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| Reviews Summary for WSJT by K1JT |
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Reviews: 16
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $free
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Description: Soundcard based free program that contains FSK441 mode, used for high speed meteor scatter, and JT44 used for tropo
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More info: http://www.pingjockey.net
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write your own review of the WSJT by K1JT.
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WD4ELG
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Rating: 5/5
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May 12, 2009 19:52
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You gotta try it
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The background of Joe Taylor, who wrote the software, is the subject of an entire column in itself (see QST magazine from 2002 and forward).
I got interested in this software through weak signal work as a recent spark to my amateur radio experience. It's pretty thrilling to work 6 meter meteor scatter with this software.
Now I am hooked on weak signal HF prop using WSJT and mode JT65A. This is a lot of fun and some very surprising results: with a dipole and 25 watts, I have easily worked into Asia and Australia on 20 meters.
The software is free, it's not complicated, there is an excellent and supportive group of hams out there to help understanding weak signal work (including me, a newbie), and a WSJT Yahoo group.
If you have not tried this software yet, I strongly recommend it. Fascinating stuff. It has put another element of enjoyment into the hobby for me.
Mark, WD4ELG
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N1LF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2008 13:31
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Easy as PSK, Twice as much Fun!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After being in ham radio for almost 40 years, I only began exploring the world of Weak Signal VHF/UHF work in December of 2007. I've got bad news for you boys...the real fun in this hobby isn't on HF, it's up here!
The WSJT software is a great example. If you have a soundcard interface and are working PSK-31 on HF, then you're halfway there to working meteors on 6, 2, and more.
Even a small indoor beam like mine (Six element Directive System Rover) in the attic can work stations out to 1,000 miles! That puts the VUCC award for 2 Meters within reach of nearly any station.
Even a high gain vertical antenna on 2 Meters can work with this mode. All you need is a multi-mode rig (FT-857D, Icom 706MKII, Icom 746, or any 6 meter rig and the interface to work meteor scatter nearly 24/7.
To learn more, you can visit my blog;
Big Iron: Chasing VUCC On Indoor Antennas
www.n1lf.blogspot.com
BTW, the "other" modes like SSB and CW are a blast up here too. Forget working new ones on 20 Meters, try working new grids on 6 & 2. You don't know what fun is until you try it!
WSJT is great, and I'll take my DX "On the Rocks" if you please.
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WS4V
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 29, 2006 17:51
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Pumps new life into old ham!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I stumbled across the WSJT software sometime last year and downloaded it although I never gave it a try... Boy was that a mistake!
After all that time and getting burned out on many facets of amateur radio I finally downloaded the current version, 5.9.4, installed it and began monitoring at 50.260 mhz. I was amazed at what I was copying!
I Googled everything I could find about the software and operating. I was as apprehensive as I was for that first CW QSO many years ago, but jumped in and started making contacts.
The first morning I was on I made three contacts via meteor scatter and I was PUMPED! This is amazing stuff! I can honestly say that nothing in ham radio has been more of a thrill. The guys on PingJockey.net are so helpful to newbies that the I felt right at home after an hour or so.
For those who have not tired meteor scatter I suggest Googling WSJT and reading all you can. There were a few questions I still had but the guys on PingJockey gave me the answers I needed.
I'm running about 60 watts out of a Kenwood TS-2000 into a 4 element Diamond yagi at 22 ft. and have no problems making contact with anyone I copy.
If you want some excitement back in your hobby this is one mode you have to try. Next for me is 2 meter meteor scatter that I will give a shot at by the weekend.
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K4MSG
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 9, 2005 21:11
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Greatest VHF breakthrough since the Yagi-Uda antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After years of putzing along with a very modest VHF station, waiting for aurora or Es or tropo enhancement to appear (and missing a lot of band openings because of other activities) I can now, thanks to WSJT, simply "wait until tomorrow morning" at worst in order to make 500-1200 mile 2-meter QSOs via the common, everyday random meteors. A major meteor shower makes 1500-mile QSOs a reality and is just icing on the cake. Joe Taylor, K1JT, has made a phenomenal leap forward in making VHF DX more accessible to people without KW amps and huge towers stacked with multiple antennas. I run 170w to a 10-element Yagi on 144 MHz and routinely work stations 1100 miles away via meteor scatter on a daily basis - unbelievable! If you haven't tried WSJT you are REALLY missing out on an absolute blast!
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SP9TTG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2004 23:28
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Milestone in digital VHF-DXing !
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This is real masterpiece software. Joe, K1JT made the dreams of small VHF stations to come real and true. The code is under continuous debug. I'm observing this evolution and so far Joe is adding 3dB of gain every month. If the things will go as they going 100W/LY will become a standard EME setup :) This genuine software can copy W5UN and other big-guns on 4 ele Yagi fixed at my balcony:
http://republika.pl/sparker/w5un_4ele2.jpg
When first heard about WSJT did not believed all those revelations, but now I can experience this on my own. WSJT is great tool for ocassional and serious MS fans too. Once You use it, there will be no flat band since this moment - ever !
73!
Peter
SP9TTG
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AF4O
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 12, 2003 00:46
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Meteor Scatter Made Easy
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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What a Great Fun Program. I am up to 70+ grids confirmed in less than a year mostly on weekends on 2 meters. (6 meters soon)
With WSJT and its modes FSK441, JT44, and now JT6 you can complete exciting vhf/uhf contacts.
This is just about the best ham activity I have ever pursued.
Try It. After a few practice runs you will be hooked.
See my article for eham at: www.qsl.net/af4o/msarticle.html
73
Chuck
AF4O
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WB4ECR
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2003 01:34
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A Paragon of Innovation
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've been a ham for 29 years and never had much interest in VHF. This program has sure changed that!
Joe, K1JT, has done a phenomenal job with this program. His software allows even a modest station to enjoy several weak signal modes.
The JT44 mode allows copy with signals well below the threshold required for CW QSOs. FSK441 and JT6M work to an exceptional degree with the burst type of signals found with meteor scatter.
Although Joe provides the software free of charge, it does not come without cost. His program is so addictive that you will find yourself spending hours in the shack exploring the fascinating world of weak signals above 50MHz!
QST had a review of the software in the June 2002 issue.
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W5DN
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 9, 2003 17:52
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The Best!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Others have already stated the features of this program, so I will not repeat them here. I'd just like to say that I am very happy to have run across this program and its users. I have worked 20 states on 2 meters since October 2002 and have had a blast. Think your antenna is too small? I worked the first few on a Ringo Ranger (horizontal antennas are better). Then I graduated to a homebrew 4 element quad and finally to a 6 element yagi. More is better of course but I have a $44 interface (Lil Rascal) and 100 watts into a 6 element yagi and have had an absolute blast! I have been a ham for 43 years and this is some of the most fun and rewarding facet of the hobby I have found to date. Thanks to Joe K1JT, the author of the WSJT package and to all who have helped me get into these modes. Try it, you'll like it... 73 Jay W5DN
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WA5UFH
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 9, 2003 14:57
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Great Application
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I started operating WSJT from its first release. Meteor Scatter renewed my interests in six meters and prompted me to try two meters. With WSJT I have completed a total of 269 six meter qso’s and 156 two meter qso’s. As of April 7,2003 on six meters I have worked 105 initials on six meters, 75 grids and 32 states all using meteor scatter! That speaks volumes on how well the application works. I now have an interest in two meter meteor scatter where before I didn’t use the band at all.
Joe Taylor, besides being the program author, is just a great person. He can be found on the Ping Jockey answering questions, assisting newbies, making contacts and is a member of several reflectors. Besides that he has helped initiate several meteor scatter contests and continues to improve the application with new modes, bells and whistles.
I would recommend WSJT to all amateurs on VHF who are interested in 1) Meteor Scatter 2) Weak Signal Work 3) EME. Thanks Joe for sharing your work.
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AA9MY
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 4, 2003 15:23
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Catch the fever of Meteor Scatter
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Thank You K1JT ( Joe) for WSJT software. It has peaked a new interest in vhf-uhf weak signal modes for me. The WSJT software is easy to setup and use. The meteor scatter mode FSK 441 has allowed me to work distances I thought to be impossible on 2 meters. My best meteor contact on 2 meters was for 1146 miles. It is simply amazing that with a soundcard and simple interface you can do so much !
The JT44 mode is great for Tropo, without any real enhancement my personal best is 501 miles. The new mode JT6M works well also, I have only worked a few stations with this mode but it is exciting to hear the pings come in.
If you have a multimode vhf-uhf rig , download this software and join the fun ! Digital modes are fun and amazing; you don't have to be a big gun to enjoy WSJT.
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