Editing Getting Started

{{Documentation navigation}}

This guide goes from installing the SimTX desktop app to a first transmission and listening to it. TX means transmit and RX means receive.

== 1. Install the app ==
Download the app from the [https://manifest.simtx.net SimTX downloads page]:
* '''Windows''': the 64-bit <code>.exe</code> installer.
* '''macOS''': the <code>.dmg</code> for Apple Silicon. The first time, right-click the app and choose '''Open''' to get past the macOS security warning.
* '''Linux''': <code>.deb</code>, <code>.rpm</code>, Arch or Void packages, or an AppImage. The [https://manifest.simtx.net/install install page] explains how to add the package repository. Ubuntu 24.04 or Debian 13 or newer is needed.

== 2. Sign in and connect ==
[[File:SimTX Guide Getting Started server.png|thumb|center|482px|alt=Connect to a server dialog showing Signed in at auth.simtx.net, the Server menu set to SimTX Demo, and the Work offline and Connect buttons.|The Connect to a server dialog after sign-in, with a server chosen.]]
# Open the app. In '''Sign in to SimTX''', press '''Sign in'''.
# Press '''Open browser''', sign in to your SimTX account and approve the device. '''Copy link''' copies the address instead.
# In '''Connect to a server''', choose a '''Server''' and press '''Connect'''.

The top right of the window then shows the server and '''Connected'''. '''Work offline''' opens the app without connecting.

== 3. Create your first station ==
[[File:SimTX Guide Getting Started first station.png|thumb|center|640px|alt=Top of the Transmit tab with the Station section outlined, a guide tag reading Create the station you transmit from, and a Create a station button.|The getting started guide outlines the Station section and points to Create a station.]]
A '''station''' holds your callsign, location, antennas and radios. On first start, the in-app '''getting started guide''' points at each control in turn.
# In the '''Transmit''' tab, press '''Create a station'''.
# Under '''Basics''', enter a '''Name''' and your '''Callsign'''.
# Under '''Location''', press '''Pick on globe''', click where the station stands and press '''Done'''.
# Under '''Antennas''', open the dipole and set the length to <code>31</code> m and the '''Height''' to <code>10</code> m. This suits the frequency below.
# Press '''Create station'''.

The station now shows under '''Transmit from'''. See [[SimTX Guide/Stations|Stations]].

== 4. Make a first transmission ==
[[File:SimTX Guide Getting Started transmit ready.png|thumb|center|800px|alt=Transmit tab with Demo hilltop as the station, an EFHW antenna, a 100 W radio, an SWR graph, frequency 4625 kHz, power 100 W, AM Double Sideband Full Carrier, and an empty Radio deck.|The Transmit tab set up for a first transmission on 4625 kHz in AM.]]
In the '''Transmit''' tab:
# Set '''Frequency''' to <code>4625</code> with the unit '''kHz''', and '''Power (W)''' to <code>100</code>.
# Choose the '''Modulation''' '''AM Double Sideband Full Carrier''' and tick '''Auto''' beside '''Bandwidth (Hz)'''.
# Under '''Source''', choose '''Audio file''', press '''Choose…''' and pick a short audio file.
# Press '''Start TX'''.

The session appears in the '''Sessions''' list as '''Running'''. '''Queued''' means every transmitter slot is taken; it starts by itself when one is free. Select the session to see the '''Radio deck''' meters. '''Listen to own TX''' plays your signal as transmitted. '''Stop''' ends it.

[[SimTX Guide/Transmitting|Transmitting]] covers every control. If the session fails, its message says why; see [[SimTX Guide/Troubleshooting|Troubleshooting]].

== 5. Receive ==
You need an SDR program that supports rtl_tcp, such as SDR++.
# Open the '''Receive''' tab. Under '''Where you listen''', choose '''My station''', '''Public station''', or '''Ad-hoc''' for any location without an account.
# Set the '''Center frequency''' to <code>4625</code> kHz and the '''Sample rate (Hz)''' to <code>250000</code>.
# Press '''Start RX'''.
# In your SDR program, connect an rtl_tcp source to <code>127.0.0.1:1234</code> and tune to 4625 kHz in AM.

[[How to receive]] shows the settings in SDR++, and [[SimTX Guide/Receiving|Receiving]] covers every receive control. [[Propagation Basics]] explains how distance, band and time of day change what a receiver hears.

== Continue from here ==
* [[SimTX Guide]]: all user guides.
* [[Transmission Sources]]: microphones, streams and other sources.
* [[Modulation Modes]]: choosing a mode.
* [[Antenna System]]: changing frequency and choosing an antenna.
* [[Lua extensions]]: extensions and themes.

[[Category:SimTX]]
[[Category:SimTX Guide]]