CQ-Contest
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [CQ-Contest] Robotic contest operating, why knot?

To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Robotic contest operating, why knot?
From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: k9yc@arrl.net
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2018 16:16:31 -0800
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
On 12/18/2018 11:58 AM, Peter Voelpel wrote:
You mean it is not possible to run unattended FT-8 qsos?

Why not download the software, install it, read the manual, and try making some QSOs? In addition to the usual collection of casual hams, you'll also run into a lot of respected contesters and DXers.

FT8 and MSK144 operate on a 15-sec TX-RX cycle. Each station transmits for about 12 sec, up to 30-40 transmissions appear, other stations have about 2 sec to read through the decodes before it's their turn to TX in response. A responder who chooses to call is likely to be decoded if he is able to respond fast enough that his TX starts within the first 2-3 seconds. That isn't easy! The automation in WSJT-X, which can be turned on and off, does two things. First, it enables a station calling CQ to automatically respond to the first decoded station who responds, without needing to search though a screen-full of calls, most of which are not calling him. Second, it allows the QSO to proceed in a standard sequence without operator intervention. WSJT-X then goes out of TX mode until the operator chooses to TX again.

The only difference between K6SRZ forgetting to turn off his FT8 CQ when leaving the shack and leaving WriteLog calling CQ while he takes a bathroom break is that the FT8 caller is rewarded with a QSO, while the contester responding to his CQ machine during his break is not.

73, Jim K9YC
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>