[VHFcontesting] FT8?- tarnation!

[chetsubaccount at snet.net]

I must be doing something wrong. 

FT8 is supposed to be dull, the computer does all the work and shovels
contacts into your log while you eat donuts with coffee. 

When I am using FT8, I have both 6M and 2M going on it using more than one
antenna on each band. I am continuously looking from window to window to see
what is coming in from where, and if I want/need it then switch to or rotate
an antenna that will favor my chances of logging that QSO without screwing
up the other band. Check what grids are needed and move an antenna that way
to occasionally favor that direction.  Look at telnet spots. Try the other
sequence. Are 6M E's now strong? Time to switch to SSB or CW? Are you sure
the other station heard your RR73? If not take back manual control of the TX
message and send that a few more times. Don't click "log it" yet. Decide
when to give up, clear the messages, and restart a CQ.  Yell at the screen.
Constantly on the go. An hour or two of doing this takes much more energy
than being on USB eating donuts with coffee while pushing the F1 key to send
your CQ message. 

I must be doing something wrong.but having a lot of fun.

73,
Chet, N8RA