[Mldxcc] FT4TA - West Coast Pilot Update #3

[John Miller]

The report below was sent to the FT4TA team earlier today.

• FT4TA has made 45,000 QSOs as of their latest upload.  29% Unique callsigns.  https://secure.clublog.org/charts/?c=ft4ta
• % QSO's by Band:  10M = 22%, 12M = 18%, 15M = 17%, 2-M 11%
• % QSO's by Continent:  Europe = 59%; North America = 24%

160M & 80M
They will not be operating on 80M SSB anymore.....waste of time.  They are, however, very concerned about making more 80M CW and 160M CW contacts in W6-W7 land, and I've asked them to concentrate there a bit more.  If you have heard or worked them on 160M, let me know the details.

40M
Their signals on 40M CW have been strong for the last two morning during our sunrise -- typically 1330 - 1500 UTC.

ATNO
The best opportunity for a Little Pistol station is either 17M CW or 20M CW, although they've been strong from time-to-time on 10M and 12M as well.  CW is easier for smaller stations with a modest antenna and low power.  Please keep watching the DX Clusters for spots on these Band-Modes, especially on CW.

Intentional QRMing
There has been non-stop intentional QRMing from many sources on all bands and modes during this DXpedition.  The operators are aware of this deterioration in on-air etiquette but are determined not to sacrifice a QSO in the process.  That's why they will doggedly stay with a caller until the callsign is in the log....regardless of how long it takes.  Be patient.

Departure
The team will leave the island next Monday morning at 0900 local.  Tear down is Sunday evening, November 9.

LOTW
If you've been uploading your log to LOTW, then you should already be receiving confirmations from FT4TA.  This is the First Time a Top 10 DXpedition has uploaded their logs to LOTW during the DXpedition.  Pretty impressive!

I hope by now you have logged them on at least one Band-Mode.  If not keep trying.

And once again, if you have a particular helpful request for the FT4TA Team......please let me know.

73,
John Miller, K6MM
FT4TA West Coast Pilot

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Report To FT4TA:  West Coast Pilot Update

80M:  Please have them start on 3523 KHz earlier than usual -- perhaps 1330 UTC.  This morning their first post at 1440 Z.....too late.

160M:  I don't think anyone has heard or worked them on 160M yet from the West Coast.  Again, trying earlier than normal hours would be helpful.  Don't know if the Solar Flux will help or hurt, but have them keep trying for W6-W7 from time to time.  Try 1400-1500 Z for 160M.

20M CW and 17M CW:  The best bands for an All-Time-New-One for anyone who has NOT worked FT4TA yet would be either 20M CW or 17M CW.  These bands are open most of the day.  Also, CW is better than phone for smaller stations with limited antennas and only 100 watts.  Every effort should be made to try and get these lower power stations in the log at least ONCE.  Please have them concentrate on 20M and 17M CW for the next couple of days if possible.  Good times would be 0200-0500 UTC.