WSJT modes like FT8, FT4, JT65, and others have become very popular. Ham Radio Deluxe works programs like WSJT-X - regardless of what radio you are using. The purpose of this article is to provide the information necessary to configure WSJT-X to work with Ham Radio Deluxe. It's very easy!
"The Laws of Physics", as applied to COM ports is this - a given COM port can only be used by one software application at a time. [Note: There are some COM port virtualization software out there like Eltima's Virtual Serial Port Driver (VSPD) that solve this problem by capturing the hardware COM port and then creating virtual COM ports that the VSPD manages access to. But even in this case, the VSPD is the single application that can access the COM port. But in this case, it's not necessary if you follow these steps.]
Because only one application can access the COM port, then that application needs to be Ham Radio Deluxe Rig Control. Both WSJT-X has been developed to pass rig control data to and from the rig through Ham Radio Deluxe.
The first thing to do - before launching WSJT-X is to launch Ham Radio Deluxe Rig Control and Logbook. Make sure that both Rig Control and Logbook can 'see' the rig you're using. If that's all set, we proceed.
Then launch WSJT-X. Go to the Radio tab in the Settings.
WSJT-X General Settngs
WSJT-X Radio Settings
Notice that - in all cases - the Rig is set to "Ham Radio Deluxe." It must be that way to avoid COM port conflicts.
Note: The most common problem that operators have is that they set this to their specific rig model, rather than Ham Radio Deluxe.
The baud rate is not relevant when the rig is Ham Radio Deluxe, as it is Rig Control talking directly to the COM port.
PTT options are as follows (please read them all; the best option varies by radio):
COM Port - a COM port is hardware switched and it's the fastest and most responsive way to control PTT. However...
Using a COM port requires a dedicated COM port that is different than the COM port that Rig Control is using to control the radio. (Again, COM ports don't share.)
Some radios (like recent Yaesu models) create two virtual COM ports after installing the driver. The Enhanced port is for rig control. The "Basic" port is for PTT. If you've got a radio that provides separate virtual COM ports, then that works great.
Some radios have a separate connector for PTT. In this case, there are separate cables that Windows will see as a COM port that can plug into the radio. That works great.
If you have neither of the above (like recent ICOM models), you can use either VOX or CAT. VOX is where you turn on VOX on the radio and - when WSJT-X sends an audio signal to the radio, then PTT will engage. CAT is where WSJT-X sends software commands to the radio through the Ham Radio Deluxe Rig Control connection to engage PTT. Both of these are fine. They're just not as responsive as a hardware COM port connection.
Finally, you'll set the soundcard to the appropriate soundcard that you are using for digital modes. Soundcards CAN be shared by Windows applications. It's fine to set the soundcard identically to how you have configured it in DM-780.
Once you've done this, you will (a) see frequency changes made on your radio in both Rig Control and WSJT-X and (b) you will see audio in your WSJT-X waterfall.
These instructions apply in all cases - regardless of what radio you are using.
WSJT-X Reporting Settings
Now you need to setup QSO Forwarding so QSOs will automatically get logged in Ham Radio Deluxe Logbook. To continue to that portion of the user guide, >>CLICK HERE<<.