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.
- European stations to transmit in the “even” periods. That is 00 and 30 seconds past each minute.
- Asian and North American stations to transmit in the odd periods. That is 15 and 45 seconds past each minute.
- Please do not use 50.323 MHz for working stations within your own continent. Europeans working other Europeans is strongly discouraged.
- 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

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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Posted by Tony , EI7BMB on 28 May : 17:30 |
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May I echo what Mario said above, great to see a debate on this |
Posted by Lance, W7GJ on 05 Jun : 17:10 |
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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 |
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Posted by Steve, VK3ZAZ on 06 Jun : 06:08 |
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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 ] |
Posted by Steve, VK3ZAZ on 07 Jan : 06:45 |
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Jan 7th a wonderful opening to TG XE PJ J35…9y4 spoiled by local qrm in 313. The dx missed out. The locals missed out. Many just worked each other cross period, other zls worked ja They now run high power and armed the dx For the life of me I fail to understand If this was the okd 110 there would be hell to pay. And if I recall rightly the last two European openings in July suffered the same fate Eu working ja. Wiping out Oceana. I guess it’s lip service 50.323 Nada. |
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