General RTTY and PSK Informationĭigital mode contesting is growing rapidly. The rest of this chapter deals only with traditional conversational digital modes (RTTY, PSK and similar digital modes). Instructions on how to interface the two programs and use them in combination in contests is found in the manual chapter on the WSJT Decode List Window. The interaction between N1MM+ and WSJT-X is controlled through a special window in N1MM+ called the WSJT Decode List window. By using N1MM+ in combination with WSJT-X, users are able to combine contacts made in all modes into a single log for dupe- and multiplier-checking. The only role that N1MM+ plays is to perform radio control functions on behalf of WSJT-X, and to store logged QSOs in a combined log that includes contacts made in other modes, including CW and SSB as well as the WSJT-mode contacts. The entire conduct of QSOs in WSJT modes is controlled by the WSJT-X program. The FT8 mode in particular became widely popular for DXing, and demands for the ability to use it in contests followed, particularly for popular VHF contests and Field Day.īecause of the differences in the way these modes work and are implemented, the interaction between N1MM+ and the WSJT-X digital engine is different from the interaction with digital engines for the other digital modes. The name “WSJT” stands for “Weak Signal Joe Taylor” (Joe Taylor, K1JT, is the inventor of these modes), and as the “Weak Signal” part of that name suggests, it is possible for stations with modest power and antennas to communicate using these modes when traditional modes fail. The answer is that these modes are able to support communications under conditions where traditional modes fail. This raises the question of why anyone would want to use these modes in contests, given the restrictions described in the previous paragraph. Only a few contest exchange types are supported: North American and European VHF contest exchanges, the ARRL RTTY Roundup exchange, and the ARRL Field Day Exchange are the only contest exchanges supported. The full range of contest exchanges seen in CW, SSB and RTTY contests cannot be supported by WSJT-X and similar programs. The contents of the messages are very limited there are only half a dozen stereotyped message formats, and the contents must fall within narrowly-defined categories. All transmitted messages in a given mode are exactly the same length. They are all synchronized to clock time, to within a tolerance of around 1 second all of the FT8 signals being transmitted at any time are in lock-step. All of these modes share similar characteristics. The best-known of these modes are FT8 and FT4, but there are many more. The second class of digital modes is a family of modes supported by the WSJT-X program and its offshoots. The digital engine software may also display some kind of tuning aid to help users to tune signals in accurately. This software, in conjunction with a sound card or codec, acts as a modem to translate when transmitting between characters, either stored in message files or input from the keyboard, and the varying frequencies that are actually transmitted, and on receive, between the received signals and the characters displayed on the screen. N1MM+ implements them with the help of either a hardware interface (TNC or TU) or more often, using “digital engine” software. These modes are conceptually quite similar to CW. There is no restriction on when a transmission may begin, other than the usual admonition to avoid having both parties to a QSO transmitting at once. These messages may be of arbitrary lengths and may contain any information that can be written down in letters and numbers. The first class of digital modes comprises “conversational” keyboard-to-keyboard modes in which the two parties to a QSO exchange messages made up of characters (letters, numbers or punctuation characters). There are two broad classes of digital modes supported by N1MM+. Configuring a DXP-38 in one of the additional RX windowsĭigital Modes WSJT (FT8,FT4) versus other digital modes (RTTY, PSK).Additional Macros for the External TNC Interface.The MMVARI Waterfall or Spectrum Window.Why to Use “Auto Update TRX Offset w/Mark Freq.”.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |