I’m not a big FT-8 user, but what shack computer would be complete without an installation of WSJT-X? So, last night I installed the program. After selecting the correct audio input, I was seeing and decoding FT-8 signals on 20 meters.
Even though I was receiving and decoding signals, I could see that the received audio level was a little low. A level of 30 dB is recommended (with the antenna disconnected), but mine was down near 18 dB. To get this up to 30 dB, you have to increase the USB AF/IF Output on the IC-7610,
To do this, you press the MENU button, then on the screen, press SET->Connectors->USB AF-IF Output Level->AF Output Level, then set the level. I set the level to 20%, and that did the trick.
Setting up for transmit
I tried selecting a station calling CQ and then replying to it, but I wasn’t getting any output. I found this YouTube video, “How to set up FT8 with WSJT X on the IC-7610 via USB,” which helped me get the application and the IC-7610 set up properly, but because the installation was on a Windows box, it didn’t really give me all the info that I needed.
In particular, I found that I had to set the USB MODLevel to a much different value than shown in the video. To set this level, you press the MENU button, then on the screen, press SET->Connectors->MOD Input->USB MOD Level, then set the level.
This level was set very low, so it’s no wonder that I wasn’t getting any power output. I set this value to 15%, but noticed that I was getting some ALC. I reduced the value to 10%, and voila, I was transmitting. I made my first contact with KQ4VOB shortly afterwards. As I’m sitting here in the shack, I just made a contact with N3FAR, hopefully another QSL for my collection of QSLs from stations whose callsigns spell words.
Even though I’m making contacts, I’m still not quite sure that I have the otuput levels set quite right. I’m going to have to consult with some of the folks in our club who are more experienced FT8 operators.
I’m still want to work meteor scatter, too, and WSJT-X has a mode—MSK 144—for doing just that. The Leonid meteor shower has started already; it’s expected to peak November 16-17. The Geminid meteor shower will peak in the middle of December. K5ND has a great page on how to work meteor scatter using WSJT-X.
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