[W8MWA] FT8 and FT4 Experiments and Experiences

[Spence Graham]

I did 22 of the HPM150 contacts last weekend until I got enthralled with
FT8... then FT4 modes.  Anita and I both didn't feel well on the weekend
and stayed pretty much home... so I did a few littke chores, watched TV and
decided to experiment with FT8 and FT4 a good bit since I was bored out of
my skull.  Ended up doing about 200+ of each mode between both weekends.
Get comfortable with FT8 first... FT4 works the same but the pace is
considerably different.  Given that I love to contest, FT4 is ideal and
have gotten pretty comfortable working several contacts at a time... much
more than 3 QSO's at a time seems to get crazy and maybe even slows things
down. FT4 is scary FAST compared to FT8 and you'll need to just get into
the quicker rhythm.  My results are that someone can fairly easily work
30-40 states, VE's and Caribbeans... and 20+ countries on a slow weekend!
I worked 20, 40, 80, 17 and 30 meters with very suprising results.  When a
band either faded or I had fished the hole out on a particular band, I
would QSY and S&P... or when my rate slowed I would call CQ.  Calling CQ is
awesome because it takes the first contact automatically!  I did that
pretty much constantly while watching football games last weekend and this
weekend.  Got some good DX eventually.  Mainly North America.  Ran about 30
watts into G5RV.  Hope to get a hex beam in the next year or so and that
would make it REAL interesting for Asia-Pacific regions that I can't seem
to hit currently.  I can make Hawaii easily but the last 3000 miles isn't
happening at this point.  Make sure you check PSK REPORTER to see how your
are getting a signal out.  You'll be surprised where you are actually being
heard!!!  Gotta love technology.  I bet in an international FT4 contest you
could most likely do 50-60 countries based upon what I sampled on the
weekends.  Worked my best DX around 6-8 am both mornings... it seemed
quieter, more DX-centric and less crowded at that time.  As for
propagation... pretty much like normal... remnants of 80 and 40 meters in
early mornings... some early 20 meter contacts with VK's and ZL's until 20
begins heating up late morning.  40 doesn't get too hot until
mid-afternoon... 80 gets better late afternoon and well into the night.
Don't neglect the WARC bands!  I had a decent amount of success there and
probably halfway there to WAS on them... and extra DX, too.  Digital modes
are unique and consistent fun, especially when propagation for SSB contacts
are a challenge.  I actually worked KE8JIT on every band, and happened
across N8OZY and N8URE in the target rich environments!  GET RADIOACTIVE!
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