Important notes!
Be sure using the original WSJTX. There are some modified clones in circulation using the same name and version as the origianl WSJTX. It will not work!
When downloading the exe file, virus-alarm might occur. This is a false alarm. The FT8-Helper software use macro commands. Most virus checker cannot distinguish harmless and harmful macros, althought they are not encrypted. Upload and check the software to virustotal.com. You can trust the software. Be sure using the original WSJTX! There are clones in circulation using the same version-number as the origianl WSJTX. It will not work!
new in v2.6.1-8
- Prompt-Call list: Entering wanted stations into this list, the stations will be preferred. It is similar to the "Wanted Call" list, but it is reachable from the main session, even during running S/P operatio, thus there is no need to open the configuration.
- New Strategy "DX-Chasing": This strategy was implemented to call rare DX stations. The wanted DX station is to enter into the "Prompt Call" list. It works similar to "Only-Wanted" but it starts in split-mode. The user must search and set a free frequency manually. After reception of the first CQ or RR73/73 of the wanted DX station, the Helper calls the station contionusly and does not stops if the station answers to another station. This is the so-called "Pitbull QSO" mode. During the QSO attempt all other stations are ignored.
- New field, QSO-with: shows the callsign of the current QSO
new in v2.6.1-7
- Possibility to enter call-signs in a "Prompt-List" for higher priority treatment.
- New "DX-chasing" strategy for calling rare DX stations (the "Pitbull" function)
- Read the updated manual how to use the new features
new in v2.6.1-6
- In S/P-mode allows to call stations calling CQ POTA (works as well with VOTA, COTA and SOTA)
- Some minor bugfixes
new in v2.6.1-5
- Bugfix: Heder-text was invorrect, the Helper could started twice.
new in v2.6.1-4
- Bugfix in Band-Hopping, when 73=CQ selcted: Does not stop correctly at the programmed end of cycle.
New in v2.6.1-3
- 73=CQ is available in S/P both split- and non-split mode. It will call only stations from those previously a CQ was received.
New in v2.6.1-2 - v2.6.1-1 was a test version, was not publishded
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The FT8-Helper and JTDX-Helper share the most part of the source code. The version numbering of the software has been changed. The first part of the number identifies the matching WSJTX/JTDX version, die number following the “-“ shows the actual version of the Helper.
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Selection of CQ, S/P, XCHG and MIX mode by menas of selection menu instead of dedicated Start-SP and Start-CQ buttons
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CQ+SP mode was re-named to XCHG-mode
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New MIX-mode: Combined CQ/SP-mode. If no CQ calling stationa are available, it calls CQ. MIX-mode is available for Band-Hopping
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New function: CQ=73. When in split-mode, the Helper can call stations sending 73 or RR73.
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Invalid or unwanted endings (e.g. /R) can be excluded by entering */R
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Exclude entries can be specified for both in- and outgoing calls or only for outgoing cals.
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Example: #DL would prevent calling DL stations, but calls from DL stations would be accepted.
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The FT8-Helper program was developed as macro extension for WSJT-X using the Quick-Macros program. Comparing to other FT8-Robot programs, the FT8-Helper is more “intelligent”, it interprets the received messages of WSJTX and acts according to the own auto-sequencing and programmable QSO strategy. The FT8-Helper is a "portable" software, to start it no installation of Quick-Macros required! Simply copy and start it.
Main Features:
- Works with WSJT-X 2.6.1
- Automatic operation in both "CQ" and "S/P" mode.
- MIX-mode: If no CQ calling stationa are available, it calls CQ
- XCHG-mode: Changes between CQ and S/P automatically with programmable intervals
- Automatic find of free frequency in CQ-mode
- Repeat RR73 if no closing 73 received. Warning if no colsing 73 received.
- Skip-Tx1: calls stations with report instead of QRA-grid.
- CQ=73. When in split-mode, the Helper can call stations sending 73 or RR73.
- Prompt call list for preferred handling the listed stations
- Comfortable set-up of all parameter
- Easy installation
- WSJT-X can start with the -rig-name argument
- Opens the QRZ.com page of the station when starting a QSO
- Counts logged and broken QSOs.
- Shows the average difference between received and transmitted reports.
Various strategies for incoming and outgoing calls:
- Best Priority acording the WSJT-X "Colours" settings.
- Best S/N: If Stations with the same priority received, the one with the best S/N selected
- Only DX: Minimum DX-distance can be specified in Km and Miles.
- Prefer-DX: DX stations are prefered.
- Most distance: Calls the station with the greatest distance.
- Prefer Wanted: prefixes, DXCC-entities and continents can be specified.
- Only Wanted: prefixes, DXCC.entities and continents can be specified
- DX-Chasing: for callng rare DX-stations.
- Exclude stations, prefixes DXCC-entities and continents can be specified
- DXCC entities and prefixes can be excluded for outgoing and for both in/outcoming calls
- Keep-Even/Odd cycle for 6m DX-ing
Band-Hopping:
- Programmable on daily basis
- Two time ranges per day can be programmed
- Operating band, mode, and strategy can be selected.
Feedback to: dg5lp@darc.de