wsjtx need to verify ft8 qso steps ...

bobby · December 2018

new 2 wsjtx ft8 got all working but slightly confused on qso procedure even though i have been reading the docs. Heres what i am doing ... tell me what i need to do if its different. Showing cq only on band activity i double click a cq displayed now i hit enable tx i have auto seq box checked rig xmts cycles out of xmt displays more cqs cycles back to xmt repeats till i hit halt tx From what i read once the qso is done it should clear tx enable but how long does that take. i also have prompt to log qso selected but it never does that either, So does this mean the other person has never received my response so thats why its in a loop or is there something else i am missing. The log shows me txing the 1st generated std msg but thats it. Since i never seen a completed qso on wsjt for ft8 im not sure, maybe i need to look on you tube. Any tips would be appreciated im doing 20 watts and alc is about -10 during tx. Thanks

k3Tim · December 2018

If the calling (CQ) station answers to a different station answers then Xmt Enable will go out (off). You should be able to see, in the right hand panel, who the calling station answered. Once a CQ calling station answers to your call, the sequence of signal report and 73's will follow automatically and upon completion, the log entry will be queried and Tx Enable willrrrrrrrrrrr be turned off.
In XMT, what is the RF power meter in SSDR showing? One can use the tune button in FT8 window to xmt and setup the transmitter chain.

A YouTube search of FT8 mode may also help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE8Wxi0BYNI

_..--
k3Tim

bobby · December 2018

Everything was fine I just didnt wait long enough for the qso to be performed. Now makng qso's without difficulty .. thanks.

Neil D Friedman N3DF · December 2018

Bobby -- I suggest unchecking "CQ only." The left window will then show all QSOs in progress (in white, as opposed to the CQs in green). The purpose of this is that many stations do not call CQ. They will respond to other stations calling them after they sign "73." You will miss out on a good deal of DX if you only go after CQs -- your choice.

Dave KØKQ · December 2018

Gary Hinson ZL2iFB has written an outstanding guide for FT8.

http://www.g4ifb.com/FT8_Hinson_tips_for_HF_DXers.pdf

Ryan - NC4RA · December 2018

Looks as if the link is down. Maybe he's updating it.

Ted VE3TRQ · December 2018

Loaded it this morning, a few hours ago, so it is not gone.

K8AC · December 2018

Bobby - a couple more points to improve your FT8 success: There's a good FT8 related group on Yahoo Groups - see wsjtgroup. Lot's of tips to read there. Second, make sure you check the box labeled "Hold TX Freq" in WSJT-X. When you do that, your transmit frequency will stay where you put it. You should choose a frequency with no current activity in the waterfall, move the mouse pointer to that frequency, then hold down the CTL key while pressing the left mouse button. If you don't do it that way, you'll be calling on the CQer's frequency and you'll be competing directly with others calling and with 20 watts, you won't often be the winner. Calling on a different frequency as I described, you can continue to call while the station is completing his other QSO and he may call you next. Remember - he will be able to see the calls of all the other stations calling even while he's in QSO with someone else.

73 and good luck on FT8
K8AC

wsjtx need to verify ft8 qso steps ...

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