ARRL Field Day - 2020
Call: KB4KBS
Operator(s): KB4KBS
Station: KB4KBS
Class: 1D LP
QTH: GA
Operating Time (hrs): 24
Summary:
Band CW Qs Ph Qs Dig Qs
----------------------------
160:
80: 60 0 76
40: 60 0 76
20: 5 15 71
15: 38 0 42
10: 17 0 22
6: 0 0 6
2:
222:
432:
903:
1.2:
2.3:
3.4:
5.7:
10G:
24G:
----------------------------
Total: 180 15 293 Total Score = 961
Club: NORTH FULTON AMATEUR RADIO LEAGUE
Comments:
[log removed from comments]
I set out to prove to myself that FT8 is a contest mode. My nearly 300 contacts
would be a good addition to MIXED MODE M/M effort, but for a single effort in a
MIXED MODE contest, CW yields more QSOs per hour than FT8. I didn't ever get
over to FT4 for any length of time; you have to fish where the fish are biting,
and that was FT8. I really think if the Field Day rules only allowed FT4 only,
as faster contact mode, it would rival RTTY or even CW with a Qs per Hr rate
possibility.
--------------------
I used N3FJP Field Day Contest Logger (FDCL) software. For a PH station, a
S&P CW station, and a Digital station (with a S/W interface to
WSJT-X/JTAlert - see below) it was fine. It has some issue with multi-screen
usage where the main entry screen is not on the main screen. Once I figured
this out, all was well. It gave me an audible "duplicate" message that
was sent to the SignaLink USB audio out to my radio (which probably was
broadcast). I never found a way to turn this off. In CW mode the software
worked fine with my MORTTY WinKeyer Lite substitute.
--------------------
I used WSJT-X v.2.2.2. It seemed to be fine then without warning it would
close. When it was reopened, it would revert to a default saved setting,
usually on a different band than where I was. This happened countless times.
--------------------
I used JTAlert v.2.16.8. It was configured correctly as the go-between for
WSJT-X and N3FJP FDCL as best I could tell but I had a regular issue with every
QSO: The QSO would be logged but JTAlert would give me a warning that it
wasn't. This may be due to a pilot error in configuration, but I just ignored
it and kept going.
--------------------
I had only a few problems with the rig, antenna and tuning. I did have times
where RF got into the USB hub and I had to do a full reboot - sometimes after a
BSOD. I learned to do low power tuning with a band change - especially to 20M,
and avoided this issue as the contest went along.
--------------------
Summary:
Could I have done better? Of course. I knew I was't a "big dog" and I
wasn't going to be a contender for any awards so I set out with some objectives
- to work 24 hours, to use FT8 extensively, and to use N3FJP. Now that I have
done all of these things, I can check them off my list and move on.
Station:
Yaesu FT-450D
100W
MFJ-939 Tuner
SignaLink USB External Sound Card
MORTTY Electronic Keyer
Bencher BY-2 Iambic Paddles
G5RV Dipole Antenna @ 9M AGL
Indoor Attic Home-made 6M Full-wave loop
N3FJP FDCL v.6.3 Contesting Software
WSJT-X v.2.2.2
JTAlert v.2.16.8
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
______________________________________________
3830 mailing list
3830@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/3830
|