Re: [wsjt-devel] FT8: IMPORTANT NOTICE

[Eric G. <eg...@co...>]

My thanks also to Joe and the team. Two QSOs completed so far, and one with
signal levels around -18. No repeats needed, and seems like all working so
far.


NC6K

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Malcolm [mailto:dan...@gm...] 
Sent: Friday, July 7, 2017 5:42 PM
To: 'WSJT software development' <wsj...@li...>
Subject: Re: [wsjt-devel] FT8: IMPORTANT NOTICE

Thanks Joe.  I know you and your fellow developers have been hard at it, and
we appreciate the effort, and the great results.

One issue I am seeing that during a QSO, my QSO partners replies show up in
Band Activity fine, but get doubled in Rx Frequency.  I have screen shots,
and will provide them if you need them.  Thanks again.

Dan - K4SHQ

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Taylor [mailto:jo...@pr...]
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2017 6:54 PM
To: WSJT software development <wsj...@li...>
Subject: Re: [wsjt-devel] FT8: IMPORTANT NOTICE

To:      Users of FT8
From:    WSJT Development Team
Subject: IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FT8

If you are building WSJT-X for yourself from source code, you may now
upgrade to r7812 and recompile. You will then have access to the latest
version of FT8 plus some new features for setting default operating
frequencies by mode and IARU region.  The program built in this way will be
called WSJT-X v1.7.1 r7812.

Note that essentially the same program will soon be packaged for wider
distribution as as "WSJT-X Version 1.8.0-rc1" (release candidate 1), see
below).

Remember that FT8 in code revisions 7812 are higher is NOT COMPATIBLE with
that in 7782 and earlier.  To use FT8 you must upgrade to r7812.
If you see FT8 signals that do not decode, they may be using the obsolete
protocol.

About the Default Working Frequencies
=====================================

FT8 will likely be popular with MF and HF users as well as the VHF multi-hop
sporadic-E DXers it was designed for.  After consultation with the user
community, we have reworked the suggested operating frequency defaults to
include FT8.  This was not easy on every relevant band; where possible, we
have suggested a 2 kHz range for exclusive FT8 use. 
(Exclusivity is important, as the T/R period is 15 s which will not mix well
with mode that use one-minute sequences.)

In general the FT8 frequencies are set 2kHz below the current JT65
allocation.  This should allow operation using a normal SSB filter width
without too much interference from strong JT65 signals up the band.  On some
bands that has not been possible since JT65 sits at the lowest usable narrow
band data mode frequency, when considering all international band plans.

For the 660 m and 2200 m  bands we have not assigned separate frequencies
for JT65/JT9/FT8, and just expect users to coordinate themselves.  The
numbers of active operators will probably be low enough that this will not
cause issues.

For 160 m we assume that the JT65 and JT9 sub-bands can be squeezed to
1 kHz each, and FT8 can sit above using up to another 1 kHz.

Previous 80 m use of JT modes has done a disservice to JA operators, who
have no privileges on the current WSPR/JT65/JT9 allocations.  To correct
this we have moved the allocations to a part of the band where JAs can
operate.  Obviously this change will impact other non-WSJT-X users, so for
now we suggest that if you intend to operate on 80 m JT65/JT9/WSPR then you
manually change the working frequencies in WSJT-X
("Settings->Frequencies") back to the old allocations until a general
availability release of WSJT-X v1.8.0 is published. This will allow time for
other software teams to coordinate with us.

The old allocations are:

JT65 3.567 MHz
JT9  3.578 MHz
WSPR 3.5926 MHz

For 6 m we understand that the IARU Region 1 band plan is not to the liking
of DX chasers around the world and largely ignored by Region 1 users.
However we cannot reasonably continue to set working frequency suggestions
that drive traffic to parts of the band that are not supposed to be used for
narrow band data modes.  The v1.8.0 release will allow Region-specific
working frequencies as well as globally coordinated ones.  Consequently we
have set the Region 1 working frequencies roughly in line with the band
plan.  If you do not like the allocations then do not complain to us, but
complain to your Region 1 band coordinator along with reasons why you think
it should change.  The proposed Region 1 working frequencies are usable
globally wherever 6m data mode operation is permitted so we have set them as
global rather than Region 1 specific.  Region 2 and 3 operators will have
both local and global frequencies offered.

Other changes are in line with current usage.


Finally, if you are waiting for pre-built installation packages:

We plan to post a release candidate for WSJT-X v1.8.0-rc1 configured for
Windows, Linux, and OS X very soon -- probably early next week.  Thanks for
your patience!

     -- 73, Joe, K1JT (for the WSJT Development Team)

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