217 lines
8.4 KiB
Plaintext
217 lines
8.4 KiB
Plaintext
// Status=review
|
||
=== Standard Exchange
|
||
By longstanding tradition, a minimally valid QSO requires the exchange
|
||
of callsigns, a signal report or some other information, and
|
||
acknowledgments. _WSJT-X_ is designed to facilitate making such
|
||
minimal QSOs using short, structured messages. The process works best
|
||
if you use these formats and follow standard operating practices. The
|
||
recommended basic QSO goes something like this:
|
||
|
||
CQ K1ABC FN42 #K1ABC calls CQ
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ IO91 #G0XYZ answers
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC –19 #K1ABC sends report
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ R-22 #G0XYZ sends R+report
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC RRR #K1ABC sends RRR
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ 73 #G0XYZ sends 73
|
||
|
||
*Standard messages* consist of two callsigns (or CQ, QRZ, or DE and
|
||
one callsign) followed by the transmitting station’s grid locator, a
|
||
signal report, R plus a signal report, or the final acknowledgements
|
||
RRR or 73. These messages are compressed and encoded in a highly
|
||
efficient and reliable way. In uncompressed form (as displayed
|
||
on-screen) they may contain as many as 22 characters.
|
||
|
||
*Signal reports* are specified as signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) in dB,
|
||
using a standard reference noise bandwidth of 2500 Hz. Thus, in the
|
||
example message above, K1ABC is telling G0XYZ that his
|
||
signal is 19 dB below the noise power in bandwidth 2500 Hz. In the
|
||
message at 0004, G0XYZ acknowledges receipt of that report and
|
||
responds with a –22 dB signal report. JT65 reports are constrained to
|
||
lie in the range –30 to –1 dB, and values are significantly compressed
|
||
above about -10 dB. JT9 supports the extended range –50 to +49 dB and
|
||
assigns more reliable numbers to relatively strong signals.
|
||
|
||
NOTE: Signals become visible on the waterfall around S/N = –26 dB and
|
||
audible (to someone with very good hearing) around –15 dB. Thresholds
|
||
for decodability are around -20 dB for FT8, -23 dB for JT4, –25 dB for
|
||
JT65, –27 dB for JT9.
|
||
|
||
NOTE: Several options are available for circumstances where fast QSOs
|
||
are desirable. Double-click the *Tx1* control under _Now_ or _Next_
|
||
to toggle use of the Tx2 message rather than Tx1 to start a QSO.
|
||
Similarly, double-click the *Tx4* control to toggle between sending
|
||
`RRR` and `RR73` in that message. The `RR73` message should be used
|
||
only if you are reasonably confident that no repetitions will be
|
||
required.
|
||
|
||
=== Free-Text Messages
|
||
|
||
Users often add some friendly chit-chat at the end of a QSO.
|
||
Free-format messages such as "`TNX ROBERT 73`" or "`5W VERT 73 GL`"
|
||
are supported, up to a maximum of 13 characters, including spaces. In
|
||
general you should avoid the character / in free-text messages, as the
|
||
program may then try to interpret your construction as part of a
|
||
compound callsign. It should be obvious that the JT4, JT9, and JT65
|
||
protocols are not designed or well suited for extensive conversations
|
||
or rag-chewing.
|
||
|
||
=== Auto-Sequencing
|
||
|
||
The 15-second T/R cycles of FT8 allow only about two seconds to inspect
|
||
decoded messages and decide how to reply, which is often not enough.
|
||
The slow modes JT4, JT9, JT65, and QRA64 allow nearly 10 seconds
|
||
for this task, but operators may find that this is still insufficient
|
||
when workload is high, especially on EME. For these reasons a basic
|
||
auto-sequencing feature is offered.
|
||
|
||
Check *Auto Seq* on the main window to enable this feature:
|
||
|
||
image::auto-seq.png[align="center",alt="AutoSeq"]
|
||
|
||
When calling CQ you may also choose to check the box *Call 1st*.
|
||
_WSJT-X_ will then respond automatically to the first decoded
|
||
responder to your CQ.
|
||
|
||
NOTE: When *Auto-Seq* is enabled the program de-activates *Enable Tx*
|
||
at the end of each QSO. It is not intended that _WSJT-X_ should make
|
||
fully automated QSOs.
|
||
|
||
=== VHF Contest Mode
|
||
|
||
A special *NA VHF Contest* mode can be activated for FT8 and MSK144
|
||
modes by checking a box on the main window. This mode is configured
|
||
especially for contests in which four-character grid locators are the
|
||
required exchange. When *NA VHF Contest* mode is active, the standard
|
||
QSO sequence looks like this:
|
||
|
||
CQ K1ABC FN42
|
||
K1ABC W9XYZ EN37
|
||
W9XYZ K1ABC R FN42
|
||
K1ABC W9XYZ RRR
|
||
W9XYZ K1ABC 73
|
||
|
||
In contest circumstances K1ABC might choose to call CQ again rather
|
||
than sending 73 for his third transmission.
|
||
|
||
IMPORTANT: Do not use VHF Contest Mode on an HF band or in conditions
|
||
where worldwide propagation is available. See
|
||
<<PROTOCOL_OVERVIEW,Protocol Specifications>> for further details.
|
||
|
||
[[COMP-CALL]]
|
||
=== Compound Callsigns
|
||
|
||
Compound callsigns such as xx/K1ABC or K1ABC/x are handled in
|
||
one of two possible ways:
|
||
|
||
.Messages containing Type 1 compound callsigns
|
||
|
||
A list of about 350 of the most common prefixes and suffixes can be
|
||
displayed from the *Help* menu. A single compound callsign involving
|
||
one item from this list can be used in place of the standard third
|
||
word of a message (normally a locator, signal report, RRR, or 73).
|
||
The following examples are all acceptable messages containing *Type 1*
|
||
compound callsigns:
|
||
|
||
CQ ZA/K1ABC
|
||
CQ K1ABC/4
|
||
ZA/K1ABC G0XYZ
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC/4
|
||
|
||
The following messages are _not_ valid, because a third word is not
|
||
permitted in any message containing a *Type 1* compound callsign:
|
||
|
||
ZA/K1ABC G0XYZ -22 #These messages are invalid; each would
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC/4 73 # be sent without its third "word"
|
||
|
||
A QSO between two stations using *Type 1* compound-callsign messages
|
||
might look like this:
|
||
|
||
CQ ZA/K1ABC
|
||
ZA/K1ABC G0XYZ
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC –19
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ R–22
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC RRR
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ 73
|
||
|
||
Notice that the full compound callsign is sent and received in the
|
||
first two transmissions. After that, the operators omit the add-on
|
||
prefix or suffix and use the standard structured messages.
|
||
|
||
.Type 2 Compound-Callsign Messages
|
||
|
||
Prefixes and suffixes _not_ found in the displayable short list are
|
||
handled by using *Type 2* compound callsigns. In this case the
|
||
compound callsign must be the second word in a two- or three-word
|
||
message, and the first word must be CQ, DE, or QRZ. Prefixes can be 1
|
||
to 4 characters, suffixes 1 to 3 characters. A third word conveying a
|
||
locator, report, RRR, or 73 is permitted. The following are valid
|
||
messages containing *Type 2* compound callsigns:
|
||
|
||
CQ W4/G0XYZ FM07
|
||
QRZ K1ABC/VE6 DO33
|
||
DE W4/G0XYZ FM18
|
||
DE W4/G0XYZ -22
|
||
DE W4/G0XYZ R-22
|
||
DE W4/G0XYZ RRR
|
||
DE W4/G0XYZ 73
|
||
|
||
In each case, the compound callsign is treated as *Type 2* because the
|
||
add-on prefix or suffix is _not_ one of those in the fixed list. Note
|
||
that a second callsign is never permissible in these messages.
|
||
|
||
NOTE: During a transmission your outgoing message is displayed in the
|
||
first label on the *Status Bar* and shown exactly as another station
|
||
will receive it. You can check to see that you are actually
|
||
transmitting the message you wish to send.
|
||
|
||
QSOs involving *Type 2* compound callsigns might look like either
|
||
of the following sequences:
|
||
|
||
CQ K1ABC/VE1 FN75
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ IO91
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC –19
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ R–22
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC RRR
|
||
K1ABC/VE1 73
|
||
|
||
|
||
CQ K1ABC FN42
|
||
DE G0XYZ/W4 FM18
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC –19
|
||
K1ABC G0XYZ R–22
|
||
G0XYZ K1ABC RRR
|
||
DE G0XYZ/W4 73
|
||
|
||
Operators with a compound callsign use its full form when calling CQ
|
||
and possibly also in a 73 transmission, as may be required by
|
||
licensing authorities. Other transmissions during a QSO may use the
|
||
standard structured messages without callsign prefix or suffix.
|
||
|
||
TIP: If you are using a compound callsign, you may want to
|
||
experiment with the option *Message generation for type 2 compound
|
||
callsign holders* on the *Settings | General* tab, so that messages
|
||
will be generated that best suit your needs.
|
||
|
||
=== Pre-QSO Checklist
|
||
|
||
Before attempting your first QSO with one of the WSJT modes, be sure
|
||
to go through the <<TUTORIAL,Basic Operating Tutorial>> above as well
|
||
as the following checklist:
|
||
|
||
- Your callsign and grid locator set to correct values
|
||
|
||
- PTT and CAT control (if used) properly configured and tested
|
||
|
||
- Computer clock properly synchronized to UTC within ±1 s
|
||
|
||
- Audio input and output devices configured for sample rate 48000 Hz,
|
||
16 bits
|
||
|
||
- Radio set to *USB* (upper sideband) mode
|
||
|
||
- Radio filters centered and set to widest available passband (up to 5 kHz).
|
||
|
||
TIP: Remember that in many circumstances FT8, JT4, JT9, JT65, and WSPR
|
||
do not require high power. Under most HF propagation conditions, QRP
|
||
is the norm.
|