Clanker: Simplify user guides and use the cleaned transmitter illustration

2026-09-13T22:13:14Z

Simplify user guides and use the cleaned transmitter illustration

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:13, 13 September 2026
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	== No server is available, or the connection drops ==		== No server is available, or the connection drops ==
	~~The current app gets its official server list after account sign-~~in~~. Retry if the account service or server is temporarily unavailable. There is no need to guess~~ a ~~port~~ or ~~add an old~~ server ~~address~~.		Retry in a moment, or select another available server.

	~~A dropped control~~ connection ~~is retried about every three seconds~~. Session '''Auto-reconnect''' is a separate setting: it restarts an interrupted transmission after a connection error. See [[Sessions and Queueing]].		The app automatically tries to reconnect if the connection drops. Session '''Auto-reconnect''' is a separate setting: it restarts an interrupted transmission after a connection error. See [[Sessions and Queueing]].

	== Start TX fails ==		== Start TX fails ==

Clanker: Rework documentation for new users: illustrated steps, clear navigation, preserved technical references, and current 0.3.6 behavior

2026-09-13T21:21:39Z

Rework documentation for new users: illustrated steps, clear navigation, preserved technical references, and current 0.3.6 behavior

New page

{{Documentation navigation}}

Follow the checks for the visible symptom. Change one setting at a time and test again. [[Getting Started]] supplies a complete example to compare against.

== The application will not open ==
# Run <code>java -version</code> in a terminal. The transmitter requires Java 21 or newer with desktop support.
# Open a terminal in the download folder and run <code>java -jar</code> followed by the actual JAR filename. This shows errors that may be hidden when double-clicking.
# If the file opens as an archive, use the command above instead of extracting it. If Java reports an unsupported class version, check that the terminal is using the newer Java installation.
# Download a fresh copy from [https://simtx.net/downloads the official downloads page] if the file is incomplete.

== Sign-in does not finish ==
# Keep the transmitter sign-in window open and finish approval in the browser.
# If the browser did not open, use '''Open browser''' or '''Copy link'''. Enter the displayed code only if asked.
# If authorization expires, use '''Try again''' to obtain a new sign-in attempt.
# Check network access to SimTX. A wiki account does not sign the transmitter into a SimTX account.

== No server is available, or the connection drops ==
The current app gets its official server list after account sign-in. Retry if the account service or server is temporarily unavailable. There is no need to guess a port or add an old server address.

A dropped control connection is retried about every three seconds. Session '''Auto-reconnect''' is a separate setting: it restarts an interrupted transmission after a connection error. See [[Sessions and Queueing]].

== Start TX fails ==
# Read the displayed failure reason. Account limits, invalid fields, and missing files need different fixes.
# Check that the frequency is entered in hertz and that numeric values are valid.
# For '''Audio File''', select a supported file with '''Choose...'''. For a Lua mode, select every required input shown below its controls.
# For GNU Radio IQ, check its local TCP connection and sample format. See [[Transmission Sources]].

== The session is queued ==
Wait for a slot, or stop the queued session if it is no longer wanted. Queueing is not an audio error. Repeatedly pressing Start TX creates more requests. A rejection or account-limit message must be resolved separately.

== The session runs but there is no sound ==
# Select the running row and use '''Listen to Own TX'''. Check the computer's output volume and device.
# Confirm that the selected file or microphone contains audio and Audio Gain is not zero. An ended file is marked Finished; use Repeat only when looping is intended.
# A URL must provide supported audio, not merely a webpage containing a player. Try a local file to isolate a stream problem.
# If the local monitor works but a remote receiver does not, check the receiver's server, frequency, mode, and bandwidth. Then check distance, antenna direction, and [[Propagation Basics|propagation]].

== The sound is distorted ==
Reduce Audio Gain or final drive. Compare with a clean [[Radio Presets|radio preset]], noting that changing the radio preset also changes requested power and advanced settings. Check AM index and compressor settings if they were changed. Increasing RF power does not repair distorted source audio.

== SWR is high or output power is low ==
# Check whether the deck is showing a local estimate or a selected session's measurement.
# Verify antenna type, length, height, and frequency together. Changing frequency can detune a previously working antenna.
# For a dipole, start near <code>143 / frequency in MHz</code> metres and adjust length while watching the estimate. Length zero selects a nominal template, not a guarantee of SWR 1.
# Check the TEMP meter as well. Mismatch and overheating can both reduce output power.

See [[SWR and Transmitter Protection]] and [[Antenna System]] for the full explanation.

== The amplifier overheats ==
Stop the session or reduce power and drive. Long steady signals generate more heat than intermittent speech. Protection reduces power automatically; severe heating can damage the simulated amplifier for that session. See [[Power Amplifier Behaviour]] for thresholds and recovery behavior.

== An extension is missing or does not work ==
# Open '''Extensions''' > '''Problems''' and read the package-specific error.
# Check that required library packages are installed and compatible. The catalog can offer missing dependencies.
# After a local edit, select '''Reload now'''. Check the manifest types and entry filename if developing a package.
# An audio add-on must be enabled in '''Add-ons''' and used with a supported mono-audio path. It does not process direct IQ, white noise, or PipeWire Stereo.

For installation steps see [[Lua extensions]]; for publication and updates see [[Extension catalog]].

== Ask for help ==
On [https://discord.gg/BxtpFJAs6c SimTX Discord], include the app version, operating system, server name, exact error, and the steps that reproduce it. A screenshot of the relevant controls is useful. Do not include sign-in codes or credentials.

[[Category:SimTX]]

Troubleshooting - Revision history

Clanker: Simplify user guides and use the cleaned transmitter illustration

Clanker: Rework documentation for new users: illustrated steps, clear navigation, preserved technical references, and current 0.3.6 behavior