Joe,
I would hope that the enhanced 75-bit message structure will allow for the
Tx3 and Tx4 messages to contain all of the 0-9 and A-Z characters. This would
allow FT8 to be used in a number of other operating events & contests such as
State QSO parties and Field Day exercises.
Can we assume that WSJT-X would NOT include the capability of inserting an
incrementing contest number? If that is the case, there needs to be a way for
an operator who has a station answering his CQ, to quickly insert of the
contest exchange in the Tx3 message. It would be helpful if WSJT-X could insert
a fixed string variable such as 3A MDC for Field day, a 2 character State
abbreviation, or a 3 or 4 character county abbreviation. This should be
followed by a space, with the cursor placed after the space. This would allow
for the user to quickly type in any additional data, such as a contest number,
after it. The station answering a CQ would have a little more time to insert
any additional contest data, such as a contest number, after the fixed format
part of the contest exchange in standard Tx4 message. If things are too tight,
the space could be eliminated.
If the above capability could be added, FT8 could be incorporated in many
worldwide contest events.
73,
Rich - K1HTV
= = =
On Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 8:49 PM, Joe Taylor<j...@princeton.edu
mailto:j...@princeton.edu >wrote:
> Hi Palle (and other VHF+ contest enthusiasts in IARU Regioin 1),
>
> Thanks for the suggestions you posted to wsjt-devel concerning VHF+
> contest exchanges in EU.
>
> I have been sketching out some possible enhanced 75-bit message
> structures for FT8 mode aimed (among other things) at supporting your Region
> 1 contests.
>
> I would appreciate your comments on the following model contest QSO
> structure based roughly on common HF contest practices:
>
> 1. CQ G4ABC IO91
> 2. G4ABC PA9XYZ JO22
> 3. PA9XYZ 590003 IO91NP
> 4. G4ABC R 570007 JO22DB
> 5. PA9XYZ G4ABC RR73
>
> The 4-character locators in messages 1 and 2 are redundant (and anyway
> optional). But they cost nothing to include, and they do provide some useful
> initial information.
>
> The first two digits of the exchanges in messages 3 and 4 are an "RS"
> signal report. Because of the strong forward error correction in FT8, the
> first digit will always be "5". The second digit would be the FT8 S/N
> reading mapped onto a S1 to S9 scale, using 6 dB per S unit. Something like
> S1=-24, S2=-18, ... S9=+24 dB.
>
> Is this an acceptable format for your Region 1 contest exchanges? Do you
> think FT8 might be a popular mode for some use in EU VHF+ contests?
>
> -- 73, Joe, K1JT
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, Slashdot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
wsjt-devel mailing list
wsjt-devel@lists.sourceforge.net
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/wsjt-devel
