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Version: 26.10.1

WSJT-X Integration

WSJT-X (and JTDX, JS8Call and similar programs) needs two things from AetherSDR: rig control (frequency, mode, PTT) and audio. There are two ways to provide them:

RouteRig controlAudioPlatforms
TCI (simplest)TCI ServerSame TCI connectionLinux, macOS, Windows
CAT + DAXCAT Control (Hamlib NET rigctl)DAX Virtual Audio devicesLinux and macOS (FlexRadio)

On Windows AetherSDR does not ship a DAX audio driver, so use TCI there (or FlexRadio's own SmartSDR DAX).

Setup​

Option 1: TCI​

  1. In AetherSDR, enable the TCI server: Settings → Autostart TCI with AetherSDR, or the Enabled button in the TCI applet. The default port is 50001.
  2. In WSJT-X, open File → Settings → Radio:
    • Rig: Expert Electronics (TCI) (needs a WSJT-X build with TCI support, such as WSJT-X Improved or WSJT-X 3.x)
    • Network Server: localhost:50001
    • PTT Method: CAT
  3. Click Test CAT; it turns green.

Audio flows over the TCI connection, so no sound-card devices need setting up. PC Audio does not have to be on in AetherSDR for WSJT-X to receive audio. WSJT-X's Pwr slider acts as a digital attenuator on the transmitted audio.

Several WSJT-X instances can share one TCI server. Each one keys the slice it asked for, and a refused PTT is reported back so WSJT-X shows "TCI failed to set ptt" instead of keying the wrong slice. See TCI Server.

Option 2: CAT and DAX (Linux and macOS)​

1. AetherSDR​

  1. Put the slice in DIGU mode.
  2. Give the slice a DAX channel: VFO widget → DAX tab → channel 1.
  3. Turn on DAX: the Enabled button in the DAX applet, or Settings → Autostart DAX with AetherSDR.
  4. Turn on CAT: pop out the CAT applet, enable a Rigctld port (port 4532 on a fresh install) and switch the master Enabled on, or use Settings → Autostart CAT with AetherSDR.

2. WSJT-X audio​

File → Settings → Audio:

  • Soundcard Input: AetherSDR DAX 1
  • Soundcard Output: AetherSDR TX

3. WSJT-X radio​

File → Settings → Radio:

  • Rig: Hamlib NET rigctl
  • Network Server: 127.0.0.1:4532
  • PTT Method: CAT

Click Test CAT; it turns green. The test can take a while: WSJT-X runs a test sequence on first connect.

4. Verify​

  • FT8 signals appear in the WSJT-X waterfall, and the DAX 1 meter in the DAX applet moves.
  • Click Tune in WSJT-X: the radio keys and the TX applet shows power.

Using WSJT-X with AetherSDR​

Several instances at once​

Run one WSJT-X (or JTDX, JS8Call, fldigi …) per slice. Give each its own CAT port with a different VFO A slice, and its own DAX channel. For example:

ProgramCAT portVFO AAudio input
WSJT-X #14532AAetherSDR DAX 1
WSJT-X #24533BAetherSDR DAX 2

Split is reported per CAT client, so every instance can use Split Operation: Fake It. Band changes from WSJT-X move the panadapter when the new frequency is off-screen or on another band; a tune within the visible span moves only the slice.

Decode spotting​

AetherSDR can listen to WSJT-X's UDP decode messages and put the stations it decodes on the panadapter. Each spot lands on the band of the WSJT-X instance that reported it. See the WSJT-X tab on the SpotHub page for filters (CQ, CQ POTA, Calling Me) and colours.

Known issues​

  • FT8 transmit audio can drop out for about half a second roughly one second into each transmission (#5469).
  • FT8 transmitted on slice B can show heavy ALC and be decoded far less often than the same signal on slice A (#5340).
  • Over TCI, the mic profile, MIC level and PROC in the Phone/CW applet change the transmitted digital signal (#5844).
  • Over TCI, the transmitted FT8 signal can show random jumps (#5133).
  • TCI receive audio can stop after moving to a voice frequency with DAX off and back to a data frequency with DAX on (#4824).
  • On macOS, DAX transmit can stop sending audio to the radio until AetherSDR is restarted (#5870).

Troubleshooting​

Nothing decodes​

The slice is not delivering audio to WSJT-X.

  1. Check the slice is in DIGU.
  2. With CAT and DAX: check the slice has a DAX channel, and that WSJT-X's input is that DAX device (not your microphone).
  3. With TCI: check WSJT-X is connected to the right port.

PTT does nothing​

WSJT-X is not keying through CAT, or a different slice holds TX.

  1. Set WSJT-X's PTT Method to CAT.
  2. Make sure the intended slice holds TX (red TX badge).

The frequency does not follow WSJT-X​

WSJT-X is not talking to a running CAT port.

  1. Check that the port in WSJT-X matches an enabled CAT port.
  2. Check that the master CAT switch is on.

WSJT-X shows "Error in Sound Input"​

DAX was switched off while WSJT-X was using it.

  1. Turn DAX back on.
  2. Restart WSJT-X.

Transmit audio does not reach the radio​

WSJT-X sends to the wrong device, or the TX slice is not in a digital mode.

  1. Set WSJT-X's Soundcard Output to AetherSDR TX.
  2. Put the TX slice in DIGU.

See also​