wsjt-x_improved

Description

wsjt-x_improved is an enhanced version of the excellent WSJT-X software by Joe Taylor K1JT, Steve Franke K9AN, Bill Somerville G4WJS and others (https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/). Sometimes, however, even good things can be improved …

► Find a full description of the wsjt-x_improved project on SourceForge. ◄

Notes: wsjt-x_improved is experimental and is licensed under GNU General Public License, GPLv3. I am not aware of any adverse effects. However, use it at your own risk!

► Read the overview on the additional features of wsjt-x_improved or watch my video presentations on YouTube. ◄

Download

wsjt-x_improved is available with three different GUI layouts: WSJT-X's standard GUI, an alternative layout (AL) optimized for small screen sizes, and a widescreen version. The latter two provide a larger Band Activity window.

For each of these variants are also PLUS versions available which offer more features (i.e. audible alerts and Cloudlog support). Audible alerts are especially useful on Linux, where Laurie's nice JTAlert software is not available. For technical reasons, each version has its own installer.

Dark Style is available for all versions and can be turned on and off from the program window.

There are versions for Windows, Linux, macOS, and for the Raspberry Pi available.

► Download the various versions from the Files tab. ◄

Full change history is available in the Release Notes.

Additional information for Fox operations

There is also special version for Fox operators available. It has an additional "F" button that allows you to quickly switch between Fox and normal FT8 mode. The following documents provide some additional tips for Fox operations:

• Tips_for_FT8_Fox_Operation.pdf
• Tipps_zum_FT8_Fox_Betrieb.pdf

wsjt-x_improved Mailing List

The best source of help is the wsjt-x-improved-community mailing list. You will find this to be an active forum for communication among users of wsjt-x_improved. The chances are good that someone with similar interests and equipment has already solved your problem and will be happy to help. To post messages there you will need to subcribe.

Troubleshooting

If anything is not working as expected, first check your hardware as well as your software settings. This includes:

• Read the User Guide carefully. What is described there for the original WSJT-X is also valid for wsjt-x_improved.
• Also read the overview on the additional features of wsjt-x_improved.
• Ensure you have a stable connection to your rig (USB cables, audio cables, possible RFI).
• Check if the settings at File | Settings | Radio are correct (Rig, Serial Port, Baud Rate, PTT Method, and so on).
• Don't forget to enable Split Operation. The preferred method is Fake it.

In some rare cases, the hamlib rig driver may not properly work with your rig. Try to select a similar rig model and see if it works better, or use OmniRig instead. OmniRig has its own rig drivers, however, it is only available on Windows.

The following pdf documents provide more information on what to do if a rig control error occurs:

• How_to_deal_with_rig_control_errors.pdf
• Was_tun_bei_Rig_Control_Fehlern.pdf

Windows users can easily update the hamlib rig drivers themselves. The entire hamlib library is in a single libhamlib-4.dll file, which is located in the bin folder of your installation (usually c:\WSJT\wsjtx\bin\libhamlib-4.dll). It's worth a try to replace this file by the latest Hamlib Git daily snapshot (rename the old file so that you have a backup):

• 32-bit libhamlib-4.dll file
• 64-bit libhamlib-4.dll file

In some cases it may also be useful to try an older Hamlib file from this page.

IMPORTANT: As of versions 2.7.1-devel, Hamlib can be updated directly from the program (Windows only). Find this "Update Hamlib" feature on the Radio tab of the Settings dialog.

Recommended Audio Settings

It is very important to avoid audio harmonics and distorted audio signals. This is usually achieved by the following step-by-step approach:

1. IMPORTANT: Select 'Fake it' in the Settings/Radio menu as your 'Split mode'. If your rig does not support this, select 'Rig'. But really try to avoid 'None'! This prevents harmonics, and you have approximately the same output power over the entire audio spectrum.
2. Set the transmission power of your transceiver to maximum.
3. Set the Pwr slider to the minimum and click on the 'Tune' button.
4. Observe the actual transmission power of your rig as well as ALC.
5. Carefully increase the Pwr slider until you have reached the maximum transmit powe of your transceiver.
6. VERY IMPORTANT: Now reduce the Pwr slider until you reach approx. 90% of your max. Tx power. ALC should be close to zero.
7. This is the maximum audio level permitted with your setup. Always stay with the Pwr slider below this max. value.

Only use the Pwr slider to reduce the transmit power. Unless driving a PA or Transverter, always keep the RF power settings of your transceiver to maximum. If you cannot properly control the Tx power with the Pwr slider, there is something wrong with the audio settings of your rig or your operating system.

If possible, check your transmission from time to time (e.g. with a webSDR) to ensure the signal is clean and not distorted.

Further information can be found in this pdf document.

Bug Reports

• Program version
• Operating system
• Concise description of the problem
• Exact sequence of steps required to reproduce the problem
• In case of rig control errors, use the bult-in Diagnostic Mode