Olivia Operating Tips

Olivia is different from PSK, RTTY, and other digital modes. These six tips will help you get the most out of this remarkable weak-signal mode.

1 Disable Your Software Squelch

Turn your squelch setting OFF or as low as possible.

You'll see "garbage" characters when no Olivia signal is present, but that's normal. When an Olivia signal arrives, it will decode cleanly.

Why? Olivia can decode signals at -14 dB below the noise level. If you squelch at the noise level, you'll miss these weak signals entirely. It's like buying high-power binoculars and only using them in a 10x10 room!

2 Be Patient!

Wait 45-60 seconds between CQ calls.

When someone clicks on your signal in their waterfall, it may take 4-20 seconds or longer before they start decoding. This depends on their software and Sync Integration Period setting.

Recommended CQ Format:

CQ CQ de K6OZY K6OZY

CQ CQ de K6OZY K6OZY

CQ CQ de K6OZY K6OZY pse K

For faster formats like 500/4, consider a 3x3 CQ (three calls, three repetitions).

3 Don't Set Integration Period Too High

If set too high, it may take minutes before decoding starts, with no real benefit.

Recommended Settings:

Mode Type Integration Period Target Delay
Standard (500/16, 1000/32, etc.) 3-5 ~15-20 seconds
Fast (500/4, 500/8, 1000/16) 6-10 ~15-20 seconds

How to Measure Your Delay:

  1. Send a very short test transmission
  2. When software switches to receive, start timing
  3. Count seconds until you see garbage characters appear (with squelch OFF)

4 Keep Tune Margin (Search) Around 8

The default setting of 8 works for most situations.

When to Adjust:

  • Reduce to 4 or 2: When other Olivia signals are close or overlapping (prevents locking onto wrong signal)
  • Increase to 16 or 32: When trying to decode an extremely weak signal you can barely see on the waterfall

5 Use Abbreviations to Speed Up

Ham radio abbreviations help compensate for Olivia's slower speeds.

Instead of:

"The weather here is nice and sunny today and the high will get to 85 degrees"

Send:

"Wx nice + sunny - high 85 deg --"

More Tips:

  • After the QSO is established, come back with just: .. de K6OZY
  • Pass it back with: BTU - de K6OZY KN
  • No need to send both calls every time - you only need to ID your station

6 Don't Be Afraid to Switch Formats

Ask the other station to change formats based on conditions!

Speed Comparison (500 Hz bandwidth):

Format Speed When to Use
500/16 ~20 WPM Weak signals, poor conditions
500/8 ~30 WPM Moderate signals
500/4 ~40 WPM Strong signals, good conditions

Pro Tips:

  • Going faster? Increase your Integration Period to maintain decode quality
  • Band crowded? Switch to 250/4 - same speed as 500/16 but half the bandwidth!
  • Going back to standard? Remember to reset your Integration Period or you'll have long delays

Quick Reference Summary

  • ✅ Squelch: OFF
  • ✅ CQ interval: 45-60 seconds
  • ✅ Integration Period: 3-5 standard, 6-10 fast modes
  • ✅ Tune Margin: 8 (default)
  • ✅ Use abbreviations: hw, ur, wx, 73
  • ✅ Switch formats based on conditions