[SECC] Practice Sessions for World Wide Digital Contest This Week End

[John Laney]

Remember the two 30-minute practice sessions tomorrow (Friday, NA time) for the WW Digi DX Contest this weekend:

                 2200-2230 UTC, Friday, 28 August
                 0200-0230 UTC, Saturday, 29 August

Appended below are the two prior postings offering suggestions for enjoying this new event while minimizing some of the learning-curve issues common to all the new FT contests.  In particular, they address the two biggest issues that have surfaced in FT contesting to date.

Additionally, the Operating Tips webpage<http://ww-digi.com/operating.htm>   on the WW Digi website comprehensively covers the topics needed to operate successfully as we all acclimate to this new digital mode.

73,
Ed W0YK


-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Muns <ed at w0yk.com  <mailto:ed at w0yk.com>  >
Sent: 23 August, 2020 18:25
To: 'WSJT software development' <wsjt-devel at lists.sourceforge.net  <mailto:wsjt-devel at lists.sourceforge.net>  >; 'RTTY at groups.io' <RTTY at groups.io  <mailto:RTTY at groups.io>  >; 'rttydigital at groups.io' <rttydigital at groups.io  <mailto:rttydigital at groups.io>  >; 'CQ-Contest Reflector' <cq-contest at contesting.com  <mailto:cq-contest at contesting.com>  >
Subject: 2020 WW Digi DX Contest Next Weekend

Next weekend is the second annual WW Digi DX Contest sponsored by the SCC and WWROF.  Rules<https://ww-digi.com/rules/>   and much other valuable information are available on the website<http://www.ww-digi.com/>  .

Two issues arose in the 2019 event that we hope will be addressed by participants.  First, the bottom 2-3 kHz of the recommended 10 kHz sub-bands were very crowded with minimal use of the remaining sub-band spectrum.  This undoubtedly contributed to QSOs being difficult to complete.  Second, the NIL (Not In Log) error rate was much higher than the legacy modes of CW, SSB and RTTY.

The Operating Tips<http://ww-digi.com/operating.htm>   web page covers these issues (”Spread Out!” and “Minimizing NILs (Not In Log)”) along with many other suggestions on how to enjoy the contest.  We strongly encourage everyone to review this resource.

There will be two practices on Friday NA time:

                 2200-2230 UTC, Friday, 28 August
                 0200-0230 UTC, Saturday, 29 August
  
Operate just as if the actual contest were taking place, using the recommended frequencies that are open in your area.  This is a great opportunity to be sure your station, software and operating knowledge are ready for the 1200 UTC start on Saturday 29 August.
Remember, logs are due 5 days later using the Cabrillo Log Upload<https://ww-digi.com/logcheck/>   web page.  Have fun!

73,
Ed W0YK
Iztok S52D
Don AA5AU


-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest<cq-contest-bounces+ed=w0yk.com at contesting.com>  On Behalf Of Randy Thompson
Sent: 27 August, 2020 11:31
To: CQ-Contest Reflector<cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] WW Digi thoughts

A few notes for those who might be trying the WW Digit contest for the first time this weekend.  (Seehttps://ww-digi.com/index.htm)

WW Digi only needs grid square.  So set your FT software accordingly.  But, be prepared to use manual messages to complete a QSO when you run into someone who is set up for signal report only or signal report + grid.

In an effort to help separate the contest activity from the crowds on the standard FT channels, there are suggested frequency ranges in the rules.  For example, 20m FT8 is recommended as 14090-14100.  The idea is that you go to 14090, 14092, 14094, etc.  You can assume that anyone you find there is likely in the contest and things should flow smoothly.  If one channel gets busy, move up to the next one.

That said, it is not prohibited to make QSOs on the standard FT4 and FT8 frequencies. It is worth keeping an eye on these, but you may find so much activity and QRM that it becomes difficult to make contacts.  Don't get locked in to only checking the standard frequencies and becoming frustrated.

Example: Last year it was much easier to work Europe on 80m by moving to a less crowded channel rather than battling it out on a busy one.

The contest includes 160-10m.  You may not expect much on 160 at the end of August, but you would be surprised at what is possible.  It's worth checking for the mults if nothing else.

Stations are worked once per band.  FT4 is faster - when signals are good and QRM is low.  If the band is open, FT4 is the way to go.  But, you may see enough repeats that it flips and you may be better off to do FT8.  It's called using good judgement!

WW Digi uses distance based scoring with multipliers being grid fields.  It definitely pays to try to work stations that are far away.

Give the contest a try.  Digi contesting is different, but can provide some fun hours of DXing and learning.

Have fun!

Randy K5ZD

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