These are some points you should take into consideration if your aim is
to make good enemies in the FT8 or FT4 modes.
Of course, no need to say it, if your goal is the opposite and what you want
is to make friends, then now you have the chance to learn
how not to behave when operating in FT8 / FT4.
After you answer someone's CQ, when the QSO is finished, start calling
CQ on his same frequency, do not QSY. In this way you will fuck the
most the station you have just worked and he will certainly have a good
memory of the contact with you.
Start calling CQ on busy frequencies. Select an audio frequency
that you see occupied in the waterfall, instead of a clean frequency.
Doing it in this way you will not only irritate the stations in QSO in that
frequency but you will also make sure that you will not get much answers to
your CQ as their signal is likely to cover the signal of the possible
callers you get.
When you answer a CQ, initiate the QSO sending message #4 (RRR or RR73)
instead of messages #1 or #2. At the end, why to exchange signal
reports if you can skip them and start the QSO directly in the last messages
of the sequence? When the caller does not answer to you trying to
initiate the QSO sending RRR or RR73 keep insisting for at least 10 minutes,
so that you clearly show how good operator you are.
When you are answering to someone's CQ, right after you complete the QSO
with him, start calling him again insistently. He will surely
appreciate very much your interest in making two QSO in a row with him.
When your neighbour stations are calling CQ using the even minutes
(00/30) periods, make sure you always call CQ in the odd minute (15/45)
periods. In this way you will interfere each other and both will make
less contacts, what is great as you will have less QSL cards to send.
When you see your neighbours calling a rare DX station, do not hesitate
to start calling CQ nonstop on the same period than the DX and in an audio
frequency close to it. Do not call in the same period than your
neighbours because then you wouldn't irritate them.
If you are operating in the 6m band, do not follow the
established rules for intercontinental propagation openings. Those
rules say that during openings between Europe and Asia or between Europe and
America, European stations must always call CQ in the even periods (seconds
00/30) while Asiatic/American stations must always call CQ in the odd
periods (seconds 15/45). The aim is obviously to avoid, as much as possible,
that stronger signals from the own continent cover the weaker DX signals.
However you are a rebel and don't want to follow any rules, even when it
means that you will work less DX stations. Well done!
When a propagation opening is over, specially in the VHF bands, keep
calling CQ nonstop for at least three hours. You will possibly not
make any QSO at all in those hours but at least you will make sure that your
neighbour stations will not be able to receive anything and that they will
keep you present in their "prayers".
Do not select the "split" or "fake it" options in the configuration of
WSJT-X / JTDX. In this way you guarantee that your audio signal will
generate harmonics and that you will take more bandwidth. Anyway, you don't
listen to your own signal, so why to care if you are taking the bandwidth of
others. Remember that the lower audio frequency you select for
transmitting, the more harmonics you generate, so try to always use audio
frequencies below 500 Hz.
Do not forget to check your ALC level and make sure you increase your
audio output to the maximum ALC, much better if you also enable the audio
compression in your rig. In this way your FT8/FT4 signal will be wide enough
to kill the reception not only to your neighbour stations but also to
everyone who can copy you.
Try to get one of those great alternative programs that allow to make
automated QSO when you are away. It doesn't matter if automated
operation is not allowed to individual stations in most countries, nobody
will notice it, and in the worst of the cases you can just be reported to
the telecommunications authority by some idiot that likes to follow the
rules and respect the rights of others.
Try to get an alternative program that allows you to make several QSO at
the same time, like if you were a super DXpedition. Do not care if your HAM
license only allows you to transmit simultaneously one signal per band or if
you are taking the bandwidth to others. You will feel like a real
DX-man operating from the most rare DXCCC.
And finally, but not less important, is to start making FT8 / FT4
contacts without reading and understanding the manual. Well, you began
driving a car before learning how to use if, so why should this be
different?
So, you have read the manual but haven't understood a word? Don't
worry, the important thing is to start transmitting as soon as possible and
making as much QRM to your colleagues as possible, so that you get higher in
the list of skilled FT8 / FT4 operators.
In how many of the above points do you feel reflected?
None: Are you sure you are operating FT8/FT4? It is hard to
believe that you have never behaved inconveniently. Read again and be
honest with yourself when answering.
Less than three: Very bad, you have to work on this. We all do
mistakes from time to time, but if you really want to be hated by your
neighbours and by the DX community you should do it much better (much worse
in fact)
Between three and seven: Good, you are beginning to be a real
idiot and surely you will get many congratulation emails letting you know.
Between seven and ten: Excellent, you are a real professional
fucking stupid. You are a lost case, congratulations.
More than ten: It is impossible. You not even don't know
how to behave on FT8/FT4 but you also have been unable to understand what
you have read. Try it again!
Don't you know what "period", "waterfall", "ALC" or
"sequence" means?
I don't believe you. Someone as clever as you surely will not try
FT8 / FT4 without having a minimum knowledge of what he is doing.
Do you feel offended by what is said in this page?
This page is not intended to offend anyone in particular, but to
ironically offer some tips to improve FT8 / FT4 operation. If you feel
offended, I apologize, but I really think you should think about it and ask
yourself why you feel reflected.
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