ANDFLMSG for field ops
Digital modes are a powerful tool for portable ops. Digital thrives with low power and makes it through when voice doesn't stand a chance, digital can transfer files and images, and digital can be used to contact the persistent presence net so your traffic has a chance of being seen even if no operator is at their station when you hit send. But, it comes with costs. Computers are heavy, and they require additional resources to keep them charged / operating in the field for long. While there's no complete substitute for a laptop, that little computer in your pocket can, if it's an android, offer a low power lightweight alternative to the computer, and is certainly a tool worth having in your toolbox.
But before we dive too deep, know that you will need a device that can download an .apk file to use this program. This means Iphone is out, but any android based device (phone or tablet) is in.
First off, what is it? ANDFLMSG is essentially a lightweight combination of the PC programs FLMSG and FLDIGI from W1HKJ ported over to android, and it uses your phones (or tablets) sound processing capability to create a modem than can interface with a radio. Unless you are using VOX you will still need a digital interface for your radio, such as a DigiRig, and appropriate cables to connect everything. ANDFLMSG can transfer images or any of the standard form files from traditional FLMSG, but it can also be used for keyboard to keyboard chat like FLDIGI can, and offers all the most popular modes needed for digital ops. To get started, go to http://www.w1hkj.com/files/AndFlmsg/ to download.
Once installed, under Settings -> Rig Control: I had to enable both RTS as PTT AND DTR as PTT for use with the Digirig. If you are using VOX on a handheld such as a Baofeng, this will not be important.
From there you are off to the races, however there is one pointer worth mentioning. The waterfall is set to 1500 with no way of adjusting, so if your radio is at 7.110 MHz, you will transmit on 7.1115. If you wish to transmit on the equivalent of 7.110 at 1000 on the waterfall you will have to adjust your radio to 7.1095 in order to hit the desired place on the spectrum.
ANDFLMSG receiving screen listening to the Orca Digital Net. This was taken during the height of summer, when 80 meter propagation was very poor with the sun still up! Still useable though.
TX pane which allows keyboard to keyboard chat. If I could pick one thing to change about ANDFLMSG it would be here. You must swipe to a different screen to get from TX to RX, and as a result you really don't know if someone else is transmitting when you hit send since the receive pane and waterfall are not visible on the TX window. The best practice I have been able to come up with is to type your message, go back to the receive pane to gage if this is a good time to transmit, and then go back to TX to hit send.
Report forms are where ANDFLMSG really shines, they can be created and saved to your outbox off air anytime, and then sent once once you've got comms up.
Folks, there's just no substitute for experience. So get ANDFLMSG set up and get out there!
