[SFDXA] WSJTx Improved - Super Fox!

[Bill]

Now as the first preliminary information has been published, I would 
like to give you some first-hand information on this topic:

We have been working intensively for several weeks/months on a so-called 
FT8 SuperFox (sub-)mode for WSJT-X. This SuperFox mode is technically 
far superior to the previous Fox/Hound protocol. And I'll be honest, 
this is also our answer to the many "fake" Fox stations that have been 
around recently.

Here are the key points:

  * The SuperFox station can transmit up to 9 messages simultaneously
    without reducing the dB values received by the Hounds. This means a
    system gain of approx. +10 dB compared to the conventional Fox/Hound
    (or MSHV multi-stream) operation with 5 slots !! This is possible by
    transmitting a special single constant envelope, using a 1.5
    KHz-wide waveform.
  * The Hound stations will transmit normal FT8 signals as before, but
    can call on all frequencies when in SuperFox mode, i.e. also below
    1000 Hz and up to 5000 Hz (provided the receiver of the SuperFox
    station supports this).
  * There is a new verification system. A genuine SuperFox station can
    identify itself with a digital signature. The user recognizes this
    by an additional message such as "DG2YCB verified". And in parallel,
    the normally red "Super Fox" label switches to green.
  * A SuperFox station can optionally send free text messages up to 26
    characters long, for example to announce QSY or something similar.
  * To make the daily use easier I programmed the following convenience
    feature: Right-click on the FT8 button to toggle SuperFox mode
    On/Off. This means that you will be able to switch to Hound mode via
    the "H" button like before. All you then have to do is to
    right-click on the FT8 button when a SuperFox station appears on the
    bands. Another right-click on the FT8 button will bring you back to
    the standard Hound mode. Pretty simple and intuitive!
  * The right-click on the FT8 button also works when in Fox mode, by
    the way. This will allow SuperFox operators to quickly switch
    between Fox and SuperFox mode.

Important: Every Hound station will have to use at least the upcoming 
WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc5 version (or my 2.7.1-devel "improved" variant of it) to 
be able to receive SuperFox messages !!

How far are we and what's next?
The new SuperFox mode is already fully functional. But of course there 
are still a number of technical details to clarify and solve. Keep in 
mind that the technology under the hood is quite complex and brand new. 
That's why there will be a few more internal tests first.
The SuperFox mode will then be rolled out in time for the N5J Jarvis 
Island DXpedition <https://www.dx-world.net/n5j-jarvis-island-dxpedition/>.

So far nor now. Stay tuned!

73 de DG2YCB,
Uwe

/(WSJTx - Improved)/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/sfdxa/attachments/20240519/05881415/attachment.html>