Station Automation: Implementation of DX Labs and components

Transcription

1 Station Automation: Implementation of DX Labs and components Hardware requirements: Note that most of benefits of using DX Labs suite of station automation programs can be realized without connecting between the computer and radio. Nonetheless, a rig interface adds a significant amount of functionality and fun to operating the ham radio station. I. (optional) rig interface cable between the radio and computer to allow the computer to read the radio frequency and mode in addition to provide computer control. ($20 to $100) II. (optional) FSK / CW PC interface for keying ham transceivers. Example: W3YY design: Kit: $33 USB-to-Serial adapter: $27 Bud box, model CU-124: $15 Cables and plugs. This interface provides the capability for the computer to directly key the radio transmitter to generate mark and space tones for FSK RTTY in lieu of using the computers soundcard to feed audio tones to the transceiver as AFSK. Connect one side of the interface to the computer and the other to the radio. This interface is used only for operating RTTY using FSK. This interface is not needed if using AFSK audio to the transmitter. III. (Optional for audio digital modes) The SignaLink USB is an external sound card that is available with cables specific to the radio being used. $100 to $120. 1

2 Software: IV. Software: LP-Bridge (optional) to allow multiple software programs to share the same Com port connection to the radio. Free. V. DXLabs suite of 8 programs: Free. a. DXLab Launcher software control panel and updating b. Commander rig control c. DXKeeper electronic logbook, eqsl, and LoTW QSL management d. DXView displays details of DX spots, beam headings, rotator control e. PropView propagation prediction and space weather forecasting f. SpotCollector announces active DX stations in real time (DX cluster) g. WinWarbler digital mode operations for CW, PSK, and RTTY VI. WSJT-X for weak signal world wide communications using JT65 and JT9. Free. a. JTAlerts allows seamless logging of JT65 / JTP contacts to DXLabs DXKeeper logbook. Free. b. JTMacros expands the number of available macro messages. Free. c. Dimension 4 provides continuous synchronizing of computer clock to internet time standard. Required to keep time sync within 1 second for JT65 and JT9 modes. Free. VII. VIII. CW Skimmer (optional). - Simultaneously decodes all CW signals within the receiver passband. $70 DX Atlas (optional). Electronic world atlas that integrates seamlessly with DXLabs to show real time propagation, show the path of signals being exchanged by stations spotted by SpotCollector, and plot the location of QSO s recorded in the logbook. $30. a. IonoProbe (optional). real time reporting of space weather that integrates seamlessly with DX Atlas and Propagation View in DXLabs. ($20) 2

3 Implementation and Example Software Configurations: (optional) Install LP-Bridge software. LP-Bridge creates virtual serial ports to allow multiple programs to simultaneously share the same Com port connection to the radio. LP-Bridge is available for free from Telepost, Inc. at LP-Bridge will work with any radio that has the ability to be controlled by a computer. LP-Bridge is not necessary for use with the DXLabs suite of software. LP-Bridge allows a variety of programs to run at the same time and share the one Com port to control the radio. Consider which software programs that may be desirable to run at the same time and share a single Com port to the radio. Examples include DXLabs, NaP3 pan adaptor, WSJT-X for JT65 and JT9, N1MM for contesting, CW Skimmer to decode CW, MMSSTV or slow scan TV, RMS Express for Win2000 over RF, FLDIGI for digital modes, etc. Download and install LP-Bridge. Then create up to five Virtual Com Ports as needed to simultaneously run the programs such as DXLabs, WSJT-X for JT65, NaP3 for pan adapter displays, N1MM for contest logging, MMTTY for RTTY, DXLabs includes the capability to connect multiple radios (hardware) to multiple Com ports for each rig. LP-Bridge provides that capability for multiple programs (software) to share a single Com port to one radio. 3

4 Download and install the DXLabs Suite of programs o Start by downloading and installing the DXLab Launcher Website: o All of the remaining DXLabs software are downloaded and updated automatically by clicking on each of the buttons on the DXLab Launcher after the launcher is installed. o After the DXLabs programs are installed, configure each of the configuration screens as depicted on the following images: DXLab Launcher configuration screen. This screen will automatically show software updates as they become available: 4

5 DXLab Commander configuration screens: (rig interface and control) o Commander s GENERAL tab:! Select either FSK or AFSK as the RTTY sub-mode depending on whether you are using the optional W3YY direct keying interface for FSK keying or the SignaLink USB for audio (AFSK) keying.! Select Use multiple monitors if dual computer monitors are being used. The use multiple monitors selection will position all windows in the same location on each screen when starting DXLabs programs. 5

6 o Commander s PORTS tab:! Note that it is possible to connect two radios to DXLabs to control both radios at the same time by Enabling the Secondary CAT Serial Port. Additional functionality is available using the Multi- Radio tab to configure up to 4 radios to use DXLabs one at a time. 6

7 o Commander s MULTI-RADIO tab, if the ability to connect as many as four (4) radios to the DXLabs software is desired: The following screen shot needs to be replaced with Stan s multi-radio setup for accuracy. 7

8 o DXKeeper s GENERAL configuration tab: o DXKeeper s LOG configuration tab: 8

9 o DXKeeper s CALLBOOK configuration tab: NOTE: Register for free HamQTH account. Enter Callsign and Password. 9

10 o DXView s GENERAL configuration tab: 10

11 o DXView s PLOT SETTINGS configuration tab:! This is set to show spots on the DX Atlas or the World map included with DXView for 15 minutes.! Selecting QSOs will also plot both stations in the QSO if the grid squares are known.! This is configured to plot only spots that were heard in the Midwest U. S. in the Origin Filter. 11

12 o DXView s ROTATOR CONTROL configuration tab:! This screen is configured to control the Idiom Press interface installed in the Hygain rotator control box, using serial port #8 at 4800 baud. This setting uses the Hygain DCU-1 protocal.! Note that any error in the alignment of the beam antenna can be adjusted under the Alignment section.! Note that the actual position of the sun is being tracked in realtime by DXLabs using the computer clock setting and solar data. 12

13 o DXView s WORLD MAP configuration tab:! This window is configured to interface with the DX Atlas that is available for purchase as a replacement for the World map included with DXView. DX Atlas adds many features including realtime propagation reports, space weather, and ionosphere mapping.! If the optional DX Atlas is not used then the Enable in the upper left corner of the window should be enabled to use the World map included with DXView. 13

14 o DXView s DATABASES configuration tab:! When a notification is received that a software upgrade is available, click on the action here to install the upgrade. 14

15 o PropView s configuration screen:! The example settings are based on a beam or dipole antenna located approximately 30 feet above the ground using the following chart. 15

16 o SpotCollectors s GENERAL configuration tab: 16

17 o SpotCollectors s SPOT SOURCES configuration tab:! There are many Telnet DX cluster sites to choose from. A list of Host addresses is available at 17

18 o SpotCollectors s SPOT DATABASE configuration tab: SpotCollector configuration OVERRIDES tab: not configured. SpotCollector configuration ALARMS tab: not configured. 18

19 o SpotCollectors s AUDIO ALARM configuration tab:! The computer speakers will announce spots as they are posted to the DX cluster. Spots may be filtered to announce only spots that are needed or selected information as desired.! The audio announcements can be turned on or off by enabling this screen or by clicking on the audio button under the Filter: Origin field at the bottom of the main SpotCollector screen. SpotCollector configuration SPECIAL CALLSIGNS tab: not configured. SpotCollector configuration SPOT SOURCE DISPLAY tab: not configured. SpotCollector configuration TNC SERIAL PORT tab: not configured. 19

20 o WinWarbler s GENERAL configuration tab:! The use multiple monitors feature places each window back in the original position on either monitor when the system was last used. 20

21 o WinWarbler s DISPLAY configuration tab: 21

22 o WinWarbler s PTT configuration tab:! This radio configuration uses the K3YY FSK RTTY interface for rig control that is an external device that requires the Xcvr Ctrl App selection to be set and connect through a different Com port than the one that DXLabs is using. If an external interface is not used then one of the other mode settings is required depending on the model of radio and type of rig interface. 22

23 o WinWarbler s SOUNDCARD configuration tab:! The computer in use for this example uses 3 sound cards. Internal card on computer as default for making audio alerts. The SignaLink USB external sound card for operating the digital modes such as PSK and JT65. (USB Audio CODEC) The EMU-0204 external sound card to provide stereo input from the LP-PAN2 pan adapter. 23

24 o WinWarbler s PHONE configuration tab: 24

25 o WinWarbler s PSK configuration tab: 25

26 o WinWarbler s BROADBAND DECODE configuration tab:! The broadband decode screen will simultaneously decode over 40 PSK transmissions. Any of these transmissions can be clicked on to set the frequency for a PSK QSO. 26

27 o WinWarbler s CW configuration tab:! These configuration uses the Xcvr Ctrl App at the bottom left of the screen to connect the K3YY FSK rig control interface to the radio. If such an external interface is not used then keying method in use will be one of the alternatives such as one of the serial ports or WinKey. 27

28 o WinWarbler s LOG configuration tab:! WinWarbler configuration CONTEST tab: not configured. Note that WinWarbler includes configurations for many contests. To participate in a contest enable the contest mode and select the contest ID. 28

29 USING WSJT-X to operate JT65 and JT9 Download WSJT-X from website. Free! Configure WSJT-X as follows: Download and install two supplemental programs that enhance WSJT-X from 1. Download and install JTAlert. Free! JTAlert links WSJT-X to the DXLabs DXKeeper logging program. When the Log QSO button is pressed after making a JT65 or JT9 contact with WSJT-X the entry is immediately recorded in the DXLabs DXKeeper logbook. 29

30 Select Manage settings under the Settings menu on the JTAlert screen and make any changes desired or accept the default settings as follows: 30

31 2. JTMacros will download at the same time as JTAlert. JTMacros will attach to the right side of the JSJT-X main screen. Additional macros are typed directly into the edit area of JTMacros after clicking on the >> symbol. Click the >> again to close the edit window. These macros link to the 5 th macro position on the main WSJT-X screen and replace The Std Msgs when clicked. 31

32 Install Dimension 4 for computer clock timing and synchronization: It is imperative that the computer s clock be within 1 second to synchronize the flow of JT65 and JT9 transmissions with the computer of the receiving station. Download and install Dimension 4 software from to keep the computer clock synchronized. Dimension 4 runs in the background and connects to Internet Time Servers every 30 minutes to keep the computer time clock synchronized. Click settings to activate edit area. Type in the Server address located closest to your location and exit. Check to be sure that Dimension 4 is running in the system tray. 32

33 PSKreporter: After sending out a JT65 or JT9 signal go to to see where your signal has been heard throughout the world! Across the top of the website are drop down boxes that set the search criteria along with a place to enter the callsign for the station being searched. 33

34 DX Atlas (optional) An excellent electronic DX altas and propagation analysis tool is called DX Atlas is available at DX Atlas was developed by Afreet Software, Inc. and sells for $30. DX Atlas integrates seamlessly with DXView and replaced the standard World map included with DXView. Press the World map button at the lower left corner of the DXView screen to open DX Atlas. DX Atlas is enabled by clicking the check box on the lower left corner of the DXView configuration World Map tab. In addition, the Plot button on the DXKeeper screen will plot all of the logbook entries on the DX Atlas map. DX Atlas also receives DX spots from SpotCollector and plots them on the DX Atlas with a line draw to show the path of the signal between the spotted stations in real time. 34

35 Download, and install IonoProbe: (optional) IonoProbe is a program written by Afreet Software that receives real time space weather data and feeds this information to the DX Atlas. The price of the program is $20. IonoProbe is linked to DX Atlas by clicking on the User button on the lower right corner of the DX Atlas window and activating the automatic updates from IonoProbe checkbox. 35

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37 GetCW (optional) Get CW is a program that will decode CW transmissions. Get CW sells for $35. When used with the GetCW to WinWarbler bridge software received CW text is received in the same window used by WinWarbler s CW page to transmit text in CW. Note that the CW Skimmer program is more sophisticated and does a better job of decoding CW transmissions in addition to decoding all CW transmissions across the spectrum simultaneously. CW Skimmer, also published by Afreet Software, sells for $70; however, CW Skimmer does a better job of decoding CW text and has additional capabilities that are of value such as integration with the DX cluster and CW Skimmer can be linked directly to SpotCollector. 37

38 To start system at beginning of the day : Step 1: Start LP-Bridge. 2 or 3 minutes may be required to create the virtual ports be patient. The LP-Bridge icon will appear on the task bar when has completed creating the virtual ports and is ready for use. Step 2: Start DXLab Launcher. The radios VFO frequency will be displayed on the Commanders screen when the computer and radio are communicating correctly. Step 3: Start DXKeeper: Step 4: Start DXView: Step 5: Start SpotCollector: Step 6: Start WinWarbler, if desired for CW, PSK, or RTTY. Step 7: Start WSJT-X, if desired to operate JT65 and JT9. Step 7A: Start JTAlert to interface with DXKeeper Step 7B: Start JTMacros to inteface additional macro options with WSJT-X. Step 8: Start NaP3, if desired, to display the spectrum analyzer. Step 9: Start CW Skimmer, if desired, to decode CW signals across the bandpass. 38