72070 Tübingen, Germany).
Modes can be received at any speed from 10 to 6400 bauds.
You will find all details on the modes in the "MODES AND OPTIONS USER'S GUIDE" (files
RAFTMODE.TXT or RAFTMODE.HTM).
You need at least:
A PC 386 can be enough for baud rates inferior to 300 bauds (no warranty above).
Some advantages of RadioRaft over other decoding programs are:
Back to the summary
RadioRaft needs a simple interface with a comparator circuit that is similar to the Radio/PC interface used by several other decoding packages.
You can also use a demodulator. The advantage in using the demodulator (MODEM) rather than the interface is to improve the decoding quality proportionally to the efficiency of the demodulator, which depends on the hardware.
The interface and the demodulator can be connected simultaneously. The presence of the interface is necessary for working with the frequency/shift meter. In any case, it is always a good idea to insert a narrow band filter between the output of the receiver and the input of the demodulator or the interface. A 500 Hz pass-band filter is a good compromise for the most of the received HF signals.
The input signal from the receiver is amplified. The op-amp works as a comparator, resulting in a rectangular output signal. This signal is the same as the output signal of the receiver, but at RS232 levels (+/- 12V). In reality, the output level is slightly weaker, because the power consumption of the op-amp drops the voltage supplied by the outputs DTR (+12V) and RTS (-12V).
Unused pins CD, RI and possibly CTS and RTS must be connected to the ground (GND), because some serial ports detect ghost signal on no connected inputs.
R2 and R3 are required only for the POCSAG mode.
For all modes but POCSAG you can remove R3 and replace R2 by a short cut.
LM741 Pin out
+V OUT
8 7 6 5
| | | | Op Amp
|-------------|
| | LM741 or TL071
| |
|-| | DIL case, top view
| |
|-| | +V = positive supply
| | -V = negative supply
| | -I = inverted input
|-------------| +I = direct input
| | | | output
Pin 1 2 3 4
-I +I -V
SERIAL PORT RS232 PIN OUT (9 AND 25 PINS).
DB-9 Connector
Pin Signal Pin Signal
--------------------------------------------------
1 CD Carrier Detect 6 DSR Data Set Ready
2 RXD Receive Data 7 RTS Request to Send
3 TXD Transmit Data 8 CTS Clear to Send
4 DTR Data Term. Ready 9 RI Ring Indicator
5 GND Ground
DTR GND
----------|-|----
\ 1 2 3 4 5 /
\ o o o o o /
\ o o o o /
\ 6 7 8 9 /
-|-|-|---
|RTS|
DSR CTS
The unused pins are not represented
CTS only used with the modem.
RTS only used with the interface.
DB-25 Connector
Pin Signal Pin Signal
----------------------------------------------------
1 GND Ground / Shield 14 {2nd TXD}
2 TXD Transmit Data 15 Transmit Clock
3 RXD Received Data 16 {2nd Rec. Clock}
4 RTS Request to Send 17 {Receive Clock}
5 CTS Clear to Send 18 {Unassigned}
6 DSR Data Set Ready 19 {2nd RTS}
7 GND Ground 20 DTR Data Term Ready
8 DCD Carrier Detect 21 {Sig. Quality}
9 {Reserved} 22 RI Ring Indicator
10 {Reserved} 23 {Data Rate Sel.}
11 {Unassigned} 24 {Transmit Clock}
12 {2nd CD} 25 {Unassigned}
13 {2nd CTS}
RTS DSR
|CTS|GND
----------|-|-|-|----------------
\ 1 4 5 6 7 13 /
\ o o o o o o o o o o o o o /
\ o o o o o o o o o o o o /
\14 20 25/
-------------|-----------
DTR
The unused pins are not represented
CTS only used with the modem.
RTS only used with the interface.
Back to the summary
The demodulator part of a modem can be used instead of the interface. The demodulator output must be connected to the CTS input of the serial port. Diagrams of RTTY demodulators are numerous in radioamateur publications.
To optimize the reception, it will be necessary to use filter demodulators, much more efficient than PLL demodulators, especially for low speeds (<200 bauds). At speeds faster than 300 bauds, performances of these two systems and the interface are close to each other. At 1200 baud, it is not possible to use a filter demodulator, and RadioRaft works as well with the interface as with a PLL demodulator. To use a commercial modem is possible. It must provide the V21 mode that allows correct reception of any FSK transmission up to 300 bauds. It will be necessary to modify its connection to the PC, because RadioRaft uses the CTS input, and not the usual RX input. The selection of the V21 mode of the modem must be made before running RadioRaft.
You can also see the file "README.TXT" for the installation procedure. The installation program automatically creates the directory of your choice and copies there all the RadioRaft files.
Preferably exit WINDOWS and make the installation from MsDOS.
Under WINDOWS 3.1x quit WINDOWS. Under WINDOWS 95 or 98 you need to reboot in MsDOS mode.
RadioRaft works properly only from MsDOS. However you can make the installation from WINDOWS.
To install the FREE version, you can run RR.EXE from a diskette, a CD-ROM or a hard-disk.
To install the FULL version, you must run RR.EXE only from a RadioRaft diskette and you need installation codes.
To run the installation program under MsDOS from a diskette, enter:
A:RR <ENTER>
<ENTER> indicates the enter key.
Follow the 4 installation menus which are very explicit:
When the installation ends, the program runs.
The parameters you entered can then be modified by clicking "Options"
in the menu bar. The parameters are saved to the file RADIORAF.CFG in the same directory
as RR.EXE. At each start of the program, RadioRaft searches for the file RADIORAF.CFG to
get the configuration. It contains all options modifiable from the "Options"
menu. This file can be read with any text editor, but it must NEVER be modified except
through the "Options" menu.
If the file RADIORAF.CFG has been modified with a text editor, RadioRaft may become
dysfunctional. If this occurs, you must delete RADIORAF.CFG and re-install the program.
To start up the program, enter from the MsDOS prompt (C:\>):
RADIORAF\RR
(replace "RADIORAF" by the name of your installation folder or the path).
RR.EXE is both the installation and the RadioRaft executable file.
This line gives information in real-time on the transmission during reception.
Example:
|RadioRaft|01/04/99 12:34:56|POCSAG|FFSK1|1200|0/FFFF|----<SIGNAL>----
|RadioRaft| indicates that RadioRaft is not synchronized, otherwise this "small reception window" displays all received characters as they are.
|Date time| you can display the UTC or local time, depending on the time lag in the "Options" menu. The time is in European format (DD/MM/YY). The date is always the local date.
|POCSAG| is the name of the current mode.
|FFSK1| is the modulation type.
|1200 +/-| is the baud rate. You can change it by clicking directly on the digits or by clicking the +/- character for standard values.
0 or 1 (blinking) indicates the bit polarity.
FFFF is the character polarity indicator. This bits pattern in hexadecimal indicates the polarity of the 16 latest received characters. Generally this pattern is 0000 if the shift is normal, or FFFF if the shift is reversed. Transmissions ARQ-E or ARQ-M use different patterns.
Two bars of hyphens precede and follow the indication: <SIGNAL>. The maximal lengthening of 2 bars indicates a perfect reception. The left bar displays the quality of the audio signal coming from the interface. This feature is not available when you are using only a modem. It is not significant in POCSAG.
The right bar displays the quality of the data demodulated signal. The selected baud rate must fit the transmission speed. Nevertheless, an incorrect indication can occur when the speed selected in RadioRaft is an exact multiple of the transmission speed. The shortening of this bar indicates a bad reception or an erroneous speed.
This is the menu bar. See below the details on menus and commands.
This is the line used by the frequency/shiftmeter when it is enabled (See the menu "View" or hit F8).
From the 4th line to the bottom, the received text is displayed. The text is kept in a 64 Kb buffer. If you have received more than 64 Kb of text, the oldest text in the buffer is deleted in order to make room for the new text.
If you want to view text that has scrolled past the top of the screen, stop the scrolling, or if you desire to save or print all the text or a part, click or enable "Edit", in the menu bar or hit "ESC" or "Page Up".
In case of reception of one or several consecutive erroneous characters, RadioRaft displays a single character ~ (ASCII 126).
Special characters as control characters can be displayed as they are or as plain text, depending on options in the "View" menu.
Note: IN ANY MODE, IN ANY MENU, IN ANY COMMAND, IN ANY HELP SCREEN YOU ARE IN, RadioRaft REMAINS CONSTANTLY WATCHING THE INPUT SIGNAL, AND STORES ALL RECEIVED TEXT IN A 64KB MEMORY AREA.
When RadioRaft starts, it switches to the automatic scanning mode and attempts to
determine the characteristics of the transmission: type of modulation, FSK shift,
reception mode and its speed.
If you are using a modem, the modem makes the demodulation itself. The features of
RadioRaft concerning the demodulation, the signal tracking and shift measurement are
disabled.
Only the current speeds of the scanned modes are detected (option by default) or all speeds of synchronous transmissions are evaluated to within 0.5 bauds, depending on the option "Scan only standard baud rates" in the menu Options/Strategy/.
RadioRaft attempts to decode in different modes and speeds that it displays on the1st screen line.
When it identifies the mode and the speed, the mode name, the baud rate, the type of modulation and the tracking signal reading remain stable on the screen. After receiving 10 characters (option by default, menu Options/Strategy/Minimum text length) RadioRaft displays in the main window a title with the date, time, modulation and mode names and the received text: RadioRaft is now synchronized.
At the beginning of the first line of the screen, in the "small reception window", RadioRaft displays the latest 9 received characters, including special characters and allowing you to see what is really transmitted.
When RadioRaft is not synchronized the word "RadioRaft" is displayed in the "small reception window".
If you know the mode used by the transmission that you are receiving or its speed or the modulation type and mark/space frequencies in FSK, you can fix these settings by selecting "Mode" in the menu bar and choosing the mode in the list, or its speed in the "Bauds" menu or the modulation characteristics in the "Modulation" menu.
To activate the full automatic scanning mode of RadioRaft, click "Scan" in the menu bar. The mark preceding "Mode", "Modulation" or "Bauds" indicates that the automatic scanning is active. To click "Scan" disables all scanning modes if one was enabled or enables all scanning modes if none was in effect.
When RadioRaft is synchronized with a transmission and the reception is too disturbed or if you change the station, RadioRaft restart the scanning after a 4 seconds delay (option "Hold delay" by default). This value can be modified from the menu "Options/Strategy/Hold delay".
When RadioRaft is synchronized and you want to maintain the mode on which it has stopped, disable the scan mode (by clicking "Scan") to inhibit all future automatic scanning.
To enable the automatic scanning of all modes with only one speed, select the reception speed in the Bauds menu and click "Scan-Mode" in the "Mode" menu. To start the automatic scanning of the speed of only one mode, choose the mode and click "Scan-bauds" in the "Bauds" menu.
In the menu bar, "MODE", "MODULATION" and "BAUDS" are preceded by a dot or a mark. You can click the dot or the mark to toggle the scanning mode only for each topic.
Using the interface, RadioRaft selects the demodulation type in accordance to the modes it scans, and the signal tracking attempts to evaluate the mark/space frequencies for FSK modes or the center frequency in AM.
When RadioRaft is synchronized, the signal tracking is stopped (default option "Auto-tracking", modifiable in the menu "Options/Strategy/Auto-tracking" or in the menu "Modulation").
When RadioRaft is synchronized, you can start or stop the signal tracking by clicking "Signal tracking" in the "Modulation" menu or by clicking the dot or the mark preceding the name "Modulation" in the menu bar.
You can also choose the modulation type independently of the mode.
The efficiency of the scanning is guaranteed only for transmissions having real traffic. Very numerous transmissions (specially in ARQ-M, FEC-A or ARQ-E) consist of idle characters. These transmissions, due to their repetitive content (you can hear that), no longer possess the characteristics allowing their identification. They are even sources of confusion with other modes: in this case it can occur that RadioRaft synchronizes on an erroneous mode or speed. This is not really a problem because if such a station resumes the traffic, RadioRaft re-synchronizes.
You can also use the F5 key to restart the scanning.
The automatic scanning does not cover CW. It is necessary to select it manually. If you are using a demodulator, you must also choose the right shift.
You can select the manual synchronization by clicking "Manual" in the menu bar or by typing F4.
A best decoding can be obtained by selecting the manual synchronization, in some cases as following:
When you select the manual synchronization, RadioRaft considers that the data signal is right and it displays characters, as the signal would be perfect. Of course in case of bad signal many error characters will be displayed (ASCII 126, ~).
If RadioRaft is synchronized with a signal and you select the manual mode, RadioRaft will not restart the mode or the scanning if the signal disappears. The synchronization is maintained over large periods of fading.
If RadioRaft is not synchronized and you select the manual mode, the RadioRaft synchronization is forced. But the data signal will be surely not in phase with what expects RadioRaft. You must manually shift bit by bit the data signal in advance or in delay so that it coincides with RadioRaft. Type the keys F9 (left shift) or F10 (right shift) until right characters are displayed.
A best way is to hit the F5 key to restart the mode. Then wait for the automatic synchronization. The automatic synchronization happens only if the signal is right during a certain period of time depending on the mode.
For the asynchronous modes (Baudot, or ASCII without the option "Synchronous decoding"), you don't need to manually shift the data signal. RadioRaft considers the first "0" bit as a start bit and decodes the data. A mode option allows you to fix the shift (if you know it) which improves the decoding.
Most of the commands of the "File" menu need the mode "Edit" to be
enabled. Click or enable "Edit" in the menu bar if "Edit" is not
marked, or click "Edit/Actualize" in this menu. You can also use the
"ESC" key to toggle the Edit/Receive mode. When "Edit" is enabled, a
scroll bar appears on the right of the text, and you can move through the 64-Kb (maximum)
text buffer, with the mouse or the keyboard. You can use usual editor commands to move
through the text (arrows, mouse), or to select a part of text for printing or saving.
The menu "Help/Help on help and menus" give details on how to use the mouse or
the keyboard.
If "Edit" is not enabled, this command does it. If "Edit" is enabled, this command updates the text: in the "Edit" mode, you are no longer able to view the most recent receptions. If RadioRaft has received text since you entered the "Edit" mode, this command will add it at the end of the already received text and will display the last screen page of text.
The "Receive" command allows you to exit the "Edit" mode (same effect as disabling "Edit" or hitting the "ESC" key).
This menu allows you to open a file already written to disk. You are prompted with its name (or the complete path). You can display previously received texts that you had saved, or open any ASCII text file of less than 64Kb (not only those created with RadioRaft).
This menu allows you to save text to a file on disk. The "Edit" mode must be enabled. Text will be written to the last file handled (that with the name displayed by the "Write to..." or "Open..." commands). The default filename is RADIO.TXT. In order to prevent the accidental over-writing of previous logging to this file you should modify the file name by the "Write to..." command.
If you wish to save only a part of the text, first select the area (move the mouse with left button down, or use arrow keys by keeping the SHIFT key down). The selected text area appears inverted compared to the rest of the text. If an area is selected, this command saves only the marked section and not the whole text.
This menu is identical to the "Save" command, except that you are prompted
with the file name. You may give only the name (the file is then saved in the RadioRaft
directory), or the complete path (for ex. A:\RADIO.TXT for saving on drive A:).
To validate CLICK <OK>.
The "Edit" mode must be enabled. The "Print" command concerns the
entire text or the selected area, as indicated for the "Save" command.
WARNING: the printing routine doesn't verify that the characters sent to the printer are
"printable". Some transmission modes allow special characters (ASCII codes from
0 to 31, or upper than 127). Sending these characters to the printer can give unexpected
results (for ex. font change, form feed...). Make sure you are printing text, not
whimsical characters corresponding to the PACKET transmission of a program! Some of the
stations do not transmit the "line feed" character (LF) after a "carriage
return" (CR). RadioRaft automatically adds the "line feed".
To select a printer or to print in a file, see below the menu "Printer setup...".
The "Printer setup" menu permits you to select the printer path, which can be either a printer port or a file name, and to enable the continuous printing.
The continuous printing needs the edit mode to be disabled. Nevertheles if it is
enabled, the text you receive is not discarded. But it will be printed only when leaving
the "Edit" mode.
WARNING: in continuous printing mode, the printer must accept characters at least
at the rate they are received, otherwise the display at screen hangs up and the decoding
can be disturbed.
If the "Printer path" is a file name, the "Print" command available in
the "Edit" mode will also apply to this file, but the "Save" and
"Write to" commands don't (they operate on their own file name).
This menu permits you to create or verify a RadioRaft diskette.
You can create a RadioRaft diskette to give it or to distribute it freely. You are
authorised to do it, even though you are using the full version to create this diskette by
this command, because the disk you create will permit to install the full version only
with new codes.
You can also create the same diskette from the free version, to obtain a serial number.
The RadioRaft diskette is customized. The RadioRaft serial number permits you to register
with the author or an authorised distributor and to obtain the codes for the installation
of the full version from this diskette.
The diskette must have been formatted.
This menu permits also to retrieve the serial number of a RadioRaft diskette and to check the presence of all the RadioRaft files.
WARNING:
- before beginning, format the diskette with the DOS command: FORMAT A: /U
(pre-formatted or Windows formatted diskettes can be unreliable).
- each diskette you create has a different RadioRaft serial number. The codes for the
installation of the full version are relative only to that diskette with that serial
number you gave to obtain the codes or to that diskette you ordered.
You can't create a new diskette to install the full version with the previous installation
codes you got by registering before.
You can also use the Alt+F4 key to exit at any time.
If the mode or baud rate scanning are enabled, this command disables them, otherwise the full RadioRaft scanning mode is set.
In the menu bar, "MODE", "MODULATION" and "BAUDS" are preceded by a dot or a mark. You can click the dot or the mark to toggle the scanning mode only for this topic.
This command forces RadioRaft to synchronize with a signal or to maintain the synchronization even when the signal is lost or very disturbed. You must disable the scanning modes before enabling the manual mode. See above "Manual synchronization" for all details on this feature.
This menu permits to select a mode by clicking its name in the list. When you select a mode, the scanning of modes is stopped.
You will find all details on the modes in the "MODES AND OPTIONS USER'S GUIDE" in the files RAFTMODE.TXT or RAFTMODE.HTM.
The menu "Options (F6)..." depends on the mode. It permits to set options specific to the current mode. Some modes have no option. For all details on the options of modes, see above.
This command permits to display the numerous names of the modes at your convenience. The default mode is a list by type.
The "Scan-mode" command enables or disables the scanning of modes. Same effect as clicking the dot or the mark preceding "MODE" in the menu bar.
It has no effect on the bauds scanning or the signal tracking.
This menu allows you to set a value or to choose it in a list.
The "Scan-baud" command enables or disables the automatic search for the transmission rate. Same effect as clicking the dot or the mark preceding "BAUDS" in the menu bar.
Only the current speeds of the current mode are detected (option by default, menu Options/Strategy/Scan only standard baud rates) or the reception speeds of the synchronous transmissions are evaluated to within 0.5 bauds (opposite option).
You can enter any value in the input field, or select one from the list of standard values. Outside of this menu "Bauds", you can change the baud rate by:
Back to the summary
This menu permits to manage 2 functions: the modulation type and the frequency tracking.
It is not available if you are using a demodulator instead of the interface. With a demodulator these functions are (or must be) provided by the hardware.
The signal tracking permits to value the mark and space or shift frequencies of FSK modes or the AM/CW center frequency.
When "Auto-tracking" is disabled or when RadioRaft is synchronized, the command "Signal tracking" allows or not allows the signal tracking for all FSK or AM/CW modulations.
To disable the signal tracking when RadioRaft is not synchronized, you need to disable also the "Auto-tracking".
You can allow or not allow the signal tracking independently for each FSK or AM/CW modulation by clicking the corresponding "Tracking" topic. The signal tracking for a particular modulation type is in effect only when both "Signal tracking" and "Tracking" are enabled.
If "Auto-tracking" is enabled, the signal tracking is automatically disabled or enabled when RadioRaft is synchronised or not.
If you want to enable or disable the signal tracking manually, disable the "Auto-tracking" the first.
You can also set this option in the menu "Options/Strategy" and save it by the command "Options/Save options...")
If this option is selected (option by default), RadioRaft choose automatically the modulation type for the current mode.
Nevertheless the modulation can be selected independently of the mode by clicking the modulation type. For ex. it is interesting to choose FSK1 for demodulating CW signal using an FSK modulation instead of a single frequency.
The modulations that can demodulate RadioRaft are:
FSK1: FSK demodulation for modulation rates < 400 bauds. Mark and space are demodulated separately which improves the decoding during signal selective fading.
FSK2: FSK demodulation for modulation rates > 400 bauds. As the current mark/space frequencies are often 1200/2200 Hz, the option "Tracking" for this mode is disabled by default.
FSK2 can be used instead of FSK1 but the results with FSK1 are better for baud rates < 400.
AM/CW: AM demodulation for modes using only one frequency as CW. Only carriers with an "all or nothing" level can be demodulated. The interface doesn't permit to handle AM that would use intermediate amplitude levels.
FFSKi: fast FSK modulation using an audio signal synchronous with the data rate. In the name "FFSKi", i indicates the index of modulation, e.g. the ratio "Frequency shift"/"Baud rate" where "Frequency shift" = "Space frequency" - "Mark frequency".
DFSK: direct FSK. Only Pocsag uses DFSK. The interface provides directly the data signal. You need an hysteresis adjustment on your interface to handle DFSK correctly.
This command restore the nominal frequency values:
You can choose any frequencies in the band 300-2700 Hz. You can enter the mark and the space frequency (the shift is automatically adjusted), or the mark and the shift (the space is automatically adjusted).
If you enter a frequency, the signal tracking is disabled for this modulation type.
If the signal tracking is enabled, RadioRaft displays in the input fields the frequencies it finds.
This command restart the mode or the scanning. F5 is a very usefull key. You can use it when RadioRaft is synchronized on a bad mode or speed.
This command opens a window named "status window" which displays the following topics:
A particular mode doesn't not handle all the topics (for ex. Hoffman compression is used only in PACTOR)
The frequency meter requires that the signal from the interface be present on the DSR input of the COM port.
On the third screen line, it indicates the mark/shift frequencies of FSK transmissions (for ex. 1650/ 200) or the center AM/CW frequency.
A cursor displacing on a scale between 0.3 and 2.7 kHz allows you to instantly view the received signal frequency.
The mark/space frequencies of FSK signals are detected by the frequency tracking and
displayed on the scale.
The signal is located within the signs <<< and >>> indicating the
inferior and superior limits.
If the frequency tracking is not set, the mark/space frequencies limits are those preset in the "Modulation" menu.
For AM/CW modulation, the shift is 0 and only the center frequency is marked on the scale.
The F8 key allows you to enable/disable the frequency meter without opening this menu.
An option in the menu "Options/Frequency meter at the start" permits the frequencymeter to run automatically when you start RadioRaft.
Control characters (for ex. signals of synchronization alpha or beta) are necessary for the transmission but normally they are not displayed. Their display is automatic in the <small reception window>. If you enable this option, this characters are also displayed in the main text.
This option also forces the display of repetitions in ARQ modes, the display of the 2 channels in the SITOR-B mode and the display of as many ASCII characters 126 (~) as errors.
Control characters used by modes that don't transmit ASCII characters, are translated in ASCII control codes (ASCII 1-31).
Exceptions:
If you select this topic and "display control character", ASCII control codes are displayed as plain text delimited by { and }, for ex.{CR}{LF}.
This method avoids unexpected effects on printer when you print texts with control codes.
This option permits to display the time at the beginning of each new line of text. For modes by packets (as Packet-radio, Pocsag, ACARS...), the time is displayed at the beginning of each new packet.
The time displayed is the local time or the UTC time if you have set the right time lag (menu "Options/UTC/Local time lag). If the time lag is 0 RadioRaft displays the local time.
The activation of this option forces the display of letters, and not of figures or signs, for all modes having a code with special characters "letter shift" or "figure shift" like Baudot, 4/7 codes, rum-fec... Indeed, these codes do not allow to display the totality of letters, figures and signs. Therefore a special character (named "letter shift" or "figure shift") is transmitted at a time, to indicate that henceforth letters, or figures, will be transmitted. If this character has been received erroneously, figures will be displayed while letters are transmitted. Therefore, the activation of this option forces automatic letters display. In the case of an erroneous reception, you can thus correct the situation: just enable/disable this option to force the letters, without locking.
See also the option "Letter shift on CR/LF" in the menu "Options/Strategy/": this option by default permits to automatically activate the letter shift after receiving CR/LF characters.
This menu allows you to set the parameters concerning the interface, the port, the colors, the video display, the language and the strategy of decoding. You can save all the options in a file or restore them.
Select "Interface" or "MODEM" depending on your hardware.
When you select "Interface", RadioRaft gives you the possibility to fix the modulation types and their characteristics (menu "Modulation").
This option reverses the level 0/1 of the demodulated data. As RadioRaft is auto-shift, you don't need to click "Shift" except if you are using a MODEM for CW demodulation and the data level is inverted, or if you want invert the character polarity indicator on the first screen line.
In FSK, a normal shift means that the space (respectively mark) corresponds to a bit 0 (respectively 1). The mark is the lower frequency of the pair of frequencies used by the FSK transmission. If you click "Shift", these values are reversed. The shift can also be reversed by the station that transmits, or because you are receiving in LSB instead of USB.
You can select the serial port connected to the Radio/PC interface (port COM 1 to 4). You must set address and irq number of the COM port you are using in accordance to your hardware. RadioRaft accepts only IRQ 1 to 7. After modifying numerical values press the ENTER key to validate.
This menu permits you to fix some program behaviors concerning the synchronization, the scanning, the signal tracking and the display.
Synchro
- Hold delay
Time in seconds while RadioRaft maintains the synchronization even though the signal is lost.
The nominal value is 4 seconds. In Pactor, this time is doubled.
When RadioRaft is in scanning mode and it has found the right mode, in case of signal fading or changing, it resumes the scanning only when this time is elapsed.
If this time is too short, RadioRaft restarts frequently the scanning (as many times as the signal is a bit disturbed). If it is too long and you change the received station, you must wait during this time before RadioRaft attempts a new search.
This time is disabled when you choose the manual synchronization.
- Minimum text length
When RadioRaft was scanning and it finds a right mode, this is the minimum number of characters that it must wait for before writing the title and the text in the main window. This number by default is 10. If it is too short, the risk is RadioRaft stops the scanning on wrong modes.
Scan
- Scan only standard baud rates
With this option (option by default) and "Scan-baud" enabled, RadioRaft scans only the current baud rates of the mode (or of each mode if "Scan-mode" is also enabled).
If this option is disabled, RadioRaft is using the BaudMeter to measure any speed within 0.5 baud and test the mode at the speed it found (or each mode if "Scan-mode" is also enabled). In scanning mode the BaudMeter works only with synchronous modes (all modes except Baudot).
Signal tracking
- Auto-tracking
If this option is set (option by default), the signal tracking is automatically disabled when RadioRaft is synchronized with a station and enabled when it is not.
- Use 25 Hz shift step
If this option is set, option by default, which improves the signal tracking, the shift is rounded to 25 Hz multiples, otherwise RadioRaft attempts to find the shift within 1 Hz.
Display
- Letter shift on CR/LF
With this option RadioRaft forces the "letter shift" after receiving the carriage return / line feed characters.
Explanations on the letter shift/figure shift are given above (see the menu View/Lock letter shift)
.- Low cases preferably
To activate this option (by default) allows to display texts in lower case for modes having no such case (only modes using ASCII characters can normally transmit lower cases). RadioRaft even attempts to maintain the first uppercase letter at the beginning of the sentences, which provides a more agreeable text for reading.
If you enable this option and save the options in the file RADIORAF.CFG, the frequencymeter is automatically displayed when RadioRaft will restart.
You can set the colors of the following menu:
For each one you can select the color of the letters or the background of the following topics:
You can select the video mode. Before selecting a new video mode, be sure that your video card accepts this mode.
The mouse works only in the standard video mode (mode 03, 25 X 80).
See the on-line menu "Help on the help and menus" for more details for changing colors and video modes.
French or English. The change is instantaneous.
If you prefer that RadioRaft displays the UTC time instead of the local time, you must set the time lag between the UTC time and the local time at your location, modulo 24. For example:
RadioRaft supposes that the clock of your PC gives the local time.
You can save your configuration, or restore one that you had already established. You will be prompted with the name of the file. Then click <OK>: all parameters that you have chosen (language, ports, interfaces and frequencies, colors, video modes, shift, strategy) are saved.
You can give any name to a parameters file, but it is always the parameters in the "RADIORAFT.CFG" file that are loaded when you start the program. You must save your parameters in this file for an automatic loading.
"Main help" allows access to this help file while RadioRaft is running. This help file is the complete documentation of the program.
"Help on modes and options" give details on the different modes that RadioRaft decode and on the options specific to each modes.
"The help on help and menus" is for those who are not familiar with the menus, the selections of commands, and the use of the mouse. Users who know pop-up menus don't need this help, because the utilization of menus in RadioRaft is the same as in many other programs. Nevertheless there are some useful commands to note increase/decrease numerical values by clicking a digit or by typing + or -. This help also shows how to modify colors and video modes.
"Keyboard shortcuts" gives the main keys you can directly type instead of opening menus.
"Obtain the full version" is intended to users of the free version. It give all details to create a RadioRaft diskette and to register.
"About..." gives the references of the software.
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YOU ARE ADVISED TO NOT START RadioRaft IN A MsDOS SESSION. WINDOWS slows the program. Real time functions of RadioRaft can be incompatible with WINDOWS for a correct decoding, and may even cause total malfunctioning.
You have no guarantee that RadioRaft will function correctly. Remember: RadioRaft is a DOS program.
These 2 concepts are distinct: the coding transposes a plain text in coded informations with associated protocols (for ex. start/stop bits), so that it will be transmittable on a circuit. The code is not secret. It just allows the transmission and possibly protects against errors. The code + protocol group is named "reception mode" or "mode" in RadioRaft.
The cryptography allows one to voluntarily scramble a plain text so that it could not be intercepted by any one but its addressee. The encrypted message can then be coded as any clear message, for its transmission. RadioRaft decodes many modes, but it does not decipher any. Most shortwave transmissions are encrypted. An encrypted message transmitted in a mode supported by RadioRaft will be received correctly and will appear for example like 5 digits or letters series, or like random symbols. Of course, the message will not be understandable.
Some transmissions are not at all received with RadioRaft: the codes or protocols of these transmissions are unknown, which does not mean that these transmissions are encrypted. In these cases, RadioRaft does not display anything.
Some transmissions seem encrypted, however they are not: for example a transmission in Morse transmitted by a Russian station in the Cyrillic alphabet, will have no meaning when decoded in Latin alphabet; yet the message is a plain text...
MOUSE
THE RECEIVER GET A SIGNAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENS
REPETITIVE CHARACTERS ARE DISPLAYED
ERROR IN CREATING THE RadioRaft DISKETTE
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