[Mldxcc] FT4TA (Tromelin) - West Coast Pilot Update #2

[Alan Maenchen]

John,

While too late to do anything about it now, I really didn't appreciate the
FT4 super wide pileup Sunday afternoon that wiped out about half the used
SS spectrum on 20 meters. I understand the need for space, but 25kHz???
For CW ???

For some of us, snagging the FT4 is not the highest priority during a major
event like SS.

For the most part, they stayed off the CW contest bands during SS and for
that they deserve credit. I assume this was an error in timing their band
plan.

I've been on various DX trips myself over the years, and I know the drill.
Operator technique can be a big help in minimizing the disturbance.

73, Alan  AD6E  /  KH6RR




On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 12:18 PM, John Miller <webaron at gmail.com> wrote:

> The information below was sent to the FT4TA team earlier today.
>
> To put things in perspective, FT4TA has made 28,000 QSOs as of their
> latest upload.  They are averaging 33% Unique callsigns -- among the best
> of all recent DXpeditions.  They are NOT using the ClubLog Leaderboards --
> that helps.
>
> Continent QSO Breakdown:  57% EU, 27% NA, 12% Asia.    At 57%, Europe
> should not be complaining.  Asia needs some focus.  Don't be surprised if
> you start hearing "JA only" soon.
>
> SSB Tip: This morning on 15M SSB, I listened as N7__J called over and over
> with a quiet voice.   FT4TA called him several times, but because of the
> cadence in the exchange they doubled several times.  FT4TA copied his
> callsign correctly except couldn't get the  "J" as the last letter.  I
> listened in frustration as N7__J calmly and quietly repeated his callsign
> without emphasizing his last letter:  Japan Japan Japan.  FT4TA moved on
> and N7__J didn't get in the log.  In a phone pileup, you should try to
> speak with a somewhat Stronger Voice than usual and a bit Faster than
> normal.  If you didn't have to worry about QRM, LIDS, the Police, music
> from the 80s, and strange noises trying to interrupt everything, you could
> talk normally.  But not in today's DX environment.  The FT4TA operator
> needs all the help he can get to dig you out of the pileup.
>
> ClubLog was updated at 1442 UTC today.  Hope you're listed already.  : >)
>
> https://secure.clublog.org/charts/?c=ft4ta
>
> 73,
> John Miller, K6MM
> FT4TA West Coast Pilot
>
>
> ==========
> Report To FT4TA:  West Coast Pilot Update
>
> • At their sundown, the FT4TA team should take advantage of the Long Path
> window to the West Coast, on 160m, 80m, 40m and 30m.  This is an excellent
> path but not a long window -- about 45 minutes:   FT4TA:   Sunset 1430 Z
> West Coast:  Sunrise 1515 Z.   Focus a bit more on the low bands during
> Grey Line hours.
>
> * Please look for West Coast stations at these times:
> 10m 1530z to 1930z
> 12m 1730z to 2000z
> 15m 1600z to 2000z
>
> • The ops tend to just stop operating without sending any follow up
> information -- even when the pileup is still going strong.  It would be
> helpful to let everyone know by sending QRX --- or QSY TO --- or just QRT.
>
> • Have the ops check their SSB settings on the K3s.  One radio has the
> Compression setting much too high, which distorts communication badly with
> clipping.
>
> • Only 11% of their QSOs are on 20M.  Please keep one station on 20M
> longer because it's open every day for most of the day.  The best overall
> band to give DXers an ATNO worldwide is the 20M band.  However, on the West
> Coast, 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, and 20m have all been very productive in all
> modes:  CW, SSB, RTTY
>
> • 7.082 is not a good calling frequency (Radar interference).  Better to
> use 7.122 and RX at 7.160-7.165.
>
> • The ClubLog Stats look great -- except for Asia (only 11% of all
> contacts).  33% Uniques is excellent.
>
> • Overall I think the team is doing a great job of balancing demand with
> their time and resources.
>
> ==========
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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