FT8 with WebSDR as receiver

I’ve experimented using a WebSDR.org receiver for FT8, while using my own antenna for transmitting. Reason for this is the S9++ QRN I have on the 160-meter band. The set-up is quite easy. I’m using a Mac Mini in the shack, but it has a Windows 10 Bootcamp partition for regular Ham Radio software.

  1. Install Virtual Audio Cable (run the installer as Administrator)
  2. Reboot your machine
  3. Install the AudioPick extension in Chrome
  4. Tune the WebSDR to 1840 kHz.
  5. Select ‘CABLE Input’ as output device in Chrome
  6. Select ‘CABLE output’ as input device in WSJT-X

Keep in mind that there might be some Hertz difference in your Transmitted audio and the received audio via the WebSDR. On the University of Twente WebSDR this seems to be less than 10 Hz. My Icom IC-7300 isn’t locked to 10 MHz.

The next step should be programming a CAT-splitter to enable the WebSDR to run synchronous with the IC-7300. I haven’t found a way to do so. For digimodes on a single frequency, like FT8, this isn’t really important but could be handy.

6 comments

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    • Paul on 24/12/2019 at 07:27
    • Reply

    Hi OM,

    These the works are simple with an XP SP3 , FF + JAVA or HTML5.
    The soundcard setup is “Wave Out Mix” (no Line In) now.
    Any digi mode software is “see” in this way the pc websdr input signal.
    This the story.

    73
    Paul

    1. Windows XP is end-of-life for about 5,5 years now. You should never ever want to use it with a browser on the internet. Ever.

        • xp3 on 25/12/2019 at 05:06
        • Reply

        The all radioamateur digi mode software running without mistake,
        the K1JT softwares of course, …. internet also, (xp-sp3-ff),
        only one: a music video download is a little hard, but no problem.

    • x_sp on 14/06/2020 at 13:29
    • Reply

    The new WSJT-X v.2.2 is not runing on a W XP.
    The solution,
    https://www.dxzone.com/wsjt-x-drops-windows-xp/

    • hamr on 20/10/2020 at 19:08
    • Reply

    MSHV (by LZ2HV) is running on Win XP. 73

    • Oscar on 20/11/2020 at 21:01
    • Reply

    You can use the CATsync software to synchronise your radio via CAT interface with any WebSDR. See https://catsyncsdr.wordpress.com/

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