1.1 Information about meteorscatter
2 General description ofthe DTR-MS
4 Specifications of push-button keys
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the digital tape recorder for Meteor Scatter (DTR-MS). We are confident that you will find this recorder to be very helpful for the successful execution of High Speed CW Meteor Scatter contacts. We believe to have covered in this instuction manual most questions about the use and applications of this recorder. In case however, that there are any questions left on details, please feel free to contact us and we will try to answer you and expend this manual. All suggestions will be very much appreciated.
It may be very well possible that in reading this manual more questions arise. Quite often however, these questions are not so much related to the use of this recording device but to Meteor Scatter Operation in particular. Indeed, it could be about the physics of meteor scatter or how to operate using your radio and this form of propagation. It is not the purpose of this manual to cover or explain these important issues. In such cases, we like to suggest to the reader that he or she gets in contact with an active and experienced meteor scatter operator in order to discuss those questions and gain from the experience. If you have trouble finding such a person we will be glad to help in finding calls of stations, active on HSMS. Of course, we are also able to provide you with the desired information. Please, feel free to ask! Send us a letter, give us a phone call or write some lines via packet radio or e-mail to:
VHF-DX-Group DL-West,
c/o DL 8 EBW,
G. Juenkersfeld,
Gustav-Freytag-Str.1,
D-42327 Wuppertal,
Germany
eMail : DL8EBW
PacketRadio : DL8EBW@DK0MWX.#NRW.DEU.EU
2. - General description
of the DTR-MS
The DTR-MS is a portable digital instrument enabling you to record
audio signals for a maximum period of about 155 seconds ( this at a sampling rate of approx. 6,6 KHz ).
The DTR-MS has the ability to monitor already recorded data while still
recording or data from a finished recording.
In both cases you are able to read the morse coded signals at nominal or
at reduced speed with a normal or mixed modulation mode using the CPU.
The mixer mode can be advantageous if you have to listen to a signal at
reduced code speed and subsequently, the pitch frequency had gotten too low
to hear.
Because of its small size and its sensitivity, the DTR-MS presents an
efficient alternative to tape- or cassette recorders for the amateur who
is interested in Meteor Scatter. These properties are particulary valued
on field days, portable operations such as in from a car and expeditions
where reducing weight and space counts.
The complete electronics package of the DTR-MS is mounted in a handy box of
anodized aluminium.
To operate the recorder, it is only necessary to be familiar with 7
different function keys, located on top of the box. All data from
the CPU is displayed on the big 7-segment LCD Display.
The required external voltage is between 10 and 15 V DC, so you might use
the car-battery or an adapter such as used in the video-apparatus.
After switching on the DTR-MS, the only connections you have to make are
the AF-in and AF-out to the receiver audio connectors and then, you can step
on the gas - -
As is standard in a high-frequency environment, please keep the connections to and from the DTR-MS as short as possible. Avoid high voltage cables and strong magnetic fields in the vicinity as it could effect the performance of the DTR-MS in a negative sense. Make sure that the power supply connections and the audio lines make good contact and are properly shielded and grounded. Always check for the right polarity of the power supply to avoid problems!
The DTR-MS has only 3 plug-ins, 2 audio signals and power. Please connect
the lines as shown in the diagram below. Increase the AF-signal from your
receiver into the AF-In Jack to the point at which the AF output level will not
increase any longer.
This is the optimum signal level for the AGC (automatic gain-control)!
DTR-Versions delivered after Feb. 15. 1995 will have a small LED at the edge
of the display. ( see fig.2 ) This LED is "Dark" if the AF-lnput level
is correct.(*) The optimum frequency for the audio signal from the receiver
lies between 800 Hz and 1200 Hz, due to the recorder input filter characteristics.
(*) Former versions can be modified Connection diagram: (fig.1)
The DTR-MS works with an internal voltage regulator circuit. Therefore
it is possible to use a voltage supply between 10 to 15 Volt DC. The maximum
current needed amounts to about 350 Ma, so that you are able to use a simple
AC/DC adapter which is used for video or phono applications. An internal
diode protects the DTR-MS against errors in voltage polarisation.
Turn the Power Supply off before pulling or plugging in the DC connector to
the DTR-MS!
The DTR-MS is constructed as a recorder for portable use, but it can also be used in the shack at home of course. It can be operated within a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions. Please use a solid support for your DTR-MS without strong vibrations, swingings or other harmfull factors to electronic equipment.
The solid state digital recorder DTR-MS is a system for recording and replaying audio signals for a period up to 2.5 Minutes. For efficient and proper operation of the recorder, it is a must to be be familiar with all functions and function keys.
5.1. - The Recording the Audio Frequency signals
If you want to put the DTR-MS into the recording mode, and start
to save data, you have to push the buttons <REC> and <MARK>
simultaneously! The double function for these keys (the only one, at this time)
is necessary to avoid unintentional recording over old records. When you
push <REC> and <MARK> together, the display will show an
undefined value when the audio input is connected - this is not a error condition!
When the audio input is not connected the display will show a number aroud 128.
(Adjustment of AGC). After releasing the buttons the counter will go to 000
(0-150 or 0-989 depending on the standard settings)
The red LED above the <REC> button indicates that you are recording.
During recording, you can monitor the slightly filtered input signal at the AF output jack.
While receiving in meteor scatter mode, it is very important to know
at what time in your record, the burst did occur so that you can quickly
locate the desired information transmitted by your partner. Thus, you like to
set a marker ( information counter ) right there, when you hear the
desired signal. The DTR-MS provides this feature.
When you used your old tape recorder, you always had to watch your tape counter and write down the count where the burst occured.
With the DTR-MS you only have to push an infomark (short <MARK>) and
the CPU sets a special digital sign in front (!) of the burst-record.
This will only happen when you immediately push the <MARK> button when
you hear the signal during the burst. The CPU will take your reaction time
into account and the setting mark will be a few milliseconds earlier
in the recording. An identifying number for this marking ( for example -05 ) is shown on the display for about 1 second.
The time, when the burst occured, is clearly defined with this
number and can be found back later without any difficulty!
We recommended to train a bit on how to set these setting markers. After some skeds, you will have no problems with meteor burst marking.
The playback-function can be done simultaneously during recording (at that time the signal is available on the recorder audio output jack or on the tranceiver speaker) or after the 155 sec. of recording have ended.( end of recording time ). The audio output for your headphone is adjustable by the only extern potentiometer at the side of the DTR-MS.
If you push the button <PLAY> while recording, you will get the signals from the start of the recording directly to the output! (counter starts at 000). The green LED above the Button <PLAY> indicates then, that you are in the playback mode. The red LED above the buttom <REC> indicates that you are also recording simultaneously in the background. If you detect a meteor burst during this playback, you can still with the <MARK> button set the markers. In this case you have to monitor a second speaker or watch the S-meter on your receiver for bursts. Remember, your are listening to an earlier part of the recording while recording in real time and at the detection of burst, put a marker in the real time recording.
When the full recording-time of 155 seconds is over, the counter will stop at the scaled value (989 or 155) and the red LED above the <REC.> button will be extinguished. Now the complete data set of 155 seconds recording is stored in the RAM and will remain so as long as you do not re-start the record mode by pushing simultaneously the <REC.> and <MARK> button or you shut down the DTR-MS. If you want to listen to all the information from the start of your record, you can push the <Play&gy; button. The green LED (above <PLAY>) indicates then that you are in the playback mode. The display shows the present position of your recording. The buttons < << > and < >> > enables you to move quickly through your recording from one position to another.
As shovn in chapter 5.2, the DTR-MS has the provision to store setting marks (up to 30!) ahead of the recorded information. So, when you mark a burst in that way, it is easy to find that sector back from the recorded data. In thar case, you are NOT to go into the playback mode (<PLAY> button). You must remain in the recording mode <REC.> or go to the stand by-mode ( end of recording-time or 155 sec.). At first, you have to push the buttons < << > or < >> > and the display will indicate your setting mark number (e.g. -05). Then, you go to the playback mode by pushing the <PLAY> button;. If you had set the marker at the correct time, you will hear, after a few milliseconds, the information come out of the noise. If not, use the < << > buttons and search over the last seconds of your record... perhaps your reaction had been a little bit slow when the burst occurred (in long MS-nights this can happen, hi). Perform this search only in the playback mode, because otherwise, if you return to the stand-by mode, you will only scroll between the marker numbers. By-the-way a start mark (I--) and an end mark (--1) are always present.
For efficient meteor scatter operations it is necessaly to use higher cw
speeds than normally used. At present time the standard is 1000 Ipm, but this
may change to higher speeds with the help of the DTR. The advantages of using higher code speeds, especially with short reflections, is shown in fig.3
Based upon the "paris" system you can see the amount of information in relationship to burst duration, calculated for various transmission code
speeds rates. It is up to you to select by what factor you want to reduce the speed when you play back the transmission. You can choice to reduce the speed
in steps from 1/2 to l/50 times the original speed (e.g.: 2000 lpm / 16 =
125 lpm or 25 wpm).(*) It does really not matter in which mode the DTR-MS is operating, you can always change the speed at which you are playing back with the button <SPEED>.
Push that button and the speed will go down by one division factor step.
Every time you push the button <Speed>, the speed is shown for 1 sec. on the 7-segment display. If you hold the button longer than 300 ms., the speed
will step down continuously ("scrolling"
The last selected speed will persist until you disconnect the power or you
change the factor manually.
(*) 1/22, 1/50 for DTR-Versions delivered after Feb. 15. 1995
If you reduce the speed of an audio signal during playback, you will find
the pitch reduced in the same ratio. You are reach quite quickly the low end
of the audible frequency spectrum (approximately 300 Hz). When using a tape
recorder, this problem is normally solved by the use of an up converter.
This circuit mixes the reduced frequency audio-signal with a sidetone. This
however will create a mixing-loss of about 3-6 db! With the DTR-MS however,
you get digital circuitry that calculates the optimum mixing when you
reduce the play back speed. Therefore you will not hear any mixer-loss!
with the button The mixing-factor for the desired tone can be selected by you With the <MOD.> button you can select the right mixing-factor for the desired tone. By pushing the <PLAY> button you place the DTR-MS is in the
playback mode. You can now change the output pitch by pushing the <MOD.> button.
The factors for the mixing will be:
PL.0 = no mixing.
PL I = input tone x 2,
PL 2 = speed correlated output tone
PL 3 = input tone x 8.
The factors will not always be exact due to the calculations of the CPU for an
optimum result. It depends heavily on how far you reduced the speed!. If you
hold the button longer than 300 mS. the "PL factor" will step
down continuously ( "scrolling" ).The mixer-factor <MOD.>
will remain constant as long as you do not turn off the power or change the
factor manually.
Speed Frequency
1000 lpm / 12 [ speed reduction 12x ] 1200 Hz / 12
83 lpm [ translates in ] 100 Hz
The speed of 83 lpm ( approx. 17 wpm ) is to copy comfortablely but a pitch of 100 Hz in the modulation "PL0" will be hardly audible in this situation. The best will be to select the faktor g ("PL3"). This will provide a pitch of 800 Hz as AF output!
83 lpm 100 Hz x 8
17 wpm at 800 Hz
The idea of designing and building the DTR-MS was born during the 120 hour
long BCC-MS contest in 1993. A group of operators with DL8EBW & DF7KF
worked only with one audio tape-recorder, used a lot of audio cassettes
and was suffering from a headache.
Again, the expedition to Portugal of DF7KF in the year 1994 showed the same
problems with the audio tapes during in the pile-ups and the recording of signals.
6.2.3. - Configuration of the standard sample rate:
At the time of delivery the sample rate of 6,6 KHz is used.
S6 Off- S7 Off = approx. 6,6 KHz (Normal mode)
S6 On - S7 Off = approx. 10 KHz
S6 Off - S7 On = approx. 8 KHz
S6 On - S7 On = approx. 4 KHz
The intermal filter is specified for the Normal mode (6.6KHz!)
6.2.4. - Scaling of the counter:
S8 Off = counting in seconds
S8 On = counting 000-989 (989 full)
Technical details:
* Sampling rate: Approx. 6,6 KHz
* RAM: 1 MB
* Max. Recording-time: Approx. 155 seconds
* Max. Number od Setting-marks: 30
* Speed Reduction: Variable down to 50x
* Modulation: Signal mixing (up-converter),
in 4 steps:
- No mix,
- Input qrg x2,
- Speed correlated output tone,
- x8
Exp: Input tone = 1000 Hz
Speed reduction 10x -> 100 Hz
Modulation x 8 = 800 Hz out
* Special feature: Record / play possible at the same time.
* AF-input: 400 mVss to 6 Vss, Impedance 17KOhm
* Input level: AGC, CPU processed
* Input filter: 500-1800 Hz
* AF-output: Approx 500 mW/8 Ohm (headphones etc.)
* Function keys: 7 keys
* Display: 3 LED - 7 segment-display
* Display-info: Counter in seconds or 0-989
(used as standard factory
settings)
* Power supply: External PS 10-15 Volt DC @ 350 mA.
* Housing: Aluminium case, IP20
* Dimensions: Approx 170 x 100 x 45 mm (like normal TNC2)
* Weight: Approx. 500 gr.
* Temperature range: 0 C to 60 C
* Humidity: 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
* AF Keying: 500 and 2300Hz tone,
driven by a PC or Keyer
PTT during TX
Start of the DTR-MS+ at end
of transmit.
In and out switchable
to the headphone
Infos and orders:
ADE Vertriebs GmbH, Gewerbepark 5, 52388 Nörvenich, Germany
Phone : 2426 / 900001 fax : ++2426 / 900001
eMail : DF7KF@t-online.de
Price: DM 494,50 incl. tax and shipping (EU)
Comments: Rein, W6/PA0ZN