27-01-2023, 10:30 AM
Did you participate in this contest - or try to ?
I started off on 40M LSB just after the start time of 2200UTC (ie 8AM local in VK4) and worked just one station. I was called by at least one other but noise on the band precluded working them due to low signal levels. A quick tune across 7074 indicated a total lack of FT8 activity so it was time to find another band.
The activity on 20M was better so FT8 was the action place. { I didn't hear any voices calling CQ Australia Day Contest across the 20M band. } It was just as well the contest allowed digital contacts since there was no VHF included, and that we could work DX stations 'cos there was "bugger all" (Aussie slang) likely to happen otherwise. There were a number of stations using the AX prefix around, some 2X1 calls too, but not an impressive number. Was there too much thong-throwing and BBQ's happening ??
I appreciate Alan VK4SN's PDF about setting up N1MM+ for this event but there was no explanation regarding digital QSOs and the Cabrillo logging output for digital. For instance, my log shows the FT8 (and FT4) exchanges in their raw dB levels yet the contest rules talk about RS(T) values. Seemingly, N1MM doesn't have an option to convert these dB values into equivalent RS values per the agreed dB->S-unit table. The rules will definitely require revision regarding that.
Moving on, the rules say you have to exchange the grid locator value (eg QG62 for me) but almost all of the stations you work on FT8/FT4 start their calls on TX2 (rather than TX1 which sends the grid detail) so you have a real contact in place but no way to legally (per the way the rules were written) claim it as a valid QSO. Now most of these guinea pigs didn't know they were in a contest 'cos, guess what, we didn't need to be in a contest mode in WSJT-X (or equiv), say EU VHF Contest mode where grid values are exchanged as part of the process. I added a "START TX1 PLS" to my Tx Macros list and sent it a number of times - but it made no difference to the stations calling me.
To try to get the grid detail off the other station, I ended up putting a tick in the 'CQ' box in WJST-X so those were the stations I called, so yes, I had their grid locator. The problem was subsequent to that, I worked that first station then ended up being called by up to half-a-dozen others. Did they use TX1, nope, most started at TX2 (so no grid) ! For me, I have about 9000 FT8 and FT4 contacts up my sleeve so have a data file containing just callsigns and grids accumulated over the last 5 years so a quick lookup of that data filled in most of the missing grids, and QRZCQ did or confirmed almost all of the remainder. How did other operators get on ?? An interesting question that needs to be addressed in the rules : is it allowable to cross-check other sources when QSO/contacts fail to supply the necessary locator info ?? How do you police it ?
I missed a little of the 12 hours contest time because I did have to eat and interact (etc) but ended up with just over 300 QSOs in the log for the event. The lack of VK/AX activity was a shame, particularly on voice/Phone, but that might improve next year when it is better known about (and hopefully better pre-publicised).
The rules require some revision, the explanatory PDF expanded to make it easy for others to set up N1MM+ and see how to treat things like dB values in the Cabrillo log data. It takes time but it adds significant value for those entering the event.
My 2 cents worth...
Doug VK4ADC
I started off on 40M LSB just after the start time of 2200UTC (ie 8AM local in VK4) and worked just one station. I was called by at least one other but noise on the band precluded working them due to low signal levels. A quick tune across 7074 indicated a total lack of FT8 activity so it was time to find another band.
The activity on 20M was better so FT8 was the action place. { I didn't hear any voices calling CQ Australia Day Contest across the 20M band. } It was just as well the contest allowed digital contacts since there was no VHF included, and that we could work DX stations 'cos there was "bugger all" (Aussie slang) likely to happen otherwise. There were a number of stations using the AX prefix around, some 2X1 calls too, but not an impressive number. Was there too much thong-throwing and BBQ's happening ??
I appreciate Alan VK4SN's PDF about setting up N1MM+ for this event but there was no explanation regarding digital QSOs and the Cabrillo logging output for digital. For instance, my log shows the FT8 (and FT4) exchanges in their raw dB levels yet the contest rules talk about RS(T) values. Seemingly, N1MM doesn't have an option to convert these dB values into equivalent RS values per the agreed dB->S-unit table. The rules will definitely require revision regarding that.
Moving on, the rules say you have to exchange the grid locator value (eg QG62 for me) but almost all of the stations you work on FT8/FT4 start their calls on TX2 (rather than TX1 which sends the grid detail) so you have a real contact in place but no way to legally (per the way the rules were written) claim it as a valid QSO. Now most of these guinea pigs didn't know they were in a contest 'cos, guess what, we didn't need to be in a contest mode in WSJT-X (or equiv), say EU VHF Contest mode where grid values are exchanged as part of the process. I added a "START TX1 PLS" to my Tx Macros list and sent it a number of times - but it made no difference to the stations calling me.
To try to get the grid detail off the other station, I ended up putting a tick in the 'CQ' box in WJST-X so those were the stations I called, so yes, I had their grid locator. The problem was subsequent to that, I worked that first station then ended up being called by up to half-a-dozen others. Did they use TX1, nope, most started at TX2 (so no grid) ! For me, I have about 9000 FT8 and FT4 contacts up my sleeve so have a data file containing just callsigns and grids accumulated over the last 5 years so a quick lookup of that data filled in most of the missing grids, and QRZCQ did or confirmed almost all of the remainder. How did other operators get on ?? An interesting question that needs to be addressed in the rules : is it allowable to cross-check other sources when QSO/contacts fail to supply the necessary locator info ?? How do you police it ?
I missed a little of the 12 hours contest time because I did have to eat and interact (etc) but ended up with just over 300 QSOs in the log for the event. The lack of VK/AX activity was a shame, particularly on voice/Phone, but that might improve next year when it is better known about (and hopefully better pre-publicised).
The rules require some revision, the explanatory PDF expanded to make it easy for others to set up N1MM+ and see how to treat things like dB values in the Cabrillo log data. It takes time but it adds significant value for those entering the event.
My 2 cents worth...
Doug VK4ADC
Doug VK4ADC @ QG62LG51
http://www.vk4adc.com
This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains.
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.
http://www.vk4adc.com
This Forum is only going to be as interesting as the posts it contains.
If you have a comment or question, post it as it may trigger or answer the query in someone else's mind.