OLIVIA , The HF Digital Mode That Actually Lets You COMMUNICATE With Other Ham Radio Operators??

If you haven't heard of Olivia, or you have only used nothing but FT-8, PLEASE follow these next 7 videos and get familiar with some other HF digital modes, which are quite fun to use, and beneficial when the bands are rough.
Using Digital Master 780 in these videos, but you can use any digital HF program that operates these modes.
IF you are operating FT8, you have everything you need already, you just have to want to use it.
Interested in obtaining your ham radio license? The best way to get started is at hamradioprep.com/
Use the code eric20 at checkout to save 20%. You will pass the exam on your first try or your money back.
#olivia #hamradioconcepts #amateurradio

[@konayasai]

FT8 is great if you like ham radio but dislike hams.

[@neil2402]

Or are introverted like me. The best part of FT8 is that it lets you "communicate" with other hams that don't speak or understand your language. If you only used voice, then you would never contact many!

[@justawfulgamer7738]

​@@neil2402js8 seems neat too. I'd sometimes rather txt than speak.

[@James-hb8qu]

R+24

[@gettingpast4391]

Hah! Yeah I agree. For us introverts it's great! For us, 2M repeaters are worse than a baby shower.

[@1953Greyfox]

Just within the last two months I've looked into digital. However, there is a huge learning curve and there is no one in my area that knowledgable about digital. Great video

[@youtubeaccount931]

Glad to see people using Olivia on the bands. I've been all about Thor lately. It's basically Olivia with error correction if I'm not mistaken. I love FT8 as well, maybe WSPR even more. Such a cool propagation tool.

[@weslewis8748]

Hope to hook up my IC7300 to a new laptop and get back into PSK using fldigi like I did 10 years ago...I'd have a weekly, Saturday morning PSK31, 5 watt qso 800 miles away with a buddy on 30 meters. We tried all those fun different modes too....but stayed with PSK31 mostly. Loved ragchewing for an hour. It sure improved my typing skills. Had to learn to write macros too....for when I called CQ and met a new ham. I hope your video encourages hams to get back to the personal side of the hobby...ragchewing with another ham across the miles.

[@paulmadsen51]

Thanks for this video! It inspired me to test drive Olivia last night, and I had my first Olivia QSO, which lasted almost 2 hours! What a great mode! I don't know if I ever would have tried it if not for this video! HamRadioConcepts, you are awesome!

[@mikefinn2101]

Great to see people return to other digital modes which used to be so nice to use and don't see many on anymore. nice to have a two way QSO again. Thanks for the time to make video and mention this on You Tube. Best 73s Mike

[@redstickham6394]

Me too. When I got into digital, PSK31 was pretty common but went away then made a comeback. I have FLDIGI and it can handle a lot of different modes. I've used it for PSK, Olivia, Thor, DominoEX, Throb, FeldHEll, and they are all a lot of fun. FT8 is good for antenna and propagation testing, but isn't much fun. Good to see the modes coming back.

[@jamescady723]

I'm with you! I'd love to explore all the HF digital modes I can. Great point!

[@gliderrider]

I finally had a chance and got an Olivia contact. So far my favorite mode is Feld hell. PSK 31 is always fun and still fairly popular. I’ve been a ham since ‘91 and still haven’t done rtty or many of the modes. Great video Eric! 73’s de n5vwn

[@outlaw6595]

I have always been a SSB/CW Operator. Since watching this, I have started playing with digital. I like the mode. I haven't made an Olivia contact, but I have been successful with VarAC, JS8CALL, and PSK31. I've also made a few FT8 contacts, my first one with Australia this morning, from my east coast Florida QTH. I like this new-to-me mode. My rig is the Yaseu 891 and I'm using a Digirig for the interface. Thanks for the inspiration. De K4CKR

[@stevenbrannen1568]

I have done some of the modes you spoke about. I thank you for that. I do about 50/ 50% data modes and phone on HF. I find it very enjoyable do "talk" with other hams on data. Thanks Again de KC3NZY

[@kennethausten]

We use to all communicate years ago. RTTY PSK31 AMTOR OLIVIA, we all had a good chat from a querty keyboard. Suddenly an invasion took place , The FT8 had advanced into the unknown. Before we new it, FT8 annexed all the bands. After several years, it's time to clean up and get these modes going again. I am ready. Never took FT8 seriously. Used it mainly to test the gear and never send qsls hi. I did in the end via Eqsl. Use to have 3 creed telex printers in the shack with tape readers. Home made Modems and a baud rate converter. 45.5 to 50 baud rate. Kw2000 at the time. Built a Amtor board. Later bought a multi mode kam4 that did Amtor, RTTY and pactor plus TCPIP and packet radio. Good days they were.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Indeed they were

[@dennistate5953]

Timely & helpful; thank you!❤

[@markr.1984]

We have one 440 repeater here in Saratoga Springs Utah where we have some crackpots that use P25. And they even have a net on Tuesday nights. I can hear them on my Uniden scanner which automatically decodes P25. But can't hear them on any of my ham rigs. Most of these guys are from California that have invaded Utah. Hope they go back!

[@tjwalkr3]

Hey. I'm one of those crackpots near Saratoga Springs using p25. I'm using an EF Johnson 5100 that I got for $35 on ebay, and I love it. That doesn't mean you have to love it, but I notice that p25 gets a lot of hate. I'm also not from California.

[@propagating-radio]

Olivia is a fantastic mode! Thanks for making this video.

[@86casimir]

Thanks again Eric for sharing this video about Olivia. I know this mode but I have never tried to do qso with it. Thanks to you I'll get started and keep you informed. Les Bonnes 73. Joël/F8MGW.......PS Thanks to Google for the translation. HI.

[@smeezekitty]

Funny this was posted now because I just got on Olivia again today and I found this looking for information

[@dadteaches]

I plan on doing keyboard to keyboard for WFD this coming January.

[@pale_2111]

I've chatted to a couple VK's on Olivia 8/250. Good mode to work once in a while. It's slow, but more activity than RTTY. The plus side is one doesn't have to deal with the lids on FT8.

[@billryland6199]

You are right. I have never used FT8 because you cannot really communicate with it. I like PSK31.

[@DNL1200GSA]

Thanks! I’m certainly going to try it out!!

[@danielkingshott2659]

Happy Friday and thanks.

[@DanielHallmark]

I use Contestia regularly. It is a variant of Olivia that has about twice the speed trading off a couple dB of marginal signal decodability. If you want to compare something to FT8, I would suggest JS8Call. Similar modulation. Same low-power, weak-signal capability, with full QSO functionality and added message inbox, outbox, and relay capabilities. JS8 really gets through when other modes don't, including someone dropping a massive 2.3k wide winlink connection on top of your 50 Hz-wide JS8 signal. Keep up the great work. All the HF digital modes are worth of more exposure!

[@danielkingshott2659]

JS8Call, where you can hear 2 dozen people sending beacons on 20m but not answering CQ.

[@DanielHallmark]

@danielkingshott2659 I've heard that complaint and it is not unwarranted, but I work with an emcomm group that is fairly active on JS8. You can also use the message capabilities to leave ops a message and query to see if they have a response for you later. Real-time QSOs are possible, and the monthly JS8Call parties are a good time to make contacts, but the unattended message store and relay capabilities are also a major strength of the tool.

[@mikemandell132]

Can't argue. Can only warn you that hinting WinLink is not the main purpose of amateur radio may get you in hot water from ARRL, who are Ga Ga over it because "served agencies" like it (because they can do "radio" using their normal computer). I agree totally with daniel comment on beacon-beacon-beacon without anybody answering a CQ. Once, in frustration, I semi-violated the rules and typed "OK, I'll just talk to myself" which got a couple guys to answer my CQ.

[@kevinmatthews2620]

tbh Eric i started with psk, both 31 & 63 i did do some contessa and a little bit of domino along with some rtty, but i had somewhere in the region of 12k psk contacts and upwards of 200 operator awards across multiple digital mode clubs, that is prior to ft8/ft4 since then i have racked up 34k ft8/ft4 qsos and got 9 bands all zones, mixed WAS /WAS on 3 bands good to contessa again though :) :)

[@davidc5027]

What a great video about Olivia. Thanks for reviving a mode not many use. We get it. You don't like FT8 :) Cheers.

[@mikeramsey9747]

Interesting mode, I might give it a try. I just finally got WSPR and grid tracker working with WSJTX

[@denelson83]

I really want to see modes like RTTY, PSK31 and Hellschreiber come back to life. I did not get my licence and equipment in time to enjoy those modes in their original heyday. 73 VE7NDE

[@HamAround23]

Vara hf is another good keyboard to keyboard mode where you can have an actual qso vs just a signal exchange

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yup. Did a video on that as well

[@tombaffa9374]

Very informative. I’ll try it

[@bydefault7795]

I made it from the US to Australia with 25 watts with FT8. I saw it on PSK Reporter. Was spotted only but agreed that 500 watts is OVERKILL!!!

[@JohnWallace74]

I can’t find anybody using these old digital modes, Olivia etc, you talk about Eric. Try VARA AC. It requires 2 pieces of software: the modem software VARA HF Modem and VarAC the chat software. It supplies call frequencies and a way for both parties to QSY to a clear frequency for keyboard to keyboard chat. Try this software for keyboard ham radio chats…

[@fredparkinson4324]

I hear lots of digital signals and spend ages trying to decode them. Some of the modes sound so alike by the time i succede in decoding the signal the other station as gone QRT. I have missed lots of contacts due to not knowing the mode. Please if you have TXID use it, you will get more contacts.

[@o2bnov0307]

I used to enjoy AMTOR. It was fun.

[@N1IA-4]

I was on AMTOR in the early 80s with a C64 or TRS-80C and an AEA CP-1 interface. The clattering rig relays were a riot. Made lots of QSOs.

[@PaulGriffith]

I've been wanting to try Olivia for a while on my FT-450. I have not tried any digital modes at this time.

[@agentbz]

Good tip... don't use more than 30 watts with Olivia. I usually stay at or near 100 watts for most purposes. I will try it out.

[@Knarf14]

FT8 is like lowering the rim in basketball, to easy to work those stations you never could get

[@MM0IMC]

13:38 I look forward to the Olivia QRO challenge. 😝

[@charliebrown8646]

Love your videos. May I ask, what is the web site that you show with the frequency chart in this video. Thanks and keep up the great job!

[@bruehlt]

The problem is - you need to coordinate a net. I fire up FLDIGI and the only digital that I've seen besides FT8 and RTTY is MFSK - which has nets on 80m nightly around 3.596 or so. If I saw or heard one of the other modes you mention, unless I know which mode it is (and unless they enable the TXID feature in FLDIGI) I'll never know which mode they are using and won't be able to decode. Maybe setup a net?? I'd love to use other digital modes (DSTAR on HF is badass but its hard to find anyone on it since there are only a few radios that support it).

[@phildurall7466]

Awesome Eric .... "Reach out and Print Someone!" 73 - KF6IF

[@gettingpast4391]

This sounds great but this area of the band is wall to wall FT8. There is no room to transmit 250hz wide without transmitting over FT8.

[@konayasai]

I suspect a big contributor to FT8's popularity is how smooth of an experience WSJT-X is. If you want to do Olivia you either have to shell out for something like DM-780 (and run it in Windows, yuck!) or settle for something like fldigi, which is capable and free but kinda crusty from a UX perspective. Fork fldigi, give it a user interface worthy of 2020 (or even 2001, to be honest) and the other digimodes will soon be booming.

[@kurttuttle1817]

Find the last free hamradio deluxe it has DM780. On using Windows or not, well that is your decision as I don't care for apple, linux is ok.

[@smeezekitty]

I agree fldigi doesn't have the best UX but I don't really agree that WSJT-X is any better. I've had lots of crashes, bugs, unintuitive options, etc with both

[@konayasai]

@@kurttuttle1817 It's mainly Linux I'm referring to, since Windows is very amateur-unfriendly. It's a hobby made for fiddling. Windows isn't.

[@VE6GFZ]

We need to make PSK31 great again, its a good mode, and keyboard to keyboard as well

[@migalito1955]

Exactly, FT8 is useful, but otherwise why bother. 73 from kc2wvb and I expect to get some good idea to implement.

[@wd8ejc]

Olivia is fine but what we use FT8 for is plenty great. If I am running POTA voice your hoing to gef the same qso call rst psrk 73

[@Marty48034]

So cool. I'm with you on the FT8. Folks can use it, fine. No hate here. Just not for me. Is there a Mac version of software out there for Olivia. I am very new to HF (April 2023) and I finally sprung for the 7300. I am working DX on 15 and 17. I am doing NVIS on 80 and 40. I really want to do semi-local with NVIS. When the bands are clean, easy peasy. When things are noisy, not so much. I would like to play out options for digital and I need to start somewhere. I've not done digital at all. Just putting my toe in the water. (Olivia for Mac?) Thanks! 73--KM8RTY

[@Rag3Again]

something I don't Understand (I'm beginer). If Olivia mode works in the noise, how do we choose the exact place to call CQ ? How to know if frequency is in use ?

[@vironpayne3405]

Anything but FT8... if you have a real soul and personalty to express.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Exactly

[@theramblingsoflarry9290]

What ever happened to PSK31. 5 watts on a wire antenna

[@andygeorge6065]

What freq were you on? I'm going to try it... FLDigi > X6100

[@davidgilbert6]

FT8 contacts are not much different than contest or DXpedition contacts ... callsign and almost no other actual information. Most folks who like any of those are simply looking for contacts, and there is nothing wrong with that. In aggregate they probably represent 99+% of all contacts made. Most more substantial contacts, like on CW or SSB, simply involve exchanging name, location, weather, and an unreliable signal report, and are practically as canned as is FT8. I think Olivia is fine for those who like to chat, but the reality is that hams who like to chat are in a small minority anymore now that the internet makes actual communication (like this forum) so much more reliable and efficient.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

I agree

[@MentalWhiplash]

Olivia is "I enjoy what I'm doing". Ft8 is "Look what I did!" without doing anything.

[@billliddle5749]

I just wanted to say that for me, FT-8 is very boring, but key board to key board is much more fun. PSK 31 and 64 plus Olivia modes and others are my digital fun modes!

[@N0LSD]

Oh no! --another 'FT8 -bashing video.' This has pretty much been going on since the days of JT65a. I'm not sure why some find it so hard to accept that some hams really don't want to ragchew! To be honest, I'm rather less interested in what specific mode I happen to be using, and focus more on what I'm trying to accomplish when I'm operating. Thus, in choosing what mode I select, what I'm interested in is using the right tool for the job. There are use-cases where modes like FT8 make perfect sense: for instance, if I'm doing a POTA activation where the entirety of the QSO tends to fit neatly into what a mode like FT8 offers. There's other use-cases where the limitations of a mode like FT8 make it's use a non-starter: for instance, when training to use Amateur radio to support an EmComm activity, one simply cannot use FT8 to pass an ICS213 message, or to have a nice little rag chew. Now, this is not to say that it is in any way inappropriate to use, say, Olivia to do a POTA activiation. However, because of the sheer number of people using a mode like FT8 at any given time, versus Olivia -- it is undoubtedly more challenging to try to do a POTA activation with Olivia most of the time, versus a mode like FT8. Now, if it doesn't matter to one whether the activation is a 10+ contact successful activation, that's one thing. However, for most people doing POTA, I'm quite certain most are hoping for a successful activation with the time and effort they're devoting; so utilziing modes that don't have the user density at any given time lessens the chances of a successful activation. From a developmental standpoint, I personally think that if a user is going to get into digital modes, that they should be comfortable using any of the various modes, and familiar enough with their pro's and con's to make informed decisions about what the best tool for any given task might be. For instance, there might be a use-case where VarAC is more advantageous, compared to Olivia for messaging and MFSK-64 for traffic. Or it may be that using PSK-31 really isn't the best choice for a rag chew, and it may be better to use Contestia or Olivia --even though it may use more bandwidth. It's only by using these modes and learning their strengths and weaknesses that one becomes more proficient.

[@richg.2579]

There ya go look much better

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Are we still on your fascination of my facial hair?

[@k4sbb829]

Hi Eric I have a yaesu ft450d and the mfj 1204 and I need help getting it to work I about to pull out my hair what’s left of it fldigi is a cool piece of software if I can get this setup to work

[@toddlittles2786]

Is there a software program out there that is digital and will let me here the chatter like before as a kid listening to my gramps radio? i JUST want to listen no talk i got a cellphone and land line for talking or even base station cb.. i have asked many people and never get a response to my questions or comments.... can some one lead me the right direction with out giving the gov. money for something they dont own

[@HamRadioConcepts]

As far as an app for listening to real HF radio, i don't think so. You could get a SW receiver that does SSB and all the bands, and listen in on some HF, but there is an app that will decode the digital modes, so you can set the phone next to the radio and it will hear the tones and decode into text on the screen.. But your best bet is to get a receiver.

[@dennistate5953]

Some of the sdr's will decode digital modes so you can do that exactly.

[@LivingByFire]

You could use WebSDR if you want to strictly listen. Google it.

[@TK4619]

There are several Scanner apps that do have ham repeaters on them so you can listen to traffic in different areas of the world

[@fotografm]

100 USD for a 12 month licence ? Where is the open source version for the people ? Not everyone can afford such luxury... Great video though 🙂

[@tateantrim2203]

Tried this mode today on multiple bands (40, 30, 20, 17) as I've never tried it before and there was nobody to be found.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Exactly my point Sucks don’t it?

[@tateantrim2203]

@@HamRadioConcepts yep it does. PSKReporter doesn't show anyone out there monitoring Olivia. I figured that at least some of your viewers might be sitting out there.

[@MarkPentler]

I'm very surprised to see less people being illogical dicks about FT8 in the comment section than I expected. All radio bands/modes/whatever are fun in some way. Do what you want, don't let anyone stop you or tell you how to enjoy the hobby. Try alllll the modes.

[@extreme978]

If people won't change to FT4, (as fast as it is) they won't change to Olivia. You keep saying its better, but I like ft4, ft8. I don't want to discuss an illness with some old man. A call and grid is all I need.

[@kurttuttle1817]

FT8 sucks and don't see the fun in it (my opinion). I like psk, hell, rtty. Looking forward to other videos. I am using the last free ham radio deluxe. Eric how about putting a link to where to look for the different modes, that can be printed out. Oh have you included SSTV, has it can be fun also.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Yes sstv is coming

[@mikemandell132]

I've got my own opinion on why FT8 is popular and Olivia (PSK, JS8, PSK31 etc) have waned. People want a contact, not a QSO. Back in the day PSK31 was king, you held a QSO via macro buttons. Now, where all the anti-social hams gravitate to FT8, Olivia is the mode where when you hit somebody, they are ready for a real disccussion. Prepare a few subjects in advance. I can be sarcastic and suggest your last doctor visit is always a popular ice-breaker, but...... Anyway, something beyond your rig, the weather, etc. Avoid the big 3 no-nos (sex, politics, religion). Try sports. Try cars. Motorcycles. Hunting. Fishing. Ancient cave painting. Whatever.

[@N1IA-4]

Many hams like myself are more introverted. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But been a ham for 45 years Calling them "antisocial" isn't productive. I could easily turn it around and say people on SSB blather on and on about nothing, while on CW or digital modes you can do more with less. If FT8 gets boring, there are other modes and sub-hobbies within ham radio.

[@dennisonwells4287]

Digital is not ham radio It's for millennials and geeks

[@HamRadioConcepts]

That's why some of these modes were around before you were born

[@dennisonwells4287]

I'm 70 years old ! only thing that's digital to me is Morse code

[@handsomeman-pm9vy]

My goodness! Enough of this nonsense. Get a mobile phone.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Are you kidding me?? Are you seriously exposing yourself in this comment? STOP WATCHING MY VIDEOS and go text someone... you have ZERO knowledge of what you are watching yet you continue to watch.... WTF

[@handsomeman-pm9vy]

@@HamRadioConcepts Oh I have ZERO knowledge? I started as an Electronics Technician during the vacuum tube days and continued until equipment became ultra minaturized. Now name the three forms of Spread Spectrum signals.

[@andygeorge6065]

Earned a sub... well done... ZL3ST

[@Icycoldcoke]

i used to enjoy PSK but its now dead

[@pale_2111]

Not necessarily. I've got several DX contacts into Europe on PSK31 on 10m and 20m. A lot of contacts here in the States. During the day and decent band conditions, check out 10m. If you're a night owl, 20 and 40m picks up activity. If you want Europe, get on 20m. State side contacts, 40m works great.