Andy,
that's not right ... you have to be in the shack to make sure the system
keeps calling as there is a 2 minute timer that will turn off your
transmission. It is also suggested that if you don't get a reply
back after the first two minute period, manually move the Tx freq.
Finally, once you do get that final acknowledgement from the DXpedition,
you have to physically log the QSO. It does not do it automatically.
From the DXPedition mode user guide:
"You may keep calling until he answers, perhaps changing your Tx
frequency in the hope of finding a frequency clear of interference. Use
Shift+Click on the waterfall to change your Tx frequency — the red “goal
posts” marker on the waterfall scale. You will need to re-activate
Enable Tx (or hit Enter on the keyboard) at least once every two
minutes. (This restriction is to ensure that an operator is present and
paying attention.)"
As far as it still running, you must have missed this part of the Users
Guide for HOUNDS in Item 12:
"Note that WSJT-X will send this message even if Enable Tx is disabled,
and even if you have not called Fox for several Tx sequences. If you
have stopped calling Fox because you will be leaving the rig unattended,
you should quit WSJT-X or disable Hound mode in order to avoid the
possibility of unwanted transmissions."
So again, the operator is still in charge of what he's doing.
All that said, there are a lot of people who live in very compromised
locations that now have KH1 in their logs because of FT8.
Unfortunately, it wasn't me. My location is such I didn't hear them on
any mode.
Neil, KN3ILZ
On 7/3/2018 4:59 PM, ANDY DURBIN wrote:
"How is it any different than the RTTY setups used for DXpeditions that would do
essentially the same thing, listen over a wide range and stack the calls heard?"
The, in my opinion huge, difference is that FT8 DXpedition mode does not even
require the operator to be in the shack to complete the QSO. All it takes is
to start auto TX of your grid and then walk away. As long as your call gets on
the stack before your watchdog times out (assuming you have not defeated it)
then the rest is automatic, including waking up your TX Enable if it had timed
out.
Two of my KH1 FT8 QSO were completed after I had given up and turned off TX
Enable. Although I was still in the shack I had no involvement in completing
the QSO. I was just a spectator. That is very different from the level of
interaction required to complete a QSO in CW, Phone, or RTTY.
I have no opinion on the experience of the DXpedition operator. Never been one
and not likely to be one.
73,
Andy k3wyc
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[email protected]
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [email protected]
