[NLRS] NLRS Digest, Vol 193, Issue 18

[Barry Buelow]

In reply to Jon's 6m FT8 comments.

I've recently gotten WSJT-Z working on a Pi. Yes I know -Z is the 
dreaded full auto capable version, but only if enabled. I'm NOT 
advocating that. There is also a mode for "auto respond to stations 
calling CQ".

The pi is connected to an FT-991 via ONLY a USB cable. Rig control and 
"audio" all over USB.  That is SOOO nice!  When in the shack, I can just 
look at the 17" monitor and see what is going on (signals present on the 
waterfall). Just clicking the mouse starts the Tx.

For roving, particularly in motion, the auto-logging would be nice (I've 
not done FT8 roving). Clearly you can have a Q maker with minimal manual 
intervention while driving. For that matter, take a pi and 6m rig along 
for FD or contests and just let it run while still working the upper 
bands on another rig/station.

Now I realize some of this is not the Old-Normal and it may not even be 
the New-Normal. However, with lots of stations on 6m PSK, it could 
warrant a dedicated station to just that band and mode for contests and 
roves. Again, minimal manual intervention, which allows more time on 
other bands in parallel.

If there ever is another Tue night at Nokomis and I'm in MN, I shall sit 
apart from the Old-Normal guys and consider myself shunned.

Barry w0iy