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FLDIGI fails to start with a fatal error

I recently has a case where one of my Austrian customers was using my Data Modes card but couldn’t start FLDIGI. When starting from the desktop, FLDIGI would show no response. When started from the command line, it would fail with a fatal error. After some investigation, the trigger for the fault condition was found to be a change of locale/language. It seems that FLDIGI cannot handle a change of locale. The solution is simple, and requires the deletion of two files before running FLDIGI in the new locale. Here’s a step by step guide:

  1. Click the File Manager icon on the top task bar to view your files.
  2. Go to the View menu and choose Show Hidden.
  3. Navigate to .fldig (NB: The period at the beginning of the file name signifies a hidden file or folder).
  4. In the .fldigi folder delete fldigi.prefs and fldigi_def.xml.
  5. You should now be able to start fldigi.

Once FLDIGI has started, the deleted files will be automatically replaced with new versions for your locale. You will need to use this technique whenever you change locale. I’ve reported this issue to the author for consideration as a bug.

Mike -G4WNC

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