WSJT-X/Darwin/ReadMe.txt

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Notes on WSJT-X Installation for Mac OS X
-----------------------------------------
If you have already downloaded a previous version of WSJT-X then I suggest
you change the name in the Applications folder from WSJT-X to WSJT-X_previous
before proceeding.
If you have installed a previous version of WSJT-X before then there is no
need to change anything on your system so proceed to NEXT.
BEGIN:
There are some system matters you must deal with first. Open a Terminal window
by going to Applications->Utilities and clicking on Terminal.
Along with this ReadMe file there is a file: sysctl.conf. Drag this file to your Desktop.
WSJT-X makes use of a block of memory which is shared between different parts of
the code. The normal allocation of shared memory on a Mac is insufficient and this
has to be increased. You can check the current allocation on your Mac by typing:
sysctl -a | grep sysv.shm
If your shmmax is already at least 33554432 (32 MB) then you can close the Terminal
window and skip the next steps and go to (NEXT).
You now have to increase the shared memory allocation. To view this file use TextEdit
to open sysctl.conf.
This will show:
kern.hostname=yourcomputername.local
kern.sysv.shmmax=33554432
kern.sysv.shmmin=1
kern.sysv.shmmni=128
kern.sysv.shmseg=32
kern.sysv.shmall=8192
You must now replace yourcomputername.local with the exact name of your computer.
To find this use the Terminal window and type:
sysctl -a | grep hostname
and will find your computer name. Now use TextEdit to replace yourcomputername.local
in this file with the output from this command, including the .local at the end. Save
the file.
Now move this file into place for the system to use by typing: (Note this assumes that
you really did drag this file to your Desktop as required earlier.)
cd $HOME/Desktop
sudo cp sysctl.conf /etc/
sudo chmod 664 /etc/sysctl.conf
sudo chown root:wheel /etc/sysctl.conf
and then reboot your Mac. This is necessary to install the changes. After the
reboot you should re-open the Terminal window as before and you can check that the
change has been made by typing:
sysctl -a | grep sysv.shm
If shmmax is not shown as 33554432 then contact me since WSJT-X will fail to load with
an error message: "Unable to create shared memory segment".
You are now finished with system changes. You should make certain that NO error messages
have been produced during these steps. You can now close the Terminal window. It will
not be necessary to repeat this procedure again, even when you download an updated
version of WSJT-X.
NEXT:
Drag the WSJT-X app to your preferred location, such as Applications.
WSJT-X can utilise a closed source proprietary tool called KVASD to get the best
possible sensitivity with JT65A signals. When used it increases the maximum sensitivity
by approximately 2dB. Because WSJT-X is an Open Source application released under the
GPL v3 license, the KVASD tool must be installed manually after WSJT-X installation.
The install DMG includes an installer tool KVASD-installer that allows you to install
KVASD into your WSJT-X application. When you run KVASD-installer you must have a
functioning Internet connection since it downloads KVASD during the installation.
Run KVASD-installer and review the license terms then either drag the newly installed
WSJT-X application onto it or use the "Choose target …" button to select the WSJT-X
application you have just installed then; click "Install" to inject KVASD into the
WSJT-X application.
You need to configure your sound card. Visit Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI
Setup and select your sound card and then set Format to be "48000Hz 2ch-16bit" for
input and output.
Now double-click on the WSJT-X app and two windows will appear. Select Preferences
under the WSJT-X Menu and fill in various station details on the General panel.
I recommend checking the 4 boxes under the Display heading and the first 4 boxes under
the Behaviour heading.
Next visit the Audio panel and select the Audio Codec you use to communicate between
WSJT-X and your rig. There are so many audio interfaces available that it is not
possible to give detailed advice on selection. If you have difficulties contact me.
Note the location of the Save Directory. Decoded wave forms are located here.
Look at the Reporting panel. If you check the "Prompt me" box, a logging panel will
appear at the end of the QSO. Two log files are provided in
Library/Application Support/WSJT-X. These are a simple wsjtx.log file and
wsjtx_log.adi which is formatted for use with logging databases. If you are using Yosemite, the Library folder is hidden. Use Go on the Finder menu but hold down
the alt key. Library will then appear in the list of folders. The "File" menu bar
items include a button "Open log directory" to open the log directory in Finder
for you, ready for processing by any logging application you use.
Finally, visit the Radio panel. WSJT-X is most effective when operated with CAT
control. You will need to install the relevant Mac driver for your rig. This must
be located in the system driver directory /dev. I use a Prolific USB-Serial Adapter
to a Kenwood TS870s and the relevant driver is /dev/tty.PL2303-00002226. You
should install your driver and then re-launch WSJT-X. Return to the the Radio panel
in Preferences and insert the full name of your driver in the Serial Port panel.
Such as: /dev/tty.PL2303-00002226 or whatever driver you have. The /dev/ prefix
is mandatory. Set the relevant communication parameters as required by your
transceiver.
WSJT-X needs the Mac clock to be accurate. Visit System Preferences > Date & Time
and make sure that date and time are set automatically. The drop-down menu will
normally offer you several time servers to choose from.
On the Help menu, have a look at the new Online User's Guide for operational hints
and tips.
Please email me if you have problems.
--- John G4KLA (g4kla@rmnjmn.demon.co.uk)