Trying to configure FT8 in split operation.
I want to call CQ on 14.074MHz requesting an answer on frequency 14.174Mhz.
How do I configure WSJT-X to do that?

Amos 4X4MF

Hi Amos,

User Guide section 10.3. Center has a paragraph:
With Split operation activated on the File → Settings → Radio tab, in MSK144 and the fast JT9 submodes you can activate the spinner control Tx CQ nnn by checking the box to its right. The program will then generate something like CQ nnn K1ABC FN42 for your CQ message, where nnn is the kHz portion of your current operating frequency, in the range 010 to 999. Your CQ message Tx6 will then be transmitted at the calling frequency selected in the Tx CQ nnn spinner control. All other messages will be transmitted at your current operating frequency. On reception, when you double-click on a message like CQ nnn K1ABC FN42 your rig will QSY to the specified frequency so you can call the station at his specified response frequency.

I have understood that this works also in FT8. So you could try to call "CQ 174 4X4MF" and potentially those having Split in use may return to you at 144.174 MHz. May be worth to test.

73, Reino OH3mA

Hi Reino
Thank you for trying to help that quickly. I still do not fully understand:
1. I do usually set split=None. do I have to set Split=Rig? Using Flex6600 Do I have to make the radion run split?
2. What is spinner control?
3. Using TX5, I did call CQ 200 4X4MF KM72 and was answered without any frequency change.

Amos 4X4MF

Thank you for trying to help that quickly. I still do not fully understand:

1. I do usually set split=None. do I have to set Split=Rig? Using Flex6600 Do I have to make the radion run split?

The Split functionality is used to move the radio to the new frequency at the receive end, when the operator answers to the call by double clicking at the same time your radio will move reception to the new frequency. If you get that answer, then also your rig frequency is moved there for transmission. So the Split needs to be activated in both ends. At least I have understood in that manner.

By the way do you have a reason to use split=None? That setting may let audio harmonics to pass though your transmit filter, when you are using frequencies below 1500 Hz and for some reason overdrive your transmit audio path. K-series rigs may be less sensitive to overdriving due their output power control than typical transceivers, but still it is safer to user Split.

2. What is spinner control?

That control is only available on the MSK144 and fast JT9 sub-modes. No control available at FT8.

3. Using TX5, I did call CQ 200 4X4MF KM72 and was answered without any frequency change.

The CQ is normally sent using TX6 and I am not sure what is actually sent, when you type that text into TX5 as it is longer than 13 characters. I have typed the reception frequency directly into TX6 message just by editing it.

As I said this functionality should be tested with another station using Split before we know it is also works with FT8 and not only on those MSK144 and JT8 modes.

73, Reino OH3mA

No -- that's not how Split works (either Rig Split or Fake It).

Nobody knows or cares if you are in split mode.

The audio frequency is adjusted to always be in the 1500-2000Hz range.  So if  your split shows 14073.5 for example WSJTX adds 500Hz to the audio frequency and if your split shows 14074.5 it will subtract 500Hz.

For all receivers of your signal it looks perfectly normal at whatever offset  you are using...the split is invisible to the receiving stations.

Mike W9MDB








On Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 05:10:59 AM CDT, Reino Talarmo <reino.talarmo@...> wrote:

Thank you for trying to help that quickly. I still do not fully understand:

1. I do usually set split=None. do I have to set Split=Rig? Using Flex6600 Do I have to make the radion run split?

The Split functionality is used to move the radio to the new frequency at the receive end, when the operator answers to the call by double clicking at the same time your radio will move reception to the new frequency. If you get that answer, then also your rig frequency is moved there for transmission. So the Split needs to be activated in both ends. At least I have understood in that manner.

By the way do you have a reason to use split=None? That setting may let audio harmonics to pass though your transmit filter, when you are using frequencies below 1500 Hz and for some reason overdrive your transmit audio path. K-series rigs may be less sensitive to overdriving due their output power control than typical transceivers, but still it is safer to user Split.

2. What is spinner control?

That control is only available on the MSK144 and fast JT9 sub-modes. No control available at FT8.

3. Using TX5, I did call CQ 200 4X4MF KM72 and was answered without any frequency change.

The CQ is normally sent using TX6 and I am not sure what is actually sent, when you type that text into TX5 as it is longer than 13 characters. I have typed the reception frequency directly into TX6 message just by editing it.

As I said this functionality should be tested with another station using Split before we know it is also works with FT8 and not only on those MSK144 and JT8 modes.

            73, Reino OH3mA

Hi Mike,

You may have not followed this mail exchange from the beginning. I was proposing to test, whether the working frequency indication in a CQ message moves the responding radio to the frequency that is added in CQ message also in FT8. This feature is used in MSK144 and JT9 wider modes, see User Guide 10.2 Center tenth bullet point.

Hi Amos,
Actually I did not read the description carefully, but in short the CQ calling user select an operating frequency, say 144.166 MHz, where he wished to conduct the QSO. He send on a standard (calling) frequency, say 144.150 MHz, CQ message CQ 166 OH3MA KP20. Somebody listening at the 144.150 MHz double clicks on the message and his rig is automatically is moved to 144.166 MHz and call continues there. The move is performed using Split function, the same as used to keep a clean transmission.

In FT8 that seems to require a manual switch by the CQ calling operator as the "spinner" for it is not available. The first test should be a test, whether the responding rig really moves to the "166" frequency.

73, Reino OH3mA

Maybe someone on the WSJTX team can answer why that option is only available for fast JT9 and MSK144.

Mike W9MDB

Reino

My current undestanding is that When I call CQ 200 4X4MF KM72 on 144.174 I just ask the other party to answer me on 144.200. The problem is that because of the local interference on 144.174 I have no idea if there is any activity on 2m FT8.
Amos 4X4MF

Amos

I think that both parties will be on 144.200 for the rest of the QSO.

You may try to study https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html to see 2m activity. I checked last 24 hours and nearest stations were in Greece and Bulgaria. Not much activity based on that information.

73, Reino OH3mA

Mike W9MDB is absolutely correct. I have been running split for several months with hundred s of calls and know body cares. Mikes explanation is exactly what happens running split.