FT8 Intercontinental DX to/from Europe

Recommended protocol for 

50.323 MHz


During the Northern Hemisphere Summer Es season, 50.313 MHz for FT8 contacts has become very congested, especially in Europe, and stations are increasingly using 50.323 MHz for intercontinental DX working.  In order not to cause QRM to each other, and to permit the most efficient use of FT8 for weak signal DX, it is highly desirable for stations to operate in compatible transmit windows. Working with 50 MHz operators in Japan, UKSMG has prepared these guidelines for contacts to/from Europe on 50.323 MHz. 
   
  1. European stations to transmit in the “even” periods.  That is 00 and 30 seconds past each minute.

  2. Asian and North American stations to transmit in the odd periods.  That is 15 and 45 seconds past each minute.

  3. Please do not use 50.323 MHz for working stations within your own continent.  Europeans working other Europeans is strongly discouraged.

  4. For additional detailed information, the excellent FT8 operating guide by ZL2IFB is highly recommended:
    http://www.g4ifb.com/FT8_Hinson_tips_for_HF_DXers.pdf      

 50323-FT8.png
 

The proposed protocol is also recommended for intercontinental DX (only) to/from Europe on 50.313. But note that, although the reservation of 50.323 for intercontinental DX is strongly recommended for global adoption, the timing protocol described here is not intended to apply to contacts not involving Europe, such as those between North America and Japan.

See  here for further clarification.

Any comments or suggestions please email to g3zyy@uksmg.org or use the comments form below.

Last updated: 17 Jul 2021



Comments

Posted by Mario, K2ZD on 13 Jun : 23:29
Registered: 18 Mar : 19:43
Comments: 2
 		UKSMG, Very glad that the group has taken the lead in to facilitate a greater chance of working DX on these new digital modes. Looking forward to everyone working a new one this E season, 73 Mario K2ZD

Posted by mm0hvu on 03 Aug : 09:56
Registered: 03 Aug : 09:47
Comments: 1
 		Hi, I hope things are good there, can you please confirm the EU Tx "evens" and AS and NA "odd" is intended for Dx operation on 50.323 only. thank you and have a great weekend David

Posted by Trev, EA5ISZ on 12 May : 08:25

Comments: 11
 		Hi David, yes, the sequence is intended for DX use on 50.323. 50.313 is used for contacts within your own continent as well as DX so at least one half of the contact has to be using the opposite sequence. If calling CQ on 50.313 it would make sense to stick to transmit 'evens' in Europe which would at least give you the opportunity to pick up some DX as well as the 'local' traffic.

Posted by Bob, G8HGN on 26 Apr : 17:43
Registered: 05 Aug : 10:03
Comments: 2
 		Why on earth did you choose 1st period when all other MGM modes follow the IARU MS procedure, which uses 2nd period when beaming to EU. No research done? I couldn't fathom out why all the newcomers were TXing 1st to EU when ES was about. Really bad choice.

Bob G8HGN

Posted by Bruno, ON6AB on 14 May : 07:54
Registered: 06 Jun : 07:18
Comments: 1
 		Bob, I'm afraid you're proposing the exact same thing as the UKSMG.
2nd TO EU is 1st FROM EU.

Posted by Bob, G8HGN on 14 May : 18:24
Registered: 05 Aug : 10:03
Comments: 2
 		Hi Bruno,

Sorry I don't understand. how can it be both? I am explicitly talking about 50.313 NOT 50.323. The JA's messed that up already.
Beam West 1st & East 2nd is what I am saying. No matter where in the world you are. Simple. 73 Bob G8HGN

Posted by Trev, EA5ISZ on 10 Jun : 07:10

Comments: 11
 		The trouble is its not simple when referring to operation on 313. For example I'm in Spain, which period do I use to work UK and vice versa? It only becomes sensible to specify periods based upon direction when contacts within your own continent are not an option. On that basis, general agreement for 323 is EU transmits 00/30 and US/Asia 15/45. Of course there are combinations of other countries which will mean its impossible to stick to this, but for the vast majority of QSOs that take place, it will ensure minimial interference from stations within your own continent. This system has now been running for a few years and is generally working well.

Posted by Ilya, 4Z1UF on 10 Jun : 18:42
Registered: 23 Jul : 06:14
Comments: 1
 		Hi,
just got a (not too polite) advice from EU ham to "switch to 1st sequence" because "all the NA and Carrib are on the 2nd right now" and I'm probably disturbing him (at 50.323) calling CQ on odd.
Would be glad to see some comments.
73!

Posted by Tony , EI7BMB on 28 May : 17:30
Registered: 18 Mar : 16:00
Comments: 3
 		May I echo what Mario said above, great to see a debate on this

Posted by Lance, W7GJ on 05 Jun : 17:10
Registered: 17 Mar : 18:50
Comments: 2
 		I think it is great that the UKSMG is trying to take a lead on this. However, I think the current proposal is a bit arbitrary and doesn't make the most sense. I would much prefer to see intercontinental contacts follow the same protocol as all contacts. Who goes first sequence and who goes second is something that can be plugged into the procedure. For many years on VHF, we have always used a procedure on meteor scatter of having the more eastern station take one sequence and the more western station take the other sequence. If your beam heading is from 0 to 180 degrees azimuth, you are the WESTERN station. If your beam heading is between 180 and 360 degrees azimuth, you are the EASTERN station. Simple as that. Currently from NA to JA, we primarily have been using the sequencing of NA (the Eastern stations) TX First, or Even, and JA (the Western stations) TX Second, or Odd. The same procedure could be used between EU and NA, where EU is East and would TX First and NA is West and would TX Second. The same rules could apply to 50.323, 50.313 or whatever frequency was being used for contacts between any two stations anywahere within or outside of their IARU Regions. Obviously there are still some situations where there could be confusion (such as when the azimuth is exactly 180.0 or 360.0 degrees), but worldwide adoption of this system would be able to function the great majority of the time. Just my 2 cents from an old timer... VY 73, Lance W7GJ

Posted by EA5ISZ on 14 Jun : 13:33
Registered: 15 Jun : 07:37
Comments: 1
 		Thanks Lance and Steve for your comments. Lance, we certainly looked at the sequence based upon direction idea but it is flawed in that it leaves the possibility (indeed probability) of both sequences being used within the same continent which will give rise to the QRM we are trying to avoid. That method was fine pre FT8 when much fewer stations were operating together. Now, the result is what we see on 50.313 where all stations are able to use whichever sequence suits. On 313 this is not an issue as most contacts are intra-continental and therefore both sequences must be used and we put up with the local QRM. The intention with 323 is for everyone within Europe to transmit in the even sequence keeping the odd sequence free for DX. No intra-continental QSOs to take place.

If we have made an error here, it is not to have made clear that this is both a recommendation and not a directive, and that it obviously cannot apply to every contact. That is something that we will be addressing shortly. Hopefully for you in VK Steve, and others, the knowledge that EU at least should be listening in the odd sequence will give you the assurance that you will stand the best chance of being heard.

Posted by Steve, VK3ZAZ on 06 Jun : 06:08
Registered: 29 Jun : 17:33
Comments: 3
 		Either way VK at least is up against a stone wall be it JA or EU.
We just cant tell.
We tx odds and listen evens generally.
But there is always someone going back off mode.
323 has been very quiet here 313 a tad more productive.
vk3ot
[ edited 06 Jun : 12:34 ]

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