Olivia Digital Mode (1000 Hz) on Twenty Meters – A Simple Video

The Olivia digital mode on HF radio is a mode capable of two-way chat (QSO) communication (keyboard to keyboard, like RTTY) over long-distance shortwave (HF) ionospheric propagation paths, especially over polar regions.

If you are interested in more than a logbook QSO (such as is typical with FT8 and other propagation-checking modes) but want to chat with other hams around the world using digital modes, consider Olivia as one option.

This video captures a few moments of two-way conversation on the Twenty-Meter band, up in the sub-band where 1000-Hz digital modes are commonplace. More narrow-bandwidth settings are used in a lower subband in the digital slice of Twenty Meters. More details about the mode are in the files section of this website: http://OliviaDigitalMode.org.

In 2005, SP9VRC, Pawel Jalocha, released to the world a mode that he developed starting in 2003 to overcome difficult radio signal propagation conditions on the shortwave (high-frequency, or HF) bands. By difficult, we are talking significant phase distortions and low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) plus multipath propagation effects. The Olivia-modulated radio signals are decoded even when it is ten to fourteen dB below the noise floor. That means that Olivia is decoded when the amplitude of the noise is slightly over three times that of the digital signal!

Olivia decodes well under other conditions that are a complex mix of atmospheric noise, signal fading (QSB), interference (QRM), polar flutter caused by a radio signal traversing a polar path. Olivia is even capable when the signal is affected by auroral conditions (including the Sporadic-E Auroral Mode, where signals are refracted off of the highly-energized E-region in which the Aurora is active).

Currently, the only other digital modes that match or exceed Olivia in their sensitivity are some of the modes designed by Joe Taylor as implemented in the WSJT programs, including FT8, JT65A, and JT65-HF–each of which are certainly limited in usage and definitely not able to provide true conversation capabilities.  Olivia is useful for emergency communications, unlike JT65A or the popular FT8. One other mode is better than Olivia for keyboard-to-keyboard comms under difficult conditions: MT63. Yet, Olivia is a good compromise that delivers a lot. One reason for this is that there are configurations that use much less bandwidth than 1000 Hz. 16 tones in 250 Hz is our common calling-frequency configuration, which we use lower down in the Twenty-Meter band, with a center frequency of 14.0729 MHz.

Q: What’s a ‘CENTER’ Frequency? Is That Where I Set My Radio’s Dial?

For those new to waterfalls: the CENTER frequency is the CENTER of the cursor shown by common software. The cursor is what you use to set the transceiver’s frequency on the waterfall. If your software’s waterfall shows the frequency, then you simply place the cursor so that its center is right on the center frequency listed, above. If your software is set to show OFFSET, then you might, for example, set your radio’s dial frequency to 14.0714, and place the center of your waterfall cursor to 1500 (1500 Hz). That would translate to the 14.0729 CENTER frequency.

The standard Olivia formats (shown as the number of tones/bandwidth in Hz) are 8/250, 8/500, 16/500, 8/1000, 16/1000, and 32/1000. Some even use 16/2000 for series emergency communication. The most commonly-used formats are 16/500, 8/500, and 8/250. However, the 32/1000 and 16/1000 configurations are popular in some areas of the world (Europe) and on certain bands.

These different choices in bandwidth and tone settings can cause some confusion and problems–so many formats and so many other digital modes can make it difficult to figure out which mode you are seeing and hearing. After getting used to the sound and look of Olivia in the waterfall, though, it becomes easier to identify the format when you encounter it. To aid in your detection of what mode is being used, there is a feature of many digital-mode software implementation suites: the RSID. The next video, below, is a demonstration on how to set the Reed-Solomon Identification (RSID) feature in Ham Radio Deluxe’s Digital Master 780 module (HRD DM780).

I encourage ALL operators, using any digital mode such as Olivia, to TURN ON the RSID feature as shown in this example. In Fldigi, the RSID is the TXID and RXID; make sure to check (turn on) each, the TXID and RXID.

Please, make sure you are using the RSID (Reed Solomon Identification – RSID or TXID, RXID) option in your software. RSID transmits a short burst at the start of your transmission which identifies the mode you are using. When it does that, those amateur radio operators also using RSID while listening will be alerted by their software that you are transmitting in the specific mode (Olivia, hopefully), the settings (like 8/250), and where on the waterfall your transmission is located. This might be a popup window and/or text on the receive text panel. When the operator clicks on that, the software moves the waterfall cursor right on top of the signal and changes the mode in the software. This will help you make more contacts!

RSID Setting:

+ NOTE: The MixW software doesn’t have RSID features. Request it!

Voluntary Olivia Channelization 

Since Olivia signals can be decoded even when received signals are extremely weak, (signal to noise ratio of -14db), signals strong enough to be decoded are sometimes below the noise floor and therefore impossible to search for manually. As a result, amateur radio operators have voluntarily decided upon channelization for this mode. This channelization allows even imperceptibly weak signals to be properly tuned for reception and decoding. By common convention amateur stations initiate contacts utilizing 8/250, 16/500, or 32/1000 configuration of the Olivia mode. After negotiating the initial exchange, sometimes one of the operators will suggest switching to other configurations to continue the conversation at more reliable settings, or faster when conditions allow. The following table lists the common center frequencies used in the amateur radio bands.

Olivia (CENTER) Frequencies (kHz) for Calling, Initiating QSOs

Current Olivia Digital Mode Calling Frequencies

Current Olivia Digital Mode Calling Frequencies on Shortwave (HF)

It is often best to get on standard calling frequencies with this mode because you can miss a lot of weak signals if you don’t. However, with Olivia activity on the rise AND all the other modes vying for space, a good deal of the time you can operate wherever you can find a clear spot–as close as you can to a standard calling frequency.

Note: some websites publish frequencies in this band, that are right on top of weak-signal JT65, JT9, and FT8 segmentsDO NOT QRM weak-signal QSOs!

We (active Olivia community members) suggest 8/250 as the starting settings when calling CQ on the USB frequencies designated as ‘Calling Frequencies.’ A Calling Frequency is a center frequency on which you initially call, ‘CQ CQ CQ. . .’ and then, with the agreement of the answering operator, move to a new nearby frequency, changing the number of tones and bandwidth at your discretion. Even though 8/250 is slow, the CQ call is short. But, it is narrow, to allow room for other QSOs nearby. It is also one of the best possible Olivia configurations for weak-signal decoding.

Visit, subscribe: NW7US Radio Communications and Propagation YouTube Channel

7 Responses to “Olivia Digital Mode (1000 Hz) on Twenty Meters – A Simple Video”

  • va3get:

    some audio describing what is going on and explaining the settings in the videos would be a welcome addition. the text was very good.
    73 va3get

  • VA3GET – Yes, I agree. That video was created quite a while ago. At the moment, I am awaiting the arrival of the first part of two replacement phases to my existing ham radio station. My rig, computer interfaces, and UPC were blown by a lightning strike. The surge came through the power line, as the antenna was physically disconnected. My insurance has already issued the replacement funds, and I am just awaiting the time for shipping, etc. Once my new station is put back together, I have scripted new videos in which I will be much more educationally oriented by including voice-over and so forth. I’m excited!

    Thanks for the feedback, and for checking it out. I hope to meet you on the air using Olivia, soon (once my station is back on the air).

    73 de NW7US dit dit

  • Walt N5EQY:

    Tnx for the great info, I for one am glad to see the explanation of the mode here on this site. Olivia is my first choice for digital communicating and PSK is next then JS8Call. I am not on as much as i used to, but i keep the rigs warm and at least one of them is always on Olivia, one is on PSK and the other is on JS8. FT is not used. I always run low power as i am in a HOA. So ya’ll fire up the rigs and give Olivia a try, its still my first choice. Another fun mode is SDR Console V.3 IF you dont have a waterfall on your ham rig or your software doesnt have it. 73 & gd DX from Texas..

  • Don K2PMC:

    Having been a digital mode user for 15+ years I was very happy to see an article about something other than the automated moon bounce software that has captured the attention of many. My primary digital modes are Contestia 8/250 and Olivia 16/500. Of these, Contestia 8/250 is my favorite. Contestia is a derivative of Olivia. Contestia transmits and receives only in capital letters which, for guys whose eyesight ain’t exactly what it used to be,is pretty good. The 250Hz bandwidth is a good feature. Also, it sends and receives at 35+ WPM. Contestia copys weak signals almost, but not quite as good as Olivia 16/500. However, while Olivia 16/500 does weak signal copy somewhat better, it is twice as wide and runs much slower (about 25 WPM). I always start out with Contestia 8/250, and if the bottom falls out of the band I will ask the other station to switch to Olivia 16/500 to see if copy improves. On DM780 the Sync depth should always be set to 8 to get the best copy. And, as has been previously mentioned, Reed Solomon ID (RSID) is a must.

  • UWE DG1RUG:

    Hello guys

    as i scroll down the page there is a mistake on 14107.5 center frequence we use allmost 32/1000 Olivia 16/1000 is not so popular.
    if some boddy like to chat is 32 / 1000 the rigth solution.
    so lets see what will be going on see you guys on my screen on 20 Meters 14107.50 center frequence lets chat arround the world.
    presently is 60 -100 W a good choise to make safe chats .

    to know how i am go to http://www.qrz.com/db/dg1rug

    read you onmy screen very soon vy 73
    DG1RUG Uwe

  • Uwe, DG1RUG:

    Thank you for the note regarding the popularity of 32/1000 on 14.1075 MHz. I will make some changes as soon as possible to our official list of calling frequencies, at our very active group website, http://OliviaDigitalMode.org

    I notice on your QRZ page that you promote Olivia. This is great! I would like to point out that the HFLink URL is *so* very out of date, that it is not helpful to those looking for current information regarding Olivia. Please consider adding our URL to your list: http://OliviaDigitalMode.org

    I hope to have a QSO with you, soon, using Olivia. 73 and happy holidays!

  • Uwe DG1RUG:

    Hi everybody

    even have set my rig to the set up of 1500 Hz, my senitivty are better hade a short QSO to JA1RZD Kenji San in Tokyo this morning, yesterday got a gost qso to NR4A no trace on screen the S/N scale in MIXW 3.2 reg. no Figure to raed but i got the qso allready finished about 15 minutes thank´s for the support in OLIVIA,
    please more activity to the DX- windows will be verry nice

    so verry 73 de DG1RUG Uwe
    read you on the air wave´s

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