The team led by Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor has introduced the new digimode JTTY with WSJT-X 3.2.0-rc1. JTTY combines traditional RTTY keyboard communication with modern weak-signal encoding.

Daniel HB9HGH has set up the trial version. It took barely five minutes to install the software. However, to ensure it runs smoothly, there is one important step required after setup if you have already installed an earlier version of WSJT-X: in the frequency window, you must update the frequency table by right-clicking and selecting the ‘Reset’ function.

Text entry and macros

Technically, JTTY uses a 4-tone GFSK waveform with 1.888-second frames within a bandwidth of approximately 127 Hz. Unlike the automated FT modes, this mode allows text to be sent directly via the keyboard and macros to be assigned to the F1 to F8 function keys. Signal subtraction and adaptive decoding support reception in the event of signal fading or overlapping stations. Traffic is logged in the familiar ALL.TXT file, whilst an MMTTY-compatible interface enables connection to logging software.

It works brilliantly in practice: from Switzerland, we managed to make a QSO with a station in Denmark straight away. As some logging programmes, including Log4OM, for example, have not yet implemented the new mode, it is possible to record the contact but not to edit the entry afterwards. Nevertheless, live keyboard operation is an immediate pleasure in the shack.

Download page for WSJT-X 3.3.0-beta1

Published by HB9HGH