I will loosely follow up on Article my brother Martin, OM1MJ, in which he describes the process by which he managed to get DIGI mods working, specifically FT8. I first became aware of the existence of digital operation in 2004 as part of a course for young radio amateurs in Martinské holy, while learning the necessary theory for exams. However, with the passage of time, I did not investigate this issue further.
The joy of radio amateur connections always came through the classic way of speaking into a microphone, or using morse code, and I never thought that one day I would communicate with the world digitally as a radio amateur.
Until the turning point at the end of August 2020. Thanks to my brother Martin OM1MJ, who skillfully built a box for connecting the laptop to the transceiver, connected the necessary components and installed the software (technical details in his post), I discovered the magic of FT8 operation. I got to work very quickly, as the operation and maintenance of the FT8 is easy for the operator. I state this from the point of view of a woman whose friendship with a transceiver was not always a matter of course. However, the right time has come.
Everything in the world has its supporters and detractors, and DIGI fashion did not avoid it either. After more than 3 months of establishing connections via FT8, I have to admit that without the necessary technical equipment, knowledge of this operation, the antenna system and finding favorable conditions for the propagation of radio waves, even digital connections would be very difficult to establish, if at all. By that I just want to say that DIGI modes naturally belong to radio amateurs and for me they are a certain enrichment of classic connections via SSB or CW.
You will read in the article
WSJT-X program for FT8
By default, I launch FT8 through the program WSJT-X, which inherently includes a program window with a graph (Wide Graph). By the way, the graph is an essential part of the program, because it is here that I regulate my position and frequency during the broadcast and monitor whether other stations are threatening me with their signal, which could ruin my desired connection.
Program WSJT-X is cleverly and clearly designed. The main window of the program is divided into two parts, where in the first part I monitor the activity of the stations on the band and in the second part I monitor the progress of the connection itself in the lines. What I also consider very important is the color scale, according to which the stations on the band are distinguished according to whether it is a completely new country DXCC, a brand with which I do not have a connection, or a station with which I have already established a connection. The line highlighted in red is the connection with my brand. Lines that are not highlighted with any color are stations that are currently connecting to each other.
If I want to start a connection, I have two options, just like on other types of operations. I will either issue a call or call the station that sent the call. In the case of FT8, this process takes place virtually, through the click of a computer mouse, but it is still true that the operator is the one who regulates the connection.
O úspešnosti spojenia informuje vyskakovacie okno, ale pozor, ak situácia nastane na mojej strane, ešte to neznamená, že je všetko v poriadku aj u operátora na strane druhej. Dôležitým znakom úspešne ukončeného spojenia je čarovné 73 vyslané oboma stranami. Nadviazané spojenia sú automaticky uložené v log súbore, takže ich nie je potrebné zvlášť niekde zaznamenávať.
Diplomas for FT8 and digital operation, Ultimate AAC program
The joy of connecting on DIGI modes is enhanced by the possibility to apply for beautiful diplomas. I admit that this fact was also one of the motivators for me to try FT8. The Ultimate AAC program is used to process and request diplomas, where the operator simply uploads a file with connections and the program automatically evaluates and generates the diplomas in a few days. There are several clubs from different countries that issue diplomas. Registration is required for individual clubs, but it is not a difficult process at all. The diplomas can be downloaded either directly from the Ultimate AAC program or from the EPC club website, which is much clearer and easier. The diplomas themselves have countless categories for which they can be obtained. For example, according to the number of different countries, for a certain number of prefixes, locators and the like. I consider it a nice reward for the time spent with the trasceiver with the typical FT8 sound accompaniment, and it is definitely worth it.
How to get diplomas
Over the course of time spent at FT8, I managed to get more than 400 diplomas. You can see a selection of the most beautiful ones at photo albums, where I gradually complete the diplomas. At the same time, I am attaching the procedure for applying for diplomas. It's not difficult:
- Download the app "UltimateAAC" : http://epc-mc.eu/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=2:windows&lang=en (Windows OS)
- Start the installation and choose your language honor
- Run the app, the first time you run it it will prompt you to install database driver (do so)
- Bookmark "User Data": Fill in your call sign, full name and email address
- Bookmark "Diary": "Choose" (select file ADIF with your FT8 connections)
- Click "Save"
- Choose from the menu "FT8DMC" (you can also choose from the offer other clubs that issue diplomas)
- Wait a while for the application to process the connections
- Subsequently, you will see all available diplomas arranged in tabs according to categories (continent, country)
- The green tabs contain the diplomas you are currently studying, click on one
- If the button is displayed "Send", you are entitled to it, click on it
- An email notifying that the diploma is ready for download will arrive in a few days, the diploma manager must prepare them manually
- You can download diplomas from the application "UltimateAAC" by clicking on the yellow icon in the top menu (after moving the mouse cursor to the icon, the text will appear: Download diplomas)
- Repeat the procedure 10 – 13 for each new diploma
- Enjoy your nice diplomas!
73/88 Andrea, OM1ADA