FT8 Thetis dont transmit after 15/20 minutes standby

[vu2mb]

Hello,

I have noticed for a long time that when I am using FT8 using WSJT-X or JTDX and don't transmit for 15/20 minutes or so and then call someone,
Thetis goes into transmit mode but no power output and the only solution for me till now was to shut the JTDX or WSJT-X and
re-start it to function properly.

I am using VAC & VSPE

Please suggest how to get rid of the nagging issue.

Thank you very much.

73

de Bhanu
VU2MB

[W2PA]

Bhanu,

I have noticed something like this for a long time too, but it doesn't happen very often. In my case, after operating on air with Thetis and WSJT-X, if I then leave it running unused for an hour or two (for example if I'm occupied with something else) and then come back to use it later, WSJT-X will either fail to transmit audio (but PTT works), or the receive audio will be missing. If transmit audio is missing, restarting Thetis brings it back. If receive audio is missing, restarting WSJT-X brings it back.

I have not tried to trace the problem down since it happens very infrequently - perhaps once a month or less. I have never had it happen while actively operating. I also have never had it happen after as short a time as in your case - it's usually more like hours.

Note that this is a different behavior from the WSJT-X issue that it will randomly (and rarely) fail to transmit audio for a single transmission, then return to normal after a T/R cycle. I'm guessing this is a known issue that is so infrequent and random that it hasn't been fixed.

I don't know if the two behaviors are related, and I don't see that there's anything that can be done short of some serious bug tracing. And it's not obvious which program is causing it, WSJT-X or Thetis. Although, if you are also seeing it with JTDX, then maybe it's something intermittent with the VAC connection. But in any case, you're not alone in noticing this peculiarity.

[oe3ide]

Hi,

I am using JTDX. audio is routed via VAC (in my case via Voicemeeter Potato).
Cat is configured via TCPIP-Cat. Rig: TS2000, COM-Port: 10.0.0.5:13013 (yes, its not a COM-Port, but JTDX (or hamlib) does recognize this).
PTT is selected "via CAT".

I have sometimes JTDX running (idle) for hours (>5h) and never had any issue about TX in JTDX.

To exclude any issues with VSPE I would suggest to try the cat-connection via TCPIP-Cat or TCI (if you are using JTDX).

I also would suggest to check energy saving options in windows. Maybe windows is shutting down some USB devices after a certain amount of time.

73 Ernst, OE3IDE

[vu2mb]

Dear Chris W2PA & Ernst OE3IDE,

Thank you very much for your responses and diagnostics. I am sorry for not responding promptly.
I was away. Yes restarting WSJT-X and JTDX corrects the issue. PTT always keeps working but its
TX audio that stops.

Just tried to play with power saving settings and will update the results shortly.

Thank you & 73 to both of you.

Bhanu
VU2MB

[pa1hr]

Dear Bhanu,

After I installed the new 2.10.0 version of Thetis I had exactly the same problem as you have. It did'nt want to transmit on FT8 with JTDX. When I imported a database of some time ago (a month or so) the problem disappeared and never returned.

I use this "medicin" more often when I encounter an undefined problem.

73, Hans OE3JRC/PA0Q.

[vu2mb]

Dear Hans PA0Q,

Thank you doctor for the suggestion for this medicine. I am travelling and will be back by Friday and after testing Power saving options
this medicine will be administered for sure. This has been going on for a very long time and Thetis has seen several updates but this issue persists.

Thanks again,

73

Bhanu
VU2MB

[vu2mb]

Dear Chris W2PA, Ernst OE3IDE & Hans PA0Q

I am back and I have changed power-saving properties and now the FT8 does not
stop transmitting. Earlier only PTT used to work and no power after 15/20 minutes of inactivity.
I have tested up to 1 hour inactivity and it transmits normally. (Thetis used to work otherwise normally)
Restarting JTDX / WSJT-X used to cure the issue.
I posted this yesterday and noticed that it was not registered, so doing it today too.

Thanks a lot for your support.

73

Bhanu
VU2MB