With a second audio cable you should connect the audio output of the sound device to the rig.

Transcription

1 Hardware...3 Audio...3 PTT...3 Mainwindow...4 Waterfall display...5 Receive list (Rx-List)...5 Display of date and time (UTC)...7 Selection and display of the frequency...7 Individual texts (Free Text)...7 Automatic generated messages (Generated Text)...8 Input and output levels...9 Adjust DT...9 Decodes, Spots and Power...9 Name, Azimuth and Distance...9 Fill in the log fields...10 Configuration...10 Station...10 Log > JT65-Log...11 Log > HRD...15 Log > WSJT-X...16 Log > ADIF...16 Internet > Time synchronization...17 Internet > PSK Automatic Propagation Reporter...18 Internet > Weblogs > eqsl...19 Sound...20 Alert...20 PTT...21 CAT > Disabled...22 CAT > Hamlib...22 Colors...23 Misc...24 KVASD...25 Settings...26 Log...26 WF display...26 Page 1 from 31

2 Additional windows...27 Windows > Information Lookup...27 Windows > Statistic...28 Windows > Grids on map...28 Sequence of messages in JT65 QSOs...30 Calling CQ...30 Answering...30 Closing words (Schlusswort)...31 Page 2 from 31

3 Hardware JT65 requires (like other digital modes) at least a radio (TRX) with an adequate antenna, a windows pc and two audio cables to connect the two devices together. I recommend a galvanic isolation of pc and rig, e.g. with audio transformers. If you are familiar with RTTY or PSK31, you can use the same equipment. Audio Connect the phone (or line out) of your rig to the microphone input of the sound device. Reduce the signal strength, e.g. with a low resistance voltage divider, because microphone inputs are very sensitive. Too strong signals results in distorted signals and bad decoding. Configure the 16 bit sound device to a sample rate of Hz (DVD quality). With a second audio cable you should connect the audio output of the sound device to the rig. PTT Use a simple electronic circuit (transistor or optocoupler) to connect the PTT line of the rig to the serial interface (COM port) of the pc. You can use either the RTS or the DTR line of the RS232 connector. External USB/RS232 converters are working too. Interfaces with integrated sound device and virtual COM Ports are also working fine. Of course, if PTT is activated via CAT Command or completly deactivated (VOX), you don't need such an interface. Page 3 from 31

4 Mainwindow The program consists of several windows, but the most important is the mainwindow. The title bar shows the version number, the call and the grid. You can enlarge or reduce the size (height) of the window. This is useful, e.g. to show more entries in the receive list. The mainwindow is dominated from two big and very important fields, the waterfall display above on the right side and the receive list (Rx-List) on the left side. In most cases, the handling of the mainwindow is easy. You can click on the waterfall, on a row in the receive list or on one of the 11 buttons (CQ... Free Text). Afterward typing the enter key suffices. The program runs semi automatic. Each transmit or receiving phase starts at the beginning of a new minute. Before you can really use the program (on air), you should configure it. At minimum you must determine your call and grid (see title bar). But you should also choose your prefered audio device(s) for receive, transmit (and alert), log database, the CAT program. Don't forget to install the KVASD decoder (Configure > KVASD). An exact program time is very important, because a deviation of e.g. 10 seconds prevents successful decode results. Use an external time synchronization program, like Meinberg or Dimension 4 or activate the time synchronization inside the program via SNTP. Fill the combobox Free Text with your favorite individual texts (Edit > Edit Free Text) with macros for station call (@), name of operator ($) and start logging a QSO (*). Page 4 from 31

5 Waterfall display The waterfall is a two dimensional projection of a signal strength/frequency/time diagram. The waterfall shows the signal strength in different bright (or colored) pixels. The horizontal axis specifies the frequency from 170 Hz at the left to 2430 Hz on the right end. The vertical time axis is ordered descending. Each new spectrum appears at the top of the waterfall. All others flows top down, like at a real waterfall. Above the waterfall you can see the audio frequency ruler with the transmit frequency marker (left side of the red horizontal line). If you click on the ruler or the waterfall, the transmit frequency changes. Also the spinbox Tx Freq shows the new value. To avoid this behavior, mark the checkbox Fix Tx. If desired, the calls of all stations (who are calling CQ) are shown on the proper place in the waterfall (Settings > WF display). Receive list (Rx-List) The most important informations of all successful decoded signals are displayed in this list. Page 5 from 31

6 The list contains 8 columns, from left to right: timestamp hh:mm (UTC), band in m (B), decoder type (D), signal strength (db), time deviation in seconds (DT), audio frequency in Hz (Freq), decoded message (Exchange) and additional information (Info). An empty decoder type column means the exchange is the result of the built in decoder. If this decoder is unsuccessfull, the program tries to keep an exchange message from the additional, external KVASD decoder (the character K indicates this situation). Some times, the result is garbage. Be careful. See also Configure > KVASD. A value of -1 db (signal/noise ratio) in the column db means the strongest and -30 db the weakest possible signal. A negative value in the column DT indicates a delay. Also helpfull is the information in the column Info, e.g. on 2 b = (QSO on 2 bands) the station is logged on two other bands qso b4 = (QSO before) the station is logged on this band 5B = new DXCC entity on all bands > 5B = new DXCC entity only on this band LO17 = new grid on all bands > LO17 = new grid only on this band You can configure the order in the receive list (UTC and Freq) ascending or descending (Configure > Misc) as well as the colors (Configure > Color). Note: The own transmitted messages are also displayd in the receive list (instead of the divider line). It's no need to open the additional window QSO exchange. Display of date and time (UTC) You have the choice between 12 different date formates and individual colors. For both settings: Configure > Colors. Selection and display of the frequency If CAT is activated (e.g. Hamlib), the Frequency is displayd in the text field of the combobox Dial QRG khz. You can also pick the desired Frequency from a list in this combobox. The text in the text field is editable. Don't forget to hit the enter key after editing. Page 6 from 31

7 Note: The program use the value of the actual band (second column in the receive list). To avoid PTT mark the checkbox VOX. The frequency list is editable. You can delete or insert values and change the order in the list (Edit > Edit Dial QRG) Individual texts (Free Text) The combobox Free Text contains a list of individual text messages. At the beginning, this list is empty. But you can type a text direct in this field. To transmit such a text, you must mark the radio button Free Text and then click on the button Tx Enable. Consider the radio buttons Even or Odd in the radio group Tx Start Minute. It's simple to create individual texts and insert it in this list (Edit > Edit Free Text). Page 7 from 31

8 Automatic generated messages (Generated Text) JT65 creates extreme compressed automatic generated messages. The only thing, the operator has to do, is to click on a row in the receive list or on one of the following buttons. If the desired button has the focus, it suffices to hit the enter key. Note: Each JT65 message is a unique 72 bit binary number! Due to the excellent Reed-Solomon(63,12) forward error correction, the most received messages are correct, even if the transmission is corrupt or fragmentary. Input and output levels The label Input shows the strength of the input signal. A value of 1 % or 2 % is ideal (green background). You can attenuate the input signal with the spinbox Gain %. But the level is not critical. The background color changes from green to yellow and red. The setting of the spinbox Output has an influence of the strength of the audio signal, which is used to modulate the transmitter. Be careful. An overdriven signal could produce a distorted transmission. Note: The mixer settings of Windows has also a great influence of the audio levels. And of course the audio settings of the rig too. Page 8 from 31

9 Adjust DT The spinbox Adjust DT allows you to add an additional offset (+/- 2.0 seconds) to the program time. If the checkbox Auto Adjust is marked, the spinbox is set to an appropriate value, every time you click on a row in the receive list. Note: Don't use this feature. It remains in the program only to keep the compatibility with earlier versions. Decodes, Spots and Power The label Decodes shows the number of successful decodes. The label Spots shows the number of spots to the website pskreporter.info. The edit field Power contains the output power of the rig in watts. The power is saved in the logdatabase. Name, Azimuth and Distance If the program founds the name of the operator in the names database or in the logdatabase, it shows it in the edit field Name. This field is editable. The name is saved in the logdatabase. It's also possible to use it in indivdual texts with the macro $. The two labels Azimuth and Distance shows this values (calculated from the two grids). You can change the distance unit from km to mi (Settings > Misc). Fill in the log fields The fields Station, Grid, Sent are automatically filled in, if you click on a row in the receive list. The field Rcvd is filled in once a report from the station is arrived. Page 9 from 31

10 The content of the four fields are saved in the logdatabase. After logging a QSO, the text color of the two fields Station and Grid changes from black to red and the other two fields (Sent and Rcvd) are erased. Display of the logdatabase and the number of saved QSOs The label JT65 indicates, that e.g. all 4065 QSOs (blue text color) are carried out in JT65 and not mixed in JT65 and JT9. Configuration Station The minimal settings are the own call and grid (yellow fields). A call in JT65 must contain 3, 4, 5 or 6 characters with one or two numbers. This is not a restriction of the program, but of the compression method used in generated texts. It's possible but not a good idea to send such a call as part of an individual text. The new JT65 protocol provides prefixes or suffixes (not both) with no more than four characters. But you can use it only in automatic generated textes with the buttons CQ, QRZ and DE. Page 10 from 31

11 Log > JT65-Log The program has his own logdatabase JT65-Log. The QSOs are saved in the SQLite database JT65-Log.sqlite residing in the subdirectory Appfiles. You can import already existing QSOs in ADIF or MixW2 format JT65-Log > Import ADIF logfile > New JT65-Log. Note: Only JT65 QSOs are imported. You have access to all saved QSOs in this database JT65-Log > Edit JT65-Log. Page 11 from 31

12 After editing a QSO, don't forget to click on the button Save. You can change the order of the columns. Click on the Header and move it on the right or the left side. There are many filters to limit the number of rows in the table. First, choose a suitable Filter type. Then determine the order of the rows (Order by). Page 12 from 31

13 Now type in or choose the Filter value. Now you can show, e.g. all QSOs of a certain month. Page 13 from 31

14 Close the Window with the button Close. You can export all or only the last (not exported) QSOs in ADIF or MixW2 formt, e.g. JT65-Log > Export as ADIF logfile > Save all records. Page 14 from 31

15 Log > HRD The program provides the logbook databases from Ham Radio Deluxe (Version 5 and 6). Mark the desired Log Database in the table. But if the table is empty, the program don't find the configuration file LogbookDatabase.xml. In this situation, the button Open shows a file open dialog window. Search this HRD configuration file on your HDD (or SSD) and open it. Now, the table is filled. Click on the button HRD DB Test to check the connection via ODBC DSN. If the test is successful, the number of saved JT65 QSOs are displayed on a Label. In contrast to the JT65-Log, you have the choice to use the saved QSOs in two different JT modes, JT65 and JT9 (radio group Mode filter). Page 15 from 31

16 Log > WSJT-X Instead of the default logdatabase JT65-Log, you can use direct the logfiles wsjtx.log and wsjtx_log.adi. This two files resides in the hidden directory AppData\Local\WSJT-X. Note: The don't provide editing this two text files. You have the choice to use the saved data in both modes, JT65 and JT9 (radio group Mode filter). Log > ADIF Page 16 from 31

17 Search the path of the desired ADIF logfile. You have the choice to use the saved data in both modes, JT65 and JT9 (radio group Mode filter). Note: The don't provide editing this file. But you can import the saved JT65-QSOs from the ADIF logfile in the JT65-Log (Mainwindow > JT65-Log > Import ADIF logfile (*.adi)). Internet > Time synchronization I recommend to activate the synchronization of the program time via SNTP. It's no need to install and run a NTP daemon to synchronize the system time. The precision of the synchronized time is within 100 ms. So you have no more troubles to decode the signals of the stations, who also synchronize her own time. Note: You can every time activate or deactivate time synchronization with Mainwindow > Settings > Internet. Page 17 from 31

18 Internet > PSK Automatic Propagation Reporter On the panel Settings are two edit fields, one for your call and the second for the Antenna description, sent to the website pskreporter.info. To activate the spotting, mark the checkbox Activate spots. Note: You can every time activate or deactivate spotting with Mainwindow > Settings > Internet. Page 18 from 31

19 Internet > Weblogs > eqsl If you have an eqsl.cc account, you can insert the Username, the Password, the QTH Nickname and the Default message for eqsl in the appropriate fields on the panel Account data. To activate the automatic upload, mark the checkbox Activate real-time upload. Note: You can every time activate or deactivate real-time upload with Mainwindow > Settings > Internet. Page 19 from 31

20 Sound There are three panels, one for the Audio input device - Receive, an other for the Audio output device - Transmit and the third for the optional acoustic alert, Audio output device - Alert. Choose the desired devices. Alert Page 20 from 31

21 Click on the button Test and check the sound of each alert. A red label (Alert is not available) indicates a missing sound device for this feature. The highest priority has the alert my QSOs, the lowest Successful decode. Note: You must mark the checkbox Activate on the panel Acoustic Alert (Mainwindow > Settings > Misc) PTT If you activate PTT via the control lines of a serial interface (RS232), set the radio button on the panel PTT via to PTT port. Page 21 from 31

22 Choose the appropriate PTT port and PTT line. If your rig is running and connected via an interface to the PTT port, you can test keying with the button Key TRX. While you are click on the button (mouse down), TX is on. After release (mouse up), TX is off. CAT > Disabled This is the default setting. But if your rig provides CAT, e.g. choose CAT > Hamlib. CAT > Hamlib Hamlib 3 is the default CAT program (rigctld.exe) and runs stable. Page 22 from 31

23 It's part of the installation of the. Choose the Manufacturer of your rig and the Model. Choose the CAT port (COM number) and the Baud rate. Note: The firewall should not block the TCP port 4532 on localhost. Colors Click of one of the color buttons to change the background and/or the font color. You can also set one or two characters for the divider line, e.g. - or =. The combobox Date format (clock) contains 12 different date formats. Page 23 from 31

24 Misc You can choose the desired audio frequency scale. DF is the traditional, Freq the new scale (default, compatible with WSJT-X). There are two radio groups to choose the order in the receive list (Rx List). The time (UTC) has the first priority (Time order). The Tx Watchdog prevent the program transmitting the same message (never ending!) every even (or odd) minute. The default directory for backup copies of the most important databases (config.sqlite.bak and JT65-Log.sqlite.bak) is Appfiles\Backup. The default directory for text files is Logfiles. Both directories resides in the program directory JT65-HB9HQX. Page 24 from 31

25 KVASD Read the EULA carefully and if you agree, click on the button I agree. This is important to install the proprietary KVASD decoder. I prefer to install and activate the KVASD decoder. You have more successful decode results in the receive list. Consider the indicator K in the column D. You can every time deactivate or activate an installed KVASD decoder (Mainwindow > Settings > Decoder). Page 25 from 31

26 Settings Log You can hide the Log QSO window. Remove the mark of the checkbox (Show Log QSO). I prefer automatic logging QSOs with the buttons 73 and RR73 and hide the Log QSO window. WF display You can choose the Color map and the Speed of the waterfall and activate the display of station calls, band and/or timestamps. Page 26 from 31

27 Additional windows Windows > Information Lookup The three fields CQ zone, ITU zone and State are editable. You can insert manually missing values to save it in the logdatabase. The menu Lookup opens the web browser and navigates you to selected callbook pages (QRZ.COM, QRZCQ, HamCall and/or HamQTH). The table below shows all bands, you have worked the selected Station (red font color). The two columns Grid and DXCC shows, how many QSOs are logged with the appropriate Grid and Country. Page 27 from 31

28 Windows > Statistic In the first row of the table, you can see how many QSOs on the different bands are logged. On the other rows, you can find the same information but for worked stations, grids and countries. Note: The table contains statistic information only about JT65 QSOs (or JT65 + JT9 QSOs). Windows > Grids on map This window shows on a world map all worked grids on the actual band as little colored rectangles. If you move the mouse cursor over the map, you can read the suited grid and the number of QSOs on the title bar. You can coose the prefered color of the rectangles with the color button on the right side at the bottom. With the radio group Band, you can show the worked grids on an other band (or all bands). Page 28 from 31

29 Note: As a result of the Mercator projection the gap between latitudes increases with the distance from the equator. This is the reason why the ratio of height to width of the little rectangles is not constant. In the panel Zoom map you can click on one of the buttons to open a new zoomed map. The band and the grid of the mouse cursor are shown in the tilte bar of the window. The rectangles are transparent with a colored frame (and a little gap between the frames). Page 29 from 31

30 Sequence of messages in JT65 QSOs You have the choice between two options to begin a JT65 QSO (calling CQ or answer). Both variants are simple. Calling CQ Click on a free place in the waterfall to set the transmitting frequency. Set the appropriate radio button Even or Odd in the radio group Tx Start Minute. Click on the button CQ or CQ DX Transmitting your CQ message (e.g. CQ DX HB9HQX JN36) starts at the beginning of the next minute automatically. Some times, a station is answering with both calls and the grid. His call (Station), Grid and signal strength (Sent, e.g. -09 in column db) are inserted in the log QSO fields. The only thing, you have to do, is to click on the button -db (or hit the enter key). At the beginning of the next minute, the transmission of your answer starts, e.g. DF7ZS HB9HQX -09. The station sends the report for you. This report is inserted automatically in the field Rcvd. Now it's time to end the QSO. Click on the button RR73 (or hit the enter key) to log the QSO and prepares the last message, e.g. DF7ZS HB9HQX RR73. The transmission starts at beginning of the next minute. In most cases, the station sends 73 or a individual text. Now, you are shure, this QSO has ending successful and you may begin a new one. Click on the button CQ (or hit the enter key). Answering Click on a row in the receive list. His call (Station), Grid and the report (Sent, e.g. -15 in column db) are inserted in the log QSO fields. At the beginning of the next minute, the transmission of your answer starts, e.g. G3WPH HB9HQX JN36. Some times, a station is answering with a report. This report is inserted automatically in the log field Rcvd. The only thing, you have to do, is to click on the button R-dB (or hit the enter key). At the beginning of the next minute the transmission of your answer starts, e.g. G3WPH HB9HQX R-15. The station sends RRR or RR73. Now you can click on the button 73 to log the QSO and generate the last message, which is transmitted at the beginning of the next minute. Page 30 from 31

31 Closing words (Schlusswort) Sorry, at the moment, I have not translated this important text. Here the original text in German: Jeder Nutzer meines Programms ist für sein Handeln selber verantwortlich. Ich übernehme keine Verantwortung für allfällige Schäden, welche durch die Benutzung meines Programms entstehen und gewähre auch keine Garantie dafür, dass alle Funktionen fehlerfrei arbeiten. Ich bedanke mich bei allen, welche mich bei der Entwicklung unterstützt haben. Ganz besonders natürlich beim Erfinder der Betriebsart Joe Tailor K1JT und bei Joe Large W6CQZ dem Entwickler des Programms JT65-HF. Nicht zuletzt bedanke ich mich bei allen Personen, die das Programm intensiv nutzen und ihre Erfahrungen weiter geben. This manual replaces the earlier documents First Steps. Note: Please help me, to improve and enhance the manual. I like to correct mistakes as soon as possible and to create a new revision of this document. Brig, April 07, 2017 Beat Oehrli HB9HQX Page 31 from 31