Our HAM Station

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A First Look at WSJT-X V2.0

Posted: 19 Sep 2018 07:23 AM PDT
https://stationproject.blog/2018/09/...-0-first-look/

WSJT-X 2.0-rc1 Beta Software

It looks like the first Beta Release of WSJT-X 2.0 is available. WSJT-X
Version 2.0Â* includes a number of features to support contesting and longer
compound callsigns when FT8 and MSK144 (Meteor Scatter) modes are used. The
new features include:

Better support for North American VHF Contests with improved handling of
grids and /R rover call sign designators
Six-character locators and call sign suffix support for portable operators
focused on EU VHF contesting
Support for ARRL Field Day exchanges
Support for ARRL RTTY Roundup exchanges
Support for call signs up to 11 characters to support non-standard and
compound call signs


The new version extends the length of the messages used for FT8 and MSK144
from 75/72 bits to 77 bits to enable the above features. As a result, there
are compatibilityÂ*issues between the v1.x releases of WSJT-X and v2.0 when
FT8 and MSK144 modes are used. More detail about the new features and
changes can be found here.

It is expected that the Meteor Scatter community (MSK144 mode users) will
rapidly move to WSJT-X V2.0 so no backward compatibility features are
provided for MSK144.

The transition for FT8 mode users is a much bigger problem. As a result, it
is suggested that users test the new mode on alternative frequencies on the
20m band at 14.078 MHz and on the 40m band at 7.078 Mhz.
WSJT-X 2.0 FT8 Compatibility and Contest Options

The Advanced Tab in the WSJT-X v2.0 settings provides some options to help
with compatibilityÂ*between v1.x and V2.0. One must choose whether to
transmit using the shorter v1.x or the v2.0 messages. If you are operating
in the above mention 2.0 frequency areas on 20m or 40m, its a good idea to
transmit using the 2.0 message format (check always generate 77-bit
messages).

The new version of WSJT-X can decode both the shorter v1.x and the longer
v2.0 messages simultaneously. The decoding will be faster on slower
computers if you check the Decode only 77-bit messages option when
operating in the v2.0 frequencyÂ*ranges.

If you want to try the new v2.0 FT8 mode in one of the supported contests,
youll want to check the appropriate Special operating activity option. If
you are not operating in one of these contests, youll want to select None.

All you need to do to try the new version is to download and install it and
configure the FT8 options. Ive been running WSJT-X v2.0 rc1 in the 20m band
in the 14.078Â* MHz sub-band this morning and have made about 20 contacts
using the new format. The v2.0 software is working well.

There are some additional enhancements which will be included in WSJT-X
v2.0. Heres some information on these features from the WSJT-X v2.0 Quick
Start Guide

WSJT-X 2.0 has several other new features and capabilities. The WSPR
decoder has better sensitivity by about 1 dB. Color highlighting of decoded
messages provides worked-before status for callsigns, grid locators, and
DXCC entities on a “by band� basis. Color highlighting can also identify
stations that have (or have not) uploaded their logs to Logbook of the
World (LoTW) within the past year. The necessary information from LoTW can
be easily downloaded from the ARRL website.

Currently, several additional release candidates are planned for WSJT-X
v2.0 as follows:

September 17, 2018: Â* -rc1Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â* Expires October 31, 2018
October 15, 2018:Â* Â* Â* Â*Â*-rc2Â* Â* Â* Â*Expires November 30, 2018
November 12, 2018:Â* Â* -rc3Â* Â* Â* Â*Expires December 31, 2018
December 10, 2018:Â* Â* Â*GAÂ* Â* Â* Â* Â*Full release ofÂ*WSJT-X 2.0


Note that the release candidates will expire about 2 weeks after each new
version becomes available. Also, its required that anyone who runs the Beta
(release candidate) software agrees to report any bugs that they find.

We are looking forward to trying the new FT8 in the next digital contest
which allows it.

Fred, AB1OC


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Nashua Area Radio Society Youth Expo at Boxboro

Posted: 18 Sep 2018 05:11 PM PDT
https://stationproject.blog/2018/09/...po-at-boxboro/

Karen KC1KBW a BGHS Teacher Building a Kit

The Nashua Area Radio Society put together a successful Amateur Radio Youth
Exposition at the New England AmateurÂ*Radio Convention at Boxboro this
year. Our exposition features over ten displays with hands-on activities

Source: NARS Youth Expo at Boxboro Nashua Area Radio Society

Anita AB1QB and I are continuing to work along with the Nashua Area Radio
Society to encourage young people to become licensed and join the
AmateurÂ*Radio Service.
Nashua Area Radio Society Team at Boxboro
The Nashua Area Radio Society recently hosted an Amateur Radio Exposition
for Young People at the New England Amateur Radio Convention in Boxboro,
MA. Our event featured Remote HF and Satellite GOTA stations, a kit build,
and many other hands-onÂ*activities which were part of the over ten displays
at the event.



You can read more and see photos from our Youth Expo via the link above. We
will be holding another AmateurÂ*Radio Youth Expo as part of NETT at
NEAR-Fest in Deerfield, NH in October. We hope to see some of our local
friends there.

Fred, AB1OC