This same process can be used for any audio-based digital mode. Simply substitute the WSJT-X software with whatever digital mode being used.

Prerequisites

Set up Loopback (first time only)

Download and install all the required software, above.

Launch Loopback. Create a New Virtual Device.

 
Rename it to "Line In". This will be the transmit audio path from WSJT-X to the radio. You can optionally add a monitor speaker if you want to hear your transmitted audi.

 

Create a new Virtual Device and name it "Line Out". This will be the receive audio path from the radio to WSJT-X.

 

Connect to the station

Connect to a station in the RHR desktop app.

Make sure the settings in the console are correct.

  1. Optional: zoom the panadapter to the FT8 sub-band by clicking on the orange FT8 banner above the waterfall.

  2. Click the slice VFO to set the frequency.

  3. Change the slice mode to DIGU.

  4. Change "DAX Off" to "DAX 1".

  5. Confirm that the bandwidth is set to at least "BW 3.0 kHz".

  6. In the transmit panel, ensure that TX DAX is set to "TX DAX On"

 

 

Connect xCAT and xDAX

Now that the radio is powered on and the console settings are correct, now we will get the xCAT and xDAX connected. You will see that the moment you connect to an RHR station, that station will now show up in the xCAT/xDAX chooser windows.

 

Now select the station in each chooser and click “connect”.

  1. In xDAX, ensure that RX stream "1" button is enabled.

  2. In xDAX, ensure that TX Stream "TX" button is enabled.

Now we need to setup the audio paths in the xDAX app.

  1. In xDAX, under RX Streams slice 1, click the gear icon, then select the soundcard "Line In", which we created before in Loopback.

  2. In xDAX, under TX Stream, click the gear icon, then select the soundcard "Line Out", which we created before in Loopback.



     

Start WSJT-X

Launch WSJT-X. If you get the developer warning when you launch WSJT-X, you must right-click it and select "Open..." and then click Open in the dialog.


 

Configure WSJT-X (first time only)

In WSJT-X settings, be sure to set the following:
  • General tab
    • Set "My Call" to, well, your call
    • Set "My Grid" to the grid of the RHR station being operated. This will change when you connect to different stations, so don't forget to update it!
  • Radio tab
    • Set "Rig" to FlexRadio 6xxx
    • Set "Network Server" to localhost:5002
    • Set "PTT Method" to CAT
  • Audio tab
    • Set "Input" to Line In
    • Set "Output" to Line Out



 

You should now have WSJT-X connected with xCAT, and see the correct frequency as well as decodes in the WSJT-X window.