[SADXA] JT Modes

[Keith Schlottman, CPA, PFS]

I'm curious whether anyone has been playing with JT65 or JT9 modes, and if
so what you think of them?

My station is currently very antenna-restricted, so I've been testing out
various ways to work DX.  The JT modes have allowed me to make some QSO's
when my chances are slim with other methods.  In JT mode you exchange
signal reports using a dB scale, and I've made LoTW confirmed DX QSO's with
signals as low as -27dB within the past week. My log for the past week
contains DX from Europe, Asia, ZL, South America, etc, some on 10m and most
on 20m.  In the past 10 minutes I've seen CQ's from Portugal, Spain, Costa
Rica, Brazil, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, etc. so the activity is there.

They are not the most exciting contacts; it takes 6 minutes to complete a
QSO with exchange of just call sign, signal report, and TU, 73 etc.  I
can't imagine it being a useful DXpedition mode.

I've found JT9 to be significantly better in terms of getting through.  But
more stations seem to use JT65 right now.

My antenna is very compromised - using either a mag loop or buddipole
dipole, both are inside the house on the 2nd floor.  One of the nice things
about JT is that it is super easy to operate remotely, I even use my cell
phone downstairs to log in to the rig upstairs to make a QSO sometimes, the
YL doesn't even know I'm operating.  Part of my purpose in the setup is to
practice remote ops because in the near future, I hope to set up a full
station locally that I can control remotely.

73,

Keith KR7RK