I saw one operator (?) say on a forum a year or so ago, the he set's his TX Watchdog to the maximum of 99 minutes.  I think that WSJTx should have say a max of 5 minutes, that would account for some QSB and require the operator to at least restart the blind calls.  So he would have to be somewhere near the radio/computer to do this, and be alert to the timeouts.  Not asleep in his recliner.  

Best bet would be for any DXP to run SuperFox/Hound.  That way no callers until they copy the DXP, and then after 5 minutes of no more receptions, stop calling until they hear the station again.  Then manually have to restart the sequence when they again see the DXP, if ever.  Yes SF/H has an overall lower db (say -15) for a decode, but the throughput and lack of QRM offsets this limit.  I've worked many SF/H DXP with great success.  Just takes determination.  

-----

73's
George - WB5JJJ
HoIP - 100105
Cell - 479.857.7737


On Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 6:20 PM <w5znjoel@gmail.com> wrote:

I believe it is bad operator syndrome. They set their FT8 watchdog timer for some very high time so the transmitter won’t auto shunt off after a few minutes, or disable it, then fire up the transmitter calling the DX station then they go off and scratch themselves or whatever bad operators do, maybe step outside and pee like a puppy.

 

They know if the DX station comes back to them, the software will automatically send the exchange and log the contact, so why sit there and watch things.

 

Bad FT8 operator syndrome!

 

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

 

From: adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Jay Bromley
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 5:30 PM
To: 'ADXA' <adxa@mailman.qth.net> <adxa@mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [ADXA] Question

 

I have to wonder, why do folks call blind on FT8?  Now I know some are just getting into digital modes and they do stuff like calling on the same cycle of the DX station.  We all have to learn and make mistakes.  I also wonder where are all the Elmers?

 

KP5/NP3VI was on 10.131, but moved on some 12 minutes and 41 seconds ago according to the live stream.  They are now on 15m CW.  So why do folks keep calling on 30m FT8?  Maybe they thing they are coming back and they want to be first out of the gate, but if they are not there, why not give your gear a break!  They are still calling and just check that is now over 30 minutes ago.

 

Really I was taught if you are not hearing them in ANY mode don't call them!  Gezz.   I don't see any of our members doing that, thank goodness!   73 de w5jay/jay..

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