JT65-HF HB9HQX, JTAlert and Ham Radio Deluxe Database configuration tips

If you read this blog you know that I use all of the above. I found a problem where JTAlert would not intercept QSO logging from HB9HQX and write it to HRD and online xml databases.

It appears I had configured HB9HQX incorrectly for it to work properly with JTAlert. Laurie, VK3AMA, the writer of JTAlert is a busy man and hasn't got around to fully completing the help files for JTAlert so there is a lack of information here.
I wrote to Laurie and he told me what the correct configuration should be.

JT65-HF HB9HQX should be set to log to its default local log. I had it set for HRD logbook which would negate JTAlert from functioning correctly.

JT65-HF HB9HQX log configuration tab

HF Band analysis using JT65-HF-HB9HQX

I use JT65-HF-HB9HQX for JT65 for on all bands from HF to 6m. A great feature when displaying the "Band Statistics" window shows a number of useful items:

• QSOs - shows the total number of contacts per band and a total for all bands
• Stations - shows the total number of unique stations contacted per band and a total for all bands
• Grids - shows the total grid squares worked per band and a total for all bands
• DXCCs - shows the total number of DXCC entities worked per band and a total for all bands

Band Statistics window in JT65-HF-HB9HQX

New version of JT65-HF-HB9HQX and JTAlert released.

JT65-HF-HB9HQX

I have just installed Version 1.0 of JT65-HF-HB9HQX and it looks slightly different. You can't install this directly over the top of older pre 1.0 versions as it uses a different directory structure. No matter as HB9NQX has a readme with the software that tells you what to do. Essential copy the contents of the old JT65-HF-Appfiles folder into the new one which is just called Appfiles now.
I also copied the contents of JT65-HF-Logfiles into the new logfiles folder.

When you start the software you have to enter some information Callsign, Location data etc, and set the output level to your sound card. Oh you also need to reconfigure for the soundcards you have in use. None of that data comes across from the old versions.

You can now automatically upload to eQSL.cc - I don't believe that was possible before.
There is:

• Full integration with Ham Radio Deluxe 
• CAT integration with Omnirig, HamLib, CI-V Commander. 
• Logging to HRD, DXKeeper, Log OM and MixW2

JT65-HF HB9EQX Edition

As part of my exploration into the, new to me, JT65 mode I have found lots of pieces of software written to make the use of the mode. One of which is JT65-HF HB9HQX Edition which is currently at version 0.9.98.0
Obviously a lot of work has gone into this and joy of joys it interfaces really well with Ham Radio Deluxe. When first launched it asks you for your station details, the rig connection, the sound cards and whether you are using CAT. It also asks you what form of logging you have. A lot of the extensive settings can be left at the default,

The main screen

If you are using Ham Radio Deluxe with CAT simply choose the "Cat is enabled via Ham Radio Deluxe.." option and, assuming you already have HRD working fine, it will work seamlessly. You do have to stop DM780 before you start JT65-HF however.

Choose HRD on the CAT tab

The screen shows the waterfall in the narrow portion and the dialog exchange in the main scrollable window. If you have CAT working successfully the frequency and band are in the QRG and Band boxes top left. Above the current date and time are the audio input level and a user defined output level.

Conversation buttons

The main buttons controlling the dialog exchange are on the right hand side and are arranged in a logical order. They conveniently change colour throughout a QSO which is useful if you are wondering what to press next!


When you have finished the QSO button you simply press the Log QSO button and a dialog box allowing you to customize any message appears. Clicking the next Log QSO button actually writes the entry to the logbook - in my case the HRD logbook.

Log QSO

What I have found though is if you have HRD to automatically send an eQSL to eQSL.cc it doesn't work when using this method of log addition. You have to manually select the QSO's in HRD Logbook and upload them to eQSL manually. Not a great problem but if you were waiting for that elusive QSL card and wondering why this is the reason. Also if you normally use QRZ.COM to enter the various station fields from within HRD Logbook you will find that the stations added from JT65HF will need refreshing to get their full details. Again not a problem you just need to be aware of it.

Simple QSO operation.

If everything has been setup correctly, the application communicating with the rig, the soundcard levels set, the rig tuned to one of the JT65 frequencies (you can select them from the QRG pulldown) and the antenna tuned you can just sit and watch contacts appearing on the Exchange screen.


CQs and DX calls appear in green, existing exchanges between stations are shown in blue. Your signals are shown with a white background. This is all assuming you use the default colours.

The exchange box

The waterfall shows a graphical representation of what is being recieved. You can also set it so it shows the callsigns of the stations. You current transmit frequency is highlighted by a red bar above the waterfall.

A typical waterfall display

To reply to a CQ request you simply left click (on a Windows PC) on the green highlighted entry. This automatically populates the "Generated Text" field with a suitable reply. This by convention is their callsign, your callsign and your locator square. Then at the start of the next minute the application transmits this message.

The reply to you showing the initial signal report -02 dB

Replies to you are in pink and you can see the 73 message

The station will then reply back with a signal report - the displayed colour is pink. In the meantime JT-65HF highlights the next appropriate button to press. In this case it is the R-db button. It then populates the Generated Text field with his station, your station and a R with a reading of the dB sent field.

The next button to press is automatically highlighted

The other station then replies back with either RRR or 73. You click on the 73 button and again the relevant text is populated in the reply box and the QSO is finished.
Finally you click on the Log QSO button and it will make an entry in your log.


If you have enabled sound it will also sound a CQ in morse on your shack monitor when somebody has sent a CQ. You can also set the sound to warn you if somebody has replied back to you. I have mine set to G8YPH in morse. There are other sounds you can set too.

If you have already worked a station on JT65 before then their entry in the exchange screen is marked in a dark green colour and it says QSO B4 at the tail end of the entry which is convenient.

QSO B4

There are many more features of this well written program and I have found so far that it is by far the easiest to use. The only limitation is that is only 1 mode available and that is JT65 so if you want to use it on 6m with JT6M you can't.