Using the HRD Alert Feature with WSJT-X Digital Modes
In recent years, modes like FT4 and FT8 - that were introduced by Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT - have become very popular. It has resulted in a significant increase in ham radio activity (thanks Dr. Taylor).
HRD Alert was introduced as a Feature in May 2022. HRD Alert is permanently available to all customers whose New Features and Support expiration date falls after the release date.
For those who are familiar with the DX Cluster feature in HRD Logbook, you will find this is a comfortable and familiar look. It was designed to use the same "look & feel."
As a prerequisite, please review the recommended configuration settings for WSJT located here:
How to Use WSJT-X with Ham Radio Deluxe
Additionally, please review the QSO Forwarding settings found here:
This section will discuss the configuration and use of HRD Alert and its features.
Description & Purpose
HRD Alert displays the decodes from 3rd party applications (like WSJT-X and JTDX) and displays them to identify NEEDED stations by band or mode for:
- WPX Prefix
- Grid
- State, Province, Oblast, etc (not limited to the United States)
- US County
- DXCC Country
- CQ Zone
- ITU Zone
- Continent
Additional Capabilities
- Alarms that are audible (voice), visual, or via email/text message
- The ability to initiate a QSO from within Logbook
- Filters that show you only needed callsigns by the above categories
- Filters that show CQ, Calling You, QRZ, etc
- Stations you have worked before (B4) are identified and can be hidden from the view.
- LOTW and eQSL members identified
Configuration Options
Multicast
Operators who receive decodes from WSJT-X and have them sent to multiple applications will need to enable "UDP multi-casting. The default IP address and port are recommended. (This is not needed if the operator is only using WSJT-X and Ham Radio Deluxe.)
Appearance
Appearance tab allows you to select font style & size and your preferred sort order. (Consolas is recommended, as it provides for a slash-zero by default.)
Layout
The Layout tab enables the Operator to add or remove columns from the HRD Alert pane.
Each has a description that describes what the field displays and where the data came from.
Decode Filters
The Decode Filters tab enables you to add or remove filters from the screen.
When you click "Add" (or Modify), you can create (or alter) Decode filters.
The instructions in the Filter Definition dialog describes how to create them. (Note: This is slightly different than the way they work in DX Cluster.)
WSI
This tab is described in detail here - Worked Status Indicators (WSIs) Conceptual Detail
WSI Filters
The WSI Filters tab enables you to select which "entities" you want to view when the filters are ON.
When multiple boxes are checked, the screen will hide any decode where any of the selected WSIs are green (checkmarks).
Note: These settings are common with DX Cluster.
The WSI Alarms tab enables the Operator to decide what events will trigger alarms.
These alarms eliminate the need to create a unique alarm for every needed DXCC Country (or State, zone, etc). This enables Logbook to use it's knowledge of your log - as it knows what the Operator needs - to manage the alarms automatically.
CAUTION: Start small. If the Operator enables many of these at the same time, then a huge volume of alarms will be sent.
Alarms
The operator can setup alarms that will alert them by E-Mail (including a text message to a cellphone), Text to Speech, or with the Lightpole.
- The example above shows how to create a number of alarms for needed countries and zones. To build an alarm, click Add to bring up the following Add/Modify Alarm Definition dialog box.
- As an example, we'll build an alarm for a callsign that will be operating from Kerguelen.
- Give the alarm a name in the Title field, we'll use "Kerguelen"
- Enter the specific callsign we want an alarm for in the Callsign field.
- Enter the interval in minutes for which alarms can be sent.
- Select the delivery options from the Options below
- Click on the box to the left of "Enable"
- Then click "OK"
- The new alarm is now active.
Alarm E-Mail
This tab enables the operator to configure Logbook to send alerts via email (per the alarms enabled in the Alarms tab).
- There are a number of pre-populated options for sending email. They include - AOL, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo!, MSN, Lycos, Mail.com, and Netscape. The dropdown box populates the required information.
- NOTE: If using Gmail, Google requires that you change a setting in your email account to allow "Access for less secure apps". Google this phrase for additional information.
- You will need to enter the username and password for your selected email account in the fields provided.
- Add your email address into the "Outgoing e-mail address (from)" field.
- Add your destination email address in the "Outgoing e-mail address (to)"
- TIP: It is possible to send directly as a text message to your smartphone. For example, Verizon Wireless smartphones would be addressed at <your phone number>@vzwpix.com. Check your carrier for your specific details. The reference for sending to your phone's SMS or MMS email address, please click HERE.
- You can test this by clicking the "Send Test" button.
- Click "OK" to complete the setup.
Alarms:Speech
This table enables the operator to configure speech alarms from your computer speakers.
- Select the desired options and click "Speak" to test them.
HRD Alert Bar
The dropdown filter on the far left allows you to filter to only see "Calling CQ", "Calling Me", Bands, and any others created by the Operator.
The WSI Filters are enabled by selecting On/Off.
The double-sided arrow automatically adjusts the widths of the columns.
The Alarms dropdown is where the Operator will turn WSI or regular filters On/Off.
Options is for configuring HRD Alert.
QRZ.com will open a browser to the selected callsign.
Spots can be created for the selected station by clicking the Spot button.
The entire HRD Alert list of decodes can be erased by clicking the "Clear" button.
The HRD Alert Display
The decodes from the 3rd party application are displayed in the same style as Logbook's DX Cluster. This is intended to continue familiarity and ease-of-use. But while the source of data for the DX Cluster is the DX spotting network, the source for the data shown in the HRD Alert display comes from decoded data from the 3rd party software. So you will see FT8, FT4, and other decoded information in the HRD Alert pane.
