As several people noticed, there was a typo in the date of the first
announcement posting below. The FT challenge is on 7-8 December 2024.
While any FT4/8 software may be used, due to the standard default message
protocol, three programs have quickly added enhance support for FT Challenge:
o MSHV 2.76: exports a proper Cabrillo log file for direct upload on
the Cabrillo Log Submission page.
o N1MM+ 1.0.10535: additionally provides proper scoring, multiplier
highlighting and Cabrillo log file export.
o WriteLog 12.85/DigiRite 2.2.2.11: provides proper scoring, multiplier
highlighting and Cabrillo log file creation.
More details are available at
https://www.rttycontesting.com/ft-challenge/logging-software/
The key feature of this contest is the interoperability of contesters and
non-contesters, eliminating confusion and frustration of different message
protocols. However, for the contester desiring to maximize score, some
thoughtful use of the FT daily and contest sub-bands will benefit:
o The recommended contest sub-bands will have much less presence of
non-contesters calling in with Tx2 (SNR message) and causing you to forfeit the
QSO distance points. Of course, for non-contesters within 3,000 km, there is
no disadvantage.
o The standard daily sub-bands will be a source of some non-contester
mults and distance points. Calling CQing stations there will virtually
eliminate the Tx2 issue because you'll get the Grid Square with their CQ
message. Plus, a lot of contest CQing will likely overwhelm the standard
sub-bands with QRM, which hurts everyone.
There is no need for "practice sessions" prior to the actual contest, again,
because of the use of standard message protocol. You can get on any time the
band is open and have plenty of activity to test your station readiness.
Finally, check out the FT Challenge website, and often, because it is being
updated and enhanced daily in the lead up to the contest weekend:
https://www.rttycontesting.com/ft-challenge/
73,
Ed W0YK
-----Original Message-----
From: rttydigital@groups.io <rttydigital@groups.io> On Behalf Of Ed Muns, W0YK
Sent: Saturday, 16 November, 2024 21:30
To: rttydigital@groups.io
Subject: [RttyDigital] New FT Challenge Contest
On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time,
replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023. A highlight of this new
contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR,
with distance-based scoring. Because the exchange is identical, contesters and
non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT
sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not.
Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point
is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km
between the QSO partners. Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character
Grid Field. A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of
whether FT4 or FT8 was used.
In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are
earned, but the base QSO point is scored. This can happen if a station calls
in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is
not received.
Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.
After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge
Log Submittal webpage, https://ft-challenge.contesting.com/ftcsubmitlog.php .
The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for
FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module. Their efforts may
not all be ready for the 2024 event. We will provide updates in future posts
over the next 3 weeks.
• WSJT-X
• MSHV
• JTDX
• N1MM+
• WriteLog
• N3FJP
Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support. For example,
WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite,
configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”. Both
sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window. Real-time
score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are
currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the
FT Challenge rules. However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in
DigiRite. To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be
submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW
Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.)
Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website:
https://www.rttycontesting.com/ft-challenge/ . We hope everyone will enjoy
this new FT contest.
73,
Don, AA5AU
Ed, W0YK
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