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js8call/Release_Notes.txt
Jordan Sherer 62899069bf Merged master 8748
2018-08-05 11:33:30 -04:00

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Copyright 2001 - 2018 by Joe Taylor, K1JT.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.9.1
June 1, 2018
-----------------------------
This critical bug fix release repairs an unintended restriction in the FT8
DXpedition mode. It supersedes v1.9.0 and must be used for DXpedition Fox
operators.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.9.0
May 28, 2018
-----------------------------
Changes from WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc4 include the following:
- Display in the right text window of MSK144 messages addressed to
"MyCall" has been restored.
- Fox is not allowed to transmit in any of the default FT8 sub-bands.
- Fox can now work Hounds using compound callsigns.
- Fox can now transmit free-text messages (and any standard FT8 message)
by using Tab 1 or Tab 2.
- Added a checkbox to enable more frequent programmed CQs by Fox.
Default is OFF.
- Alt+N keyboard shortcut has been restored.
- MacOS program crash on unexpected decode request has been fixed.
- Several minor bug fixes and added convenience features.
- Hamlib, support for TRXManger added.
- Hamlib, improved support for flrig.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc4
April 30, 2018
---------------------------------
Changes from WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc3 include the following:
- Corrected a number of flaws in Fox and Hound behavior, FT8
DXpedition Mode
- Decoded CQ calls where a prefix has been used as a suffix should
have the DXCC entity name assigned correctly in almost all cases
- Improved AFC capability for the wider JT65 sub-modes to help with
drifting signals
- Better support for macOS using hi-DPI Retina displays
- New UDP message that allows external applications to highlight
decoded callsigns
- Main-screen geometry and state of the "splitter" setting between its
two text windows is now properly restored after program restart.
- New simulator jt49sim[.exe] replaces jt4sim and jt9sim
- Correct S/N measurements for the JT9 slow/wide submodes
- Other minor bug fixes
- Updated copy of cty.dat
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc3
March 18, 2018
---------------------------------
Changes from WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc2 include the following:
- Corrected a number of flaws in Fox behavior, FT8 DXpedition Mode
- Allow Hounds to use compound callsigns
- Write debugging information to FoxQSO.txt.
- Fix the "Blue Decode Button" bug
- Allow partial processing of incoming UDP Reply messages so that
non-CQ/QRZ decodes can be processed. The processing is the same as
double-clicking the same decoded message within WSJT-X except that
"Enable Tx" will not be enabled.
- Send DX grid locator to wsjt_status.txt, for use by applications like
PstRotatorAZ
- Correct the display of DXCC status of KG4 calls
- Updated copy of cty.dat
- Updates to documentation
- Other minor bug fixes
- This release contains updated Hamlib functionality including changes
to the Yaesu FT-817 back end that allows the uBITx kit transceiver
to be CAT controlled by WSJT-X.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc2
February 26, 2018
---------------------------------
Changes from WSJT-X Version 1.8.0 include the following:
- New FT8 DXpedition Mode to facilitate high QSO rates in pileup
situations
- Decoding improvements for JT65 mode, including a priori (AP)
decoding when VHF/UHF/Microwave features are enabled
- Optional Auto-Sequencing in JT4, JT9, and JT65 when
VHF/UHF/Microwave features are enabled
- Better suppression of low-confidence false decodes generated by AP
decoding in FT8 mode
- Improved decoding performance for WSPR mode, especially effective at
LF and MF
- Minor adjustments to auto-sequencing behavior
- More flexible Doppler control features for EME
- Improved waterfall sensitivity for very weak signals
- Automatic real-time forwarding of logged information to N1MM Logger+
- Expanded and improved UDP messages sent to companion programs
- Bug fixes and other minor tweaks to user interface
A primary purpose of this beta release is to allow field testing of
FT8 DXpedition Mode. Instructions for this mode are posted here:
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/FT8_DXpedition_Mode.pdf
Contacts in FT8 DXpedition Mode must use WSJT-X v1.9.0 at both ends of
the QSO. Please report any anomalous behavior to email list
wsjt-devel@lists.sourceforge.net. You must be a subscriber in order
to post there.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.8.0
October 27, 2017
-----------------------------
This is the full General Availability release of WSJT-X Version 1.8.0.
Changes from WSJT-X Version 1.8.0-rc3 are very minor:
- Right-click on the Wide Graph now pops up a Context Menu. Select
the item *Set Rx & Tx Offset* to complete a one-handed setting of
both red and green frequency markers.
- Several clarifications and additions to Tool Tips and the User Guide.
We recommend that all users should upgrade to WSJT-X Version 1.8.0.
If you upgrade from v1.8.0-rc1 it may be necessary to do a one-time
reset of the default list of suggested operating frequencies. Go to
*File->Settings->Frequencies*, right click on the table and select
*Reset*.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.8.0-rc3
October 16, 2017
---------------------------------
Most (but not all) changes since Version 1.8.0-rc2 involve user
control of the increasingly popular FT8 mode. The "RC3" release also
includes minor bug fixes and updates to the WSJT-X User Guide.
The following list includes all of the more important changes:
- New optimization of GUI for simplex and split behavior in FT8 mode.
1. Checkbox "Lock Tx Freq" on main window is relabeled "Hold Tx Freq".
2. Double-clicking on decoded messages that do not contain your own
call moves both Rx and Tx frequencies. If the first callsign is
your own call, only Rx freq moves.
3. Double-clicking on decoded messages moves the Rx frequency. If
"Hold Tx Freq" is checked, Tx frequency is moved only if CTRL was
held down.
4. Clicking on the waterfall moves Rx and Tx frequencies as
before: Rx only on a simple click, Tx only on SHIFT-click, and
both on CTRL-click. This happens even if "Hold Tx Freq" is
checked.
- Add a semi-automated "FreqCal" procedure: see *Solve for calibration
parameters* on the Tools menu.
- Improv auto-sequencing behavior: stop and on-frequency
transmission if a called station comes back to someone else.
- Improve S/N estimation in some situations involving QRM.
- Fix an initialization issue with user-modified application fonts.
- Fix an issue with Tx5 message generation with Type 2 compound calls.
- Enhance and improve the ADIF parser of logbook records. Update
the band limits as per ADIF 3.0.6 specification.
- Increase the FT8 DT range to +/- 2.5 s.
- Do not allow window manager events to close the astronomical data
window.
- Add an "Erase" item to the context (right-click) menu for decoded
text.
- Extend UDP messages with an "off air" boolean field indicating that
the decode was derived from a .WAV file playback rather than an on air
reception.
- Extend reference applications to use the new off air decode message
field.
- Improve performance of FT8 decoder, especially for overlapping
signals.
- Allow specialized use of "x2 Tone Spacing" in FT8 and slow JT9
modes.
- Move "NA VHF Contest Mode" checkbox to main screen. Query the
operator if d > 10000 km.
- Adjust UI to improve portability with font size changes and between
platforms.
- Extend UDP Reply message to support keyboard modifiers. This allows
UDP servers to emulate keyboard modified double-clicks on decoded
messages, e.g. ALT+double-click for replying to a CQ or QRZ call
without changing ones Tx frequency offset.
- Update the cty.dat file (21st Sept 2017).
- Ensure that Fast Graph is properly initialized.
- Better handling of worked before and country name display. Appended
text is added at a fixed column unless the message overlaps in which
case the appended information floats to the right.
- Restore printing of MSK144 decode quality information.
- Display Echo Graph automatically when Echo mode is started.
- Fix a bug that prevented double-click on a JT65 EME-style "OOO"
message from populating the Tx message boxes.
- Fixed behavior with double-click on 'CQ <AA-ZZ> <call> <grid>.'
- Update the "blank line" divider with band ID at 4*TRperiod/5.
- Fix cty.dat lookups that were not honouring exact match flags
- Add some further Copyright protections.
- Fix a bug involving "firstcall contains mycall" but not equal to mycall.
- Fix an issue with editing IARU regions in the working frequencies table.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.8.0-rc2
September 2, 2017
---------------------------------
Implementation of FT8 and its auto-sequencing feature is now more
capable and more polished. The decoder is faster and better: it now
includes signal subtraction, multi-pass decoding, and the use of
accumulated "a priori" information as a QSO progresses. Sensitivity
extends downward as far as -24 dB in some circumstances. Overlapping
signals 2 and 3 deep are frequently decoded at essentially the same
frequency. On a crowded band we sometimes see more than 30 decodes in
a single 15-second interval, over a 2 kHz window. The North American
VHF Contesting Mode has been extended to include both FT8 and MSK144
modes.
The "RC2" release also includes many minor bug fixes and an
extensively updated WSJT-X User Guide.
Depending on what code revision you upgrade from, it may be necessary
to do a one-time reset of the default list of suggested operating
frequencies. Go to *File->Settings->Frequencies*, right click on
the table and select *Reset*.
Release: WSJT-X Version 1.8.0
-----------------------------
NEW FEATURES IN WSJT-X Version 1.8.0
------------------------------------
1. New mode called FT8: sensitivity down to -20 dB on the AWGN
channel; QSOs 4 times faster than JT65 or JT9; auto-sequencing
includes an option to respond automatically to first decoded
reply to your CQ.
2. New mode for accurate Frequency Calibration of your radio.
3. Improved performance of decoders for JT65, QRA64, and MSK144.
MSK144 includes facilities for amplitide and phase equalization
and an "SWL" mode for short-format messages.
4. Options to minimize screen space used by Main and Wide Graph
windows.
5. Enhanced management scheme for table of operating frequencies, and
a new set of default frequencies specific to the three IARU
Regions.
6. Improved CAT control for many rigs, including those controlled
through Commander or OmniRig.
7. New keyboard shortcuts to set "Tx even/1st" ON or OFF.
8. A number of (mostly minor) bug fixes and tweaks to the user
interface. For example: new behavior for the audio level slider;
correctly logged QSO start times in certain situations; correct
control of FT-891/991 and some other radios via rigctld.
At the time of the v1.8.0-rc1 release the following tasks are yet to
be completed:
1. Updates to WSJT-X User Guide.
2. Sample files for FT8.
3. Enhanced decoding using AP ("a priori") information.
4. Signal subtraction and multi-pass decoding.
5. Option to Auto-respond to the weakest responder to your CQ.
Installation packages for Windows, Linux, OS X, and Raspbian can be
downloaded from the WSJT web site:
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html
Please send bug reports to either wsjtgroup@yahoogroups.com or
wsjt-devel@lists.sourceforge.net. Such reports should include a full
prescription of steps to reproduce the undesired behavior. You must
be a subscriber to post to either of these lists.
Brief Description of the FT8 Protocol
-------------------------------------
WSJT-X Version 1.8.0 includes a new mode called FT8, developed by K9AN
and K1JT. The mode name "FT8" stands for "Franke and Taylor, 8-FSK
modulation". FT8 uses 15-second T/R sequences and provides 50% or
better decoding probability down to -20 dB on an AWGN channel. An
auto-sequencing facility includes an option to respond automatically
to the first decoded reply to your CQ. FT8 QSOs are 4 times faster
than those made with JT65 or JT9. FT8 is an excellent mode for HF
DXing and for situations like multi-hop E_s on 6 meters, where deep
QSB may make fast and reliable completion of QSOs desirable.
Some important characteristics of FT8:
- T/R sequence length: 15 s
- Message length: 75 bits + 12-bit CRC
- FEC code: LDPC(174,87)
- Modulation: 8-FSK, tone spacing 6.25 Hz
- Constant-envelope waveform
- Occupied bandwidth: 50 Hz
- Synchronization: 7x7 Costas arrays at start, middle, and end
- Transmission duration: 79*1920/12000 = 12.64 s
- Decoding threshold: -20 dB; several dB lower with AP decoding
- Multi-decoder finds and decodes all FT8 signals in passband
- Optional auto-sequencing and auto-reply to a CQ response
- Operational behavior similar to JT9, JT65
We plan to implement signal subtraction, two-pass decoding, and use of
a priori (AP) information in the decoder. These features are not yet
activated in v1.8.0.
We haven't yet finalized what the three extra bits in the message
payload will be used for. Suggestions are welcome!
-- Joe, K1JT, for the WSJT Development Team
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