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[K3VAT]

I currently use the default settings digital settings on my FT101D (the 3000 Hz filter).  Is there any advantage to using the 600 Hz roofing filter during crowed conditions (like RTTY contests or routine FT8 on 20M and 40M) to improve the digital experience?  Any advice appreciated.  TU es 73, Rich, K3VAT

[K0UA]

My tests of running FT8 with a narrow filter was that it did not improve decoding. And of course you run the likely risk of missing many calls outside the narrow filter range. So my advice would be "don't do it".

[AC2EU]

My tests of running FT8 with a narrow filter was that it did not improve decoding. And of course you run the likely risk of missing many calls outside the narrow filter range. So my advice would be "don't do it".

Sounds about right. The digital modes were designed to live within a SSB spectrum.

[KH6AQ]

FT8, no. I tested this extensively and a narrow bandwidth made no difference that I could detect.

RTTY, yes but only if a really strong station is right next to your frequency. To find out give it a try.

I run my FTdx-10 (similar to the FTdx-101D) on RTTY using the 500 Hz filter and have experimented with the 3000 Hz filter. So far I have not had a case where their was any difference in decode, but why run BW exceeding 400 Hz on RTTY? 

[NA4M]

For FT8/4 the WSJT-X Documentation sez for transceiver setup:

"Bandwidth and Frequency Setting

If your transceiver offers more than one bandwidth setting in USB mode, it may be advantageous to choose the widest one possible, up to about 5 kHz."

With RTTY (is that still a thing?) a narrower roofing filter might help if a big signal is close by and you're trying to decode a weak signal.

[K0UA]

RTTY is very much a "thing" but only during RTTY contests. There is very little to none RTTY in normal ragchew mode.   People more often than you would think operate their receivers on a narrow filter setting on FT8, You can prove this by calling off of their frequency at a distance outside of their filter skirts, and you can call until you are blue in the face. Then sidle up next to them or right on their frequency and they answer on the first call. This phenomonem is from lack of knowledge of how panoramic decoding is supposed to work. I run my filters on my Icom's at 3.6 Khz. Because they won't go wider.

Also just now listening to 14.074, someone is talking on 14.074 because they don't understand how to hookup/option their rig to kill their microphone. It is picking up the conversation in the room each time they transmit. I have heard it all. I do my best to beat back the frontiers of ignorance, but it is an eternal battle. I would like to think I am winning.  And here is another one just now with Windows sounds going out over the air. Some people have no idea what they are transmitting or how any of this works. But I keep trying.

[NA4M]

RTTY is very much a "thing" but only during RTTY contests. There is very little to none RTTY in normal ragchew mode. 

Also just now listening to 14.074, someone is talking on 14.074 because they don't understand how to hookup/option their rig to kill their microphone. It is picking up the conversation in the room each time they transmit.....  And here is another one just now with Windows sounds going out over the air. Some people have no idea what they are transmitting or how any of this works. But I keep trying.

I used to operate RTTY a lot prior to FT8 arrivng on the scene.  Ah - the days of Model 19's, 28's, 14's, TD's, etc. Mechanical marvels.   I listen in the 20m RTTY segment occasionally but as you say little activity other than contests.

Yep - I hear the same Windoz chimes, dings, etc. as well as the occasional voices.   Easy to set Sounds Scheme to No Sounds and mute the mic audio but guess some unaware.

[K0UA]

It is the television sets, the barking dogs, the "hi honey, I am home" stuff that gets to me. 

[WB8VLC]

This method is frequently used on 6 meters during Dx openings to japan during SSSP season.

Using the ON4KST 6 meter dx chat a dx station will announce his FT8 offset and then another station will enable FT8 filtering along with enabling his radios narrow If filter and then set their FT8  offset to that of the dx stations thereby having the choice to eliminate receiving a large number of US stations who call blindly or as they call it on 6 meters, ELIMINATING THE SPOT HUMPERS.

Spot humpers will frequently see a dx posting on the 6 meter reflector and then they call blindly thereby creating a lot of needless interference. 

As a result many 6 meter ops will coordinate with specific Dx stations and they will set a narrow radio IF filter along with using FT8 filters such as the FT8's HINT method where a specific call is entered in and the FT8 software specifically looks for the dx stations call which aids in further increasing the chances of picking up the dx while filtering out the locals who are blindly calling.

Even though programs such as JTDX have a specific  filter method that lets you ignore displaying calls from specific regions, this method does not cut down on eliminating receiver blocking and such from the blind calling spot humpers and this is where the dx station and the receiving station will coordinate a specific FT8 offset where spot humpers are not transmitting and then enabling narrow filters enhances the chances of completing a QSO.

Also other methods such as using the alternate 6 meter FT8 frequency of 50.323 MHz and using the above filtering/coordinating methods further enhance the possibility of completing a contact.

[K3VAT]

thanks to all who replied.

Seems like under ordinary operating such as 80M to 10M, most folks using their FTDX101 found no discernible advantage when switching between the 3K and 600Hz roofing filters.  After my tests, I conclude the same thing.

73 Rich, K3VAT