[Elecraft] FT8: "Magic radio"?

[Neil Zampella]

Andy,

that's not right ... you have to be in the shack to make sure the system 
keeps calling as there is a 2 minute timer that will turn off your 
transmission.     It is also suggested that if you don't get a reply 
back after the first two minute period, manually move the Tx freq.

Finally, once you do get that final acknowledgement from the DXpedition, 
you have to physically log the QSO.  It does not do it automatically.

 From the DXPedition mode user guide:

"You may keep calling until he answers, perhaps changing your Tx 
frequency in the hope of finding a frequency clear of interference. Use 
Shift+Click on the waterfall to change your Tx frequency — the red “goal 
posts” marker on the waterfall scale. You will need to re-activate 
Enable Tx (or hit Enter on the keyboard) at least once every two 
minutes. (This restriction is to ensure that an operator is present and 
paying attention.)"

As far as it still running, you must have missed this part of the Users 
Guide for HOUNDS in Item 12:

"Note that WSJT-X will send this message even if Enable Tx is disabled, 
and even if you have not called Fox for several Tx sequences. If you 
have stopped calling Fox because you will be leaving the rig unattended, 
you should quit WSJT-X or disable Hound mode in order to avoid the 
possibility of unwanted transmissions."

So again, the operator is still in charge of what he's doing.

All that said, there are a lot of people who live in very compromised 
locations that now have KH1 in their logs because of FT8.
Unfortunately, it wasn't me.   My location is such I didn't hear them on 
any mode.

Neil, KN3ILZ


On 7/3/2018 4:59 PM, ANDY DURBIN wrote:
> "How is it any different than the RTTY setups used for DXpeditions that  would do essentially the same thing, listen over a wide range and stack  the calls heard?"
>
> The, in my opinion huge, difference is that FT8 DXpedition mode does not even require the operator to be in the shack to complete the QSO.  All it takes is to start auto TX of your grid and then walk away.  As long as your call gets on the stack before your watchdog times out (assuming you have not defeated it) then the rest is automatic, including waking up your TX Enable if it had timed out.
>
> Two of my KH1 FT8 QSO were completed after I had given up and turned off TX Enable.  Although I was still in the shack I had no involvement in completing the QSO.  I was just a spectator.  That is very different from the level of interaction required to complete a QSO in CW, Phone, or RTTY.
>
> I have no opinion on the experience of the DXpedition operator.  Never been one and not likely to be one.
>
> 73,
> Andy k3wyc
>
>
>