[wsjt-devel] WSJT-X: WSPR frequencies and consequences of mode changes.

[Bill Somerville]

Hi All,

I am finalizing my changes to maintenance of the working frequencies
list and filtering the band drop down by mode. I have some observations
and questions:

1) Does WSPR-15 share the same dial frequency as WSPR-2?
2) Does JT4 and the JT65 modes on VHF and up share a dial frequency? I
assume that most operation is sked based and any dial frequency is
probably just a starting point or centre of activity.
3) It turns out that it is easier to adjust the dial frequency to the
nearest configured working frequency when changing modes,
4) as there can, and will be, separate dial frequencies for JT65A and
JT9 on HF; this makes the +2 kHz check box redundant.
5) I could leave the dial frequency untouched when changing modes but I
can't see a compelling reason not to change it when the target mode has
a different working frequency.

Comments and suggestions?

73
Bill
G4WJS.

[KI7MT]

Hi Bill,

See blow.

Post by Bill Somerville
Hi All,
I am finalizing my changes to maintenance of the working frequencies
list and filtering the band drop down by mode. I have some observations
1) Does WSPR-15 share the same dial frequency as WSPR-2?

As far as I am aware, yes. The main bands where I've seen WSPR-15 used
is on the MF / LF bands: 0.136, 0.4742, 1.8366,

You can see the activity here: http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/activity

Post by Bill Somerville
2) Does JT4 and the JT65 modes on VHF and up share a dial frequency? I
assume that most operation is sked based and any dial frequency is
probably just a starting point or centre of activity.

Joe or the other VHF/UHF + guys will have to answer that, but I do know,
the amount of bandwidth is huge, and QSO's are normally coordinated /
scheduled ahead of time.

This is one site that is used to coordinate:
http://www.chris.org/cgi-bin/jt65emeA

Post by Bill Somerville
3) It turns out that it is easier to adjust the dial frequency to the
nearest configured working frequency when changing modes,

I'm not sure what your meaning here.

Post by Bill Somerville
4) as there can, and will be, separate dial frequencies for JT65A and
JT9 on HF; this makes the +2 kHz check box redundant.

I don't think I've ever used the 2Khz box, but then again, my rig has a
variable width DSP filter. I would think, those rigs that cannot open
their filter up past 2.4Khz would not be able to work JT65 and JT9
anyway and the 2Khz may be just a quick shift for them.

Post by Bill Somerville
5) I could leave the dial frequency untouched when changing modes but I
can't see a compelling reason not to change it when the target mode has
a different working frequency.

As far as I can tell, there's only a couple bands that share the same
space with WSPR. As for the shared JT65 v.s. JT9 goes, seem like setting
the rig for the JT65 frequency seems the most appropriate, but everyone
operates a bit differently.

Post by Bill Somerville
Comments and suggestions?
73
Bill
G4WJS.

73's
Greg, KI7MT

[Bill Somerville]

Post by KI7MT
Hi Bill,

Hi Greg,

...

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
3) It turns out that it is easier to adjust the dial frequency to the
nearest configured working frequency when changing modes,

I'm not sure what your meaning here.

These screen captures may help:

Loading Image...

The left is a view of the bottom left corner of the WSJT-X main window
when JT9+JT65 mode is enabled (it would look similar in JT65 mode), the
right is a view of the same when JT9 mode is enabled. As you can see the
working frequencies are different and I am suggesting that when changing
modes the dial frequency can be easily moved to the nearest one
available for the mode selected. So in this case switching between JT65
and JT9 could automatically switch between 14.076 and 14.078 MHz. Other
arrangements are possible and it is all ultimately controlled by how a
user customizes the frequency list.

Here is a screen capture of the related working frequencies maintenance
table in setings:

Loading Image...

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
4) as there can, and will be, separate dial frequencies for JT65A and
JT9 on HF; this makes the +2 kHz check box redundant.

I don't think I've ever used the 2Khz box, but then again, my rig has a
variable width DSP filter. I would think, those rigs that cannot open
their filter up past 2.4Khz would not be able to work JT65 and JT9
anyway and the 2Khz may be just a quick shift for them.

Yes, but if switching modes change the working frequency then there
would be no need for the +2 kHz check box.

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
5) I could leave the dial frequency untouched when changing modes but I
can't see a compelling reason not to change it when the target mode has
a different working frequency.

As far as I can tell, there's only a couple bands that share the same
space with WSPR. As for the shared JT65 v.s. JT9 goes, seem like setting
the rig for the JT65 frequency seems the most appropriate, but everyone
operates a bit differently.

OK, so why do you think that the JT65 working frequency is appropriate
for JT9 only operation?

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
Comments and suggestions?
73
Bill
G4WJS.

73's
Greg, KI7MT

73
Bill
G4WJS.

[KI7MT]

Hi Bill,

Post by Bill Somerville

Post by KI7MT
Hi Bill,

Hi Greg,
...

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
3) It turns out that it is easier to adjust the dial frequency to the
nearest configured working frequency when changing modes,

I'm not sure what your meaning here.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4192709/mode%20filtered%20working%20frequencies.jpg
The left is a view of the bottom left corner of the WSJT-X main window
when JT9+JT65 mode is enabled (it would look similar in JT65 mode), the
right is a view of the same when JT9 mode is enabled. As you can see the
working frequencies are different and I am suggesting that when changing
modes the dial frequency can be easily moved to the nearest one
available for the mode selected. So in this case switching between JT65
and JT9 could automatically switch between 14.076 and 14.078 MHz. Other
arrangements are possible and it is all ultimately controlled by how a
user customizes the frequency list.
Here is a screen capture of the related working frequencies maintenance
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4192709/mode%20dependent%20frequencies%20maintenance.png

Ok, I understand now, that seems reasonable to me.

Post by Bill Somerville

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
4) as there can, and will be, separate dial frequencies for JT65A and
JT9 on HF; this makes the +2 kHz check box redundant.

I don't think I've ever used the 2Khz box, but then again, my rig has a
variable width DSP filter. I would think, those rigs that cannot open
their filter up past 2.4Khz would not be able to work JT65 and JT9
anyway and the 2Khz may be just a quick shift for them.

Yes, but if switching modes change the working frequency then there
would be no need for the +2 kHz check box.

Now I understand, if the above is applied, then I would think this is
redundant as you say.

Post by Bill Somerville

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
5) I could leave the dial frequency untouched when changing modes but I
can't see a compelling reason not to change it when the target mode has
a different working frequency.

As far as I can tell, there's only a couple bands that share the same
space with WSPR. As for the shared JT65 v.s. JT9 goes, seem like setting
the rig for the JT65 frequency seems the most appropriate, but everyone
operates a bit differently.

OK, so why do you think that the JT65 working frequency is appropriate
for JT9 only operation?

I don't necessarily. I suppose it's more a historical / established way
of doing things. I could use it either way and be content. I don't see a
down side to shifting the frequency on the rig if the mode is JT9 or
JT65 only.

Post by Bill Somerville

Post by KI7MT

Post by Bill Somerville
Comments and suggestions?
73
Bill
G4WJS.

73's
Greg, KI7MT

73
Bill
G4WJS.

73's
Greg, KI7MT