Dear 2019 ARRL RTTY Roundup participant,
ARRL has received a log submission from you in the 2019 ARRL RTTY Roundup. Your log entry indicated you participated as a “NON-ASSISTED” entrant.
This year was the first appearance of FT8 mode contacts in the event. As discussed in the 2018 December QST announcement, and in the event rules on the ARRL web at
RTTY Roundup, as FT8 (and some PSK) participants benefit from seeing the decodes of multiple stations (multiple channels) at one time in the decode window, by default FT8 users are considered “ASSISTED” entrants. Follows is rule 7.4 speaking to Multi-channel Decoders:
7.4. FT8 entrants: Participants must use WSJT-X version 2.0 or later to ensure they are able to transmit and receive the exchange messages the event requires. Unattended operation is not permitted. Utilizing QSO/macro automations is not permitted. Fox-and-Hounds mode is not permitted (each contact must be carried out in a one-to-one mode, manually accepting/logging each contact.) Since ARRL contest rules regarding spotting assistance prohibit the use of “automated, multi-channel decoders” by Single-Operator entrants, stations using software that decodes more than one FT8 signal at a time will have to enter as Single-Operator Unlimited or as Multioperator, just as PSK participants have had to do in the past when using fldigi or DigiPan software. Logging software mode “DG” will be accepted as an abbreviation for all digital QSOs other than RTTY, which will continue to be designated as “RY.” This will assist the ARRL Contest Branch in distinguishing RTTY from other digital-mode contacts in order to assess the popularity of each. Logs designating all contacts with “RY” will be accepted, however. FT8 users are encouraged to spread out to help increase decoding and contact success. High power and large antennas are not necessary for successful FT8 decodes.
As your participation appears to include one or more FT8 QSOs, either claimed by your log (per your logged frequencies reported, or via common FT8 exchanges used) or confirmed in log cross checking with stations you worked who made FT8 contacts, your entry will be reclassified as “ASSISTED” (which is also referred to as “UNLIMITED” in the event results). Your entry would therefore appear in the results under the “UNLIMITED” category results.
If you used FT8 and understand why we are making this adjustment in your entry category, no reply is required (no action on your part is required).
If you did not make any FT8 QSOs in this event, please drop me an email describing your operation during the entire event and confirming what modes you used. We will in turn make inquiry to any stations who may have claimed to have worked you on FT8 to ensure that participant’s log is accurate. If you have never made an FT8 contact please confirm that as well.
Overall, it appears RTTY and FT8 participants coexisted very well in this event, and based on the 1,000 plus additional logs received this year (as compared to last year) having the new FT8 mode (joining the list of available digital modes) generated significant, fresh, enthusiasm for the event.
Thanks for participating.
73,
Bart Jahnke, W9JJ
Contest Branch Manager
ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™
225 Main St
Newington CT 06111
w9jj@arrl.org
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