FT8 on 60m for UK operators

Noticed this thread pop up and got inspired to do a 60m FT8 session from home this evening. Not managed to catch the “DX of the moment” - TY0RU (Benin) yet, but did work a certain @G4OBK !

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As you noticed, the Russian DXpedition in Benin, TY0RU was on an off the 60m band last night working MSHV and transmitting 4 streams of FT8 around 600-800 HZ. I was also unsuccessful in attracting his attention. I think I spent about half an hour trying and noticed the famous @M1EYP callsign standing out. Thanks for the QSO!

73 Phil G4OBK

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You probably saw the anger directed at me for calling on top of one of those streams Phil!

I was calling CQ and suddenly my screen went VERY red! Fantastic - huge pile up - was my initial reaction. But then I read the text - “M1EYP PSEQSY”, “QSYQSY”, “DX PSEQSY”, “M1EYP IDIOT” etc…!

Obviously my spot appeared to me to be a clear frequency, with nothing indicated on the waterfall or activity window (or my ears!!) - but obviously I did indeed immediately QSY. And then there was G4OBK, second station worked IIRC.

I did worry that my second choice of “clear frequency” might also have a stream of TY0RU that I couldn’t RX - but there was no further abuse, so I assume it was OK!

I’ve not managed to work TY0RU yet either…

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Finally managed to nail TY0RU just now on 10m :slight_smile:

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Virtually no pileup on 12m just now for TY0RU - got through on first call with 50w to my 40m EFHW!

Had to resort to rig CW memories as my CW isn’t that fast yet :grinning:

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…and three years down the line, it seems that there’re still some UK operators using FT8 on 60 metres who’re transmitting above 5358kHz outside the UK bandlet that ends there. :confused:

See 5MHz: an important reminder about FT8 use - Radio Society of Great Britain - Main Site : Radio Society of Great Britain – Main Site

This time round, apparently, Ofcom have noticed… :frowning:

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Log them and report them. First offence, strong worded letter from Ofcom. Second offence pink slip them as in the old days and suspend licence for a month. Third offence, remove licence for good and reissue their callsign to someone just licenced.

Most of these breaches are occurring when a DXpedition shows up on 5.357 using Fox and Hound mode which makes it impossible for a UK station to call the DX. There have been recent approaches by UK DXers and DX Clubs to DXpeditions to either use MSHV or to use Fox and Hound on a qrg that allow UK DXers to call within the terms of their license. Hopefully these contacts will bear fruit and the problem will resolve itself

Declan

EI6FR

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…but that should just be just a case of “Tough. Live without working them.

Similar thing happens with SOTA CW at the bottom end of the WRTC allocation, and on the other foot, for folks who only have the WRTC allocation when UK folk activate using (say) 5398.5 kHz (or wherever else we have access but they don’t).

I suspect part of the problem is actually that FT* is automated enough that, if you’re not paying attention, it’s easy, in this particular case, to slip out of band…

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This. This a million times.

Which is exactly the time you should be paying more attention. A few penalised UK hams and the message will get out quickly to operate properly or lose your licence.

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I can recommend the WSJT-X UK enhanced version from Uwe DG2YCB {unless you are a dedicated user of JTDX). Using this enhanced UK version prevents you from transmitting out of the UK bandlet in FT8.

There is a warning which comes up on your screen when you QSY WSJT-X UK enhanced to the 60m band - and a lockout prevents you from transmitting above 5357.950 if you hit Enable TX above that freq. Select the UK version from the list on the Sourceforge site if you want it. There are also other advantages from using the enhanced version of WSJT-X:

Merry Xmas

Phil G4OBK

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