PSK-31 on 17m Again

For a year or so now, the PSK-31 "watering hole" on the 17m band has been full of FT8.  Not that I mind FT8, but come on.  Anyway, it seems that sometime last fall the 17m PSK-31 sub-band moved over to 18.097 MHz – details at the Wikipedia article.

PSK on 17m is a great little combo for hikers and the like.  When the band's open (admittedly not a lot lately, given the current phase of the 11-year solar cycle) low power is plenty for solid long-distance contacts.  The lack of contesters and the relatively modest antenna sizes are both big plusses too.  I recall one conversation with a guy holed up on the lee side of a rock formation in a blizzard out in Colorado a couple of years ago.  He was just out for a stroll with his radio and dog, nothing unusual.  It's good to have this capability back.

Anyway, PSK-31: It's like The Matrix, but even nerdier.  And besides, is there anything else going on these days anyway?