DELARANEWS

Ham Radio News

…because we don’t live in a vacuum

New FT4 Beta Release "Leaps and

Bounds" Better than Earlier Iterations

The WSJT-X Development Group released yet another new beta version of the FT4 protocol this week, and WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc7 is now available for testing. Developers point out that the FT4 included in this "release candidate 7" version is not compatible with any previous releases. A short mock contest session to wring out the contesting features of FT4 took place on June 4. "Thanks to all who participated in yesterday's FT4 mock-contest practice session -- and especially to those who provided useful feedback. It is much appreciated!" said developer Joe Taylor, K1JT. "Everyone likes the 7.5-second T/R sequences, which provide operators with significantly more human interaction time than in previous revisions of FT4. Users also appreciated the sensitivity improvements and a larger range of acceptable time offsets (DT)." DT represents the combined clock difference for the transmitting and receiving computers, he explained. Based on data compiled by Steve Franke, K9AN, Taylor said that it appears developers have the WSJT-X timing behavior under good control on all supported platforms, and the range of measured signal- to-noise values extended down to -21 dB. "I operated for about 3 hours using 100 W and a dipole," Taylor recounted. "I copied transmissions from 263 unique call signs and made 143 QSOs in 29 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 15 DXCCs." Taylor said the developers anticipate addressing all remaining issues they're aware of. "I believe we are on a good path toward a General Availability (GA) release of WSJT-X 2.1.0 by mid-July," he said. Steve Franke, K9AN, of the WSJT-X Development Group spent most of his time observing during the mock contest on June 4, decoding some 25,300 FT4 transmissions. This chart represents signal-to-noise ratios reported. "This new version of FT4 is leaps and bounds better than before," said Mike Black, W9MDB, in a June 4 post to the Yahoo WSJT Meteor Scatter and Weak Signal Group. "I worked almost everybody I could see without any repeats. Seems like we have a winner here." Changes, improvements, and bug fixes that have been made since WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5 include: • T/R sequence length increased from 6.0 to 7.5 seconds. • Signal bandwidth decreased from 90 Hz to 80 Hz. • Improved sensitivity: Threshold S/N is now -17.5 dB. Release candidate WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc7 will be available for beta-testing through July 21, and it will permanently cease to function after that date. It will not be usable during the ARRL June VHF Contest or during ARRL Field Day. Taylor advised using WSJT-X 2.0.1 and FT8 for these events. Downloadable installation packages for WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc7 under Windows, Linux, and macOS are available on the WSJT-X web page.

Yasme Foundation Designates

Supporting Grant, Excellence Award

Recipients

The Board of Directors of The Yasme Foundation has awarded $5,000 each to the Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) and ARRL scholarship programs for 2019, and $5,000 in general support to World Radiosport Team Championship 2022 (WRTC 2022) in Italy and a second grant to sponsor the so-called "Widow's Ball" during WRTC 2022. The Yasme Foundation Board also announced recipients of the Yasme Excellence Award. They are: • Angel Vazquez, WP3R, for his work in disaster relief, and as an outstanding ambassador for Amateur Radio. • Nikola Percin, 9A5W, for his outstanding work in advancing Amateur Radio in Croatia and the surrounding region. He is a cofounder of 9A1A. Percin initiated efforts to recruit young amateurs and established youth programs in coordination with local universities. The Yasme Excellence Award recognizes individuals and groups who, through their own service, creativity, effort, and dedication, have made significant contributions to Amateur Radio. These may be in recognition of technical, operating, or organizational achievement, as all three are necessary for the growth of Amateur Radio. The Yasme Excellence Award is in the form of a cash grant and an individually engraved crystal globe. - ARRL Letter

Dayton Hamvention Attracts a Happy

Crowd

Dayton Hamvention®, hosting the 2019 ARRL National Convention, chalked up its third year at its new venue, the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio. Amateur Radio's largest annual gathering took place May 17 - 19. Hamvention officials have not yet released a 2019 attendance figure, but last year's show drew 28,417 -- the third largest attendance ever. For many hams, Hamvention offers an opportunity each spring to renew old acquaintances and make new ones, and for manufacturers to debut their latest and greatest gear. "These were some of the biggest crowds I've seen since Dayton Hamvention relocated to Xenia," ARRL Product Development Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, said. Hamvention visitors enjoyed largely comfortable weather, with some drizzle on opening day. By all accounts, the crowd was animated and amiable. This year marked the first that Hamvention offered free Sunday admission. "Dayton Hamvention 2019 was a fantastic event and was a great setting for the ARRL National Convention," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. "Thank you to everyone for stopping by the ARRL exhibit area to visit with ARRL officials, staff, and volunteers. It's always a pleasure to be able to have a face-to-face QSO with everyone. Isn't ham radio great? The greatest hobby in the world!" A free ARRL/Dayton Hamvention mobile event app helped visitors navigate the landscape of exhibitors and forums. Attendees also used the app to follow the hourly prize drawings, connect with other visitors, and view maps of the sprawling fairgrounds. The new app got a positive reception. The Nashua (New Hampshire) Area Radio Society (NARS) -- the 2019 Dayton Hamvention Club of the Year -- led the "ARRL Spotlight on Radio Clubs and Mentoring" forum. NARS members described the ways the club builds and maintains a strong and active membership through its website, licensing classes, and programs that fit members' schedules. The success rate for licensing classes is 93%, and the club retains 70% of active members. Instructors from the ARRL Education & Technology Program shared resources available for introducing radio science and wireless technology. In step with the shared ARRL Convention-Hamvention theme, "Mentoring the Next Generation," the 2019 Youth Forum moderated by Carole Perry, WB2MGP, drew attendees of all ages. It was standing room only at Saturday's ARRL Member Forum, which featured a panel of ARRL Board members with ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, moderating. Pacific Division Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, who chairs the Legislative Advocacy Committee, addressed the Board's decision to hit the pause button on the Amateur Radio Parity Act. He said the Board intends to renew efforts to get a bill passed and will craft a new strategy to make that happen. President Roderick and CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX, stressed the need to attract more Technician licensees into ARRL. Roderick challenged forum attendees to make sure their clubs are welcoming newcomers and helping them to get active and engaged as radio amateurs. At Michel's "Engaging Today's Radio Amateur" presentation, audience members expressed support for the new directions Michel is taking ARRL in terms of delivering more value to members. The Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) delegation (L - R); Florian Zwingl, OE3FTA; Larissa Rentmeister (SWL); Markus Grosser, DL8GM; Phillip Springer, DK6SP. YOTA is a project of IARU Region 1. [Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, photo] Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, headed up a Sunday forum on ARRL's new Volunteer Monitor Program. Hollingsworth explained how the program evolved out of an FCC request. Hollingsworth explained that he polled FCC District Directors to see which areas of the US needed the most attention. He said that's where most Volunteer Monitors will be deployed. ARRL's Public Service Communications Panel Discussion drew a large crowd of Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members and other active volunteers. Audience members expressed constructive concerns over the new ARES Plan and with reinforcing Amateur Radio recognition nationwide. At a Thursday Donors' Reception, President Roderick presented the National Convention recognition award to Hamvention Chairman Jack Gerbs, WB8SCT, and Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) President (and past Hamvention General Chair) Ron Cramer, KD8ENJ -ARRL Letter
DELARANews

Ham Radio News

…because we don’t live in a vacuum

New FT4 Beta Release "Leaps and

Bounds" Better than Earlier

Iterations

The WSJT-X Development Group released yet another new beta version of the FT4 protocol this week, and WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc7 is now available for testing. Developers point out that the FT4 included in this "release candidate 7" version is not compatible with any previous releases. A short mock contest session to wring out the contesting features of FT4 took place on June 4. "Thanks to all who participated in yesterday's FT4 mock-contest practice session -- and especially to those who provided useful feedback. It is much appreciated!" said developer Joe Taylor, K1JT. "Everyone likes the 7.5-second T/R sequences, which provide operators with significantly more human interaction time than in previous revisions of FT4. Users also appreciated the sensitivity improvements and a larger range of acceptable time offsets (DT)." DT represents the combined clock difference for the transmitting and receiving computers, he explained. Based on data compiled by Steve Franke, K9AN, Taylor said that it appears developers have the WSJT-X timing behavior under good control on all supported platforms, and the range of measured signal-to-noise values extended down to -21 dB. "I operated for about 3 hours using 100 W and a dipole," Taylor recounted. "I copied transmissions from 263 unique call signs and made 143 QSOs in 29 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 15 DXCCs." Taylor said the developers anticipate addressing all remaining issues they're aware of. "I believe we are on a good path toward a General Availability (GA) release of WSJT-X 2.1.0 by mid-July," he said. Steve Franke, K9AN, of the WSJT-X Development Group spent most of his time observing during the mock contest on June 4, decoding some 25,300 FT4 transmissions. This chart represents signal-to-noise ratios reported. "This new version of FT4 is leaps and bounds better than before," said Mike Black, W9MDB, in a June 4 post to the Yahoo WSJT Meteor Scatter and Weak Signal Group. "I worked almost everybody I could see without any repeats. Seems like we have a winner here." Changes, improvements, and bug fixes that have been made since WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5 include: • T/R sequence length increased from 6.0 to 7.5 seconds. • Signal bandwidth decreased from 90 Hz to 80 Hz. • Improved sensitivity: Threshold S/N is now -17.5 dB. Release candidate WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc7 will be available for beta-testing through July 21, and it will permanently cease to function after that date. It will not be usable during the ARRL June VHF Contest or during ARRL Field Day. Taylor advised using WSJT-X 2.0.1 and FT8 for these events. Downloadable installation packages for WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc7 under Windows, Linux, and macOS are available on the WSJT-X web page.

Yasme Foundation Designates

Supporting Grant, Excellence

Award Recipients

The Board of Directors of The Yasme Foundation has awarded $5,000 each to the Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) and ARRL scholarship programs for 2019, and $5,000 in general support to World Radiosport Team Championship 2022 (WRTC 2022) in Italy and a second grant to sponsor the so- called "Widow's Ball" during WRTC 2022. The Yasme Foundation Board also announced recipients of the Yasme Excellence Award. They are: • Angel Vazquez, WP3R, for his work in disaster relief, and as an outstanding ambassador for Amateur Radio. • Nikola Percin, 9A5W, for his outstanding work in advancing Amateur Radio in Croatia and the surrounding region. He is a cofounder of 9A1A. Percin initiated efforts to recruit young amateurs and established youth programs in coordination with local universities. The Yasme Excellence Award recognizes individuals and groups who, through their own service, creativity, effort, and dedication, have made significant contributions to Amateur Radio. These may be in recognition of technical, operating, or organizational achievement, as all three are necessary for the growth of Amateur Radio. The Yasme Excellence Award is in the form of a cash grant and an individually engraved crystal globe. - ARRL Letter