Flex 8600 WSJT-X/JTDX FT8 v4.2.20 causing AFCI house breaker to trip

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Config: Flex 8600, running Windows 11 desktop PC, SmartSDR v4.2.20 and latest FT8 versions.

I am having several issues…worked 13 QSOs SAT 26SEP2026 0000Z on WW RTTY contest then shut down…morning I could not get RTTY to work, nor FT8. Both JTDX and WSJT-X would decode FT8, but could not get TX signal out…radio set to 50 watts running barefoot (no amp in line). Deleted all CAT configuration, factory reset of radio, rebuilt CAT along the lines of VA3MW videos, both JTDX and WSJT-X decodes FT8, still no XMIT audio, but new issue, immediately trips my AFCI (Arc Fault) circuit breaker (shack shares circuit with bedroom) only when operating in FT8. I can work CW at 50 watts with no issue at least on 40m. I had no problems with either JTDX or WSJT-X prior to getting the RTTY to work with MMTTY/N1MM for the contest and it only worked on Friday night (Eastern DT). Any help would be appreciated.

Erika - KØDD

You have a serious ground issue. 40m was my biggest problem band. I had the same issue 10 years ago. The first thing i did. As an electrician from a family of electricians...... Our company used ITE panels back then. Those became Siemens. Seimens has a real issue with afci gfci and combo breakers. I did a complete power rewire on this 130yo victorian. Cheating yes putting regular breaker in.

I removed the arc fault breaker on the shack power. Tee hee hee... then remove all the cabling off the radio. The first thing is a 4 ga right off the ground **** right straight out of the house to an 8 foot copper ground rod 1 foot from the foundation. My 4 ga run is about 6 feet. Then put type 31 ferrites on cat 6 shielded or cat 7 shielded ethernet. Power. Usb. Rca type ptt lines when you add them. Multiple turns on your dc power. You may struggle as you add power. My tower is next to the house… this is a start it continues...

KD0RC

Hi Tom, a friend of mine had the same issue with an AFCI breaker. The manufacturer of the breaker acknowledged the issue and sent him a new one that does not trip in the presence of RF.

The problem is that an arc produces RF and the breaker uses the presence of RF to determine that there is an arc fault. This is terrible for a radio installation.

I would suggest reaching out to the manufacturer of the breaker to see if they have a solution.

ad4vxtom

No Power Out.png

This is a screen shot of JTDX along with SmartSDR…on dual monitors.

ad4vxtom

Thank you Erika and Len. Not sure exactly what happened, but I've been able to restore my system to the way it was prior to the recent RTTY contest. No longer tripping my circuit breaker, while both of you gave me very good advice, there was something else going on. BTW my AFCI breakers are Siemans. And yes, I should do a better job with grounding, while I do, it is not as robust as what you mention in your comment Erika. Thanks again. Tom W9TO

Gord-VA7GP

I was anticipating this possible issue, when I rewired my 1950's home. But I didn't experience any issues with my SquareD AFCI breakers. I was prepared, for my small ham-shack, to remove the AFCI breaker and revert to a standard one if I had to.

@Erika - KØDD and @KD0RC have provided a path I've seen in forums: maybe reaching out to the manufacturer will result in an RF-suppressed replacement option.

Good luck!

Erika - KØDD

The problem here is the fact that as Len mentions is AFCI breakers are sensing RF high frequencies on the wiring. I would think it would be your hot, not a neutral or the ground. The problem with my house, was/is it was built then a single circuit was added to the house after construction. And i would have been proud to have known the guys who wired the houses in town 1896... 120v DC power service. All of that service was still in tact when we bought this place 10 years ago. Knob and tube. Knife switch two fuses 25 amps max. Then some goof added a "modern" 5 circuit panel. Your Moms house had one of those... 4 **** in fuses a 220-221 whatever it takes, usually for a range and a set of 60 amps as a main....And over time up to 4 wires under each ****, and a single sidecar. I have no idea how this joint didn't burn down. The city added a 200 amp meter sequence and allowed fire base alpha to get tied in. I did the houston weve got a problem the first time Craig fired up his aircompressor in the garage.... 40 circuit 200amp service. And now 4 additional sub panels.. USS Iowa has fewer circuits. You have got to get the rf out of your shack.. in the air and radiating. Make it so. Oh i have a quad on my breakfast bar. Right above the main. Coffee maker, microwave, toaster and one spare. 80m and the old micro used to pop the combo gfci afci... a ferrite bead just outside the breaker fixed that one.