New WSJT-X software

WSJT-X is now available as a new public release V1.4.0 from Oct 1st 2014.  At the moment this will still be a beta version and further improvements are likely in future releases.

See http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/ for more details.

Important changes in version 1.4 relative to v1.3, r3673 include the following:

1. CAT control for most radios is much improved, including expanded support for Commander, Ham Radio Deluxe, and OmniRig.  One-way CAT control is no longer generally supported.  Users may choose no CAT control, or may have working two-way communication so that WSJT-X can verify that commands sent to the rig have been executed.  "Split" mode  operation is supported via HRD for radios where HRD provides the  necessary control functions.  WSJT-X can now simulate Split mode for rigs that do not provide it.

2. Many options previously found on the Setup menu now appear on a far more flexible "Settings" screen.  You can define multiple spot operating  frequencies per band.  All recognized amateur bands are supported, and  frequency offsets can be configured for transverters.

3. There has been considerable polishing and extension of the user  interface, including optional user-defined waterfall palettes and fonts for the main screen, decoded text areas, and Astronomical Data screen.

4. The JT65 decoder now accepts negative values of DT down to -3.2 s, eliminating most of the occasional "garbage decodes" produced by poorly time-synchronized transmissions.

5. Better (glitch-free) behavior of audio streams.

6. Better handling of messages that include compound callsigns.

7. Support for standard "localization" conventions.

8. Writable files now appear in platform-dependent standard locations, allowing for more efficient installation on all supported platforms and  user settings to be seamlessly carried forward during program upgrades.

9. A new WSJT-X User Guide is available at
http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main.html .  Additions and changes will continue to be made, as needed: please send us your suggestions for improvements!

In addition these listed improvements there are many internal changes aimed at cleaning up the code, establishing a standard set of  compile-and-build tools, and making the whole package more readily maintained by an active development group.


KNOWN PROBLEMS
--------------
WSJT-X v1.4 cooperates with Ham Radio Deluxe much more reliably than v1.3.  However, the good behavior can break down when HRD Logbook or DM780 are also running in parallel.  You may see delays up to 20 seconds or so in frequency changes or other radio commands, due to a bug in HRD.  HRD folks are aware of the problem, and are working to resolve it.

It has not been possible to initially provide support for all radios via  HRD. We have built-in diagnostics that allow quick identification of the extra support needed to support untested rigs via HRD. We urge HRD users to try this new version and report back results. We will then add any missing support based on feedback from users as soon as possible.

About 25 amateurs, including all of the most active members of the Development Team, have been regular users of WSJT-X built from recent code revisions.  In addition to those mentioned explicitly in the  program documentation, we thank CT1EKD, DK6OV, G3PQA, G4YKQ, K2LYV, KF5OIM, N9JCA, NA7KR, PA0TBR, and N0URE for their essential help -- especially help with debugging rig control for specific radios.

Particular thanks are also due to Bill, G4WJS and Greg, KI7MT, who  recently have done much of the heavy lifting on the WSJT development front.

REMINDER: this is a beta release -- a candidate for official release as WSJT-X Version 1.4.  The program is stable, highly capable, and a pleasure to use.  However, almost certainly it has bugs that have not yet come to light.  One of your responsibilities is to report any anomalous behavior.  The most useful bug reports include any relevant
details on your setup and (if possible) instructions on how to reproduce the problem.  Please read the WSJT-X User Guide first!

We look forward to your feedback on this release candidate for WSJT-X 1.4.

    -- 73, Joe, K1JT (for the WSJT Development Team)

Quiet start on 10m WSPR this afternoon, so far.

This afternoon has been very quiet, so far, on 10m WSPR. Yes, it could rapidly change but this afternoon so far it is just G0LRD,  G0VQH,  G4IKZ (all locals) plus G8JNJ/A (184km). So far, no DX this afternoon seen here.

After the last week or so, you get to expect W's to be pounding through.  Guess you can never take 10m for granted. Maybe this is a blackout and normal 10m propagation will return soon?

UPDATE 1415z:  OZ7IT (853km) spotted at 1354z.  Some life about on 10m WSPR  this afternoon, but no DX to the USA in evidence as yet, here.

UPDATE 1520z:  Firstly DK6UG (633km) was spotting me and now I am spotting K3NAL (5930km).  If it was a blackout it has ended as 10m is now waking up. 4X1RF (3519km) is a massive -2dB S/N signal with 5W.

UPDATE 1550z: Now being spotted weakly by French listener F59706 (560km). This probably Es but could be F2 backscatter.

UPDATE 1630z:   Looking at WSPRnet, I don't think there is a massive difference in results between G0LRD and me. He is doing better with his antenna, but tends to spot, and be spotted, by similar stations. G4IKZ on the other hand seems to get better results. He is using 5W and a Moxon antenna which has gain in some directions. This may give him an edge whenthe beam is pointing the right way. Nick's ERP will be nearly 20W in the best directions. He also has a gain on RX of 4-5dB in the best direction and probably a lower noise floor, because of his directionality.

UPDATE 1718z: 4X1RF has spotted me 14 times today so far. No further USA stations spotted or spotting me, so far, today.

UPDATE 1722z:  The brief appearance of K3NAL earlier underlines the usefulness of WSPR in "sniffing out" short lived openings on bands like 10m. This will prove even more useful in the quieter solar years ahead.

UPDATE 2035z:  Nothing from the USA for hours and hours. Just locals. 10m has been disappointing today.

UPDATE 2100z:   Now QRT on all bands.

Australian 472kHz transverter

See http://www.vk3xdk.net46.net/89_31_600M-472Khz-479Khz-Transverter-V2.html . This is a 472kHz, mostly SMA parts, tranverter which is available from Australia for 180 Oz dollars ready built and tested. That is around £90, but this does not include shipping or duty. The transverter uses a 28MHz packaged oscillator. My own design (see www.g3xbm.co.uk website) is built "dead bug" style. Both the VK3XDK and G3XBM designs put out about 12W into a 50 ohm load. 472kHz is a fascinating band and even very compromised antennas work.  I have nothing special WRT antennas. I tune up the feeders to my V2000 vertical and Par end-fed and use a mains earth. This far from ideal arrangement gets out ( best DX is 896km with 5mW ERP and best RX DX is 1190km so far this season).

Recommendation: give 472kHz a go.

Nick G4IKZ monitoring 10m WSPR now

Local G4IKZ has been monitoring 6m most of the summer, but I notice he is looking on 10m today but so far is seeing just G0LRD and me.

I was wondering how efficient my antenna is on 10m compared with others. It is pleasing to see that Nick is not copying that much either. I think he uses a 10m Moxon beam, but no idea which way it is aiming today. He is getting me much weaker on 10m than on 6m. I believe my Par 3-band end-fed is somewhat down on an optimised 10m antenna, but not too badly.  Certainly not enough to worry about. I seem to be spotted quite widely if I run 2W.

I suppose a more efficient 10m antenna would (maybe) allow me to use 200mW instead, although in RX I copy most stations in all directions, quite well on 10m. The Par also does a decent job on 20m and even 40m, even though quite low and just strung to a tree in the garden.

For several weeks now 10m has been open to Europe at some time in the day. It was open to Spain and Israel this morning. Most days it has opened for F2 DX to places much further away.  So far, this afternoon is exceptionally quiet on 10m WSPR.

10m WSPR this morning

Luckily local G0LRD (25km) pointed out that I was showing the wrong ERP on 10m on WSPRnet. Although ERP is 5mW on 472kHz it is 2W on 10m. For some reason WSPRX did not save the 33dBm setting when I changed bands earlier.

4X1RF (3519km) as spotted me 4 times already and EB5DQ (1405km) has been seen here 3 times so far.

Sunspot count today is 166 (with blackouts) and 20-30Hz forecast is "fair".

472kHz overnight

Last night was a good one on 472kHz with some decent distances copied including IW4DXW (1190km) on a couple of occasions, albeit very weakly.

Unique 472kHz WSPR stations seen overnight

In the other direction, my 5mW ERP was copied by 7 unique stations.  I think G8LCO is an all-time new reporter, but I need to check. Unfortunately WSPRnet only goes back 2 weeks.

Unique 472kHz WSPR reports using 5mW ERP

472kHz activity

This evening, I am sticking on 10m in the hope of the band reopening for real DX or opening very early tomorrow morning.

By now, I usually QSY down to 472kHz, where there is a lot of activity this evening with 49 stations listed on WSPRnet a few minutes ago.

UPDATE 2230z:  Late change of plan. I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR after all.

10m WSPR - is that it?

The last USA station was K4RCG (5995km) at 1932z. Unless the band opens again, I suspect that the worldwide openings may have ended for the day. With Australia, Reunion, Uruguay, Israel, the USA and great swathes of Europe in the log, it has been a good day on 10m WSPR.

FR1GZ WSPR

Just took a look at http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/spots for FR1GZ spots both given and received. It is amazing that he has so many real DX reports in the log. I guess this is partly because Reunion Is is very remote. Already he has been spotted here 14 times and he has spotted me 3 times so far today.  Many of his reports are greater than 16000km .

RSGB president request

Today I was asked if I could provide a photo of my 8.97kHz TX so the RSGB president could use it at a convention in Northern Ireland. I was happy to oblige.

If anyone else needs to use photos from my website at www.g3xbm.co.uk or this blog I am usually happy to say "yes" but it is polite to ask first.