During this past weekend I operated OZ9EDR/P in a HF contest where a 4
digit serial number was to be exchanged. In order to let FT8 transmit this
serial number I had to set WSJT Version 2.2.2 up for 'EU VHF contest'. I
noticed that almost all stations I called answered, but the QSO's never
completed with RR.
What could the problem have been? I know 'EU VHF contest' mode in ver 2.2
is not compatible with earlier versions, but I doubt all my QSO partners
were running older versions.
First after I stopped using 'EU VHF contest' mode in my WSJT Settings I
started making FT8 QSO's. Perhaps the problem was that my QSO partners got
a warning on their screen saying something about switching to 'EU VHF
contest' and the operator then aborted the QSO as they were not on VHF or
in an EU contest. This prompt for enabling 'VHF contest mode' for
responding with a 4 digit serial number (and a full locator) popping up
during a HF QSO is a problem and for that matter also on VHF, UHF or SHF
for people not in the contest.
I find it is important that the receiving end of a FT8 QSO automatically
answers with the same format as received so no user action is needed. This
applies to all special activity modes. As WSJT can display a warning it
knows the wanted exchange and should just answer using the same format as
received and then after the QSO revert to the previous format set by the
operator.
The nomenclature in Settings -> Advanced -> Special operating activity
should be changed from 'EU VHF contest' to 'Exchanging 4 digit serial
number and 6 digit locator'. Even better would be having two special
activity modes that could be selected one or the other or both:
'Exchanging 4 digit serial number'
'Exchanging 6 digit locator'
73, Palle, OZ1RH
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