How do I setup multiple slices of WSJT-X, GridTracker, on WIN10 PC and 6600

WB4ZUT

I see discussions on people running multiple slices of WSJT-X and GridTracker and DAX on a PC.

Please recommend place in community that explains the setup so I can do the same.

Thanking you in advance,

Walt

WB4ZUT

Erik Carling EI4KF

Grid Tracker supports one instance of itself on a single PC. It does however support any number of instances of WSJTx. You don't need any long winded explanation. Create a separate short cut to wstjx.exe, right click that newly created icon and in Properties - Shortcut tab, amend the Target field by appending after .exe a space and then --rig-name=Slice2 (or whatever name you prefer). Mine therefore reads

C:\WSJT\wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exe --rig-name=Slice2

Run it and it will create its own ini file which you can then replace with a copy of the ini from the main instance except that you change the Network server TCP port to an unique one, also created in SmartSDR CAT. In the Audio tab the Input will need to be DAX Audio RX 2.

Both instances will connect to Grid Tracker, assuming you had already set up the main WSJTX to do so.

A few pictures (for JTDX read WSJTx)

WB4ZUT

I will try that. Thanks. I do have another question, somewhat related. I was trying to run Slice A on FT8 and slice B in the phone band of 40m. I'm listening to phone portion and every time the FT8 keys to send a CQ, it mutes the audio on 40m phone. How can I operate FT8 and still listening to voice bands without muting them when FT8 transmits. I have tried slices, panadapters, etc…nothing works. Must I use a second antenna on the 6600? What is the trick?

Walt

Geoff AB6BT

I don't mean to hijack this thread but…this is frustrating.

I have tried to set up 2 instances of WSTX-x and cannot get it working.

I have two shortcuts on my WIndows desktop.

The first has no modifiers after the .exe. The second has modifiers --rig-name=SliceB.

I have Slice A on 10 meters and Slice B on 15 meters.

I open the first instance of WSJT and it works as expected.

When I open the second instance everything looks correct but after a few seconds it changes the frequency on Slice B to the same frequency as Slice A.

What am I doing wrong?

Edit: Oh, and I have created two CAT instances using different port numbers.

KD0RC

Hi Walt, yes, you need a separate antenna. You also need to put the radio into Full Duplex (FDX). I wouldn't run that way with lots of power unless the antennas are well separated.

I also would not expect great results when both sides are on the same band unless you are using low power AND the antennas are cross polarized and separated by a good distance.

Erik Carling EI4KF

Geoff - don't know but let me post a pic of the second CAT instance in case something is amiss in your set up of it:

If yours is identical, let us know so that someone can help further. If not, amend to above and try again.

Geoff AB6BT

Erik, This is what I have:

Perhaps I should try Auto Switch TX Slice: Disable?

Nope…no change.

Erik Carling EI4KF

Do you have any other software accessing the radio? Clutching at straws because I cannot duplicate your issue no matter what I try. I hope someone has an answer.

Geoff AB6BT

I have SSDR, Stacks3, and WSJX-x open.

I just found something odd. with only Slice A, I clicked on a Global Profile to select a 40M SSB net. The radio showed the same behavior; the Slice A switched to 40M and then after a few seconds it switched to the 15M FT8 frequency…

I restarted the software and it seemed to operate correctly.

I can't test the dual instance of WSJT again right now, I'll try a bit layer.

Alan

Geoff

Do you have WSJT radio control for the second slice pointed to Slice B CAT?

From your post, it sounds like both WSJT instaces radio control are pointed to Slice A CAT.

Alan. WA9WUD

Geoff AB6BT

Alan- I'm not sure what you mean by "second slice pointed to Slice B CAT".

Where would I do that?

I do have a TCP CAT port set to 5003 for the second instance of WSJT and the second instance of WSJT has the server port set to 5003 as well.

Is there something else I need to configure?

I'm a bit confused by the wording in the CAT port configuration in the screen shot I sent previously:

" VFO Slce A: B"

I created another panadapter that is slice B

Clearly I'm missing a step.

Erik Carling EI4KF

If I follow the steps from scratch, nothing configured, everything works as intended. Auto Switch TX Slice should be enabled, as you already have it.

Try with no other software running other than SSDR and the WSJTx instances. Even a new Profile in case some action is being taken by an existing one.

Geoff AB6BT

Erik—I started from Scratch as you suggested.

With one panadapter open I clicked the band button, selected 20M, entered the FT8 frequency, and selected DAX 1.

With one instance of WSJT open It worls fine.

Then I opened a second panadapter clicked the band button, selected 10M, entered the FT8 frequency, and selected DAX 2.

I opened the second instance or WSJT and for a few seconde I see it is on 10M. Then both slilces change to the same frequency.

Very odd…

Perhaps a factory reset is in order.

Alan

Geoff

A factory reset will not fix your two WSJT instance issue.

It appears both instances are controlling both Slices. Frequency is commanded from WSJT to Flex via CAT.

Check your CAT setting on both sides, WSJT Radio Control and Flex CAT.

Below is mine, change slice letters to yours.

Alan. WA9WUD

Instance One:

Instance Two:

Alan

Geoff

oops. Here is the correct page fore the WSJT, Instance Two Radio configuration.

Alan

Geoff AB6BT

OK, well here are mine:

Do you see any difference other than mode on mine is selected as "None" and I used localhost instead of 127.0.0.1?

Alan

Alan

"Do you see any difference other than mode on mine is selected as "None" and I used localhost instead of 127.0.0.1?"

Geoff - no…..but, unless you use all the settings I sent you, it will never work.

Alan. WA9WUD

Geoff AB6BT

Well, localhost is 127.0.0.1

Are you saying I have to change "None" to "Data/Pkt"?

I have always used "None" with one instance.

Aren't I using all the setting you sent otherwise?

Edit: Just for grins I changed localhost to 127.0.0.1 and "None" to "Data/Pkt" —> same behavior

I'm stumped

Geoff AB6BT

As a last ditch attempt, I uninstalled all WSJX program files and all Data in the AppData/Local folder.

I downloaded a fresh copy of WSjt-x and installed it.

I created a desktop icon and copied it and modified the properties with —rig-name=SliceB.

I opened two instances of WSJT and configured the radio control and audio fields.

The behavior is the same.

Still stumped…

Erik Carling EI4KF

Out of interest, what happens if you open your two slices but lock their frequencies with the padlock icon and then launch the two instances of WSJTx? While you are on the flags, also check their DAX settings are 1 and 2. I'm sure they are, just trying any possibility just in case.

Geoff AB6BT

Thanks for the suggestion Erik.

That seems to solve the problem but still unsure of the root cause. ABd it does impose some limitations.

It's early here and just had my first cup of coffee. I need to get off to work soon but I should be able to play with this some more later today

Erik Carling EI4KF

It does have limitations and you should not have to do that. But I am mystified. What happens when you unlock Slice 2 - does it then jump to Slice 1's frequency? And what if you change bands on Slice 2 a) by SSDR and b) by WSJTx GUI - any better behaviour? Anyway, leave you to play when time allows.

Geoff AB6BT

If I unlock slice B it changes to the slice A frequency in a few seconds.

If I enter the slice B frequency in SSDR it changes to the correct frequency for a few seconds and then changes to the slice A frequency.

The same happens if I select the slice B frequency in WSJTx.