[SMCARA] New FT8 Mode & Logging

[Dave Q]

I'm using DVKeeper for logging. The author has already added FT8 to his default modes. 

You also have to add FT8 to tQSL until LoTW adds it to their ADIF. Forums are quoting a programmer from LoTW saying it will be several weeks.

From what I've read LoTW treats all digital modes as "DATA" for awards and doesn't differentiate among the many different digital modes.  Strange because I see my FT8 contacts labeled as FT8. Maybe it just displays that way and would not count for awards. 

To map tQSL, open the program. Select File --> Display or Modify Preferences --> ADIF Modes --> Add... --> type FT8 in the ADIF Mode: box then select DATA in the list and select OK.  You should see "FT8 - DATA" in the Custom ADIF mode mappings: box.  Tap OK to get back to tQSL. 

After LoTW adds the mode you must remove it from the custom mappings. 

FT8 takes some practice to make contacts as it has a 15 second T/R cycle versus JT9 and JT65 which use a 1 minute T/R sequence. Especially if you are answering CQs. You have only several seconds to respond to a decoded signal. 

Calling CQ is much easier. You check Auto Seq and Call 1st then Enable Tx. It sends out your CQ and then auto sequences through the proper responses. After it sends 73 it disables Enable Tx until you decide to call CQ again. 

If you haven't tried FT8; you should.  Also you should be using JTAlert. It interfaces with WSJT-X perfectly and will log to several logging programs. After you use it you won't operate without it. 

--Dave  W3DLQ
..

> On Jul 23, 2017, at 14:42, Mike Hasel <mhasel at locustplainsfarm.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Everybody,
> 
> 
> 
> If you are operating with the new FT8 digital mode and logging via the
> WSJT-X application and using HRD as your master logbook (may apply to others
> also) make sure before importing the ADIF file to add the new mode to your
> logbook configuration. Tools-Configure-Modes-Add-FT8 
> 
> 
> 
> I ran into an issue where during the initial import FT8 came in as the mode
> but when I looked up the information for the call via HRD logbook & QRZ to
> fill in name, country ect upon updating and saving the entry it reset the
> mode to SSB. Not a big deal as I only had about 50 entries so far but could
> be a real pain if you don't catch it in time. I was able to just delete the
> entries looking for SSB and the "-db"signal reports and then re-import after
> the mode was added.
> 
> 
> 
> Not sure how this will be handled by LOTW but I hope they start recognizing
> it soon.
> 
> 
> 
> If anyone has any questions let me know and I'll share my lessons learned..
> 
> 
> 
> 73s
> 
> Mike
> 
> N3KUN
> 
> 
> 
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