[CQ-Contest] WSJT-X and DXing

[Stanley Zawrotny]

Anyone who thinks that the brain is not involved with FT8 hasn’t really done serious FT8 operating. Casual operators either just call CQ or answer someone who is calling CQ. That can be done without too much thought.

Someone who is serious is probably working to add to their DXCC or WAS totals. To do that, you need to understand propagation. Then, you seldom wait for a desired station to call CQ. Many DX seldom call CQ, the same as other modes. They don’t need to because there are pileups. There is always someone to reply to once they finish a QSO. So if you want to work anyone other that the same run-of-the-mill stations, you have to constantly read the entire rx screen, looking for someone who is ABOUT TO finish a QSO. When you see them send RRR or 73, you start calling them then in order to get in the queue. If you wait until they call CQ, they will already be working someone else.

So, you see, if you REALLY want to add to your DX totals, you can’t be reading your email while DXing.

BTW, in order to keep myself motivated, I reset (in my mind and local records) all DXCC and WAS counts to “0” every New Years Day....for all modes. I manage to get DXCC and WAS every year. To add to the challenge, I try to accomplish both on each mode and on each band AND each mode per band. Think about it... no one cares if you have DXCC besides yourself. Do your relatives care? The challenge is in your own head.

73 & Gud DXing,

Stan, K4SBZ

"Real radio bounces off the sky."

> On Dec 6, 2018, at 8:52 AM, N4ZR <n4zr at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Stan, it seems to me that you lost one step in your description - decoding/understanding the transmission with your ears and your brain.
> 
> To me, that is a "bright line."  At the point where the operator's brain no longer has a role, I have lost all competitive interest
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network 
> at <http://reversebeacon.net>, now 
> spotting RTTY activity worldwide. 
> For spots, please use your favorite 
> "retail" DX cluster.
>> On 12/5/2018 1:16 PM, Stanley Zawrotny wrote:
>> I hear so many complaints about FT8 being automated. How about this scenario in another mode?
>> - I see a post on a DXcluster
>> - When I click on it, the callsign is automatically entered into my software.
>> - Using rig control, my radio is automatically tuned to the station.
>> - I press a key (or click on a macro) and my callsign is sent.
>> - I press another key and my response is sent.
>> - the contact is automatically entered into my log.
>> 
>> I operated a complete 24-hour contest once without ever touching the tuning knob or any other radio controls. Rig control and the cluster even the handled band changes. The  entire contest only required a repeated series of four clicks or key presses. Automatic! Very assisted.
>> 
>> BTW, RTTY doesn’t have to involve seeing only one station as you tune. I have a SDR rig and can see the entire RTTY band all at once and can tune to a station with one mouse click. Should I be operating assisted? I don’t. I operate run or S&P unassisted.
>> 
>> And I suppose the gentleman who said that someone should holler “stop” thought that same thing when SSB came out replacing AM.
>> 
>> This is 2018, almost 2019, folks. It’s called “growth.” Get on board or be left behind.
>> 
>> Stan, K4SBZ
>> 
>> "Real radio bounces off the sky."
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