Being as FT8 digital mode has become enormously popular and some are using it during contests, I am of the opinion that it might be time for a separate set of frequencies to be used during contests.
What made it abundantly clear to me is the VHF contest this weekend. There were a lot of us on 50.313 this weekend who were just operating non-contest, hoping to snag a few DX. I was getting called constantly where the station was sending a contest-style report whereas I was just giving out the usual signal report.
To my mind, it would seem that separate frequencies for contest and non-contest could be mutually beneficial to all concerned. For example, say all non-contest operating takes place on 50.313 and contesters chase each other on 50.318.
It's just food for thought. I am going to send Joe Taylor, K1JT, author of WSJT-X an email and propose that he consider this. It may get consideration or be rejected as unnecessary but, either way, I feel like it's worth mentioning to him.
73 to all, Gene W5LE
| K2WH | 2022-01-08 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| Hey Bob, Bill here, WA2AEH or K2WH Now. See you at Sussex 2022. Reply to a comment by : WA2AAR on 2021-12-18 go to 1296 good freq | ||
| KF4HR | 2022-01-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| Go to 50.125 and change your mode to SSB. Problem solved. Luv it! Reply to a comment by : K2WH on 2021-12-06 Go to 50.125 and change your mode to SSB. Problem solved. K2WH | ||
| W3WN | 2021-12-30 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| *sigh* | ||
| KK2DOG | 2021-12-28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| 50.323 is like a DX Window frequency that's used for continent to continent contacts only. Reply to a comment by : KK9H on 2021-12-08 I thought 50.323 was somewhat of a "spillover" band for when 50.313 gets too busy. Why not just designate that for contests. | ||
| WA2AAR | 2021-12-18 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| go to 1296 good freq | ||
| KK9H | 2021-12-08 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| I thought 50.323 was somewhat of a "spillover" band for when 50.313 gets too busy. Why not just designate that for contests. | ||
| K2WH | 2021-12-06 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| Go to 50.125 and change your mode to SSB. Problem solved. K2WH | ||
| K0UA | 2021-12-06 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| Hello Gene, I think you have your answer. | ||
| KV1P | 2021-12-05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| That has to be the dumbest suggestion!!! Reply to a comment by : W4KVW on 2021-12-02 Easy fix.Just do away with FT8 & Contests.Both are a Waste of band space so it is a quick fix for both.This goes for All Bands not just a few. | ||
| WC4R | 2021-12-03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| Do away with FT8? HA HA. Now that is a dumb reply. Reply to a comment by : W4KVW on 2021-12-02 Easy fix.Just do away with FT8 & Contests.Both are a Waste of band space so it is a quick fix for both.This goes for All Bands not just a few. | ||
| K6UJ | 2021-12-03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| I don't get the point either. This has been hashed over many times for all modes and won't be changed. Silly question.................... Reply to a comment by : KD1JT on 2021-11-30 What makes FT8 any different from any other mode in a contest situation? I don't get your point. | ||
| KD2HCU | 2021-12-03 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| It would be nice if the contest organizers agreed that they would keep their contests within a certain portion of each band. Perhaps they could leave about 25% of the band for non-contesters. Reply to a comment by : W4KVW on 2021-12-02 Easy fix.Just do away with FT8 & Contests.Both are a Waste of band space so it is a quick fix for both.This goes for All Bands not just a few. | ||
| W4KVW | 2021-12-02 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| Easy fix.Just do away with FT8 & Contests.Both are a Waste of band space so it is a quick fix for both.This goes for All Bands not just a few. | ||
| WR8Y | 2021-12-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| I've been licenses since 1974 and this has to be the 50th time someone has come up with the idea "lets' have contests limited to certain bands/segments". Some topics never go away - and are never resolved, either. | ||
| AE5SB | 2021-12-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Re: FT8 and Contests | ||
| I don't get the point either. For most contests I like to make contacts as that's the some stations are on. There is room for everybody. Reply to a comment by : KD1JT on 2021-11-30 What makes FT8 any different from any other mode in a contest situation? I don't get your point. | ||
| KD1JT | 2021-11-30 | |
|---|---|---|
| FT8 and Contests | ||
| What makes FT8 any different from any other mode in a contest situation? I don't get your point. | ||