PSK31 for Ragchewing: The Digital Mode That Feels Like Talking

FT8 Gives You Contacts. PSK31 Gives You Conversations.

FT8 is efficient. It's a machine-gun of 13-character messages optimized for confirmed contacts. But it's not a conversation. You can't tell the other operator about your antenna project, ask about conditions at their end, or learn that they're operating from a cabin in rural Montana during a snowstorm.

PSK31 is the digital mode for people who actually want to talk. Keyboard-to-keyboard, real-time, full sentences. It's like texting over HF, and it works on ridiculously low power because of its narrow bandwidth (31 Hz wide — compared to 2,400 Hz for SSB).

Why PSK31 in 2026?

With FT8 dominating HF digital, you might think PSK31 is dead. It's not. Activity has decreased from its 2010 peak, sure. But there's a dedicated community that prefers actual conversation over automated exchanges. On any given evening, 14.070 and 7.040 have a dozen or more PSK31 QSOs in progress.

The operators still using PSK31 tend to be experienced, friendly, and willing to ragchew. You'll have actual discussions — about equipment, propagation, weather, life. That's something FT8 simply cannot provide.

What You Need

• HF transceiver — anything works. QRP is fine; 5-25W is typical for PSK31.
• Sound card interface — built-in USB audio (IC-7300, FT-991A, etc.) or external SignaLink/RigBlaster
• Software — Fldigi (free, cross-platform, the standard), or HRD DM780, or MultiPSK
• Keyboard — you're typing actual sentences, so a comfortable keyboard matters

If you already run FT8, you have 90% of the hardware. Just install Fldigi and tune to a PSK31 frequency.

Setup in Fldigi

Configure Your Radio

Same CAT setup as WSJT-X — same COM port, same baud rate, same audio device. The only trick: close WSJT-X first. Two programs can't share the same COM port or audio device simultaneously.

Audio Levels

Same rule as FT8: ALC at zero on transmit. PSK31 is a constant-amplitude mode — if your ALC is kicking in, you're splattering IMD products across the band and making enemies.

Set your power to 15-30W for PSK31. More than 50W is antisocial on the narrow PSK31 sub-bands and provides minimal benefit given the mode's efficiency.

Key Settings

• Mode: BPSK31 (not QPSK31 — BPSK is the standard)
• AFC: ON (auto frequency correction — tracks drifting signals)
• SQL: OFF or very low threshold (you want to see all signals on the waterfall)
• RSID: Enable receive-side RSID if you want Fldigi to auto-identify modes

Operating Frequencies

BandPSK31 Center (MHz)Notes80m3.580Evening/night activity, regional + DX40m7.040 (EU) / 7.070 (NA)Best evening activity in North America30m10.142Surprisingly active, 24-hour band20m14.070Most activity worldwide, daytime17m18.100Light activity, quiet WARC band15m21.070Good during solar maximum10m28.120When band is open, strong signals

Start on 14.070 during daytime or 7.070 in the evening (North America). These have the most consistent activity.

How a PSK31 QSO Works

Unlike FT8's rigid protocol, PSK31 is freeform. But there's a conventional structure:

1. CQ call: "CQ CQ CQ de W1ABC W1ABC pse K"
2. Answer: "W1ABC de KA9XYZ KA9XYZ" (click on their signal in waterfall, hit TX)
3. Exchange: Name, QTH, RST (signal report), rig/antenna, weather — whatever you want to talk about
4. Sign off: "73 de W1ABC SK" (SK means end of contact)

There's no time limit. I've had 45-minute ragchew QSOs on PSK31. The other guy was a retired engineer in New Zealand — we discussed antenna modeling software for half an hour. Try that on FT8.

Macros Save Your Fingers

Set up macros in Fldigi for your CQ call, your standard exchange (name, QTH, rig info), and your sign-off. Fldigi comes with reasonable defaults — customize them with your actual info.

Between macros, you type live. That's the fun part. Type something interesting. Ask questions. Be a human.

PSK31 Operating Tips

• Watch your IMD. The waterfall shows your signal shape. It should be a clean, narrow line. Fldigi shows received IMD readings — aim for -25 dB or better on your transmitted signal.
• Don't call on top of an existing QSO. PSK31 signals are narrow (31 Hz) but you still need ~100 Hz separation. Find a clear spot on the waterfall.
• 15-25W is your sweet spot. Enough to be heard worldwide on 20m; not so much that you splatter. I run 20W and have 130+ DXCC confirmed on PSK31.
• Use the waterfall, not the frequency dial. Tune your radio to the PSK sub-band center, then click on signals in Fldigi's waterfall to decode them. You don't move the radio frequency — you move the audio passband.
• Be patient. PSK31 is slow (~50 WPM effective typing). If the other guy is a hunt-and-peck typist, it takes time. That's part of the charm.

PSK31 vs Other Keyboard Modes

ModeSpeedBandwidthSensitivityBest ForPSK31~50 WPM31 HzGood (-10 dB SNR)Ragchewing, general QSOsPSK63~100 WPM63 HzSlightly lessFaster typing, contestsRTTY~60 WPM170 HzModerateContesting (legacy popularity)JS8CallVariable50 HzExcellent (-24 dB)Store-forward messaging, netsOliviaSlow500-2000 HzExcellentExtreme weak signal conversation

PSK31 hits the sweet spot: narrow enough for QRP, fast enough for natural conversation, popular enough to find people to talk to.

Give It a Try This Weekend

Here's your homework: Saturday afternoon, tune to 14.070 USB. Open Fldigi. Scroll the waterfall until you see signals — they look like pairs of narrow, steady lines. Click one. Read the conversation. When someone calls CQ, answer. Type your name, your city, what rig you're using.

I guarantee you'll have a more memorable QSO than your last 50 FT8 contacts combined.