The FT8 digital mode gained incredible popularity and recognition around the world. Radio amateurs want to use it not only for distant DX QSO on short waves, but also in competitions, including in ultra -short waves of 144 and 432 MHz. The WSJT-X program provides for the operating mode for European competitions using FT8 modulation.

Before you start tuning, you need to install the program. 😀 installation program (distribution) WSJTX is on the page
[hthttps: //physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.htmL. в разделе "Installation packages". В данной статье рассмотрена установка в операционной системе Linux Mint x64. Процесс инсталляции программы в Windows x86/X64 is not much different and will not be considered separately.

1. After loading the package of the program in the form of an Deb file, it will be saved in the " download " folder. In the conductor you need to open a double click Installation file *.deb (откроется в графической программе установки пакетов GDebi).

2. The initial installation program window will open
   

3. To start the installation, press the "Set the package"

4. It should be noted that the WSJT-X program for installation requires administrator rights (SU). Therefore, the administrator password will be requested.
   

This is not worth it, because The program simply sets itself along the following paths:
/usr/bin/ - программы wsjtx, rugctld-wsjtx и rigctl-wsjtx
/usr/share/pixmaps/ - иконка программы
/usr/share/man - руководство пользователя командной строки (man)
/usr/share/applications/ - файл .deskTop
/usr/share/doc/ - руководство пользователя в виде HTML файла
/usr/share/app-install/desktop/
/usr/share/app-install/icons/

5. The installation process will begin.
   

6. After the installation is complete, we close the installation window. The launch of the program is easiest to carry out from the terminal window:

wsjtx

(In Windows, we traditionally run through the Start menu)

7. The main window window will open
   

The program is not yet configured and is not ready for work - the wrong range is visible, its call sign and locator are not indicated.

8. In WSJT -X, we move to the "File" menu - "settings" - "gene" raL ".
   We indicate our call sign and the locator, put the checkmarks:

   • DOBLE-CLICk on call sets TX enaBle
   • DISable TX after sending 73
   • AlternaTive F1-F6 Bindings (about this paragraph will be described at the end of the article)
     
9. 9. The second and third bookmarks, "Radio" and "Audio" are tuned as in the previous article "Installation, configuration and use of WSJTX in Linux".

10. На закладке "Reporting" ставим галочку против "Log automaticaLly (contests only) "
    

11. На закладке "Frequencies" необходимо сбросить частоты. Иначе, без этого, у FT8 не будет частоты 144.174 в УКВ диапазоне 2 метра.
    Press the frequency table with the right button and select the "Reset" item.
    
    
    The frequencies in the table will be reset in accordance with the iaru plan.

    It should be noted that European radio amateurs use the frequency of 144.174 MHz for FT-8 (which is “sewn up” in the default WSJT-X program), and in Russia FT-8 for working on VHF is accepted the frequency of 144.176 MHz . For European competitions, for calls to the West, it is more correct to use 144.174, and for working in Tropo to the east - 144.176.

Adding a new frequency is shown in the pictures from the screen below:

After this settings, in the drop -down list of frequencies for a range of 2 meters, it will be possible to select 144.174 or 144.176, as well as 70cm ..

FT8 Settings for competitions

We go to the main point - FT8 setting up for competitions. The bookmark " Adv is responsible for this modeanced" и раздел "Special operating activity: Generation of FT4, FT8, and MSK144 messaGes "

12. Выбираем данный режим и ставим галочку против "EU VHF Contest (для европейских соревнований)":
    

13.13. For a reminder that the program works in a special mode at the bottom of the window, the red banner "eu vhf" burns:

14. Радиосвязи проводятся как обычно в FT8 QSO - при помощи макросов и структурированных сообщений, которые генерируются программой. По умолчанию включен режим общего вызова CQ TEST - достаточно нажать Enable TX и начнётся передача в эфир.
    
    You can find many videos and manuals on the Internet about using the WSJT-X program.

15. Отличие данного режима соревнований - в обмене контрольными номерами (подставляются автоматически) и WW локаторами.
    For a detailed description of the competition mode, see Guide
    http: //www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.2.2.htmL#Contest_MSGS

Link about the peculiarity of work in competitions with digital views:
https: //physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/NCJ_FT4_FT8_Contesting.pdf

A feature of the oven of the keys F1 - F6

With alternative purpose of functional buttons of the keyboard F1-F6 ("AlternaTive F1 -F6 Bindings ") will be called useful actions - macros that will come in handy in the contest (Contest - Competition).

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