[W8MWA] FT8/FT4 Fox-Hound operating pointers

[Gino Luzader]

Spence asked me to post this on the Reflector. Someone sent me this and
they have been the best instructions on operating Fox/Hound mode I have
seen so far.

Gino
KE8KMX
73

++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++

A few pointers for successful F/H operations.

>> The FOX only operates on frequencies OTHER than the default normal FT8
ones.  A big gun DX station will post the frequencies they will use as well
as showing up in the DX Cluster.
>> The FOX transmits typically around 300Hz on the EVEN time slot ONLY.
>> The HOUND's (us peons) will need to enter this mode at File >> Settings
>> Advanced >> CHECK Select Spacial Operating Activity >> and then CHECK
HOUND.
>> The HOUND's transmit between 1000-3000Hz, and by default on the ODD time
slot, which can't be changed.  If you transmit below 1000Hz without being
moved there by the Fox, he will not see you at all.  He will only see
stations below 1000Hz that he has moved there to finish a contact.
>> The HOUND's will have "Hound" in red near the bottom center of the
screen to verify the mode.

Of course, if you don't see him in the Band Activity window, there is no
need to call him.  But once you do, make sure you have his call in the DX
Call box and click on Generate Std Msg on the lower right area of screen.
You should be set to Tx1 and click ENABLE TX.  Do not call the DX with Tx3
as their software is expecting your grid not a signal report in your
initial call.  Your Enable Tx will only be active for 2 minutes.  When it
stops, check the Waterfall to make sure you are still in the clear (at
least on your end).  Wait till you see the DX station in the BA window
again before activating your TX again, otherwise you are just QRMing the
frequency.  If your TX ENABLE has timed out, and you have not restarted it,
the FOX can ENABLE your TX when he responds to your call (Neat feature), in
order to give you the best chance of working him.  In HOUND mode only Tx1
and Tx3 are available.

When the DX station selects you, your TX frequency will move to one he's
chosen between 200-900 to complete the contact by automatically sending
Tx3.  When you see him send your call folowed by RR73, you are logged on
his end.  Log the QSO on your side and it's complete.  You can not send a
73 back.

You can only work him once per band as his software will no longer see you,
even if you call and call and can see him responding to others.  This saves
clutter on his side for sure.  If you never see his RR73, he may still have
sent it, but you don't know.  Call again later and see if he responds.  If
he does, then he didn't copy your signal report (band fading).  If he
doesn't respond after many attempts by you, you are most likely in his log,
so log the QSO just in case.  But I would try again another day, just in
case.

Don't forget to return you TX Freq to something above 1000 if you are going
to work a different FOX.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/w8mwa/attachments/20190921/4c2926e8/attachment-0001.html>