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On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023. A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring. Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not.
Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners. Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field. A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used.
In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored. This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received.
Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition. After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, . The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module. Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event. We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks.
? WSJT-X
? MSHV
? JTDX
? N1MM+
? WriteLog
? N3FJP
Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support. For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”. Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window. Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules. However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite. To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.)
Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: . We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
73,
Don, AA5AU
Ed, W0YK
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Will N3FJP have a product ready in time for the contest?
?
?
Mike W7OSG
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Mike,
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I suspect that since it uses the normal exchange that you can likely get by with ACLOG and just export the records you need.? A program like WSTJ-Z will automatically filter out worked stations on that band (I suggest version 1.22, anything above that is too buggy).
?
If N3FJP does not have a logger in time, using the Z mode with a new ADI file (like you would one field day or when working a POTA/SOTA site) will be sufficient.? I just hope we won't be restricted to their recommended abnormal frequencies and can run on the normal FT frequencies.
?
Ryan
KI6BTY
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Hi Ed and Don,
Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest.
While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.??
That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario.
With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now?very?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic.
Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable. Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision... We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest!
开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.
1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect...
On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not.
Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used.
In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received.
Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks.
???? WSJT-X
???? MSHV
???? JTDX
???? N1MM+
???? WriteLog
???? N3FJP
Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.)
Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
73,
Don, AA5AU
Ed, W0YK
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A sound business decision Scott! ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Scott Davis via groups.io
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2024 10:31
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N3FJPSoftwareUsers] New FT Challenge #Contest? Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest. While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.?? That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario. With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now?very?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic. Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable.
Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision...
We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest! 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Monday, November 18, 2024 at 06:23:49 AM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not. Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used. In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received. Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks. Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.) Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
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Agreed.
I'm sure Scott knows that as soon as they develop a universal solution, someone will change the universe. Keeping software in-step is as dizzying as watching a dog endlessly chase its tail.
I actually made two contacts in the sweepstakes this past weekend. I wasn't really participating but I took pity on two guys trying to beg for or coax out just one more QSO in the remaining 30 minutes. Fortunately, the exchange format was easy to pick up and provide, so maybe I help someone get a certificate suitable for framing. It's nice to think I did.
All this is to say that I'm starting to eye that special on the contest package Scott et al. offer...
Brian
WB0NWZ
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On 11/18/2024 12:06, Gary wrote: A sound business decision Scott!
*From:*[email protected] <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Scott Davis via groups.io
*Sent:* Monday, November 18, 2024 10:31
*To:* [email protected]
*Subject:* Re: [N3FJPSoftwareUsers] New FT Challenge #Contest
Hi Ed and Don,
Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest.
While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.
That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario.
With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now*/?very/*?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic.
Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable.
Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision...
We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest!
Enjoy!
73, Scott
N3FJP
<>
/开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997./
1 Peter 3 vs 15: /Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give _the reason for <>the hope that you have <>_. But do this with gentleness and respect/...
On Monday, November 18, 2024 at 06:23:49 AM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@... <mailto:ed@...>> wrote:
On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not.
Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used.
In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received.
Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, <> .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks.
???? WSJT-X
???? MSHV
???? JTDX
???? N1MM+
???? WriteLog
???? N3FJP
Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.)
Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: challenge/ <> .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
73,
Don, AA5AU
Ed, W0YK
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I bought the full package Brian.? It's been a very worthwhile purchase.
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What is "FT Challenge"
Dave KC3AM
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Hi Ryan,
Would you please contact me off-line? I don't want to clog the site with a question or two that are quasi-related to ACLog.
Use brian@....
Thanks!
Brian D. Warner
WB0NWZ
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On 11/18/2024 16:38, Ryan Huggins via groups.io wrote: I bought the full package Brian.? It's been a very worthwhile purchase.
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Hi Scott. ? Fully understand and agree with your decision. ? However, I still wonder if the WW Digi DX Contest module could be easily modified to accommodate the FT Challenge in addition to WW Digi. - The SNRs do need to be displayed in N3FJP.? They are captured in WSJT-X and that’s all that’s needed.
- N3FJP does not need to create a Cabrillo for FT Challenge.? The ADIF from WSJT-X is readily converted to Cabrillo on the FT Challenge website where it can then be submitted to our log server.
- Setting up for FT Challenge, rather than WW Digi, requires NOT using the WW Digi checkbox in the WSJT-X Advanced/Special operating activity.? Instead, simply use the normal default configuration with Grid and SNR exchanges.
- The remaining issue is scoring which differs between the two contests only in the case of a missing received Grid Square.? WW Digi scores zero point while FT Challenge scores 1 point.?
? Is it feasible to add a user configuration choice in the N3FJP WW Digi program for “FT Challenge” so the software scores correctly for that contest? ? Even this is not necessary because log checking ignores any Claimed score in the Cabrillo header.? The claimed score (“Raw Score” in log checking parlance) is calculated by the log check software.? Furthermore, since an ADIF is being converted, there is no provision for the Claimed Score in the Cabrillo header.? The user would have to add it manually with a text editor. ? Finally, it is possible that the FT Challenge format will be popular enough that WW Digi DX Contest will adopt it in the future. ? ?
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Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Scott Davis via groups.io
Sent: Monday, 18 November, 2024 10:31
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N3FJPSoftwareUsers] New FT Challenge #Contest? Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest. While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.?? That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario. With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now?very?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic. Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable.
Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision...
We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest! 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Monday, November 18, 2024 at 06:23:49 AM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not. Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used. In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received. Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks. Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.) Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
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Hi Ed,
Thanks for your follow up and understanding.? Given your very short lead time notification, we really had no choice.
You are e-mailing us both directly and also here on the Users group.? Some of the information in my direct replies to you overlaps with your current content.??I fully detailed why WW Digi DX, without modification, isn't a good fit for your new contest?in what I thought was a comprehensive explanation, so I don't want to spend more time rewriting a long reply that would say basically the same thing.
In short, users expect all our software to work similarly and correctly, right out of the box.? The WW Digi DX contest rules require a grid square as part of the exchange, while your FT Challenge does not.? The WW Digi DX software won't accept the QSO without a grid square, so users would be unable to log some valid QSOs (those without grids) in accordance with your FT Challenge rules.? Users?expect the fields in the contest exchange to be displayed in the list and be available as entry fields on the main form.? They expect the scoring to be calculated in accordance with contest rules and that all the contest exchange fields be checked for completion before entry, which is precluded by your requirement for SNR (RST) as part of the exchange.? I know you allow users to create an ADIF file for submission, which is great, but users intuitively expect to be able to create a Cabrillo file for contest submission.? SNR isn't written to the Cabrillo file in WW Digi DX.? Any program we released, claiming to support a contest, that doesn't do these things would create confusion, a bunch of support questions for us, user dissatisfaction and result in a program that we wouldn't be proud of.
We are still fielding support questions for the just completed November Sweepstakes contest last weekend, we have CQ WW DX CW coming up this weekend and we are receiving setup questions for that, not to mention the daily ongoing support AC Log questions, as well as trying to carve out time to move forward with development of our new software.
Come late spring, we will be out of the heart of contest season, which Lord willing should provide sufficient time to evaluate the possibilities of supporting your brand new FT Challenge contest and the time to perform the necessary coding in the months that follow, should we choose to do so.
?? Enjoy!
73, Scott N3FJP
开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.
1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect...
Hi Scott. ? Fully understand and agree with your decision. ? However, I still wonder if the WW Digi DX Contest module could be easily modified to accommodate the FT Challenge in addition to WW Digi. - The SNRs do need to be displayed in N3FJP.? They are captured in WSJT-X and that’s all that’s needed.
- N3FJP does not need to create a Cabrillo for FT Challenge.? The ADIF from WSJT-X is readily converted to Cabrillo on the FT Challenge website where it can then be submitted to our log server.
- Setting up for FT Challenge, rather than WW Digi, requires NOT using the WW Digi checkbox in the WSJT-X Advanced/Special operating activity.? Instead, simply use the normal default configuration with Grid and SNR exchanges.
- The remaining issue is scoring which differs between the two contests only in the case of a missing received Grid Square.? WW Digi scores zero point while FT Challenge scores 1 point.?
? Is it feasible to add a user configuration choice in the N3FJP WW Digi program for “FT Challenge” so the software scores correctly for that contest? ? Even this is not necessary because log checking ignores any Claimed score in the Cabrillo header.? The claimed score (“Raw Score” in log checking parlance) is calculated by the log check software.? Furthermore, since an ADIF is being converted, there is no provision for the Claimed Score in the Cabrillo header.? The user would have to add it manually with a text editor. ? Finally, it is possible that the FT Challenge format will be popular enough that WW Digi DX Contest will adopt it in the future. ? ?
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Scott Davis via groups.io
Sent: Monday, 18 November, 2024 10:31
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [N3FJPSoftwareUsers] New FT Challenge #Contest ? Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest. While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.?? That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario. With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now?very?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic. Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable.
Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision...
We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest! 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Monday, November 18, 2024 at 06:23:49 AM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not. Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used. In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received. Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks. Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.) Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
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SCOTT …… FWIW and JMHO, but I think your idea of waiting two to three years to see if a contest is growing or is just an idea that doesn’t make it is a great idea.? I’ve seen it first hand, a one-time contest that never takes off.? EXAMPLE:? In particular, I remember “The FM Challenge” put on by the PARK club in Plano TX.? It was to be 2m-FM only.? And it ended up being a huge flop, a lot of folks got upset with PARK.? The person or persons sponsoring the contest think it is a great idea.? But in actuality, some ideas just never grow.? In the case of PARK, it was the follow-through that was lacking.? It was a one-year operation, the scores never even got published, and it died a swift death.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:? The SMIRK contest is growing again.? SMIRK was being run by a bunch of guys who just got too old to stay after it.? They asked for volunteers to take over, and the club I belong to locally (Sun City Amateur Radio Club- K5WPH) volunteered to take over SMIRK.? SMIRK has been around for a lot of years.? But the present levels of participation in the SMIRK contest are not great enough to even consider asking you for a program dedicated to the SMIRK contest.? The 5 volunteers running SMIRK had considered changing the rules for the SMIRK contest to conform with the ARRL VHF contest, but that idea was discarded because there was no way to enter and save the SMIRK number of any SMIRK members logged in your VHF contest log.
Personally, I think you are going a great job juggling it all.? Thanks for all that you do.
? Vy73 - Mike - KD5KC. El Paso, Texas - DM61rt. SOTA W5T-Texas Association Manager. ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Scott Davis via groups.io Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 4:29 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [N3FJPSoftwareUsers] New FT Challenge #Contest ? Thanks for your follow up and understanding.? Given your very short lead time notification, we really had no choice. You are e-mailing us both directly and also here on the Users group.? Some of the information in my direct replies to you overlaps with your current content.??I fully detailed why WW Digi DX, without modification, isn't a good fit for your new contest?in what I thought was a comprehensive explanation, so I don't want to spend more time rewriting a long reply that would say basically the same thing. In short, users expect all our software to work similarly and correctly, right out of the box.? The WW Digi DX contest rules require a grid square as part of the exchange, while your FT Challenge does not.? The WW Digi DX software won't accept the QSO without a grid square, so users would be unable to log some valid QSOs (those without grids) in accordance with your FT Challenge rules.? Users?expect the fields in the contest exchange to be displayed in the list and be available as entry fields on the main form.? They expect the scoring to be calculated in accordance with contest rules and that all the contest exchange fields be checked for completion before entry, which is precluded by your requirement for SNR (RST) as part of the exchange.? I know you allow users to create an ADIF file for submission, which is great, but users intuitively expect to be able to create a Cabrillo file for contest submission.? SNR isn't written to the Cabrillo file in WW Digi DX.? Any program we released, claiming to support a contest, that doesn't do these things would create confusion, a bunch of support questions for us, user dissatisfaction and result in a program that we wouldn't be proud of. We are still fielding support questions for the just completed November Sweepstakes contest last weekend, we have CQ WW DX CW coming up this weekend and we are receiving setup questions for that, not to mention the daily ongoing support AC Log questions, as well as trying to carve out time to move forward with development of our new software. Come late spring, we will be out of the heart of contest season, which Lord willing should provide sufficient time to evaluate the possibilities of supporting your brand new FT Challenge contest and the time to perform the necessary coding in the months that follow, should we choose to do so. 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 02:04:32 PM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: Hi Scott. ? Fully understand and agree with your decision. ? However, I still wonder if the WW Digi DX Contest module could be easily modified to accommodate the FT Challenge in addition to WW Digi. - The SNRs do need to be displayed in N3FJP.? They are captured in WSJT-X and that’s all that’s needed.
- N3FJP does not need to create a Cabrillo for FT Challenge.? The ADIF from WSJT-X is readily converted to Cabrillo on the FT Challenge website where it can then be submitted to our log server.
- Setting up for FT Challenge, rather than WW Digi, requires NOT using the WW Digi checkbox in the WSJT-X Advanced/Special operating activity.? Instead, simply use the normal default configuration with Grid and SNR exchanges.
- The remaining issue is scoring which differs between the two contests only in the case of a missing received Grid Square.? WW Digi scores zero point while FT Challenge scores 1 point.?
? Is it feasible to add a user configuration choice in the N3FJP WW Digi program for “FT Challenge” so the software scores correctly for that contest? ? Even this is not necessary because log checking ignores any Claimed score in the Cabrillo header.? The claimed score (“Raw Score” in log checking parlance) is calculated by the log check software.? Furthermore, since an ADIF is being converted, there is no provision for the Claimed Score in the Cabrillo header.? The user would have to add it manually with a text editor. ? Finally, it is possible that the FT Challenge format will be popular enough that WW Digi DX Contest will adopt it in the future. ? ? ? Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest. While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.?? That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario. With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now?very?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic. Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable.
Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision...
We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest! 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Monday, November 18, 2024 at 06:23:49 AM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not. Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used. In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received. Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks. Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.) Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
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Hey Mike.? Want another example.? I’ve been participating in the QRP Fox Hunts a little over 20 years and occasionally I volunteer to be the Fox.? Unfortunately the ACLog package of contest logs doesn’t contain a logger the QRP Fox Hunts.? Now I could use N1MM but I don’t have enough years left in me to learn how to use N1MM.? No way Jose.? So what I do is use ACLog’s FISTS contest logger and live with the results (i.e. have to move some columns around etc).?? Oh, yea, I think FISTS uses FISTS numbers which aren’t useful in the QRP Fox Hunt. ? One of these days maybe. ? Regards, ? Pat – KZ5J ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Olbrisch Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:47 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [N3FJPSoftwareUsers] New FT Challenge #Contest ? SCOTT …… FWIW and JMHO, but I think your idea of waiting two to three years to see if a contest is growing or is just an idea that doesn’t make it is a great idea.? I’ve seen it first hand, a one-time contest that never takes off.? EXAMPLE:? In particular, I remember “The FM Challenge” put on by the PARK club in Plano TX.? It was to be 2m-FM only.? And it ended up being a huge flop, a lot of folks got upset with PARK.? The person or persons sponsoring the contest think it is a great idea.? But in actuality, some ideas just never grow.? In the case of PARK, it was the follow-through that was lacking.? It was a one-year operation, the scores never even got published, and it died a swift death.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE:? The SMIRK contest is growing again.? SMIRK was being run by a bunch of guys who just got too old to stay after it.? They asked for volunteers to take over, and the club I belong to locally (Sun City Amateur Radio Club- K5WPH) volunteered to take over SMIRK.? SMIRK has been around for a lot of years.? But the present levels of participation in the SMIRK contest are not great enough to even consider asking you for a program dedicated to the SMIRK contest.? The 5 volunteers running SMIRK had considered changing the rules for the SMIRK contest to conform with the ARRL VHF contest, but that idea was discarded because there was no way to enter and save the SMIRK number of any SMIRK members logged in your VHF contest log.
Personally, I think you are going a great job juggling it all.? Thanks for all that you do. ? Vy73 - Mike - KD5KC. El Paso, Texas - DM61rt. SOTA W5T-Texas Association Manager. ? ? ? ? Thanks for your follow up and understanding.? Given your very short lead time notification, we really had no choice. You are e-mailing us both directly and also here on the Users group.? Some of the information in my direct replies to you overlaps with your current content.??I fully detailed why WW Digi DX, without modification, isn't a good fit for your new contest?in what I thought was a comprehensive explanation, so I don't want to spend more time rewriting a long reply that would say basically the same thing. In short, users expect all our software to work similarly and correctly, right out of the box.? The WW Digi DX contest rules require a grid square as part of the exchange, while your FT Challenge does not.? The WW Digi DX software won't accept the QSO without a grid square, so users would be unable to log some valid QSOs (those without grids) in accordance with your FT Challenge rules.? Users?expect the fields in the contest exchange to be displayed in the list and be available as entry fields on the main form.? They expect the scoring to be calculated in accordance with contest rules and that all the contest exchange fields be checked for completion before entry, which is precluded by your requirement for SNR (RST) as part of the exchange.? I know you allow users to create an ADIF file for submission, which is great, but users intuitively expect to be able to create a Cabrillo file for contest submission.? SNR isn't written to the Cabrillo file in WW Digi DX.? Any program we released, claiming to support a contest, that doesn't do these things would create confusion, a bunch of support questions for us, user dissatisfaction and result in a program that we wouldn't be proud of. We are still fielding support questions for the just completed November Sweepstakes contest last weekend, we have CQ WW DX CW coming up this weekend and we are receiving setup questions for that, not to mention the daily ongoing support AC Log questions, as well as trying to carve out time to move forward with development of our new software. Come late spring, we will be out of the heart of contest season, which Lord willing should provide sufficient time to evaluate the possibilities of supporting your brand new FT Challenge contest and the time to perform the necessary coding in the months that follow, should we choose to do so. 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 02:04:32 PM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: Hi Scott. ? Fully understand and agree with your decision. ? However, I still wonder if the WW Digi DX Contest module could be easily modified to accommodate the FT Challenge in addition to WW Digi. - The SNRs do need to be displayed in N3FJP.? They are captured in WSJT-X and that’s all that’s needed.
- N3FJP does not need to create a Cabrillo for FT Challenge.? The ADIF from WSJT-X is readily converted to Cabrillo on the FT Challenge website where it can then be submitted to our log server.
- Setting up for FT Challenge, rather than WW Digi, requires NOT using the WW Digi checkbox in the WSJT-X Advanced/Special operating activity.? Instead, simply use the normal default configuration with Grid and SNR exchanges.
- The remaining issue is scoring which differs between the two contests only in the case of a missing received Grid Square.? WW Digi scores zero point while FT Challenge scores 1 point.?
? Is it feasible to add a user configuration choice in the N3FJP WW Digi program for “FT Challenge” so the software scores correctly for that contest? ? Even this is not necessary because log checking ignores any Claimed score in the Cabrillo header.? The claimed score (“Raw Score” in log checking parlance) is calculated by the log check software.? Furthermore, since an ADIF is being converted, there is no provision for the Claimed Score in the Cabrillo header.? The user would have to add it manually with a text editor. ? Finally, it is possible that the FT Challenge format will be popular enough that WW Digi DX Contest will adopt it in the future. ? ? ? Thanks for the information.? I'm sorry to hear that you are discontinuing FT Roundup after only 6 years.? Creating new, stand alone programs is a lot of work that typically takes several weeks of full effort to complete.? With less than three weeks notification before the first running of your new FT Challenge contest and all the other projects we are actively working on right now, there isn't sufficient lead time for us to create a program to support your new contest. While the scoring protocols in our WW Digi DX program are similar and will accept the standard exchange data from WSJT-X, the requirement of both SNR (RST) and grid limits our WW Digi software as a good alternative.? The SNR values are not displayed in the list to the user, the RST data entry fields are not displayed on the form or checked as containing values on entry and the transferred RST values are not written to the Cabrillo file.?? That's too bad.? Your brand new contest would have been a?relatively?easy add otherwise, by incorporating it with the existing WW Digi DX module.? If you would be willing to drop SNR from the required exchange elements or make SNR optional, the existing WW Digi software could be used as is,?and we would be happy to continue to support?your new contest now under that scenario. With all the contests we already support, any additional stand?alone programs we add to the current package are now?very?few and far between.? We wish we could support every contest out there, but with our present, stand alone program approach, that is not realistic. Additionally, in the past, we have rushed to support new contests out of the gate and wound up wasting time as a result. In some cases, contest sponsors even contact us to work with them from the start, which sounds good until they decide to completely change the rules at the last minute or abandon the project entirely, after we have already spent weeks of work on the project. In other cases, contests we supported lasted for a time, but were then abandoned, such as your FT Roundup, the Mid Atlantic QSO Party, Great Lakes QSO Party, Kid's Round up, etc. Having learned our lesson, we now typically wait at least 2-3 years after a new contest is introduced to add support, to make sure the rules are not in flux, participation is sufficient, increasing and contest coordination is stable.
Even with?those criteria, we are now very reluctant to add any more stand?alone programs.? The legs of this camel are getting mighty wobbly already, so we feel we can eventually address the many other contests that we would love to support best by turning our efforts to our next major vision...
We understand the desire to be able to have a customizable, multi platform program that can be quickly configured for every contest.? This will be a fresh, major, multi-year project that is in the long term planning process.? It is at least several years out and still in the earliest brainstorming phase, but a single, customizable program that will be more easily adapted to new and currently unsupported contests is definitely part of that long term, future vision!? We have a long way to go, but we have begun the initial feasibility steps and research to make this vision a reality!? We hope to be?able to fit?your new contest into our long term plan!? Thanks for your patience and understanding.
We wish you all the best in establishing your new contest! 开云体育 the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997. 1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give . But do this with gentleness and respect... On Monday, November 18, 2024 at 06:23:49 AM EST, Ed Muns, W0YK <ed@...> wrote: On 8-9 December 2024, the FT Challenge will take place for the first time, replacing the FT Roundup which ran from 2018-2023.? A highlight of this new contest is that it uses the standard daily FT exchange of Grid Square and SNR, with distance-based scoring.? Because the exchange is identical, contesters and non-contesters can freely and seamlessly work any station they decode in the FT sub-bands without concern if they are “in the contest” or not. Distance-based scoring is similar to that for WW Digi where one base QSO point is earned for each QSO, and distance-based points are added for each 3,000 km between the QSO partners.? Multipliers are per-band based on the 2-character Grid Field.? A worked station is only scored once per band, regardless of whether FT4 or FT8 was used. In situations where a Grid Square is not received, no distance points are earned, but the base QSO point is scored.? This can happen if a station calls in with Tx2 (SNR message) instead of Tx1 (Grid message) and the Grid Square is not received. Most any FT software can be used due to the standard exchange definition.? After the contest, export an ADIF log file and submit it to the FT Challenge Log Submittal webpage, .? The following software development teams are considering enhanced support for FT Challenge, i.e., a unique FT Challenge contest module.? Their efforts may not all be ready for the 2024 event.? We will provide updates in future posts over the next 3 weeks. Some contest loggers may already provide enhanced support.? For example, WriteLog’s WW Digi contest module can be used in conjunction with DigiRite, configured for “Grid Square & dB report”, rather than just “Grid Square”.? Both sent and received SNRs are transferred to the WriteLog log window.? Real-time score is computed with the exception that QSOs without a received Grid are currently scored as zero points (WW Digi rules) vs. the one-point credit in the FT Challenge rules.? However, new band-mults are highlighted in yellow in DigiRite.? To submit a log, use File/Export Copy to create an ADIF which can be submitted to the Log Upload webpage above. (The Cabrillo log file in the WW Digi contest module does not include the required SNR fields.) Rules are posted on the FT Challenge website: .? We hope everyone will enjoy this new FT contest.
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Ed Muns, W0YK
Ryan Huggins
Herschel KA2G
N8NN Bert
Mike Olbrisch