For everyone who might be interested in the mysteries of working HF, Norfolk ARC have produced a series of four videos, each about an hour and a half long introducing new amateurs to the dark art. They can be found on the NARC YouTube channel. This is the link to the first in the series:
FT8 Superfox Mode
The following is taken from the excellent website of the Jarvis Island DXpedition 2024.
This great new mode will enable even more FT8 QSOs and enables the chasers (us) to be sure that we are listening to the real DXpedition.
Read on and enjoy.
1. What is SuperFox mode in WSJT-X?
SuperFox mode allows an expedition to make digital QSOs at rates higher than possible with previous versions of WSJT-X. In previous versions the Fox would transmit up to 5 streams, with each stream being 50 Hz wide.
The SuperFox transmits a full power constant-envelope waveform 1512 Hz wide. The SuperFox may send reports or RR73s to as many as nine SuperHounds simultaneously. Importantly there is no reduction in received signal strength to do so. A SuperHound will experience the same received signal strength regardless of the number of Hounds being contacted by the SuperFox.
In addition, the SuperFox transmits a digital signature of authenticity. This signature allows the SuperHound to verify the legitimacy of the expedition, thereby reducing or eliminating piracy. This is covered in more detail soon.
2. Do I need special software?
Yes, both the SuperFox and SuperHound need to run WSJT-X version 2.7.0-RC5 or newer. (expect the release around July 1).
3. Do I need to set my receiver or transmitter to a certain bandwidth for SuperFox decoding?
No, as the SuperFox transmits a signal 1512 Hz wide, using the same settings you use now with WSJT-X will work fine.
4. What software settings do I need to be a SuperFox or SuperHound?
For the SuperFox: In the Settings—Advanced tab of WSJT-X, select the Fox radio button, and check the SuperFox mode box. You also need to obtain a Key and fill in the Key field. (More detail on the Key field is below).
For the SuperHound: In the Settings—Advanced tab of WSJT-X, select the Hound radio button, and check the SuperFox mode box. No Key setting is needed.
In both cases a red SuperFox or SuperHound marker will be displayed in the lower center of the WSJT-X screen when the Settings window is closed.
5. Where will the SuperFox transmit?
Using a 1512 Hz bandwidth, the SuperFox will start at 750 Hz and go up to 2262 Hz.
6. Where should the SuperHound transmit?
The previous limitation of Hounds sending above 1000 Hz has been removed. A SuperHound may transmit anywhere from 200 Hz and up. Unlike the old-style Fox and Hound operation, the SuperHound’s frequency is not shifted down after being called.
7. Do I need to change the rig Split operation settings for SuperFox or SuperHound modes?
No, you can use the same Split settings as before. For “Fox” you may also use None, as no VFO shifting will be done.
8. Are there special SuperFox frequencies on each band?
This is up to each DXpedition to define. Expeditions should post their desired frequencies on websites or live via a DX spotting network. SuperFox stations should never transmit on standard FT8 frequencies.
9. How will I know the SuperFox is not a pirate?
The SuperFox will transmit a digital signature which will be verified by the SuperHound when received. A displayed message will state the SuperFox’s callsign has been verified. If no such message appears, the transmission is not verified.
10. Do I need special equipment to work a SuperFox?
No, your hardware will remain identical to your current usage. As stated in question #2, only your WSJT-X software needs to be upgraded.
11. How do I know the QSO is complete?
An RR73 message will be received as in previous versions of WSJT-X. If you did not receive RR73 after repeatedly sending your R+report, you can wait a few minutes and call again.
12. How do I know that the mode is SuperFox mode vs regular FT8?
A normal FT8 signal is only 50 Hz wide; the SuperFox signal is 1512 Hz wide. The sequence of tones is markedly different and it is easy to tell that SuperFox is not a normal FT8 signal.
13. Do I keep calling on every odd cycle until the SuperFox comes back to me?
This is difficult to answer. A Hound or SuperHound has no way to know where you are in the Queue or if you are in the Queue at all. Generally, it is suggested to continue calling until a reply is received.
14. Is old-style Fox/Hound Mode still available?
Yes, there are now three major FT8 sub-modes in WSJT-X: Normal FT8, Fox/Hound, and SuperFox/SuperHound.
RSGB Brickworks
CARC is an RSGB Brickworks accredited club. Brickworks is an exciting and fun way to build on what you have learned on your Foundation Course. It enables you to learn more about your new hobby, build your confidence, gain a greater understanding of how to get the best out of your equipment and enjoy new experiences.
By being an accredited club, CARC shows that it is committed to helping all licensed amateur radio operators discover what the hobby has to offer. Brickworks Accredited Clubs are welcoming and friendly places that will support both those new to the hobby, and those who are already licensed, who want to explore the hobby more fully. We will give you advice, guidance, and help. CARC will work with their Brickworks participants and provide them with a refuge when things go a little wrong. It’s the scheme that we all wish had been in place when we were newly licensed.
Brickworks consists of 23 varied activities centred around five themes. You can find more details here.
Although Brickworks is primarily aimed at newly licenced Foundation licence holders, its open to any radio amateur. If you are interested in learning more please contact Richard G3ZIY.
You can find more details on the RSGB website.
CARC WSPR Contest 2024 – Results
The Crawley Amateur Radio Club held their annual WSPR contest throughout the month of April. There were three categories; Transmitting (other stations hearing you), Receiving (you hearing other stations), and QSOs (both stations hearing each other). The 20m band was used and the only rule was that the maximum power was 5W.
The transmitting contest really went down to the wire with the final results for the top three being very close.
Thanks to Stewart (G3YSX) for running the contest and regularly updating members with updated statistics. The club hopes that everyone enjoyed it, either as a participant or as a spectator.
We asked the top three positioned members what kit they used, and if they had any useful tips.
Stewart (G3YSX) – TX 1st Place, RX 2nd Place, QSO 2nd Place
I started using a QRP Labs QDX, but when that failed I moved to my ICOM 705 running 2W. The antenna was the 2el SteppIR. When the winds were light the antenna was pointed at 40’, but when the winds were high (a lot of the month) at 25’. When the winds are low the heading is fixed as NS.
David (M0WID) – TX 2nd Place, RX 1st Place, QSO 1st Place
Radio was my Hermes-Lite2 SDR running 5w (out of the radio, much less at the antenna feed) for some of the time, 0.2W for most of the time. SparkSDR was the software used, running mostly on an ancient Fujitsu thin client under Lubuntu. SparkSDR does not require WSJT-X to be running as it runs the decoder directly. Antenna was a homebrew off-centre dipole which is roughly half-wave on 80m, up at around 10m. It is very off-centre as the feed point is at around 17% of the length. The 4:1 transformer and choke also homebrew. Feed is around 50m of lossy RG58. An old KW107 antenna tuning system located in the shack provided the perfect match.
Peter (M0LMG) – TX 3rd Place, RX 3rd Place, QSO 3rd Place
My radio was an ICOM 705 running at 5W. Due to me not having setup waterproofing and temporarily running my feeder through my shack window, I could only operate when it was dry, and I didn’t operate at night (apart from the last three days). My antenna was a UK Antennas Multi-band end-fed antenna. Close to the antenna feed point I used a 1:1 Common Mode Choke (also from UK Antennas). 10m of RG58 was used to get into the shack. The software used was WSJT-X. I would recommend to not use the default 1500Khz position, and watch the ALC level on the rig.
We should also mention new member Geoff (M7GID). Geoff put a call out to club members for assistance in setting up his Yaesu FTDX-10, and also hadn’t used any digital modes before. Richard (G3ZIY) and Peter (M0LMG) enjoyed Geoff’s hospitality and set everything up for him. Geoff entered the competition a week after everyone else, but still performed very well indeed (TX 4th Place, RX 5th Place, QSO 5th Place).
Full results were as follows:
TX Category
Posn Call Stns SQ Score
1 G3YSX 1350 544 734400
2 M0WID 1358 521 707518
3 M0LMG 1349 523 705527
4 M7GIM 1113 504 560952
5 G4PEO 1094 491 537154
6 G4ANN 839 386 323854
7 2E0XDZ 745 359 267455
8 M0JGH 687 330 226710
9 G3ZIY 652 326 212552
10 M0HQM 634 300 190200
11 GX3WSC 597 293 174921
12 M1YAP 561 302 169422
13 M0EPX 571 279 159309
14 M6JGW 212 119 25228
15 M0IJP 205 110 22550
16 M5SB 142 80 11360
17 G0UPL 1 1 1
Rx Category
Posn Call Stns SQ Score
1 M0WID 1555 1102 1713610
2 G3YSX 1416 1028 1455648
3 M0LMG 1017 714 726138
4 G4ANN 927 649 601623
5 M7GIM 643 432 277776
6 G4PEO 585 386 225810
7 M1YAP 483 333 160839
8 G3ZIY 432 330 142560
9 GX3WSC 324 226 73224
10 M0EPX 255 175 44625
11 M0HQM 145 95 13775
12 M5SB 96 73 7008
13 2E0XDZ 40 36 1440
QSO Category
Posn Call Hrd by Hrd QSO
1 M0WID 1358 1555 504
2 G3YSX 1350 1416 486
3 M0LMG 1349 1017 392
4 G4ANN 839 927 273
5 M7GIM 1113 643 266
6 G4PEO 1094 585 228
7 G3ZIY 652 432 131
8 M1YAP 561 483 130
9 GX3WSC 597 324 95
10 M0EPX 571 255 80
11 M0HQM 634 145 63
12 M5SB 142 96 18
13 2E0XDZ 745 40 8
Mills on the Air 2024 (Ifield Watermill)
Crawley Amateur Radio Club will be taking part in the Mills on the Air event this year. The event happens on Sunday 12th May 2024 and the club will be at Ifield Watermill. We hope to be up and running by 12pm, and we will be using Callsign GB0IWM.
This event sees radio amateurs set up stations in windmills and watermills all over the country. Apart from being an exciting time for those involved, the event promotes both the mill itself and also amateur radio since members of the public encounter enthusiasts at work. The event is organised in conjunction with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
Everyone is welcome, so come and say hello! Club members wishing to help out or participate should contact David M0WID.
Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia.
Getting started with WSPR and WSJT-X
WSPR (pronounced “whisper”) is an acronym for Weak Signal Propagation Reporter. It is a protocol, implemented in a computer program (such as WSJT-X), used for weak-signal radio communication between amateur radio operators.
If you have already used WSJT-X for FT8 then it’s pretty easy to start using WSPR.
Once WSJT-X is open start by selecting the ‘Mode‘ pull-down and choose WSPR. Next choose the band from the drop-down on the left hand side. I have chosen 20m.
Make sure that ‘Upload spots‘ and ‘Prefer Type 1 messages‘ are ticked. Clicking ‘Upload spots’ makes sure the data is uploaded to the WSPR site so you can see the results.
‘Tx 1440 Hz‘ indicates where in The 200 Hz WSPSR sub-band/slot you will be transmitting. TX between 1400 and 1600 but not 1500, which is crowded, as it’s the newbie default. Also, know how accurate your RX/TX is, if you’re 10Hz off, avoid the band edge. Also, many other operators are a few Hz off so 1405 and 1595, get fewer spots than 1440 and 1560 for example.
‘TX Pct 20%‘ indicates what percentage of the time you want to transmit. Between 20 and 25% is recommended.
Make sure that you click ‘Enable Tx‘, otherwise you won’t transmit!
WSPR doesn’t automatically know what power you are using so select this from the drop-down on the bottom right. I have chosen ‘37 dBm 5W‘.
Once you have been running for a while you can check your ‘spots’ here, or here.
If you have any problems please ask on the Signal group, or at one of the club meetings.
Thanks to M0WID and the WSJT-X Facebook Group for the tips.
CARC Newsletter March 2024
The club newsletter for March 2024 is now available to download here. The newsletter will now open directly in your web browser without having to use Adobe PDF Reader.
Features in this issue include:
- A celebration of the life of Adrian Wood G3VJM
- An assessment of End Fed Half Wave Antennas
- Weather and propagation
- The Wadley Synthesiser
Grab your copy now, and don’t forget that Richard G3ZIY is always looking for articles for the newsletter.
CARC 2024 WSPR Contest
Stewart Bryant G3YSX is holding a WSPR contest for CARC members. It will be held between the 1st and 30th of April 2024.
The rules are as follows:
- 20m Band Only
- Power is limited to 5 watts
Points will be awarded based on unique stations times squares for tx and rx and number of mutual contacts in QSOs. Stations and squares only count once in the month.
There will be three entry classes:
- Transmit and receive.
- Transmit only
- Receive only
If you are planning on taking part them please let Stewart know your callsign as soon as possible. Early notification of callsign would be appreciated so that the scoring software can be checked. Callsigns entered after 30th April will not be included.
The adjudicators will allocate an entrant to all classes in which they are eligible, but entrants will only be eligible to win one class.
If you are new to the club and need help setting up WSPR please either ask at the club meetings or via Signal.
New Club 3D Printer
Our Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer generously donated by Chris Suddell, M0VUE is now fully operational. It is easy to use and quite a fast machine and several parts have been successfully made in the last few weeks.
Chris donated a quantity of different filaments as well, so we were able to try out a few types. ASA is an alternative to ABS for outdoor applications, and produced some excellent results which will be resistant to UV light from the sun.
The printer is available for anybody who needs to make enclosures or even more complex parts. Quite a few members are able and willing to help those who are new to this incredible method of making plastic parts for your projects.
This article was written by club member Zoltan
Scouts Jamboree on the Air 2023
The third weekend of October is when JOTA, the Jamboree On The Air, happens. It’s a chance for Scouts from around the world to make contact with each other using amateur radio. This year Crawley District were fortunate enough to get invited to the Crawley Amateur Radio Club (CARC) hq in Tilgate Forest. Scouts from 4th Worth, 1st Southgate and 7th Crawley spent several hours being taught how radio works (hint: nobody really knows), hunting for radio beacons other Scouts had hidden in the forest and, best of all, operating the rig to contact other Scouts.
Mike from CARC (spelt Mike India Kilo Echo) demonstrated, with the aid of two Scouts and a piece of rope, what waves and frequency are all about. Radio waves are electromagnetic radiation, like light, and like light travel in straight lines. To be able to receive over greater than line of sight distances, radio hams (how amateur radio operators refer to themselves) do all kinds of special stuff, bouncing signals off a layer at the edge of the atmosphere, called the ionosphere. It’s almost magical. Or as Arthur C Clarke said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”
CARC member Dave explained how to use the “tape measure Yagi” antenna he’d made the night before to locate the hidden radio beacons. The cut up bits of tape measure act to make the antenna directional, so that it’s more sensitive in one direction and when it was pointing at a beacon, the noise made by the receiver got louder. We soon learnt that it was easier to use the back of the antenna, listening for when it was at it’s quietest, or “nulls” as they call it in radio land.
Scouts from 4th Worth being assisted by Graham from CARC (he’s also a leader in East Grinstead District) trying to make contact with other radio hams. Propagation of radio waves, especially bouncing them off the ionosphere, is greatly affected by all kinds of things, including solar activity and unfortunately while Crawley Scouts were visiting, conditions weren’t great, so we couldn’t receive signals from very far away.
In the end we contacted 17 separate stations, some of which were in the Netherlands and the rest in the UK. Some of these were Scout operated JOTA stations. We were operating on a variation licence, callsign GB2CSG that CARC had arranged and working the 40m waveband. Massive thanks to CARC for their hospitality, kindness and expertise. The day’s activities went towards section 1 of the Scout Communicator badge. If you want to learn more about amateur radio, why not gain your “Foundation Licence“? The nice people at CARC tell me it’s quite easy to get and is a great introduction. I might even have a go myself.
This article was written by Tim Hall