ARRL RTTY Roundup
Call: WF7T
Operator(s): WF7T
Station: WF7T
Class: SO Unlimited LP
QTH: TN
Operating Time (hrs): 2
Summary:
Band RTTY Qs Dig Qs
-----------------------
80: 25 4
40: 34 36
20: 2
15:
10:
-----------------------
Total: 61 40 State/Prov = 35 Countries = 5 Total Score = 4,040
Club: Tennessee Contest Group
Comments:
I had very limited time to spend in this, one of my favorite contests. My
perspective therefore as to this outing is as a VERY casual contester. If you
read no further: I am mixed about this newfangled mode, but intrigued.
I love that FT8 operators who are NOT contesters were playing in the RU. I had
an exchange with an FT8 op, having worked prior, proudly beaming about their
current Q count (via JTAlertX chat). They got the bug! I encouraged them to try
RTTY, briefly explaining it is faster when coupled with N1MM. That piqued their
interest. It's all about attraction rather than promotion right?
I liked the initial integration between WSJT-X and N1MM. It's not perfect.
There are some tweaks needed for broadcast data between the two (especially if
JTAlertX is also running). I am also confident these small issues will be worked
out by the excellent teams involved with all apps involved. I am happy to assist
with what limited time I have.
FT8 is a ssSLOWww contest mode. That said, I think this baby needs to NOT be
thrown out with the bath water. I predict it will rapidly develop with contest
exchange protocols in mind as it has for general DXing (reference the excellent
http://www.g4ifb.com/FT8_Hinson_tips_for_HF_DXers.pdf).
Did I like FT8 in this contest? I felt like it is not ready for prime contesting
time. I am trying to not be too judgy about it. Perhaps there could be a way to
make the contest exchange more efficient, especially after finishing the last Q
and picking up the next call. Perhaps a tighter integration between apps is
needed. Perhaps the scoring might be changed to provide incentive rather than to
penalize multi-mode operation. I don't think this djinni is going back in its
bottle, so maybe my job is to figure out this NEW dynamic and to make it work
regardless.
I like FT8. I credit K1JT and all the contributors for originally peaking my
interest and getting me back in the hobby in 2007. I was an early adopter of the
JT modes on HF. It provided me an opportunity to work stations with a compromise
system that I would have never dreamed of. The encoding technology continues to
impress me, and I look forward to the continued evolution of the mode(s).
Maybe RU is NOT the best place to include the disruptive technology of FT8...I
am still on the fence. I am a bit of a traditionalist with regard to the RTTY
Sweepstakes. On the other hand, maybe there are opportunities for some really
fun contest challenges--new forms--that would combine cool/fun/skill for FT8.
FT8 "skeet-shoot" anyone (ask N0AX, sorry Wardo.)
Sorry, you didn't ask. I DO appreciate the QSOs, and it was nice to see some big
names giving FT8 a go in this contest of skill and station-building. Special
thanks to the organizers at the league for their courage!
CW Forever!
73 de WF7T
Brad "cats and hounds are laying together" Brooks
Nashville TN EM66
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
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