WSJT apparently sending bogus random commands to Aurora

K2BLA

I have noticed random uncommanded changes in SmartSDR on my Aurora. I never saw it "in the act" until today. While operating on 6 FT8 for about 30 mins, transmitting and receiving, I saw the Aurora change from 12m to 6m just as it started to transmit and got an immediate SWR fault as it was trying to transmit 6m on a 12m antenna.

Has anyone experienced this problem with WSJT?

Mark_WS7M

I have not seen that. I ran FT8 most of the weekend without issue but I was not on 6m. I was on 15m, 20m, and some 40m.

I am fighting a network issue. Some switch of mine is randomly disconnecting causing loss of connection to the radio.

Your issue sounds like an RFI problem.

Mike-VA3MW

@K2BLA .. It is more likely that WSJT is sending commands to the radio, not the other way around. There is no code in the radio that tells it to change bands.

What other programs are connected to the radio?

K2BLA

Hello Mike,

I think I have analyzed the event.

I was using WSJT 2.7.0 when I first got my Aurora. I changed to WSJT 3.0.1 about 2 weeks ago. Unlike the 2.7.0, the 3.0.1 has a line of "BAND buttons" rather than a drop down list to command the Aurora to change bands for digital modes run by WSJT.

While chasing 6m DX this afternoon I positioned my cursor over the ENABLE XMT button and clicked. After that I looked away and did not hear the transmitter come alive. I figured I missed the button and immediately clicked it again. It transmitted only long enough to sense extreme SWR and shut down. It was trying to transmit 12m on a 6m antenna. The Aurora was on 12m.

But, why 12m? Well, the 12m band button is directly above the ENABLE XMT button and I must have **** the mouse as I clicked and hit the band button and not the ENABLE XMT. Then when accurately clicking the ENABLE XMT, it tried to transmit and shut down. With the 2.7.0 WSJT there was nothing real close to the ENABLE XMT button and when I would miss, which I would once in a while, nothing would happen.

So, to my friends with old arthritic fingers, like me, be careful when using WSJT 3.0.1.

I had what I thought were some other uncommanded actions but they were a while ago and I think I did them. I am still climbing up that learning curve.

To answer your question; only Dimension 4 and sometimes Microsoft Edge are running when I am on the air.

Thanks for the reply, 73, Al

K2BLA

I can't believe this portal can't handle "J E R K E D the mouse"

Ken Wells

Yes…. The radio ALWAYS does exactly what you tell it to do . . . even if you didn't KNOW you told it to do so! My old "**** fingers" create a lot of errors on my guitar, my radio, and my iPhone! LOL!

Ken Wells

It just blocked "f a t fingers" in my last post……

I guess it doesn't like me body-shaming my own fingers?