The FT4 mode was introduced in WSJT-X version 2.1.0 in 2019; the release notes
and
announcements state that the mode is intended for use in HF digital contesting
where
'quick-fire' exchanges such as those achieved using RTTY are desired. I'd like
to suggest a
change that would help achieve this aim a bit better; the following applies to
v2.1.0 and all
subsequent versions up to and including v2.3.1 (I haven't yet tried any of the
RC versions of
v2.4.0).
An FT4 (and an FT8!) QSO generally looks something like the following:
CQ K1JT FN20
K1JT G0HDB IO82
G0HDB K1JT -10
K1JT G0HDB R-08
G0HDB K1JT RR73
K1JT G0HDB 73
Currently, the logging window only pops open on my screen to prompt me to log
the QSO
when the final (Tx5) '73' message is being sent - this is to all extents and
purposes
superfluous because the QSO has been successfully completed when K1JT has sent
his
RR73 (and I've received it). My sending the superfluous '73' message extends
the overall
duration of the QSO by adding a further Tx period at my end of the sequence so
I can't move
on to trying to start the next QSO.
I'd like to suggest that the logging window is opened when I've *received* the
other station's
RR73 message and that sending the final Tx5 '73' message is either removed from
the
sequence altogether or is made optional. This would help to improve the
overall throughput
of FT4 QSOs.
The code to open the logging window on receipt of an incoming 'RR73' message
and to
desist from sending the Tx5 '73' message must already exist within the app
because that's
what already happens when I operate as a Hound in FT8 Fox & Hounds mode - when
I
receive the Fox's 'RR73' the logging window pops open and my system doesn't
send the
unnecessary Tx5 '73' .
I'd actually like to see the logging window open in any mode when I either send
*or receive*
an RRR or RR73 message - in my opinion that would align the prompting to log
the QSO
much more closely with the completion of the exchange of the essential
information for the
QSO and would leave the sending of a final '73' as an optional nicety.
--
73, Martin G0HDB
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