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@contesting.com wrote:
>
>> Nonetheless, some operators, often casual
>> operators,
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