Actually, I re-read what I posted and it didn't really make sense.

1. Start with the array of ascii characters
2. Convert to the 6 bit binary value.
3. Convert this byte array to a 6 bit bitstream.
4. Then just pull out the bits yuo want using the various bit
operators. I tried to use a bit-field, but it didn't seem to work in
Windows.

As I said, it all works until I get to character arrays (call sign etc)