Hi All,
I've been receiving lots of requests for quick, step by step instructions for interfacing Fldigi, PSK Express and N7YG Digital Engine with my CQ WW RTTY software for this weekend's DX contest. ?The following is written with CQ WW RTTY in mind, but most applies to Amateur Contact Log 5.7 too.
First, a couple caveats. ?I've been around the block in SSB and CW contests, but operating digital is brand new to me. ?I am only now becoming familiar with these digital programs myself. ?Both Dave and Jeff have active support groups for their applications, where they and other much more seasoned users can help you. ?I'm not equipped to support Dave and Jeff's software. ?If you have questions about using these programs, need additional support, have bug reports, want to receive future announcements or would like to offer suggestions for future enhancements, please join and post to their users groups:
Fldigi by Dave, W1HKJ: ?https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/linuxham/info
PSK Express & Digital Engine by Jeff, N7YG: ?https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PSKExpress/info
Also, Jeff, N7YG has just updated PSK Express (2.1.9.8) to correct the state / province transfer and Digital Engine (5.2.2.7) so that the waterfall properly shows frequency. ?If you are planning to use Jeff's software this weekend, please be sure you are running either of these latest versions. ?Updating PSK Express is super easy. ?Just click Help > Check for Update and follow the prompts. ?For the Digital Engine, uninstall your current version from Windows Control Panel and then install the new version.
What follows are just the details on interfacing these digital programs with my software. ?If you need help using, programming macros, setting sound card levels and other functionality of the respective programs, please post to the appropriate users group above.
Hopefully the following will be enough to get you started?interfacing these programs with my CQ WW RTTY software (and AC Log):
Configuring my CQ WW DX RTTY 1.4 Software:
http://www.n3fjp.com/cqww.html ?(use the same password as the CQ WW SSB / CW program)
Regardless of which digital program you plan to use, the first step will always be to start my software before starting the connecting program. ?From CQ WW RTTY 1.4's menu options click Settings > Application Program Interface and check the upper check box that says TCP API Enabled (Server). ?Leave the lower check box unchecked. ?That is the only step required in N3FJP Software. ?Everything else is handled by the connecting program.
Digital Engine by Jeff, N7YG:
Download Link: ?http://n7yg.net/software/n7yg-digital-engine
User's Guide: ?http://n7yg.net/pskexpress/N7YG%20Digital%20Engine%20Users%20Guide.pdf
Support: ?https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PSKExpress/info
Comments: ?Probably the easiest of the three to configure, this program was specifically designed by N7YG to function as a companion to the suite of N3FJP software and provides a simple digital modem with a floating waterfall that can reside on the same screen as the logging software. ?The Digital Engine detects which N3FJP program it is connected to and configures automatically.
Note that the waterfall is a little tricky to move. ?Sometimes it continues to follow your mouse after you stop dragging. ?Just click again to disconnect.
Setup: ?
- ?From the menu options click Logger Selection and select N3FJP. ?The name of the N3FJP Software program you are connected to will appear in the title bar and frequency will appear below with rig interface enabled.
- ?Configure macros, or press F4 to transmit and F5 to receive.
- ?For CQ WW RTTY, Select RTTY from the waterfall
- ?Can be customized to fit on one screen
- To send a value to N3FJP Software, Left click the text in the decode window and select the field
- Click Log contact to log.
-?Typical?logging sequence for CQ WW RTTY:
? A. ?Left click on a Call in the decode window and click send to call sign. ?Default CQ zone and RST values appear immediately in CQ WW RTTY.
? B. ?If working a US or Canada station, left click on the State / Province and click send to State / Province.
? C. ?Click Log Contact
Fldigi by Dave, W1KHJ:
Download Link: ?https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/files/fldigi/
User's Guide: ?https://sourceforge.net/projects/fldigi/files/fldigi/fldigi-help.pdf/download ? (Interfacing with N3FJP Software begins on page 135).
Support: ?https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/linuxham/info
Comments:?Fldigi is excellent, widely used digital software that supports many digital modes.
Note that as a contest interface, Fldigi currently requires you to capture the CQ Zone, while N7YG's programs will accept the default that N3FJP Software fills when the call is sent, so there is an additional user action required when using Fldigi for CQ WW RTTY. ?Dave and I are considering possible ways to streamline that now. ?
Also note that while both the N7YG applications send each field value to N3FJP as you select them from the decode window, Fldigi only sends the call in advance, so don't expect to immediately see the other exchange values in CQ WW RTTY. ?When you click Fldigi's Save button, the rest of the fields in CQ WW RTTY will fill and save. ?
Setup (these are the very basics. ?Dave has LOTS more documentation in his Users's Guide): ?
- ?Click Configure > N3FJP Logs
- ?Unless you are connecting to a different PC, just leave the defaults and click Connect. ?
- ?Click Configure > Contest and select CQ WW RTTY
- ?Click Configure > UI > Log > QSO and enable the RST defaults. ?That way you won't have to take the time to capture the RST values during the QSO.
- ?Click Op Mode > RTTY to set up for CQ WW RTTY
- ?Configure macros.
- ?To send a value from Fldigi to CQ WW, Right click the value in the decode window and then select the field. ?Only the Call field is sent immediately. ?The rest are held in Fldigi's queue and displayed in Fldigi until save is clicked.
- ?Clicking the Save button (button with blue down arrow) will write the values to N3FJP and save the contact.
- ?Typical?logging sequence for CQ WW RTTY:
? A. ?Right click on a Call in the decode window and click call. ?Default CQ zone appears in CQ WW, but still must be captured manually in Fldigi.
? B. ?Right click on the CQ zone and click CQ Zone.?
? C. ?If working a US or Canada station, Right click on the State / Province and click CQ State.
? D. ?Click button with the blue down arrow to log the contact
? E. ?Then click the yellow brush in Fldigi to clear the existing values in the Fldigi software.
PSK Express by Jeff, N7YG:
Download Link: ?http://n7yg.net/software/psk-express
Support: ?https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PSKExpress/info
Comments: ?A full featured digital program that supports a variety of digital modes including RTTY. ?Like the Digital Engine, PSK Express?detects which N3FJP program it is connected to and configures automatically. ?Also note that while Digital Engine uses Left clicks, PSK Express uses Right clicks.
Note that with regards to interfacing with my software, PSK Express and Digital Engine function very similarly, but PSK Express can't be sized down like the Digital Engine. ?If you only have one monitor, the Digital Engine may be the better choice.
Setup: ?
- ? From the menu options click N3FJP > Setup > Enable Interface. ?If successful, the name of the program and current frequency will display on the main form.
- ? Configure macros, or press F4 to transmit and F5 to receive.
- ? For CQ WW RTTY, Select RTTY from the Mode drop down (under the Windows menu option near the top)
- ?To send a value to N3FJP Software,?Right?click the text in the decode window and select the field
- ?Click Log contact to log.
- ?Typical?logging sequence for CQ WW RTTY:
? A. ?Right click on a Call in the decode window and click send to call sign. ?Default CQ zone and RST values appear immediately in CQ WW RTTY.
? B. ?If working a US or Canada station, right click on the State / Province and click send to State / Province.
? C. ?Click Log Contact
Conclusion
As you can see, even covering just the most basic functions in the?briefest?way possible covers a lot of ground, so I really encourage you to read Dave and Jeff's?documentation, join their e-mail groups and seek support there as needed.
Dave, Jeff and I have been working really hard the last few months on the interface features of our respective programs. ?There is a lot going on under the hood, so please view this CQ WW RTTY contest as a first, initial test. ?We all realize that there are likely lots of opportunities for improvement that will come to light in the contest environment this weekend. ?We welcome your feedback and suggestions on Jeff and Dave's e-mail groups after the contest!
Enjoy CQ WW RTTY DX this weekend! ?We hope to work you!
73, Scott
N3FJP
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Serving the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.
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1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect...
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