Test Suites
This chapter describes the suite of tests that we use to make sure that our stations remain in good operating condition.
Monthly
W3TM tries and usually succeeds in running these steps on both NARC1 and NARC2 once a month. The results of the tests are captured in a Google doc.
Power-up
- Connect rig to a suitable antenna or dummy load
- Power-up the Astron power supply
- Power-up the rig
- Log-on to the computer using the appropriate user name and password
Phone operations
- Set power to 100 W or less
- Call CQ or answer a CQ
- On the IC-7610, use Icom SM-30 desk mic with embedded push-to-talk (PTT) switch or the footswitch.
- On the Flex 6400M, use the Yaesu mic or headset with the footswitch for PTT.
Logging programs
Amateur Contact Log (N3FJP)
- Check https://www.n3fjp.com/ to determine latest version of software.
- Download and install if there is an update.
- Open Amateur Contact Log; a shortcut is on the PC desktop
- Confirm version and record it.
- Confirm that ACL tracks of frequency changes & mode changes
- Close application
N1MM+
- Start-up N1MM+; update if prompted
- Confirm version
- Confirm that N1MM+ follows frequency changes.
- Close N1MM+.
Digital mode operations
WSJT-X
- Open WSJT-X
- Confirm version.
- Select W3YA configuration
- Test WSJT-X receive
- Switch to suitable band for antenna from within WSTJ-X application
- Confirm that rig follows software band change
- Turn RF power to 10 W
- Test WSJT-X CQ transmit
- Click Enable Tx button
- Permit 3 xmit cycles
- If no one responds to CQ, check https://pskreporter.info
- If not checking JTAlert, Close WSJT-X
JTAlert, https://hamapps.com/JTAlert/
- Check application site, update as needed.
- Open JTAlert
- Confirm version.
- Confirm that received CQs appear in green in JTAlert window
- Test xmit from JTAlert
- Click on green CQ button to initiate QSO
- Close JTAlert
Note
TODO: More complete steps
JS8Call
- Open JS8Call
- Confirm version.
- Select W3YA configuration
- Test JS8Call receive
- Switch to suitable band for antenna (most JS8Call activity is on 40 m)
- Confirm rig follows software band change
- Confirm RF power is 10 W
- Test JS8Call heartbeat transmit
Note
TODO: Complete steps
- If stations respond to heartbeat, all is well.
- Check pskreporter.info to confirm: W3YA _____ was/______ was not heard.
- Close JS8Call
Fldigi, http://www.w1hkj.com/
- Check site and update fldigi, flrig, or other applications, as needed
- Open fldigi
- Confirm version.
- On IC-7610, confirm that flrig opens and shows current operating frequency
Operating parameters for IC-7610:
Rig: IC-7610
COM3
Baud: 38400
Stop bits: 1 stop bit
CI-V: 0x98
Operating parameters for Flex-6400M
TODO: Add these.
- 7.070 MHz is a watering hole for PSK31 activity on 40m. You might look there to test receive and transmit.
- Check transmit
- Create test message (e.g., “de w3ya w3ya testing testing”)
- Transmit message
- Wait 1-2 mins and check pskreporter.info: W3YA _____ was/______ was not heard.
- Close flrig and fldigi.
Winlink Express/VARA
- Open Winlink Express
- Update forms and software if prompted
- Confirm Winlink (not forms) version.
- Select Telnet Winlink session and open session, then start the session to retrieve any messages.
- If connection succeeds, send test message to W3TM@winlink.org.
- Select Vara HF Winlink session
- If prompted, update VARA HF
- Download
- Install (as administrator)
- Confirm VARA HF version.
- Select an HF target station
- When the channel is clear, start the session
- Close Winlink Express/VARA
VarAC
- Open VarAC
- Confirm that VARA HF opens along with VarAC window.
- Confirm verson.
- Use VarAC window to confirm that rig follows band/freq changes.
- Test transmit
- Confirm rig RF power is 10 W
- Transmit beacon
- Wait 1-2 mins then check pskreporter.info: W3YA _____ was/______ was not heard
YONIQ (SSTV)
- Open YONIQ
- Tune to SSTV frequency (e.g., 14.230 MHz)
Note
TODO: Finish test suite
Win4IcomSuite
- NARC1/IC-7610 station only
- Open Win4Icom
- Confirm program tracks frequency and mode
- Close Win4Icom
KPA1500 Amplifier
- Power on amplifier
- Test ATU
- Rig to 10% power (~10W). Press MULTI knob(press RF POWER and rotate MULTI knob to read HF 10%)
- Rig mode to RTTY (touch mode on touchscreen, select RTTY)
- Amp in standby mode (short press on MODE/PF1) button until yellow STDBY indicator illuminates
- Amp to ATU mode (short press on ATU TUNE button)
- Transmit (press TRANSMIT on rig or PTT on mic to send RF)
- When ATU cycle ends (after a few seconds), Press TRANSMIT again to end test transmission.
- Test amplification
- Set amp to operate (short press on OPER/STDBY)
- Transmit (press TRANSMIT or PTT on mic) on rig
- NOTE ~10 W drive should generate about 4-500 W out)
- Press TRANSMIT again to end test transmission
- Set amplifier back to stand-by (short press on MODE/PF1)
- Power down amplifier
- Return rig to SSB mode (press mode indicator on touch screen, select SSB)
Contest/Field Day
Test networked logging
- Rig1 in phone mode, log contact
- Rig2 in phone mode, log contact
- Change Rig1 band
- Change Rig2 band
- Change Rig1 to CW, log contact
- Change Rig2 to CW, log contact
- For each digital mode that will be used…
- On Rig1, open digital app, attempt to make contact and log it
- On Rig2, open digital app, attempt to make contact and log it
- Close all apps
- Check log file