diff --git a/Release_Notes.txt b/Release_Notes.txt index 808685a56..b8f7ed420 100644 --- a/Release_Notes.txt +++ b/Release_Notes.txt @@ -15,54 +15,62 @@ Copyright 2001 - 2024 by Joe Taylor, K1JT, and the WSJT Development Team July 1, 2024 ------------------------- -WSJT-X 2.7.0 Release Candidate 5 primarily introduces a new "SuperFox -and SuperHound" mode, a powerful new tool that helps DXpeditions to make -digital QSOs at very high rates. Furthermore, it brings some fixes and -other improvements. +WSJT-X 2.7.0 Release Candidate 5 introduces a new "SuperFox" mode, a +powerful new tool designed to help DXpeditions make digital QSOs at +very high rates. RC5 also brings several other improvements and bug +fixes. -SuperFox and SuperHound mode: +SuperFox mode: - - The SuperFox mode behaves operationally like the present Fox and Hounds - but uses a constant envelope waveform for Fox’s transmissions rather - than sending concurrent streams of up to five normal FT8 signals. This - has the advantage that up to 9 messages can be transmitted without - getting a signal-strength penalty, resulting in a system gain of approx. - +10 dB compared to the conventional Fox/Hound operation with 5 slots! + - The SuperFox mode behaves operationally like the present Fox and + Hounds mode but uses a constant envelope waveform for Fox's + transmissions rather than sending concurrent streams of up to five + normal FT8 signals. This approach means that up to 9 messages can + be transmitted with no signal-strength penalty, resulting in a + system gain of about +10 dB compared to the conventional Fox/Hound + operation with 5 slots. - - Hounds chasing the DX station transmit normal FT8 signals, as in the - already familiar Fox and Hound mode. + - IMPORTANT: Older revisions of WSJT-X and derivative programs cannot + decode SuperFox transmissions. Hounds must use WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc5 (or + a later release, when available) to be able to receive SuperFox + messages. - - Important: Hounds must use at least WSJT-X 2.7.0-rc5 to be able to - receive SuperFox messages. + - Hounds chasing the DX station transmit normal FT8 signals, as in + the already familiar Fox and Hound mode. QSOs are logged as FT8 + mode. - - When in SuperFox mode, Hound stations can call now also below 1000 Hz. + - When in SuperFox mode, Hound stations may call at any frequency in + Fox's received passband, including the range 0 - 1000 Hz. Hounds + do not QSY to a lower frequency for their final transmission. - - SuperFox Operation requires the Fox operator to use a valid key. Such - messages then contain a digital signature. Authorized keys will be - issued in advance for legitimate DXpeditions by the Northern California - DX Foundation. + - SuperFox Operation requires the Fox operator to use a valid digital + key. Keys will be issued in advance for legitimate DXpeditions by + the Northern California DX Foundation, and will be kept secret. - - Hounds will see the "Super Hound" label turn to green when a verified - SuperFox message arrives, as well as a "CALLSIGN verified" message. + - Every SuperFox transmission includes a unique digital + signature. Hounds receiving a SuperFox message will see a "CALLSIGN + verified" flag if the transmitted signature is valid, and the + on-screen "Super Hound" label will turn from red to green. - - Hound Operation should begin by selecting Special operating activity, - SuperFox, and Hound on the Settings / Advanced page. Alternatively, - right-clicking on the FT8 buttons toggles SuperFox mode on/off. - It works both when in Hound or in Fox mode. This allows quick switching - between SuperFox and the normal Fox and Hound operation. + - Hound operation should begin by selecting "Special operating + activity", "Hound", and "SuperFox mode" on the Settings -> Advanced + tab. Alternatively, right-clicking on the FT8 button toggles + SuperFox mode on/off for either Fox or Hound, allowing quick + transitions between SuperFox and old-style Fox and Hound operation. - - SuperFox stations can send free text messages of up to 26 characters. + - SuperFox stations can send free text messages of up to 26 characters + together with messages to as many as 4 Hounds. Other enhancements: - - Fixed a flaw that caused "Log automatically" to not work for the ARRL - Digi Contest mode. + - Corrected a flaw that caused "Log automatically" to not work for + the ARRL Digi Contest. - Control elements for special operating activities are now disabled - if the respective function is not applicable. + (grayed out) if the respective function is not applicable. - - Fixed a long-standing error that caused "Start new period decodes at - top" to stop working properly after some time. + - Corrected a longstanding flaw that caused "Start new period + decodes at top" to stop working properly after some time. - Right-click mouse press events are now less error-prone.