I’m using the Digirig mobile with FT-891 running FT8 and having a couple issues. First, when if goes into tx, it only transmits momentarily, and then sometimes it transmits normally. Second, when I close out wsjt-x or winlink, the radio stays in data mode on all bands. Is this normal?
Paul,
Let’s look at your WSJT-X configuration. Can you please share the screenshot of the “radio” tab?
Thank you for the screenshots.
When momentary transmits happen, does the radio reboot or goes back to receive? Does this happen with RF power set to minimum?
It goes back into receive, and seems to be decoding well. I haven’t turned the radio power all the way down, it’s at 30. I’ll give that a shot now. Thank you for getting back to me!
Denis, it’s doing the same thing with power at 5, the lowest setting.
Not likely RFI related then. Per your configuration PTT is handled via the serial commands over CAT control. This includes the start and end of the transmission. The abrupt end to transmission is either to a serial command issued prematurely from the software (unlikely) or radio ending transmission on its own.
Let’s try following:
- drop baud rate of CAT to 9600 both in WSJT-X and radio’s menus - this was recommendation from the setup tutorial
- confirm all other prescribed transceiver settings
- see if radio holds transmit as expected while using PTT test or tune feature in WSJT-X
Denis,
- Done
- Done
- Checked, and holds transmit in PTT Test and Tune Functions.
Rebooted laptop and updated to WSJT-X 3.0, same issues.
Question, are the settings the same for Digirig Mobile and DR-891?
Thank you for taking the time to help me through this!
The soundcard settings are the same. The PTT and CAT are specific to DR-891 because the serial port is not in Digirig but in the transceiver.
Try temporarily bypassing Digirig for CAT control - use it only as a soundcard and connect radio directly to computer with a USB cable. Does that make any difference?
Do you also have a direct cable connection between FT-891 and computer?
For information on interfacing FT-891 with Digirig Mobile (revision 1.6+), please see this post:
Yes, from BlueMax49er. It has worked well for a couple years now with no problems.
The PTT is handled via the serial CAT command that is communicated to the radio via the direct serial connection without Digirig involved. Let’s get Digirig out of picture entirely - set audio settings in WSJT-X to your computer’s mic and speaker and disconnect Digirig from computer and radio. Does the radio hold PTT?
Good evening Denis, I completely disconnected the Digirig from both the radio and computer and Tune transmits correctly, just as it has been, and when it goes into transmit it stays in for the full time. I let it cycle 5 times and it cycles as it should.
Good news, I disconnected the CAT cable and ran it with RTS. It worked fine and made a couple contacts. Reconnected the CAT cable and switched to CAT control and made several contacts!
Would using the DR-891 instead of Digirig Mobile have any advantages? Maybe keep something like this from happening? Also, should the radio go back into SSB mode when I close WSJT-X?
Mine was doing that with the DR-891. I just set it up to use PTT using RTS signaling through the STANDARD (the alternate) COM port and that settled it.
KJ7WUZ, does your radio go back to ssb mode when you exit WSJT-X?
No. It remains in DATA mode. I think that is just the nature of the FT-891. I believe each band will retain the last mode used in that band, also. So if you are using DATA on 20m, and had used SSB on 17m the last time you used it, it will switch to SSB when you go to 17m.
Thank you,
David W. Mitchell
Okay, I think I’m good to go now!
Thank you all for helping me out!
Paul
KJ4BCF