WSJT-X Candidate release 2.7.0-rc7 available.
Dear WSJT-X Users,
We are pleased to announce that Release Candidate WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc7 is ready for download and use by beta testers. This revision has many improvements to SuperFox mode: better decoding, more reliable message sequencing, and an open source, cryptographically sound verification scheme for Fox transmissions.
On-the-air tests have shown that SuperFox is capable of sustained QSO rates well in excess of 300 per hour. We heartily recommend that future DXpeditions expecting to make very large numbers of QSOs should use SuperFox. Instructions for usage can be found in the SuperFox User Guide: https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/SuperFox_User_Guide.pdf
Additional details on program changes since RC6 can be found in the Release Notes:
https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx-doc/Release_Notes_2.7.0-rc7.txt
Release Candidates are intended for beta testers. If you download and use WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc7, please provide relevant feedback on the new features and anything that does not seem to work properly for you. If your report involves something related to received signals, be sure to provide one or more saved *.wav files that illustrate the perceived problem. As a general matter, use the option “Save all” when testing.
Direct links to installation packages for Windows, Linux, and macOS can be found on the WSJT-X page https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html Scroll down to the heading “Candidate release: WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc7”.
For those who like to compile from source, a source-code tarball is available on the WSJT-X page. Public access to the git repository for the WSJT project is also available on the “Git” tab here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/
WSJT-X is licensed under the terms of Version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPL). Development of this software is a cooperative project to which many amateur radio operators have contributed. If you use our code, please have the courtesy to let us know about it. If you find bugs or make improvements to the code, please report them to us in a timely fashion.
The authors and Copyright holders of WSJT-X request that derivative works should not publish programs based on features in WSJT-X before those features are made available in a General Availability (GA) release of WSJT-X. Currently this caution applies to all SuperFox and SuperHound features. We will cease making public Release Candidates if this request is ignored.
Feedback should be sent to this email list or one of the of the others mentioned here in the User Guide:
https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.7.0-rc7.html#SUPPORT
We hope you will enjoy using WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc7, and that you will help us to create a new General Availability (GA) release soon.
— 73 from Joe, K1JT; Steve, K9AN; Nico, IV3NWV; Uwe, DG2YCB;
Brian, N9ADG; John, G4KLA; and Charlie, DL3WDG.
Release: WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc7
September 30, 2024
-------------------------
WSJT-X 2.7.0 Release Candidate 7 brings significant improvements for
the new SuperFox mode. It introduces a new verification system which
replaces the previous one, and works for both the SuperFox mode and
for old-style Fox and Hound operation. All code for SuperFox
operation is now open source.
IMPORTANT: OpenSSL v1.1.1 or higher is required for the real-time
verification of Fox and SuperFox messages.
Enhancements to the SuperFox decoder:
- Performance of the SuperFox decoder has been further improved.
- You can now set individual FTol values and tune the decoder to
the exact sync frequency of the SuperFox signal if it is not exactly
750 Hz. Both result in a better decodability in certain situations.
- Important: The Rx frequency must be set close to the sync frequency
+/- FTol, for example 750 +/- 50 Hz.
Introduction of a new Fox verification system:
- The new Fox verification system uses one time passwords (OTPs), and
works for the SuperFox mode as well as for old-style Fox and Hound
operation. It can be enabled by the new OTP checkbox on the Advanced
tab of the Settings dialog.
- Fox or SuperFox stations send individual OTPs via radio. Hounds
automatically check the validity of the received OTPs in real time
from a server when there is an internet connection. Otherwise, the
validity can also be queried manually later. OTP verifications can
only be retrieved once the transmission has already taken place.
- You may optionally display the received OTP values by checking
the box "Show OTP messages".
- If the Fox or SuperFox callsign is verified by receipt of the
correct OTP, the background color of the Hound or Super Hound label
switches to green.
- Theoretically, DXpeditions can set up their own OTP server, however,
we recommend using the server at https://www.9dx.cc.
- Use of the new Fox verification system requires an OTP key. The
system uses open source code and standard encryption
technology. For testing purposes, non-verified SuperFox
transmissions are now possible without a key.
Improvements to SuperFox/Hound operation:
- SuperHounds must now first decode the SuperFox before they can
call, and a QSO must be started by double-clicking on a SuperFox
decode. (Note that calling the Fox blindly not only leads to
unnecessary band utilization, but can also significantly reduce the
QSO rate due to unanswered (Super)Fox replies.)
- Switching to SuperHound mode automatically sets the Rx frequency to
750 Hz. The previously selected frequency is saved and restored
afterwards.
- Right-clicking on the H button now activates/deactivates SuperFox mode.
- A flaw resulting in sub-optimal SuperFox QSO rates has been
corrected.
- SuperFox decoder now does a more thorough job of rejecting QRM from
non-SuperFox signals.
- Fields in the SuperFox payload not otherwise used in a particular
transmission are now set to known nonzero values. Do NOT use RC6 or
earlier versions to decode SuperFox transmissions from RC7 or
later.
- Old-style Fox stations can now transmit free text messages (up to
13 characters) by using an available stream.
- Some enhancements useful for Fox operators: Active Station Window now
shows band activity. Hound callsigns can be highlighted via UDP API, and
assigned a score for sorting via UDP API. Fox Tx frequency is preserved
when switching in/out of Fox mode.
- UDP Status Update messages now include information on how many callsigns
have highlighting applied, and how many callsigns have a score assigned.
Other enhancements and fixes:
- In FT8 mode, the Settings dialog no longer resets the VFO frequency
to band/mode default unless really needed.
- Several code improvements specifically for macOS.
- Updated CTY.DAT and Hamlib.