[SFDXA] New FT Challenge Contest #ContestMode

[Bill]

On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first 
time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023. A highlight of 
this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid 
Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring. Because the exchange is 
identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work 
any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are 
“in the contest” or not.

Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO 
point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for 
each 3,000 km between the QSO partners. Multipliers are per-band based 
on the 2-character Grid Field. A worked station is only scored once per 
band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used.

In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points 
are earned, but the base QSO point is scored. This can happen if a 
station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) 
and the Grid Square is not received.

Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange 
definition. After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to 
the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, 
https://ft-challenge.contesting.com/ftcsubmitlog.php . The following 
software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT 
Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module. Their efforts may 
not all be ready for the 2024 event. We will provide updates in future 
posts over the next 3 weeks.
• WSJT-X
• MSHV
• JTDX
• N1MM+
• WriteLog
• N3FJP

Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support. For example, 
WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with 
DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just 
“Grid Square”. Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the 
WriteLog log window. Real-time score is computed with the exception that 
QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW 
Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules. However, 
new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite. To submit a log, 
use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log 
Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest 
module does not include the required SNR fields.)

Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: 
https://www.rttycontesting.com/ft-challenge/ . We hope everyone will 
enjoy this new FT contest.

73,
Don, AA5AU
Ed, W0YK