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Reviews For: WSJT-X

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : WSJT-X
Reviews: 29MSRP: Free
Description:
WSJT-X implements communication protocols or "modes"
called JT4, JT9, JT65, and WSPR, as well as one called
Echo for detecting and measuring your radio signals
reflected from the Moon. The JTxx modes were all designed
for making reliable, confirmed QSOs under extreme weak-
signal conditions. They use nearly identical message
structure and "source encoding," the efficient compression
of standard messages. JT65 was designed for EME
("moonbounce") on the VHF/UHF bands, and has also proved
very popular and effective for worldwide QRP communication
at HF. In contrast, JT9 is optimized for the LF, MF, and
HF bands. JT9 is about 2 dB more sensitive than JT65
while using less than 10% of the bandwidth. With either
JT9 or JT65, world-wide QSOs are possible with power
levels of a few watts and compromise antennas. JT4 is
particularly optimized for EME on the microwave bands from
2.3 to 24 GHz. Finally, as described more fully on its
own page, WSPR mode implements a protocol designed for
probing potential propagation paths with low-power
transmissions. WSPR has now been fully implemented within
WSJT-X, including automatic band-hopping, so all modes are
available in a single program.
Product is in production
More Info: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00294.3
KD7RDZI2 Rating: 2018-01-17
Needs help Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a previous version without FT8 installed on Ubuntu 12 and it was a great 5. Installing the new version is not a great experience. I didn't go any further. Reinstalled the old version again.
K0UA Rating: 2018-01-16
The best! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Having run all versions as they are developed for over a year now, one has to wonder what people are talking about when they refer to editing system files and giving up?. WSJT-x is the easiest software to install and make work of any communications program I have ever tried. It just doesn't get any easier. Yes, even a caveman could do it. I should know. :)
AD7TS Rating: 2018-01-15
requires OS X changes Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Requiring edits to system files to change memory allocation is not a great experience. Who knows what else could be affected. I didn't go any further.
K1YPB Rating: 2017-10-16
Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A great program! Fun to use and allows some really nice contacts with only 5 watts while enduring terrible band conditions.
K0IVK Rating: 2017-07-10
Big improvements in Ver 1.6 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using WSJT-X since Ver. 1.3. I especially like the Wide Graph. I was using ver. 1.5 until just recently, upgrading to try MSK144. I have noticed a BIG improvement in decoding of JT65 signals with v 1.6 During recent openings to Asia on 30M I was very surprised to have multiple decoded answers to my CQs. Often a stateside signal and an Asian station answering will both decode. Previously I would only receive 1 answer decoded, when multiple stations were visibly calling. I also have tried MSK144 on 6 meters and I'm impressed with the speed of that mode.
I was a CW only Op. until I discovered K1JTs modes in 2014 and now have more QSLs on EQsl for JT65 than I've received on CW since March of 1979.
WO2X Rating: 2017-02-04
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Works seamlessly with the Flex 6700, JT Alert, and Log4OM.

Point of advice - Use JT Alert with WSJT-X. Adds more functionality and allows uploading to several popular logging programs.
W1FIT Rating: 2016-05-19
Great program (and free) Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Only negative about this is that it's addictive.
I use it a lot for JT65 and more often JT9. The JT modes are becoming very popular and the JT65 segment often gets very congested.

I live in an HOA neighborhood that allows no antennas so my stealth "trellis" is the best I can do. JT makes the most of compromised antennas. I've had lots of DX contacts and when band conditions are bad, I still make some contacts.

Setup was very easy. I have an Icom 7200 that interfaces with Ham Radio Deluxe via USB. I then interfaced WSJT-X via HRD. While setting up HRD wasn't hard, setting up WSJT-X via HRD was a snap.

I'm surprised by the few negative comments here. I've experienced no software problems at all. While some may quibble about perceived "flaws", I say "Thanks Joe Taylor". And I like the price as well.
W6AAJ Rating: 2016-05-18
My Favorite Mode Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used WSJT-X for over three years and love it. So far I've made about 1200 qso's a year and have worked dx I find hard to believe (with low power and just a dipole). The add-on program JT-Alert is a "must have".

The absolute best part of this mode is that, even when the bands seem "closed", you can find someone to work.

Another benefit : it is my observation that a higher percentage of stations on JT65/JT9 are active on LOTW.

Yes, JT65 and JT9, at first, seem like "funky" modes that offer an experience much like a contest. Personally, I find it addictive. The first habit you have to shed is the need for Push to Talk. WSJT-X controls the flow of the transmissions based on time. One station transmits for about 48 seconds, there is a 12 second pause and the other station starts transmitting at the top of the next minute. You go back and forth a few times passing normal qso data then say 73. Simple

One mind blowing aspect of these modes that you will be working signals that are way(!) below the noise level. You will work many stations you can not hear or see on the waterfall. This is awesome.

A few recommendations 1) go to Utube and view a few of the vids on this topic. 2) If you are using a Signalink interface, checkout the mods documented on the internet. The simple one resistor "add" mod really had a positive effect for me --- highly recommended.

See you on the waterfall!




KM6JD Rating: 2016-05-18
Works great with my old HP laptop Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've been using WSJT-X for about 5 months now and have logged close to 1,000 JT65 and JT9 contacts. I run it with an old HP laptop (about 8 years old) and my Kenwood TS-590SG. It is seemingly flawless and decodes extremely well and fast.

However, I have noticed one particular bug that occurs when in the JT65 + JT9 mode. Sometimes, when in this dual mode, and operating JT65 with the TX Enabled button on, the decode button will turn it's normal light blue when decoding but then all of a sudden you get this "error in kv decoder...." message. What happens next is that the program automatically enters into JT9 mode. I have found a workaround when this happens. Just simply put it back into JT65 mode by left clicking the JT65/JT9 button and that seems to do the trick. Also, it is best not to have the TX Enabled button on during a decode. That seems to prevent this from happening. Otherwise it is a great piece of software.
DH2ID Rating: 2016-02-18
Great program! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I currently have over 7000 QSO's in JT modes in my log, a good third of them in JT9, so I really can't do without WSJT-X, which decodes the two modes side-by side.
I have tried out all the other JT programs, but WSJT-X wins all the time. I do my logging with JT-AlertX and HRDLog, which also works very well.
Setting up WSJT-X is quite easy, if you remember not to use the HRD rig control program, but MiniDeluxe, and then it works with the Flex Radios I own and my TS2000X.