I wrote a blog about my new split keyboard https://hackerific.net/2021/04/08/building-a-sofle-keyboard/

I also put the QMK keymap on github: https://github.com/mattfoster/sofle-lefty-keymap

#mechanicalkeyboard

Yesterday saw the release of two new WSJT-X versions: WSJT-X 2.3.1 (GA) and WSJT-X 2.4.0-rc4.

2.4.0-rc4 has tweaks to Q65 and various other changes. 2.3.1 has bug fixes, updated docs and a few other bits.

Announcement at: https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37249076/

Release notes at:

https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt

:radio_base: :radio_tower:

#hamradio

The pace of changes to hamlib seems pretty fast at the moment, too. I don’t really keep track of that, but it might be worth a look: https://hamlib.github.io/

I keep meaning to try the utilities bundled in WSJT-X (and forgetting!)

Also on the subject of keyboards I made myself a rev1 Sofle split board with Cherry Browns ( https://github.com/josefadamcik/SofleKeyboard).

I’m still tweaking the keymap and I’m not used to using it but it’s fun. The two screens look cool too.

Here’s a pic with Royal Nave 2 caps.

I just made myself a “Gherkin Express” 40% keyboard. It’s as big as a credit card, but fairly thick because I accidentally ordered the wrong size PCB.

Still, it worked once I filed the connector down! Instructions etc. at: https://www.40percent.club/2020/08/gherkin-express.html as well as endless awesome tiny keyboard projects.

10 days after the last RC we have WSJT-X 2.4.0-rc3.

It looks like the changes are mainly bug fixes, and this release is focussed on Q65. I guess it’s time to build more antennas!

Release notes at: https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt

Announcement at:

https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37240209/

Downloads in the normal place: https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

WSJT-X 2.4.0-rc2 has been announced.

This includes bug fixes and improvements to Q65 and removes the ISCAT mode. Expect 2.3.1 soon too.

Release notes at:

https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt

Announcement at:

https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37233410/

Downloads at: https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html as normal.

#hamradio

So ofcom is updating spectrum licenses to require that all stations comply with EMF exposure regulations because people are afraid of 5G and “electro-sensitivity” (TIL).

Here’s my favourite bit of the latest consultation:

Some, mainly confidential, respondents raised fears that 5G and other technologies could be used for surveillance and crowd control purposes.

At least the requirements will be fairly easy to comply with!

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/214663/emf-implementation-update.pdf

Hot on the heels of 2.3.0 WSJT-X 2.4.0-rc1 has been announced!

This adds a new experimental mode, Q65, “for minimal two-way QSOs over especially difficult propagation paths.”

Announcement at:

https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37211965/

Downloads at: https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html as normal.

#hamradio

Oooh, now WSJT-X 2.3.0 GA has been released.

Release notes at: https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt

Announcement at:

https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37210392/

Downloads via: https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

Headline features are “FST4 and FST4W, new digital protocols designed particularly for the LF and MF bands.”

There’s a 64-bit arm release for Pi users and a caveat that you might need to generate some locale config ( https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37210475/).

#hamradio

Hot off the press: WSJT-X 2.3.0-rc4 is out.

This is a “stop-gap” to verify some changes in hamlib, plus a few other small changes.

Release notes at: https://physics.princeton.edu//pulsar/k1jt/Release_Notes.txt

Announcement at:

https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman/message/37204989/

#hamradio #wsjt