CQWWVHF & Summer E season, observations

[Dave B.]

Well, got another Contest recorded.

This season I have finally been able to engage in FT8 on 6. This is a
different level of operating. Last year was analog only with beacon
reports posted and a handful of CW, SSB & FM contacts made. Finally got
the computer system online in early spring in time to see the tail end
of winter F2. Gained a lot of operational experience on HF before summer
E kicked in. Last year I would hear the tones on .313, but had no idea
what was going on.

The WSJT Suite has a lot of bells & whistles in it and have found that
even those who have used it for some time find there are aspects that
are not known to this day. The WSJT manual is very detailed on operation
of the modes, however, I found the section on Contest operations seemed
to be a little thin. During the Contests I have participated in this
summer, there does seem to be compatibility issues at times. That is,
contacts seem to be stuck in a loop and will not complete. At this
point, my guess is that not all are in Contest mode and the program does
not recognize the response. Also, I run the DECODE at DEEP, seems to
work just fine here.

I'll pass along what I have found for Contests, as it is simple if you
know how this works. On the main page go to FILE> SETTINGS> ADVANCED.
Below is a check box for SPECIAL OPERATING ACTIVITY. Checking is the
first step in setting up Contest mode. Next, hit the NAVHF button. Here
is one that a few miss: CONTEST NAME. The default is PACC, whatever that
is. Edit that box, I used WW, some used TEST, we know what that is.
Tried using 5 characters, does not work.  This sets up TX6, e.g, CQ WW
N7DB CN85. Finally hit OK. I have a large, older workstation monitor
that does not show the OK button. Found that hitting ENTER did it. Now,
if all is well, there will be a small red box on the main screen with
white letters saying NAVHF. Always nice to remember after the Contest is
over to go back and uncheck the box for Contest mode and return to our
regularly scheduled programming. The Contest mode does create a Contest
log, I have seen it, but do not know where it is actually buried. Anyone?

I have heard grumbling from those who have been on 6 as long as I have.
FT8 has just ruined 6 meters! Well, you have to go where the fish are.
You might catch a few on .125, but the school has moved to .313.  Go to
the new fishing hole and change bait. As the season has progressed,
seems there are more local stations appearing. I would say the local  6M
population is at least as large as the old days, if not larger now.

The big afternoon JA opening early this month worked out well. Seemed
everyone on figured out to be on one sequence and the JAs on the other.
At this station, I went back and counted 32 JA on one sequence. This is
going to get really nutz for an F2 opening like years ago. Yes, I do
know there have been JA openings here at night. I am not a nite owl anymore.

One last comment about the Contest. I listen on 10M for beacons as it
give a clue of a possible path on 6. Near the end of the Contest I heard
an S9 beacon from DN18. This one has been heard just one other time this
season. Swung the beam NE and got one station in DN29. DX Maps listed
the MUF at 90 MHz. And yes, I saw big opening on the Prop Map about 9PM
that evening before going to bed.

    de Dave, N7DB

--
David Bernhardt
Boring, OR