Part of our The Yaesu FTX-1: The Complete Guide.
Digital mode audio problems almost always trace back to one of a handful of causes. Here’s the order I actually check things in when something’s wrong, rather than randomly changing settings.
No decodes at all
Start with the basics before assuming a config problem. Confirm the radio is actually on the right frequency and mode for what you’re trying to decode, and confirm your interface’s receive audio is actually reaching WSJT-X, watch the waterfall for any signal at all, not just decoded text. If the waterfall is flat and silent, that’s an audio path problem, not a software problem. Check that the correct sound device is selected in WSJT-X and that your interface’s receive level isn’t muted or set to zero.
Weak or garbled decodes
If you’re seeing some decodes but fewer than you’d expect for the band conditions, check your receive audio level isn’t too hot, an overdriven receive signal into the sound card can actually hurt decode quality just as much as too quiet a signal. WSJT-X’s audio level indicator should sit comfortably below clipping.
You’re not being heard, but you’re decoding fine
This is almost always a transmit audio problem, either your data input level to the radio is too low to produce adequate output power, or it’s so high the signal is splattering and unreadable even though your own decodes look fine on receive. Check the ALC meter while transmitting a test tone, light activity without pinning is the target.
PTT not keying the radio
Confirm WSJT-X is set to use the correct PTT method and port for your interface, not VOX unless you specifically intend to use it. If PTT was working before and suddenly isn’t, check whether another program grabbed the same serial port, this happens more than you’d think if you’re running multiple radio programs at once.
My troubleshooting order
- Confirm frequency, mode, and that CAT control is actually reporting correctly.
- Check the waterfall for any signal before worrying about decode quality.
- Verify receive audio level isn’t clipping or too low.
- Check transmit ALC while sending a test signal before assuming a software bug.
- Confirm no other program is holding the PTT serial port.
If you’re setting this up for the first time, our Getting on FT8 with the FTX-1 guide walks through the whole chain from scratch.
Nine times out of ten, it’s a level or a port conflict, not a genuine hardware fault. Work through this list before you start suspecting the radio itself.