try lowering your baud rate for cat in the radio and the software. it sound
to me that maybe the rate is too high for the computer to keep up

Dave Garber
VE3WEJ / VE3IE


On Fri, Sep 23, 2022 at 2:23 AM Bengt SM6MUY via groups.io <muy=
telia.com@groups.io> wrote:

Version prior to v2.6 does not crash. RFI ? Is v2.6 more sensitive to RFI ?

Regarding loosing the CAT connection, it happens during Rx when I turn
the Rig VFO. This was not any issue until I installed v2.6. Just press
"Retry" if WSJT-x lost the connection. It doesn't work any longer. Only
reboot restores USB the connection.

I have plenty of Ferrites on all cables (mostly Fair-Rite of different
kinds). I would say I spent >$1000 on ferrites to reduce RFI issues and
also reduce noise from all the normal noise sources in a home. This
includes some of my neighbors homes as well.

73/Bengt, SM6MUY

On 2022-09-22 05:11, Michael Black via groups.io wrote:

What you're describing sounds like RFI.

RFI Problems


Tests
If problems are occurring only during transmit:
#1 Reduce power to zero and see if the problem stops -- if it does

stop than it is definitely RFI. You will see certain higher power levels
on certain bands that cause problems.

Then, if problems are occurring during non-transmit periods it indicates

a system problem with USB devices so...

#1 Check USB Power Management option is turned off on all USB

devices

Device Manager for Windows.
For Linux set autosuspend=-1

https://docs.kernel.org/driver-api/usb/power-management.html

RFI Fixes:
#1 Free - Move USB cables to another port -- some ports are more

susceptible than others.

#2 Free -- Check your grounding system. rod-outside-the-shack is a

common problem when it's not bonded to the main house ground.

Common grounding mistakes, sources, and solutoins:
A. Ground rod outside the shack that is not bonded to the main

house ground.

B. Shack equipment bonded incorrectly (e.g. daisy chained

instead of common ground point)

C. Desktop computer grounded to the house ground and not the

shack ground. Run a separate RF ground from the computer chassis to your
station RF ground.

For a laptop use the retaining screw of a DB9 or DB25

connector shell, if your device still has them.

D. Ethernet cables that bring RFI into the computer...which

then ends up going to the rig too since the ethernet shield is tied to the
case which is tied to USB shield which is tied to pin 4 on the USB cable (a
very common problem on most all USB devices -- see my QRZ page).

Ethernet patch cables up through CAT6 are UTP, which stands

for UNSHIELDED Twisted Pairs, four to be specific. There is NO separate
shield conductor in the jacket, nor a metallic shield around the RJ45
connector itself.

Just use a ferrite toroid at each end.
E. Wall warts -- 24VAC supplies in sprinkler and alarm systems

are notorious for picking up RFI into your electrical system.

24 VAC transformers can be RF-bypassed using .005 ufd caps

from each output lead to safety ground. You can often use the cover plate
mounting screw as your ground connection.

F. Speaker wires The same approach as E also works for external

speaker audio leads.

G. Lamps (yes...lamps around the house have unshielded wires as

do many other appliances).

H. Washer/Dryers are notorious for generating and picking up

RFI. In general, newer high-efficiency models have more RF problems.

Ferrite toroids INSIDE the appliance housing can work

wonders if the wiring harness has connectors in the AC line input, OR an
external noise filter for the AC line cord of a washing machine can reduce
RF spurs by 25 dB or more.

I. HVAC systems with variable speed blower control systems both

cause RF noise and react badly to RF fields -- we believe adding torroids
inside the unit on the power lines will work.

J. If you use a powered USB expansion hub, add a ferrite toroid

on the cable coming from the USB power supply.

K. SignaLink -- You can ground the metal box shell by simply

wrapping an 18ga wire (or use a small crimped ring or spade terminal) under
the head of any of the screws holding the rear panel, then connect to your
station RF ground.

The case is isolated from both USB and analog audio signal

grounds, so this does not affect use of the USB shield isolators.

L. DC power supply -- both linear and switching -- READ THE PS

MANUAL FIRST! This step may void some manufacturers' warranty and UL/CSA
approvals.

Remove any jumpers between the DC negative output lead and

PS chassis or line cord ground Add a .005 ufd cap from each DC output lead
to chassis ground if not already there.

NOTE: Samlex DC outputs are already isolated and bypassed,

but many others, including Astron, may randomly have the negative side
grounded and no RF bypassing.

B through L may all need chokes.
http://www.k9yc.com/GroundingAndAudio.pdf
#3 Free -- start unplugging devices around the house and see if

there's one device that is acting as a bad source of RFI. This presupposes
you can easily repeat the problem on your rig setup.

#4 Cheap -- Add some USB shield isolators (see my QRZ page). I use

one on my SignaLink for example.

#5 Minimal $$ -- Good USB cables like this

https://www.amazon.ca/Tripp-U023-006-Device-Ferrite-Chokes/dp/B003MQ29B2/ref=sr_1_5?crid=11YRNPWDVWGCU&keywords=usb+cable+with+choke&qid=1658187349&sprefix=usb+cable+with+choke%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-5

#6 Maybe free (if you have chokes...otherwise can get a bit costly)

-- add chokes to USB cables first, then all other cables including power,
ethernet, and control cables.

Fair-Rite torroids are good quality -- do NOT buy cheap Chinese

ones -- https://www.fair-rite.com/product/toroids-5943003801/ You can
use clip-ons but torroids allow multiple wraps and give better results.

https://www.fair-rite.com/product/round-cable-snap-its-431176451/
I couldn't find type 31 torroids at Fair-Rite as of 20220721 but

Palomar has some
palomar-engineers.com/ferrite-products/ferrite-cores/ferrite-ring-toroid-combo-pack/

Newark also carries them

https://newark.com/c/passive-components/emc-rfi-suppression/ferrites-ferrite-assortments?brand=fair-rite

RFI Problems


Mike W9MDB








On Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 06:01:01 PM CDT, Bengt SM6MUY via

groups.io <muy@...> wrote:

Hi

Also had this issue. Crashes all the time and the jt9 processing is
running. I had to downgrade to 2.5 but still have the issue with loosing
the CAT connection sometimes which I got when installed 2.6 for the
first time...Only PC reboot helps...

RIG: IC-7300, Win11 64 bit.

73/Bengt, SM6MUY


On 2022-09-21 17:20, Michael Black via groups.io wrote:

What rig do you have?

I notice QRZ doesn't know your callsign. You might want to add it.

Mike W9MDB








On Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 09:57:57 AM CDT, JH4VAJ / mit <

jh4vaj@...> wrote:

WSJT-X 2.6.0-rc4 without CAT control rarely crashes.
The timing of the crash is when WSJT-X switches to transmit.
It does not crash while receiving.
After it crashes, the jt9.exe process remains running.
I have experienced this problem several times.

It does not crash when used with CAT control.
It also does not crash with 2.5.4 without CAT control.
I am using Windows 10 64-bit.

JH4VAJ