[CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 206, Issue 39

[Carl Brockman]

On the FT4/FT8 protocols. Worked the FT4 DX Contest this weekend and noticed the following.
1. The feature that sends TU; N1XX 599 FL is almost worthless because you have to click on the next call in your cue while the screen is scrolling, and if you don’t get to it until after the screen is stable, there is not enough time for the message decode on the other end to assure that both stations got it. This messes up the protocol for both contacts.
2. Serial numbers are still a disaster. Most guys interleave calls to more than one station, so they send the same serial number to more than one person. I am never sure the logger gets it right.
3. I read all the comments on the protocol and the paper. But pardon my French, there is still a problem. A running station never sends the final acknowledgement of the RR73, and this confuses folks especially in weaker signal conditions. The current protocol for the running station should be changed to TU; CQ Test N6AR EL98; or, a feature should be added to click on two stations answering you after a CQ so that the software sends TU; XX 599 FL where XX is the second station in the cue at the end of the first QSO.
4. Why not add one or two more message lines that are user programmable to the list immediately available so you don’t have to make multiple clicks. A “QSO B4” message and a selectable “TU; whatever” message for example.
5. The software needs a dupe check.
6. There are probably 10 percent of the contacts that the software doesn’t log properly even when the information is there. It is difficult to fill in this info on the logging pop up and maintain any kind of rate.
7. We need multiple sub bands. Not an extension but a separately located second subband. It’s too crowded.

I could go on and on.  But FT4 and FT 8 will continue to be popular because of the fabulous situation awareness and low signal capability. So many DX stations out there are now workable from China and Brazil and all over.

73,
Larry N6AR


Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 28, 2020, at 12:00 PM, cq-contest-request at contesting.com wrote:
> 
>> Nonetheless, some operators, often casual
>> operators,