[Elecraft] KX2 & FT8

[Mike Morrow]

The guidance Joe gives is coherent and complete and a great contribution for interested parties. .

It takes a lot of work to get a ham radio and a jumble of external gimmicks to do all the work of making ham QSOs...if one very generously credits FT8 as a QSO!  :-)

Mike / KK5F

-----Original Message-----
>From: Joe DeVincentis <jd at ko8v.net>
>Sent: Dec 1, 2020 8:11 AM
>
>These are the steps I usually go through:
>
>1.  Ensure PC has an accurate time source.  Verify against something like https://time.gov <https://time.gov/>. If the website updates its seconds at the same time as your system from a visual perspective, then you're close enough.
>
>2.  If you are using an FTDI based USB to serial converter for CAT control, be sure Serial Enumeration in the advanced properties for the COM port is unchecked (it can do weird things to your system).  I also check the box to disable modem control at start up.
>
>2. In the WSJT-X settings ensure that Test CAT and Test PTT work correctly.  Be sure that the Test PTT causes the radio to go into TX.  I use either CAT control or H/W control for PTT trigger depending on what I can do with the H/W.  I generally prefer H/W control.  It's faster in the system to flip a bit, then to send a string a bits via the RS232.
>
>3. Setup the Audio in WSJTX to point to the correct devices.
>
>4. In the Windows Sound control panel ensure levels for both Recording and Playback for the device in use for the radio are somewhat reasonable - say 75%.  It's just a starting place.  Also be sure the devices are not the defaults - that will prevent sounds being sent to the radio you don't want.  Can't tell you how times I hear audio play back of either alerts or some streaming media come through.   All newly plugged in sound devices are automatically made default by Windows.  IMHO, it's a stupid thing for Windows to do and I've never found a setting to prevent that.
>
>5.  Check the receive is reasonable in WSJTX - generally between 40 and 60 on the WSJTX meter.  Play with settings in the sound control panel and/or the radio until things look right.
>
>6. Set the radio for 0 power and hit the tune button in WSJTX.  The radio should go into TX.
>
>7. Using the Sound panel control for the radio playback device, the Pwr slider in WSJTX and/or the radio mic gain, tune until ALC is just starting kick in.  On other Elecraft radios, that's usually the 5 ALC bar flickering.  I try not to have any setting at the max.  
>
>If any step is not working, diagnose and fix that step before proceeding.  This is what I have found works best for me.  Your mileage my vary.
>
>73,
>Joe, KO8V
>
>> On Dec 1, 2020, at 08:04, Mark Moeller <mark.moeller3 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I am working to get my KX2 setup for FT8 and appreciate any help.
>> 
>> My setup includes: KX2 connected to a G5RV antenna, Windows 10 laptop, USB
>> Sound Card, Mic & Phone cables. I am receiving FT8 signals fine, but cannot
>> make contact with anyone else.
>> 
>> Note that I make CW contacts with no issue, so believe my antenna is fine.
>> 
>> There are many FT8 settings to configure, so unsure where the issue is.
>> 
>> Thank you in advance for advice and/or pointing me in the right direction.
>> 
>> -- 
>> Mark A. Moeller
>> KA9LWK
>> mark.moeller3 at gmail.com
>>