New replacement for WSPR coming?

Joe Taylor has released a release candidate for WSJT-X that has new modes to replace WSPR. One is a QSO mode and one a beaconing mode. I am not sure when these will be formally released.

See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html for more details. My thanks to Bob G3WKW who alerted me.

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)

VHF/UHF QRP DXing with weak signal digital modes?

When there is a decent contest with some portable stations with decent antennas about, it is surprising how far can be covered with QRP kit on 2m and 70cm. This makes me wonder just what sort of ranges could be covered with QRP and modest antennas on these bands using WSJT digital modes.

Going from SSB to one of the more effective weak signal modes is like gaining another 30dB, i.e. far more that the antenna gain of a big contest station, suggesting that ranges of 200-300km should be ALWAYS possible on 70cms with quite modest QRP stations with small yagis or colinear vertical antennas in flat band conditions.

I am speculating what sort of ranges should be possible under flat conditions (no lifts) with 5W and a small omni or broad beam yagi such as a Moxon or HB9CV.  When I move to the new QTH I think some 70cm skeds are called for with stations out to 300-400km using WSJT modes using 5W or less.

2 countries worked on 500kHz with JT9-1 mode

Well, the JT9-1 test QSO with G3ZJO was a total success and completed in around 10 minutes this evening. Later, I called CQ on JT9-1 and got a reply from OR7T in Belgium who is 334km away. We worked, exchanging reports and 73s but I am not quite "all with it" with the sequencing of reports, R, RRR etc in JT mode exchanges.I am learning, HI.

G3ZJO in QSO with G3XBM this evening on 500kHz

The WSJT digital mode JT9-x is certainly an interesting mode. There are a few bugs in the code still, and more bugs in the operator using it (me!) but I am sure to use this mode more in future on 472kHz and 136kHz.

First signals seen on JT9-2 mode

On 500kHz this morning PA0A and G3ZJO were testing with the new JT9-2 weak signal mode. Not yet copied Eddie, but PA0A was coming through well. This is a screenshot with his decoded signal overlaid.

500kHz first JT9-2 signal received

JT9: a new digital mode for MF and LF

Hot news from Joe Taylor K1JT on the RSGB LF Yahoo group this evening about a new 9-FSK digital communications mode (for 2-way QSOs rather than beaconing) optimised for MF and LF bands. With winter approaching and better LF conditions, this is an exciting development.

The wide graph display for JT9

"I invite you to try a new digital mode called JT9, designed especially for making amateur QSOs at MF and LF. JT9 uses the structured messages introduced in 2003 for the JT65 mode, now widely used for EME and for QRP operations at HF. JT9 can operate at signal levels as low as -27 dB (in a 2500 Hz reference bandwidth), with one-minute timed transmissions. It also offers slower transmissions of 2, 5, 10 and 30 minutes duration, and the slowest mode can decode signals as weak as -40 dB. With one-minute transmissions, submode JT9-1 has a total bandwidth of just 15.6 Hz -- less than one-tenth the bandwidth of a JT65A signal. The other submodes are narrower still: a JT9-30 signal occupies about 0.4 Hz total bandwidth.

Note that these JT9 sensitivity levels are comparable to or better than those of WSPR, which uses simpler messages and is not intended for making 2-way QSOs.  JT9 has much higher throughput and reliability than QRSS CW, including DFCW modes.

JT9 is implemented in an experimental version of WSJT called WSJT-X. Some further details can be found at http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/WSJT-X_Quick_Start_Guide.pdf , and an early version of WSJT-X can be downloaded from
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/WSJTX_01r2695.exe.

Please note: WSJT-X is in an early development stage. A number of improvements and enhancements are already in the works, and others will surely be added. 

Your feedback will be much appreciated!

-- 73, Joe, K1JT"

10m is calling me

As I sat winding my ATU for 500kHz this evening my thoughts were again turning to 28MHz. Although I've plenty of ways of getting on the 10m band already, I've always fancied a simple homebrew rig either for CW or sideband.  One idea is to make a QRPp WSPR beacon that I could leave running almost continuously. I've a 14.060kHz crystal that might just make it to 28.124600 when doubled in the right circuit. Into a simple phasing SSB circuit and I could have a few milliwatts of 10m WSPR.

11th country on 500kHz

Just had a 500kHz WSPR report from MW0CVT 250kms to the west of me. This is now my 11th country from which I've had reports on the band. This is also my 83rd unique report on the band.

New Zealand gets 500kHz (for now)

From March, New Zealand amateurs will be allowed to use 505-515kHz. The number of administrations making temporary allocations is increasing all the time now. Expect some ZL-USA (and maybe Europe?)  tests before long on the band. I wonder who will be the first to receive some 500kHz WSPR beacons from the Antipodes?

10m WSPR

Whilst in the shack checking emails and my blog, I've been WSPRing on 10m. The only report so far is from G4IKZ not far from me. V53ARC is active on 10m and has been received in Europe today but I have yet to spot him.

WSPR in QSO mode

Stations on 500kHz using WSPR in QSO mode are using the latest WSJT7 software used for modes like JT6m, JT65 and JT4. An option in the software allows the use of WSPR.  Stations are using frequencies outside of the WSPR beaconing sub-band of 503.8-504kHz. For the next few days my shack is being used as a bedroom for my little grandson, so it may be the middle of next week before I can try WSPR QSO mode.