[CQ-Contest] FT4 *is* a contesting mode. Was: WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc6

[Barry]

Why bother with RF?  Just move it to the internet.  You can't hear it, 
anyway.

Barry W2UP

On 6/5/2019 6:03 AM, DXer wrote:
> Hi Peter,
>
> I wish I could enlighten anybody, some would really benefit, I think. LOL
>
> If FT4 contesting succeeds, it will be a nice problem to have. It's still
> too early to tell, more later.
>
> My first reaction/solution to the 'problem' was, 'spin' the dial, 3 kHz at
> a time. It's a contest, and as with other contests, most of the band is
> available for that short duration, albeit in 'channelized' form. Normal,
> non-contest, FT operating outside of the FT 'watering holes' is not
> practical, but possible. Band planning and utilization are  mine fields.
> Every piece of spectrum real estate is 'owned', mostly by absentee 'owners'
> it seems, but I digress.
>
> If my 'calculations' are correct, this is the 3rd attempt at developing an
> FT contesting version/mode. The first, using FT8, was not very
> efficient/effective.
>
> The second, first using FT4, left too little human reaction time and looked
> like it was going to 'legitimize' some form of automation. It was also
> prone to too many repeats, slowing things down substantially.
>
> This third one is a very good step forward. There is enough reaction time
> for an operator to select who to call, enter the sent report, and log the
> contact. Repeats were substantially reduced. Far from being a good sample,
> I made 25 contacts in yesterday's 'contest', and only one repeat was needed.
>
> That said, I still do not think it'll replace the premiere non-radio
> hardware assisted mode, RTTY.
>
> I don't foresee a CQWW FT4, even less an FT4 category in the RTTY edition.
> Therefore, I don't expect Super Stations to participate in any FT4 contest.
> My guess is that FT4 contesting will be limited to RU/Field Day type events.
>
> FT8 'fell victim' to its own success. I would not mind FT4 contesting
> 'suffering' the same fate.
>
> 73 de Vince, VA3VF
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 5, 2019 at 2:13 AM Peter Sundberg <sm2cew at telia.com> wrote:
>
>> Please enlighten me, how is single channel contesting going to work
>> if participation really grows and the big gun stations around the
>> world with multi yagis and kW's decide to enter FT4 contest? Will the
>> small pistols still be sailing the airwaves and make contacts or will
>> they be drowned in QRM?
>>
>> 73
>> Peter SM2CEW
>>
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