BLOG – Pagina 19

aug 02

Log4OM 1.29.0 released -02/08/2017

Opgeslagen onder Ham Software

Release notes Version 1.29.0

MAINTENANCE RELEASE

– LOTW download doesn’t change the gridsquare if something it’s already saved on the QSO

– Implemented great circle representation when drawing QSO on map

– Winkeyer Lead-In and Tail value increment changed from 10 to 1 per click.

– Hamlib libraries updated to main revision 3.x

– Changed residual dates from LOCAL to UTC on all software features.

– Fixed DXCC export statistics

– LOTW QSO download now updates country if different from log.

– DC reference removed from WAS list

– Fixed code in the awards management to be more compliant with awards.xml file

– Added support to 4m awards in ARRL / CQ awards

– Fixed counter in GRIDSQUARE statistics

– New bands supported in IOTA award (6m and upper)

– 2 new advanced options in SETTINGS – CAT (mainly Elecraft users)

– Send FREQUENCY command before MODE command when changing both parameters

– Add delay (fixed 500 ms) between FREQ and MODE subsequent messages (or MODE FREQ according to previous parameter)

– Added transverter support under program settings – CAT menu (add/remove amount in KHz) working at low level near CAT subsystem.

– Added JT9, FT8 mode support

– Small performance improvements in datagrid QSO visualization

jul 28

New version of MixW available 3.2.105

Opgeslagen onder Ham Software

What’s new in the MixW3.2.105 27 Jul 2017 version.

MixW 3.2.105 (with 25-07-17)

- Improved format for Extras Download window
- New Macros (SCROLLLOCK:ON), (SCROLLLOCK:OFF) and (SCROLLLOCK:TOGGLE)
- New Macro (TOGGLE:Toolbar) enhamces SHOW/HIDE functionality
- Additional pane to QSO meter window
- Added Intelligent whitespace functionality to the Edit menu
- ADIF file creation to V3.0.5 of the specification
- Support for Yaesu FT-891
- Fixed errors that were present in older versions (Thanks to 2E0BPP, ON2AD, NK7Z)

And there is now a MixWHelp_V32105.pdf help file in PDF format.

Make a Shortcut from this MixWHelp_V32105.pdf on your desktop and you have a nice a quick acces to the MixW help files.

73 de Pat ON2AD

jul 28

ZS9V – Robben Island IOTA AF-064

Opgeslagen onder DXpedities

Date: 9 to 13 August 2017

The team:

Paul (ZS1V), Jan (ZS1VDV), Andre (ZS1AN), Johan (ZS1A), Pierre (ZS6A) and

Oleg (ZS1ANF).

Will be operating as

ZS9V

from Robben Island (IOTA group AF-064)

from 9 August 2017 until sometime on Sunday 13 August.

This is the weekend BEFORE ILLW.

In addition to the stations we had last year (SSB on 10/15/20 and SSB on 40/80) we will also have a CW station operating on the high bands. CW operation bands and possible digital modes and bands will be announced closer to the time. Further information on the operation will be published on

zs9v.org.za

as it becomes available.

jul 25

RSGB IOTA Contest – 29th – 30th July 2017

Opgeslagen onder Contesten

The RSGB IOTA contest is one of the most important and exciting contests of the year. Since in this contest, the emphasis is on stations operating from islands, there are many operators that make short trips to one of the many available islands in any continent, including Europe.

To encourage the partecipation, the RSGB has released a very simple guide aimed at newcomers, where it is explained, step by step, how to enter a contest, to manage QSO’s and even to build your own dipole (normal or inverted V)!

This guide is found at http://www.rsgbcc.org/hf/iotahelp.shtml.

Here are the details:

the contest period is from 1200 UTC Saturday to 1200 UTC Sunday.

Bands/modes: 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28MHz, CW and SSB.

Categories:

Single Op 12 hrs (Island/World | CW/SSB/Mixed | QRP/Low/High)

Single Op 24 hrs (Island/World | CW/SSB/Mixed | QRP/Low/High)

Single Op Assisted 12 hrs (Island/World | CW/SSB/Mixed | QRP/Low/High)

Single Op Assisted 24 hrs (Island/World | CW/SSB/Mixed | QRP/Low/High)

Multi-Op Island (QRP/Low/High)

New category introduced in 2016: Multi-Two Island (QRP/Low/High)

Scoring:

All entrants can contact anyone, Island Stations or World Stations.

Island Stations contacting
World Stations: 5 points.
Island Stations having the same IOTA reference (for example EU-005 contacts EU-005): 5 points.
Other Island Stations: 15 points.

World Stations contacting
World Stations: 2 points.
Island Stations: 15 points.

The multiplier is the total of different IOTA references contacted on each band on CW, plus the total of different IOTA references contacted on each band on SSB.

Entries must be emailed to iota.logs@rsgbcc.org no later than August 7.

Rules are found @ www.rsgbcc.org/hf/rules/2016/riota.shtml.

You may also want to check a large list of stations

which announced their partecipation @

www.ng3k.com/Misc/iota2016.html.

jul 24

WSJT-X Version 1.8.0-rc1 – New FT-8 DigiMode – Ham Radio for the Fast & Furious

Opgeslagen onder Ham Software

WSJT-X Version 1.8.0 includes a new mode called FT8,

developed by K9AN and K1JT

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, provides 50% or
better decoding probability down to -20 dB on an AWGN channel, and
maintains good performance on Doppler-spread fading channels. 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: 7×7 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

jul 17