November 15, 2018

New Beta Version of WSJT-X is Now Available, Mock FT8 Contest Set

November 15, 2018/ Colin Butler

A new WSJT-X “release candidate,” version 2.0.0-rc4, now is available, and the version 2.0 Quick Start Guide has been revised and extended. The developers urge anyone upgrading to the new version to read the release notes thoroughly, since the upgrade requires users to change operator settings, so the software may not work “out of the box” when upgrading from previous versions.

The latest version of WSJT-X also removes compatibility with earlier versions of the software in certain circumstances. “Users of version 1.9.1 and earlier will be unable to decode transmissions from users of version 2.0.0-rc4, and vice-versa,” developer Joe Taylor, K1JT, said in announcing the new beta version. “To minimize this cross-protocol interference, we suggest initially using the -rc4 release at audio TXfrequencies 2,000 Hz and higher. As more users upgrade their software to -rc4 or later, activity can gradually move downward in audio frequency. By December 10 or very soon afterward, everyone should upgrade to the full WSJT-X 2.0 general availability (GA) release.”

Some changes from the RC3 beta version include these: The Esc key aborts a QSO, clears a DX Call, and selects Tx6; Fox/Hound/Contest selection boxes and new facilities for Contest and Fox-mode logging have been updated; the program disables transmit after 5 minutes of no mouse movement, and it will not auto-log a contact with incomplete exchange info.

Coinciding with the release of WSJT-X version 2.0-rc4, the WSJT-X development team has scheduled an on-the-air FT8 protocol practice session to help operators become familiar with the software and to identify operational issues. The 1-hour FT8 mock contest will be held on 20th November 2018, 0200 – 0300 UTC (Monday evening,19th November 2018, in North American time zones).

Download links for WSJT-X “release candidate,” version 2.0.0-rc4 - http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

November 03, 2018

Updated JTAlert Released

November 03, 2018/ Colin Butler

This latest release of JTAlert is available in two builds, the traditional build (menus and band activity displayed on the titlebar) plus a new “Alternate Layout” build created for those Win10 users who are experiencing missing menus and band activity display with the traditional JTAlert build.

JTAlert Release Notes

JTAlert Changes

Late logging of a WSJT-X QSO (after changing DX Call before completing the logging of the previous DX Call), initially no longer shows a Callsign Mismatch error. The log fields data from a snapshot taken (for the previous DX Call) when the DX Call was changed is used if the Callsign
of the snapshot matches the logged Callsign, otherwise the Callsign Mismatch error is still shown.

JTAlert Fixes

Incorrect country for WSJT-X decode callsigns using special event words as the callsign prefix eg. POTA/Callsign, SOTA/Callsign, QRPP/Callsign, etc. (Why the recent change in operator behaviour? The convention has been to include these activation words as a suffix, eg Callsign/POTA).

JTAlert - https://hamapps.com/?fbclid=IwAR1mqiW2q24l_e5GtQm3vQPiqK1VQryhqaamJwQoyb8iEJn3pKIu7EBp3dM

October 28, 2018

iWSPR TX – WSPR for iOS Version 2.8 Available

October 28, 2018/ Colin Butler

iWSPR TX by Federico, IW2MVI, is a WSPR implementation for iPhone and iPad that allows you to transmit and receive WSPR signals with just your iOS device and a simple audio cable connected to your radio.

It’s great for checking an antenna during a SOTA operation, field day, or making adjustments to your home antenna system.

iWSPR TX is very to use: just insert your Callsign and Grid Locator and then change the “Power” and the “Dial Frequency” in relation of your working condition. Once you are ready click “Generate TX” and then “Enable TX”. The button will become red and a popup window will appear during transmission. To avoid distortion and overload of your radio keep the audio level as low as possible.