With all of the discussion about the QRM to 40 Meter PSK users from 7Q7EI's use
of the FT8 DXpedition mode, it is now time to take a serious look at
alternative DXpedition frequencies.
IARU Regions 1, 2 & 3 already have drawn up 'Bandplan Recommendations'. You can
read about their 40 Meter recommendations at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40-meter_band#Band_plans
Recommendations for the use of 'DATA' modes are:
Region #1 - 7040-7060 plus 7060-7200
Region #2 - 7040-7050 plus 7050-7300
Region #3 - 7025-7040 (appears to be the most restrictive, although many R#3
Pacific stations use 7074 for FT8)
Also mentioned are:
Japan - 7025-7030 plus 7030-7300
USA - 7025-7125
Canada - 7035-7050 (but we know that VE's use 7070 and above for the various
digital modes)
As I listen in the evening to hundreds of FT8 stations on 7074 KHz, using the
main and Beverage antennas, I hear very few, if any, signals just above 7080
KHz. I know that during the dozen of so weekends when RTTY contests are
scheduled, these frequencies (+/- tens of KHz) are full of RTTY stations. But
during non-contest times, these frequencies are virtual empty. The same can be
said about 20 Meters and frequencies just above 14.080 KHz and 15 Meters just
above 21.080 KHz. .
My suggestion would be, if possible, to have WSJT-X software inhibit the use of
the already defined standard FT8 HF operating frequencies whenever the 'Fox'
box is checked. In addition, notify the 'Fox' via a message box to use
alternate recommended DXpedition mode frequencies from the band pull down menu.
The WSJT-X Development Group selected the FT8 frequencies now being used by
all. I believe that after serious consideration, they should define a
recommended DXpedition mode frequencies for each HF band. I'd further
recommend that the 'Frequencies' table be populated with these recommended
DXpedition mode frequencies. Even better, whenever the 'Fox' box is checked,
display ONLY the recommended DXpedition mode frequencies' in the band pull down
menu.
Comments and discussion?
73,
Rich - K1HTV
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