2m FT8

56 views
Skip to first unread message

Kim Gross

unread,
Jun 10, 2020, 10:58:25 PM6/10/20
to PNWVHFS
I'm in Nampa ID, and just got my beam setup for SSB and would love to see how far I can make it with Ft8.  How many people will be using FT8 for the VHF contest this weekend so I can see how well it works? 

KI0E DN13

ERIC OLSON

unread,
Jun 10, 2020, 11:21:23 PM6/10/20
to PNWVHFS, kim.gr...@gmail.com
I believe most people will be running FT8 as well as SSB  and CW on 2m so chances are good this weekend.  Its a long shot to the population centers in CN85 to CN87 from your location but possible.  Just keep trying.   Hope to hear you.

73 Eric N7EPD
From: pnw...@googlegroups.com <pnw...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Kim Gross <kim.gr...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 7:58:11 PM
To: PNWVHFS <pnw...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [PNWVHFS] 2m FT8
 
I'm in Nampa ID, and just got my beam setup for SSB and would love to see how far I can make it with Ft8.  How many people will be using FT8 for the VHF contest this weekend so I can see how well it works? 

KI0E DN13

--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~
You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com
To read message history, visit http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/CAN7JmpER%2B1%3DDV5VpYu_FnVWFw51NrO-SP682ngfM-GyjX2xCvg%40mail.gmail.com.

Gregory Winters

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 12:42:30 AM6/11/20
to PNWVHFS
Are people going to be running NA VHF contest mode from 6m on up?

I haven't followed the Relase Candidiates updates to know if that makes any difference now, other than the longer exchange without it. It may have been a problem in years past.

Greg, K3RW

Mike Lewis

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 1:57:26 AM6/11/20
to PNWVHFS, kim.gr...@gmail.com, DAVE FISHER, Paul Baer, eric...@msn.com

6 things to promote if using WSJT-X in the contest.   In short, Try FT-4, you will like it for contesting and 1296, and use Contest Mode to eliminate confusion.  Here are some helpful things to know or do:

 

  1. Be sure to use contest mode. There are 2 settings. 
    1. In the General Tab, Select Enable VHF/UHF features.
    2. In the Advanced tab -> Special Operating Activity -> NA VHF Contest

This will reduce confusion caused by normal mode giving signal reports instead of grid exchanges.  This is especially a problem if someone tail ends and never sends a grid (Skips the TX1 message).  Contest mode sends a Grids each transmission until the final one.   It also opens a mini log for logging the contest QSOS.  You can export it to a file in various formats.

 

  1. If you think FT-8 is sometimes to slow or slower than SSB contacts, try FT-4.  IT is twice as fast, may be better during rapid fade conditions, only a 3dB loss in sensitivity. 
    1. The default frequencies included in the 2.2.1 release of WSJT-X have 50.318 and 144.170 for FT-4.  Nothing defined for higher bands.  So if you do not configure your frequencies for FT4, you may be lonely.  The default for FT-8 on 222 may be 222.080 which is the same as MSK144.  Change that to 222.174.  If not you may be lonely 😊.
    2. Opinion: For 2M and up, I can hardly see a reason to move off xxx.174 for FT4, there is always room unlike n 6M and HF bands which can be quite crowded.  Splitting off to another frequency splits your potential contact audience because they are still on .174, do not know about FT4 or .170, or have configured their setups to use .170, or never check .170.  It is not easy to spin a dial with radio controlled by CAT connected program.
    3. If you are a IC-9700 user on 1296 digital modes, after 20 seconds you will have excessive drift.  So modes under 15 seconds like FT4 and FT8 can work.  The minute modes won’t.   We have found FT4 works on 1296 well down here in FL.  Airplane doppler reflections become intensified at 432 and up often messing up decodes on the longer FT8 cycle. FT4 gives more chances for a clean run in less time.
  2. Check your time is set right

 

  1. WSJT-X 2.2.1 Is released also this week.  It has enhanced performance for FT8, FT4 and other modes.

 

  1. When WSJTX is in contest mode it give you a dedicated Contest log window.  You can manually enter SSB/CW contacts in the WSJT window and hit Log QSO to include all QSOs of any mode.  Double click on the Mode field in the Contest Log window to Edit the Mode to SSB or CW.  At the end of the contest, you can do File-> Export Cabrillo, be prompted to fill in the contest details, then save the file and email the log to ARRL.   This is handy if you are a paper log user or have no logging program.   To clear the windows of old contacts, Control-A to select all, and hit delete.
  2. In the WSJTX Settings You can create Macros that can be selected in the TX5 field.  IT is useful to create a set of them that say QSY 222, QSY 432, and so on.   At the end of a contact you can follow your RR73 with QSY XXX and hopefully run the bands efficiently.

 

Mike

K7MDL  EL87sm & CN88sf

Gregory Winters

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 2:02:34 AM6/11/20
to PNWVHFS
Thanks Mike!

Quick question: can WSJT-X support /R for rovers?

I thought it did but maybe it has to be a nonstandard message?

Greg

Mike Lewis

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 2:11:44 AM6/11/20
to gregory....@gmail.com, PNWVHFS
Yes, it is.

7.4. Contest Messages
The FT4, FT8, and MSK144 protocols support special messages optimized for NA VHF and EU VHF contests. FT4 and FT8 also support messages for ARRL Field Day, ARRL RTTY Roundup, and the WW Digi contest. The decoders recognize and decode these messages at any time. Configure the program to automatically generate the required message types for contest exchanges and carry out suitable auto-sequencing by selecting a supported operating activity on the Settings | Advanced tab. Model QSOs then proceed as follows, for each event type:

NA VHF Contest

CQ TEST K1ABC FN42
K1ABC W9XYZ EN37
W9XYZ K1ABC R FN42
K1ABC W9XYZ RRR
W9XYZ K1ABC 73
Either callsign (or both) may have /R appended. You can use RR73 in place of RRR, and the final 73 is optional.




Mike
K7MDL EL87sm & CN88sf

--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com To read message history, visit https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.google.com%2Fgroup%2FPNWVHFS&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cef30d657b5f74ba2878208d80dcd0a36%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637274521570446010&amp;sdata=4ClBOTB23xkSSOpEaxwwuLGgqAw8c3rSD3YAtWeBuFM%3D&amp;reserved=0
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroups.google.com%2Fd%2Fmsgid%2Fpnwvhfs%2Fb96d94a2-83b1-4ada-8fc7-02a275d27906o%2540googlegroups.com&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cef30d657b5f74ba2878208d80dcd0a36%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637274521570446010&amp;sdata=fwildL%2BxRq%2B7jlSmYgn0jeKdMtHNoiEdnUhAmRUSajY%3D&amp;reserved=0.

Jay Baack

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 2:30:46 AM6/11/20
to kim.gr...@gmail.com, PNWVHFS
Don't forget meteor scatter!   MSK144 right in the WSJT-X software for both 6 and 2 meters!
On 2 meters you should be able to work several hundreds of miles depending on your station setup.

- Jay N1AV
DM43 


On Wed, Jun 10, 2020 at 11:11 PM Mike Lewis <k7...@hotmail.com> wrote:
Yes, it is.

7.4. Contest Messages
The FT4, FT8, and MSK144 protocols support special messages optimized for NA VHF and EU VHF contests. FT4 and FT8 also support messages for ARRL Field Day, ARRL RTTY Roundup, and the WW Digi contest. The decoders recognize and decode these messages at any time. Configure the program to automatically generate the required message types for contest exchanges and carry out suitable auto-sequencing by selecting a supported operating activity on the Settings | Advanced tab. Model QSOs then proceed as follows, for each event type:

NA VHF Contest

CQ TEST K1ABC FN42
                      K1ABC W9XYZ EN37
W9XYZ K1ABC R FN42
                      K1ABC W9XYZ RRR
W9XYZ K1ABC 73
Either callsign (or both) may have /R appended. You can use RR73 in place of RRR, and the final 73 is optional.




Mike
K7MDL  EL87sm & CN88sf

-----Original Message-----
From: pnw...@googlegroups.com <pnw...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Gregory Winters
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2020 02:03
To: PNWVHFS <pnw...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: RE: [PNWVHFS] 2m FT8

Thanks Mike!

Quick question: can WSJT-X support /R for rovers?

I thought it did but maybe it has to be a nonstandard message?

Greg

--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com To read message history, visit https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.google.com%2Fgroup%2FPNWVHFS&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cef30d657b5f74ba2878208d80dcd0a36%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637274521570446010&sdata=4ClBOTB23xkSSOpEaxwwuLGgqAw8c3rSD3YAtWeBuFM%3D&reserved=0

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgroups.google.com%2Fd%2Fmsgid%2Fpnwvhfs%2Fb96d94a2-83b1-4ada-8fc7-02a275d27906o%2540googlegroups.com&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cef30d657b5f74ba2878208d80dcd0a36%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637274521570446010&sdata=fwildL%2BxRq%2B7jlSmYgn0jeKdMtHNoiEdnUhAmRUSajY%3D&reserved=0.


--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~
You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com
To read message history, visit http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/DM6PR06MB4282EF8E5F2CF0E18CA29252F6800%40DM6PR06MB4282.namprd06.prod.outlook.com.

ERIC OLSON

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 9:46:08 AM6/11/20
to PNWVHFS, gregory....@gmail.com
YES!  Everyone be sure to turn the VHF contest mode on this weekend!  Current version is 2.2 1.  Make sure you are running the latest version.

Eric N7EPD
From: pnw...@googlegroups.com <pnw...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Gregory Winters <gregory....@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2020 9:42:29 PM
To: PNWVHFS <pnw...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [PNWVHFS] 2m FT8
 
Are people going to be running NA VHF contest mode from 6m on up?

I haven't followed the Relase Candidiates updates to know if that makes any difference now, other than the longer exchange without it. It may have been a problem in years past.

Greg, K3RW

--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~
You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com

---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.

Lance Collister, W7GJ

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 11:19:12 AM6/11/20
to kim.gr...@gmail.com, PNWVHFS
I plan to use FT8 as long as the band is open on 6m. Early mornings, I plan to use
MSK144. I hope to work anyone who still needs DN37.

PLEASE UPGRADE TO WSJT-X Version 2.2.1 so we will be compatible between NA Contest
Mode and normal mode. If not, the automatic contact progression may not work, and I
will be forced to simply move on to the next contact rather than log you!

I am heading off to DN37tc tmrw and hope to be set up and QRV by late afternoon, and
am planning on tearing down Monday afternoon. So I will have 3 full days of operation
there. I will be on top of Sunset Mountain southwest of Great Falls, MT. I will be
running a 6M5XHG yagi, and external preamp, low loss feedline and a kw output. I may
have to shut down during thunderstorms. I hope to be able to monitor the ON4KST
REGION 2 CHAT page.

GL and VY 73, Lance

On 6/11/2020 02:58:11, Kim Gross wrote:
> I'm in Nampa ID, and just got my beam setup for SSB and would love to see how far I
> can make it with Ft8.  How many people will be using FT8 for the VHF contest this
> weekend so I can see how well it works?Â
>
> KI0E DN13
> --
> ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~
> You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
> To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com
> To read message history, visit http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS"
> group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to
> pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com <mailto:pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com>.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/CAN7JmpER%2B1%3DDV5VpYu_FnVWFw51NrO-SP682ngfM-GyjX2xCvg%40mail.gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/CAN7JmpER%2B1%3DDV5VpYu_FnVWFw51NrO-SP682ngfM-GyjX2xCvg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

--
Lance Collister, W7GJ(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M, TX5K, KH8/W7GJ, V6M, T8GJ, VK9CGJ, VK9XGJ, C21GJ, CP1GJ, S79GJ, TX7MB)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT 59834-0073
USA
TEL: (406) 626-5728
QTH: DN27ub
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
Skype: lanceW7GJ
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME? Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
page (above)!

Kim Gross

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 12:10:53 PM6/11/20
to w7...@q.com, PNWVHFS
You guys have made me happy.  Glad to know quite a few will be on so hopefully I can make some contacts. 

Kim

Paul Drahn

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 12:35:57 PM6/11/20
to pnw...@googlegroups.com

Well, for anyone using an ICOM 706MKIIG and the new version of WSJT-X will be surprised to know the frequency selection is all screwed up! There was a notice of this on the WSJT-X digest and I just confirmed it on my system. Guess I am screwed for the contest. Trying to fix the frequency page in the setup just makes it worse!

Paul, KD7HB

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/CAN7JmpEK6xFmp2_isWy%2BNPnrNaJ5gKS%2ByxwnDe8MJpXcTR2%3D3g%40mail.gmail.com.
--

Edward R Cole

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 12:38:31 PM6/11/20
to w7...@q.com, kim.gr...@gmail.com, PNWVHFS
Going to download latest version tomorrow and
hopefully be running 6m FT8 on Saturday with 80w
into 3-element yagi pointed toward West Coast
from Alaska. If multi-hop Es occur might see me
down there. ARRL Band plan shows 50.313 for FT8;
is this correct? I will also try 50.125 SSB occasionally.

Mainly VHF Contest in AK centers on 144/222/432
bands with a lot of FM simplex stations. My eme
station is still in limbo, waiting repair parts,
so no running QRO. MS is a far reach to lower-48
from here. VE7DAY is only candidate on the fringe.

73, Ed - KL7UW

At 07:18 AM 6/11/2020, Lance Collister, W7GJ wrote:
>I plan to use FT8 as long as the band is open on
>6m. Early mornings, I plan to use MSK144. I hope
>to work anyone who still needs DN37.
>
>PLEASE UPGRADE TO WSJT-X Version 2.2.1 so we
>will be compatible between NA Contest Mode and
>normal mode. If not, the automatic contact
>progression may not work, and I will be forced
>to simply move on to the next contact rather than log you!
>
>I am heading off to DN37tc tmrw and hope to be
>set up and QRV by late afternoon, and am
>planning on tearing down Monday afternoon. So I
>will have 3 full days of operation there. I will
>be on top of Sunset Mountain southwest of Great
>Falls, MT. I will be running a 6M5XHG yagi, and
>external preamp, low loss feedline and a kw
>output. I may have to shut down during
>thunderstorms. I hope to be able to monitor the ON4KST REGION 2 CHAT page.
>
>GL and VY 73, Lance
>
>On 6/11/2020 02:58:11, Kim Gross wrote:
>>I'm in Nampa ID, and just got my beam setup for
>>SSB and would love to see how far I can make it
>>with Ft8. How many people will be using FT8
>>for the VHF contest this weekend so I can see how well it works?Â
>pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
>To view this discussion on the web visit
>https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/84c9f29c-22f4-ff9d-97bf-ab3b675e6fe2%40q.com.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
Dubus-NA Business mail:
dubu...@gmail.com

Mark Spencer

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 4:43:41 PM6/11/20
to PNWVHFS
Hi Paul.

The fix seems to work ok for me with one of my 706MkiiG's.  I only follow the WSJT-X dev list these days and Bill G4WJS promptly responded to my post on that reflector with the needed information to resolve the matter.

Paul if you would like I can forward you the message I got from Bill.

Good luck and 73
Mark S
VE7AFZ

> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/CAN7JmpER%2B1%3DDV5VpYu_FnVWFw51NrO-SP682ngfM-GyjX2xCvg%40mail.gmail.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/CAN7JmpER%2B1%3DDV5VpYu_FnVWFw51NrO-SP682ngfM-GyjX2xCvg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

--
Lance Collister, W7GJ(ex WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8, E51SIX, 3D2LR, 5W0GJ, E6M, TX5K, KH8/W7GJ, V6M, T8GJ, VK9CGJ, VK9XGJ, C21GJ, CP1GJ, S79GJ, TX7MB)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT   59834-0073
USA
TEL: (406) 626-5728
QTH: DN27ub
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj
Skype: lanceW7GJ
2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815

Interested in 6m EME?  Ask me about subscribing to the Magic Band EME
email group, or just fill in the request box at the bottom of my web
page (above)!

--
~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~
You are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To post to this group, send email to PNW...@googlegroups.com
To read message history, visit http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnw...@googlegroups.com.
--

Marshall-K5QE

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 6:29:19 PM6/11/20
to pnw...@googlegroups.com
Hello to the PNW from your lost member in east TX.....you should be able to work anything under 1000miles on meteors if you have a decent antenna and some power(not 50W).  Just get on PingJockey and run up some schedules.  All the PNW is too far for us, so meteors is out of the window as far as working us is concerned, BUT you can work us on 2M EME if you have one long antenna and 500W+ power by running with us on YOUR rising moon.  Our moon rises at 0730Z, so your should rise at approximately 0930Z.  That won't be exact, so you need to look it up for your location.  I know that everyone thinks that they can't work us, but many of you probably can.  You just have to try.  We run 8 x 18el with full steering and full power, so I can work a lot of single yagi stations.  Give us a try, you might just bag EM31 on 2M from your area......

We also have big stations on 432 and 222 EME, so don't forget those.  Again, one long yagi and 300+W will often work.

We might just get lucky on 6M also.  If there is any decent prop, we can work the PNW on 6....

GL to everyone in the contest.....

73 Marshall K5QE

Paul Drahn

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 7:44:42 PM6/11/20
to pnw...@googlegroups.com

Hi, MArk.

I got the file and copied it to an SD and tried to copy it to the proper directory in WSJT-X. But WIN 7 says that directory is "read-only" and I can't fine the magic to defeat it!

Paul

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pnwvhfs/75474f91-8884-4d08-aa1a-b0da41c94cb2o%40googlegroups.com.
--

ERIC OLSON

unread,
Jun 11, 2020, 8:17:30 PM6/11/20
to pdr...@jodeco.com, pnw...@googlegroups.com

Paul, right click on the folder, select properties and uncheck the read only box in the general tab.

 

Eric N7EPD

 

From: Paul Drahn
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2020 4:44 PM
To: pnw...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [PNWVHFS] 2m FT8

 

Hi, MArk.

Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages