[NLRS] FT8 and a work around in contests

[Jon Platt]

As a rover using FT8, I think its best to probably turn off the automatic sequencing.  For calling CQ I would use the sixth message box (the free form box) to send "CQ W0ZQ/R EN34".   I think an exchange would look like this:

CQ W0ZQ/R EN34
                                      W0ZQ W0GHZ EN34
W0GHZ W0ZQ EN34
                                      W0ZQ W0GHZ RR73
CQ W0ZQ/R EN34

 
I would depend on W0GHZ to see that my CQ indicates that I should be logged as a rover.  I bet the WSJT-X logger would log this as just W0ZQ (which is a problem).

If I am answering a CQ, it may look like this.  Note that my reply has to be DE W0ZQ/R EN34 due to WSJT free message limits and in order to show that I am a rover.

CQ W0GHZ EN34
                                       DE W0ZQ/R EN34
W0ZQ W0GHZ EN34
                                       W0GHZ W0ZQ RR73
CQ W0GHZ EN34

Again, hopefully, W0GHZ logs me as a rover !

Those more experienced with FT8 and its free message format, especially as a rover, please comment.

73, Jon
W0ZQ