Release note and readme file updates

NEWS

@@ -12,6 +12,35 @@
 Copyright 2001 - 2021 by Joe Taylor, K1JT.
 
 
+	        Release: WSJT-X 2.5.0
+	              Sept 27, 2021
+	        -------------------------
+
+WSJT-X in  this release is nearly  identical to that in  WSJT-X 2.4.0.
+The Q65 decoder has been enhanced to measure and compensate for linear
+frequency drift in Q65 signals.  In addition, the Windows installation
+package now  includes version 3.0  of application MAP65 which  has Q65
+support to  match and improve  on its existing JT65  capabilities.
+
+See the 2.5.0  release candidate notices below for a  summaries of the
+other changes included  in this release. WSJT-X 2.5.0  is bundled with
+Hamlib version 4.3.1 which  includes important regression repairs over
+the earlier 4.3 release.
+
+Other  changes  in the  package  since  WSJT-X 2.5.0-rc6  include  the
+following enhancements and defect repairs:
+
+MAP65:
+ - Ensure that CALL3.TXT is not  deleted while updating the file (this
+   allows sharing using symlinks to work).
+ - Fix MAP65's generation of Tx3 message for abs(SNR)< 10.
+
+WSJTX:
+ - Repair a defect that caused CAT errors when using WSPR band hopping
+   and auto tune-up with some Icom rigs.
+ - Ensure that CALL3.TXT is not  deleted while updating the file (this
+   allows sharing using symlinks to work).
+
 	        Release: WSJT-X 2.5.0-rc6
 	              Sept 6, 2021
 	        -------------------------

README

@@ -14,25 +14,27 @@
 Copyright (C) 2001 - 2021 by Joe Taylor, K1JT.
 
 WSJT-X Version 2.3 offers ten different protocols or modes: FT4, FT8,
-JT4, JT9, JT65, QRA64, FST4, ISCAT, MSK144, WSPR, FST4W, and Echo. The
+JT4, JT9, JT65, Q65, FST4, MSK144, WSPR, FST4W, and Echo. The first
-first seven are designed for making reliable QSOs under weak-signal
+seven are designed for making reliable QSOs under weak-signal
 conditions. They use nearly identical message structure and source
-encoding. JT65 and QRA64 were designed for EME (“moonbounce”) on the
+encoding. JT65 and Q65 were designed for EME (“moonbounce”), but not
-VHF/UHF bands and have also proven very effective for worldwide QRP
+limited to just that propagation path, on the VHF/UHF bands and JT65
-communication on the HF bands. QRA64 has a number of advantages over
+has also proven very effective for worldwide QRP communication on the
-JT65, including better performance on the very weakest signals. We
+HF bands. Q65 has a number of advantages over JT65, including better
-imagine that over time it may replace JT65 for EME use. JT9 was
+performance on the very weakest signals and variants with different
-originally designed for the LF, MF, and lower HF bands. Its submode
+T/R period lengths. We imagine that over time it may replace JT65 for
-JT9A is 2 dB more sensitive than JT65 while using less than 10% of the
+EME use, it has also proved to be very effective for iono-scatter
-bandwidth. JT4 offers a wide variety of tone spacings and has proven
+paths on 6m. JT9 was originally designed for the LF, MF, and lower HF
-highly effective for EME on microwave bands up to 24 GHz. These four
+bands. Its submode JT9A is 2 dB more sensitive than JT65 while using
-“slow” modes use one-minute timed sequences of alternating
+less than 10% of the bandwidth. JT4 offers a wide variety of tone
-transmission and reception, so a minimal QSO takes four to six minutes
+spacings and has proven highly effective for EME on microwave bands up
-— two or three transmissions by each station, one sending in odd UTC
+to 24 GHz. These four “slow” modes use one-minute timed sequences of
-minutes and the other even. FT8 is operationally similar but four
+alternating transmission and reception, so a minimal QSO takes four to
-times faster (15-second T/R sequences) and less sensitive by a few
+six minutes — two or three transmissions by each station, one sending
-dB. FT4 is faster still (7.5 s T/R sequences) and especially well
+in odd UTC minutes and the other even. FT8 is operationally similar
-suited for radio contesting. On the HF bands, world-wide QSOs are
+but four times faster (15-second T/R sequences) and less sensitive by
+a few dB. FT4 is faster still (7.5 s T/R sequences) and especially
+well suited for radio contesting. On the HF bands, world-wide QSOs are
 possible with any of these modes using power levels of a few watts (or
 even milliwatts) and compromise antennas. QSOs are possible at signal
 levels 10 to 15 dB below those required for CW. FST4 has similarities
@@ -48,14 +50,13 @@ once per transmission. All fast modes in WSJT-X send their message
 frames repeatedly, as many times as will fit into the Tx sequence
 length.
 
-ISCAT, MSK144, and optionally submodes JT9E-H are “fast” protocols
+MSK144, and optionally submodes JT9E-H are “fast” protocols designed
-designed to take advantage of brief signal enhancements from ionized
+to take advantage of brief signal enhancements from ionized meteor
-meteor trails, aircraft scatter, and other types of scatter
+trails, aircraft scatter, and other types of scatter
 propagation. These modes use timed sequences of 5, 10, 15, or 30 s
 duration. User messages are transmitted repeatedly at high rate (up to
 250 characters per second, for MSK144) to make good use of the
-shortest meteor-trail reflections or “pings”. ISCAT uses free-form
+shortest meteor-trail reflections or “pings”. MSK144 uses the same
-messages up to 28 characters long, while MSK144 uses the same
 structured messages as the slow modes and optionally an abbreviated
 format with hashed callsigns.
 

Release_Notes.txt

@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ MAP65:
 WSJTX:
  - Repair a defect that caused CAT errors when using WSPR band hopping
    and auto tune-up with some Icom rigs.
+ - Ensure that CALL3.TXT is not  deleted while updating the file (this
+   allows sharing using symlinks to work).
 
 	        Release: WSJT-X 2.5.0-rc6
 	              Sept 6, 2021