FTX-1 and WSJTX on CachyOS

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the Yaesu FTX-1 transceiver with WSJTX-Improved on CachyOS Linux.

Part 1: Install Dependencies

1. Install yay AUR Helper

First, install yay from the official CachyOS/Arch repositories:

sudo pacman -S yay

2. Install Hamlib (Git Version)

Install the latest hamlib-git package using yay:

yay -S hamlib-git

Part 2: Build and Install WSJTX-Improved

1. Download the WSJTX-Improved AUR Package

Download the package build files from AUR:

# Create a directory for AUR builds
mkdir -p ~/aur
cd ~/aur

# Clone the WSJTX-Improved package
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/wsjtx-improved.git
cd wsjtx-improved

2. Modify the PKGBUILD

Edit the PKGBUILD file to adjust the hamlib dependency:

nano PKGBUILD

Find the line that reads:

'hamlib>=4.5'

And change it to:

'hamlib'

The diff should look like this:

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ url="https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt-x-improved/"
 license=('GPL3')
 depends=(
        'fftw'
-       'hamlib>=4.5'
+       'hamlib'
        'libusb'
        'portaudio'
        'qt5-base'

3. Build and Install

Build and install the package:

makepkg -si

This will compile WSJTX-Improved and install it along with all required dependencies.

Part 3: Connect the FTX-1

1. Plug in the USB Cable

Connect the USB cable from your Yaesu FTX-1 to your computer.

2. Verify the Connection

Check that the USB serial device is detected:

# List USB devices
lsusb

# Verify the serial port exists
ls -l /dev/ttyUSB*

You should see /dev/ttyUSB0 (or a similar device) listed.

Part 4: Verify Hamlib Support for FTX-1

Check that hamlib recognizes the FTX-1:

rigctld --list | grep FTX

Expected output:

  1051  Yaesu                  FTX-1                   20241118.1      Alpha       RIG_MODEL_FTX1

Part 5: Start the Rig Control Daemon

1. Start rigctld-wsjtx

In a terminal, start the rig control daemon:

rigctld-wsjtx -m 1051 -p /dev/ttyUSB0 -vvvv

Parameters: - -m 1051: Model number for FTX-1 - -p /dev/ttyUSB0: Serial port device - -vvvv: Verbose output for debugging

2. Optional: Use tmux for Persistence

If you want the daemon to persist across disconnects, use tmux:

# Install tmux if not already installed
sudo pacman -S tmux

# Start a new tmux session
tmux new -s rigctld

# Run rigctld in the tmux session
rigctld-wsjtx -m 1051 -p /dev/ttyUSB0 -vvvv

# Detach from tmux: Press Ctrl+b, then d
# Reattach later: tmux attach -t rigctld

Part 6: Configure WSJTX Radio Settings

1. Open WSJTX

Launch WSJTX-Improved from your application menu or terminal:

wsjtx

2. Configure Radio Settings

Go to File → Settings → Radio tab and configure as shown:

WSJTX Radio Settings

Key settings: - Rig: Hamlib NET rigctl - Network Server: (leave empty or use localhost) - Baud Rate: 4800 - PTT Method: CAT - Port: /dev/ttyACM0 (or your device) - Mode: Data/Pkt - Split Operation: Fake It

3. Test the Connection

Click the following buttons to verify: - Test CAT: Should show successful connection - Test PTT: Should trigger PTT on the FTX-1

Part 7: Configure Audio Settings

1. Configure KDE Sound Settings

Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select Audio Volume → Configure Sound Devices.

In the Sound settings: - Playback Devices: Select USB Audio Device Analog Stereo and set profile to Analog Stereo Duplex - Recording Devices: Select USB Audio Device Analog Stereo and set profile to Analog Stereo Duplex

KDE Sound Settings

2. Configure WSJTX Audio Settings

Go to File → Settings → Audio tab in WSJTX and configure as shown:

WSJTX Audio Settings

Settings: - Input: alsa_input.usb-C-Media_Electronics_Inc._USB_Audio_Device-00.analog-stereo - Output: alsa_output.usb-C-Media_Electronics_Inc._USB_Audio_Device-00.analog-stereo - Both set to Mono

Troubleshooting

Serial Port Permissions

If you get permission errors accessing /dev/ttyUSB0, add your user to the uucp group:

sudo usermod -aG uucp $USER

Log out and log back in for the change to take effect.

No Audio

Verify the USB audio device is selected as the default in KDE Sound Settings
Check that WSJTX audio device names match those shown in pavucontrol or KDE Sound Settings
Ensure volume levels are not muted

CAT Control Not Working

Verify rigctld-wsjtx is running
Check that the correct serial port is specified
Ensure the FTX-1 is powered on and connected

Summary

You should now have a working setup with: - WSJTX-Improved connected to your FTX-1 via hamlib - CAT control for frequency and mode changes - PTT control via CAT - Audio routing through the USB audio interface

You're ready to start making digital mode contacts!