For those familiar with WSJT-X, the use of SlowJT9 should be pretty selfexplaining. But keep in mind that the current beta version has far less "bells and whistles" than WSJT-X. If this project is continued more functionality will be added.
After launching SlowJT9 for the first time a "Failed to read settings" warning will appears as the settings file is not yet existing. Before you can use the application for transmitting you have to enter some information. Therefore click on settings:
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Station: In order to enable transmitting it is obligatory to enter a valid call and a 4 digit WW locator (eg. JO20). If the entries are valid the background colour will change from red to cream. Optional the difference between the computer clock and UTC can be set. Confirm the settings by clicking on or leave without changes by clicking on . |
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Radio: The transmit/receive switchting can be done by VOX or PPT via the RTS or DTR pin of a serial port. The default setting is VOX. If RTS or DTR is choosen you must select a serial port. Optional a TX delay (not effective if VOX is choosen) and/or watchdog timer(1) (up to 99 minutes, 0 = no watchdog timer) can be set. Confirm the settings by clicking on or leave without changes by clicking on . Note that for PTT switching via a serial port in most cases an interface between the computer serial port output and the transmitter PTT input is required. |
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Audio: Select the correct input (receive) and output (transmit) channel of the soundcard. In general these should be the same as used for WSJT-X. Confirm the settings by clicking on or leave without changes by clicking on . |
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Mode: Select the mode you want tu use.
Confirm the settings by clicking on or leave without changes by clicking on . |
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Save: Select what you want to save.
Confirm the settings by clicking on or leave without changes by clicking on . |
After setting all required parameters you are ready to use SlowJT9.
- Open this help file.
- View the "must read" message. Please read and understand this message before using SlowJT9.
- Open the settings, see above.
- Open the spectrum window, see further.
- Band activity window. All messages received within the audio bandwidth (400 - 1400 Hz for JT9-1 and JT9-2, 400 - 843 Hz for JT9-5, 400 - 416 Hz for JT9-10) are displayed here. CQ messages have a green background, messages that contain your call have a red background.
- : click to tune / stop tuning (toggle function).
- : click to stop the transmission instantly.
- : click to enable / disable transmitting (toggle function).
- : click to erase alle messages in the RX frequency window, double-click to erase all messages in the band activity window.
- Check this box if you want to transmit the first cycle(2), uncheck to transmit the second cycle(2).
- DX call field. Enter the DX call here, either by typing or double-clicking in the band activity window or RX frequency window. The background is red if the DX call is missing or invalid and will turn to cream for a valid call.
- Check this box if you only want to change your RX frequency if you click on a call in the band activity or RX frequency windows. If unchecked both RX and TX frequency will change.
- Date and time display. Make sure that time is set to UTC, either by setting the computer clock or bu setting the UTC difference in the settings (see above).
- Current mode display (JT9-1, JT9-2 or JT9-5).
- Audio input level bar.
- Audio input level display. The background is red in case of overload and orange if the level is too low.
- Cycle progress bar. The colour is red for TX, green for RX and yellow if idle. In addition the current status, and in TX the current transmitted message, is displayed.
- TX audio frequency field. The frequency must be within the allowed audio range (400 - 1400 Hz for JT9-1 and JT9-2, 400 - 843 Hz for JT9-5, 400 - 416 Hz for JT9-10). The frequency can be changed by typing or using the up/down arrows. If the "hold TX frequency" box is unchecked the frequency will also be changed by double-clicking on a message in the band activity or RX frequency window.
- RX audio frequency field. The frequency must be within the allowed audio range (400 - 1400 Hz for JT9-1 and JT9-2, 400 - 843 Hz for JT9-5, 400 - 416 Hz for JT9-10). The frequency can be changed by typing or using the up/down arrows. The frequency will also be changed by double-clicking on a message in the band activity or RX frequency window.
- Report field. The report must be in the range of -50 to +49 dB. The report can be set or changed by typing or using the up/down arrows. The report will also be changed by double-clicking on a message in the band activity or RX frequency window. The background is red if the report is missing or invalid and will turn to cream for a valid report.
- : click to set the RX frequency equal to the TX frequency.
- : click to set the TX frequency equal to the RX frequency.
- Watchdog timer(1) countdown display, only active if the watchdog timer is enabled. The watchdog timer can be reset by clicking on this display.
- Check this box if you want to ommit the exchange of the WW locator if responding to a CQ call. Instead you will immediately send the report.
- Free message field. You can enter up to 13 characters. Allowed charachers are 0..9 A..Z space - @ # < > ? . / +. Double-click to clear this field.
- Check this box to transmit the free message.
- Structured message field. Messages are generated by clicking on one of the buttons or on a message in the band activity or RX frequency window. You cannot type in this field.
- Check this box to transmit the structured message.
- Structured message buttons. Click on one of there buttons to generate a structured message. Structured messages can only be generated if the required information (DX call and/or report) is available.
- Audio output level slider. Use it to adjust the audio ouput level.
- Current cycle(2) display. While for JT9(-1) it is very straighforward to know the current cycle (even minute = 1st cycle, odd minute = 2nd cycle), this is not so for JT9-2 and JT9-5. So for your convenience the current cycle is displayed.
- RX frequency window. All messages received on (or very close to) the RX frequency are displayed here. CQ messages have a green background, messages that contain your call have a red background.
- Cycle length of received message: 1 = JT9(-1), 2 = JT9-2, 5 = JT9-5, X = JT9-10.
Spectrum window:
- Audio frequency axis (400 - 1400 Hz).
- RX frequency marker.
- TX frequency marker.
- Visual gain slider. Use it to adjust the visual gain of the waterfall display.
- Waterfall display. Click on the waterfall display to set the RX frequency, double-click to set the TX and RX frequency.
- Spectrum display. Click on the spectrum display to set the noise reference level (visual gain offset)
- Signal level to colour conversion column. Can be adjusted by changing the visual gain and noise reference level.
- Noise reference level (visual gain offset).
(1): The watchdog timer, if active, will stop transmission when it trips. The time can be set between 0 (not active) and 99 minutes. The watchdog times can be reset by clicking on the watchdog timer countdown display. It is also reset by initiating a generated message.
(2): The cycle duration is 1 minute for JT9(-1), 2 minutes for JT9-2, 5 minutes for JT9-5 and 10 minutes for JT9-10. The first cycle starts at the full hour and from then on first and second cycles follow each other alternately:
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