Thursday, April 25, 2019

FT4 is on its way

The next significant version of WSJT-X is expected  to contain variation which will allow digital mode users to better use that mode for contests.  It's been named FT4.  

The ARRL says "FT4 is an experimental digital mode designed specifically for radio contesting that -- like FT8 -- uses fixed-length transmissions, structured messages with formats optimized for minimal contacts, and strong forward-error correction. Transmit-receive sequences are 6 seconds long, making it 2.5 times faster than FT8 and about the same speed as conventional RTTY for radio contesting. FT4 can work with signals 10 dB weaker what would be required to decode RTTY while using much less bandwidth."

Read the paper on FT4 at Preliminary FT4 Information

Something to look forward to in July 2019, by the sound of it.


Thursday, April 11, 2019

European FT8 Club Contest

Just found out in the ARRL letter for 11 April 2019 that there is a FT8 contest between 1200U on 13 April and 1200U on 14 April 2019.

Full information can be found at the FT8 Club

Note that the maximum power is 100 watts and that the WARC bands are NOT being used for this contest.

On your WSJT-X program, find Preferences, then the ADVANCED tab, check the box marked ARRL RTTY Roundup and finally set the RTTY RU Exch to DX if you are outside of the USA or Canada.  That will sort out all the necessary requirements for the contest.

Don't forget to uncheck the ARRL RTTY Roundup box once the contest is over.

Good luck.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

A Must Read Club Newsletter

Recently I came across the Surrey Amateur Radio Club.  They are based in Canada.  Their monthly news letter is called The Communicator.

The April 2019 issue, which is devoted to antennas, may be found at April 2019 The Communicator

Their blog page is SARC Blog and they have back issues of this magazine going back years.

It's certain well worth spending some time reading these.

Well Done SARC and keep up the good work.

73

Jim
ZL1LC