SDR-Rover/docs/handoff/NEXT_TX_TASK.md

This file is the authoritative current task for the main PC TX node. Read TX_NODE_STATE.md first. If chat history, this file, the shared spec, and current Git HEAD conflict, stop and report the conflict.

Current TX task

TASK = PREPARE RF-001A COMMON-CLOCK TX

1. Record branch, HEAD and tracked Git status. Require video-development and agreement with origin/video-development.
2. Read configs/rf/rf001a_common_clock.json and docs/rf/RF_001A_PREPARATION.md. Check all parameters against the shared spec; do not adjust them silently.
3. Run hackrf_info and record board, serial, libhackrf and firmware. Stop if HackRF is absent. Do not invoke transmit.
4. Verify the local canonical waveform and cs8 file using python -B -X utf8 tools/rf001a_prepare.py --verify-dir data/raw/rf001/rf001a_common_clock_001. Require both exact SHA256 values from the shared spec, count, duration, I/Q order, signed format, zero rail codes and checked quantization error. If local files are absent, create a new unique directory with --output-dir, then verify; never overwrite prior files. Keep raw IQ out of Git.
5. Repeat the offline RX of that exact cs8 file with tools/qpsk_rf_rx.py --iq-format cs8, tx_metadata.json truth and a new report path. Require 100/100 CRC-valid and 100/100 exact packets. Preserve stdout and JSON.
6. Check center frequency, sample rate, +125 kHz digital offset and gains against the shared spec. Prepare the one-shot command shown in RF_001A_PREPARATION.md, but do not execute it.
7. Manual physical checkpoint: TX and RX antennas, both USB links, 10 MHz reference, MASTER/SLAVE roles, same antenna polarization, safe lab distance (about 1.2 m LOS if applicable), and no direct unattenuated TX RF → RX RF connection. Freshly verify MASTER and SLAVE reg29 and SLAVE CLKIN detection. Historical values 0x26/DETECTED do not count. Record COMMON CLOCK VERIFIED = YES / NO. If NO or unknown, TX remains prohibited.
8. Read RX preparation report. Do not infer RX readiness from older preflight. End before first RF TX. No firmware/CPLD, hackrf_spiflash, Zadig or driver changes.

TASK = PREPARE RF-001A COMMON-CLOCK TX BRANCH = HEAD = HACKRF INFO = CANONICAL SHA256 = HARDWARE CS8 SHA256 = HARDWARE-FORMAT OFFLINE ROUNDTRIP = CENTER FREQUENCY = SAMPLE RATE = DIGITAL CARRIER OFFSET = TX GAIN = COMMON CLOCK VERIFIED = PHYSICAL CHECKPOINT = RX READY TO CAPTURE = TX READY FOR RF-001A = YES / NO RF TX = 0 STOP.