WSJT-X 2.5.0 introduces an enhanced Q65 decoder that measures and compensates for linear frequency drifts of Q65 signals.
Activate this feature by setting a spinner control Max Drift on the WSJT-X main window to a number greater than 0.
We suggest a setting of 10 for submode Q65-60A, the recommended submode for EME on 50 and 144 MHz, which will accommodate drift rates up to 20 Hz/minute. Similarly, we suggest Max Drift = 40 for submode Q65-15C, used for for 10 GHz QSOs (up to 900 km) via aircraft scatter and drift rates up to about 20 Hz/s.
On the Windows platform only, WSJT-X 2.5.0 installations now include MAP65 3.0. This program works together with suitable hardware that converts RF to baseband.
The hardware/software combination implements a wideband, highly optimized receiver for the Q65 and JT65 protocols, with matching transmitting features that require a standard SSB transceiver.
MAP65 is effective in both single-polarization and dual-polarization systems. If two polarization channels are available, MAP65 determines and matches the linear polarization angle of each decodable signal. This capability provides a major advantage for efficient EME communication on bands up to 432 MHz. A single-channel MAP65 system works extremely well for EME on 1296 MHz and higher bands, displaying all signals in a 90 kHz sub-band and decoding all the Q65 and JT65 signals.