JT65B Activity Periods

The Digital On Six Group (DOS) will begin sponsoring an Activity Period on May 1^st 2009.. (This will give stations time to download the software if needed, time to read the User’s Guide and Reference Manual.

The default mode is JT65B on 50.294 MHz.  The purpose of this event is to enhance the chances for stations completing contacts using JT65B during dead –band conditions plus to promote the use of JT65B for terrestrial contacts on six meters.

 When the band opens the activity period will focus activity on other digital modes and their respected calling frequencies thereby promoting activity during  a set time for those modes.

Guideline for the JT65B Activity Periods Version 1.0 a
These guidelines are provided as a starting point. (Note there is flexibility, these events are to be fun but yet structured. These are not contests)

1. The  Activity Periods are scheduled every Friday night lasting one hour minimum with two focus periods beginning at:
 Eastern 09:00 PM  / Central 08:00 PM and Mountain 09:00 PM / Pacific 08:00 PM. Stations are encouraged and free to work past the one hour minimum and may operate both focus periods if possible.

2.       The JT65B frequency is 50.294MHz (This is the dial frequency using USB)

3.       Stations calling CQ with the focus to the east set WSJT to “Tx First” and disable “Tx First” when focus is west. (Note exceptions below)

4.       When decoding a station you wish to call, always use the opposite tx sequence of the target station regardless of direction from your qth. (Answering a CQ or tail-ending a contact)

5.       To avoid QRM with a local station, operators can coordinate tx / rx sequences. (i.e. tx / rx at the same time as your neighbor)

6.       Contacts using JT65B are encouraged anywhere in the pass band of the receive waterfall with a VFO Dial setting of 50.294.

7.       Stations use the JT65B “Terrestrial Messages” for routine contacts but may switch to the EME messages if needed to complete a weaker signal contact.

8. During band openings stations can if they choose qsy from 50.294 JT65B to: (50.290 PSK; 50.260 JT6M; 50.2925 Olivia) Note that the band will not be normally open for all areas at the same time.  Use standard operating procedures for digital modes during band openings and refrain from using other digital modes on 50.294 MHz. During an opening a stations could choose to continue JT65B.

9.   Comments and critique for the activity period should be posted on the DOS email reflector after each activity period.  Include also a listing of all stations worked and heard by mode.

JT65B Activity Period Hints: (Version 1.0a)

When preparing your report for posting to the DOS reflector, you can copy / paste decoded messages from the wsjt receive window.

JT65B is a time synchronizing mode thus stations must verify their pc time is accurate.

Monitoring stations should tail-end contacts only after the target station completes his contact.

Care should be taken while monitoring to determine which sequence a station you wish to call is using so that you use the opposite sequence.

Protocol is stations use the “Terrestrial Messages” but if you have both calls and have difficult from that point on decoding, swapping to EME messages will provide an advantage.

If you are copying a station by “ear” and not getting decodes, try using the <include> button.

Double click on either the “Red Spike” or “SpecJT waterfall” to set sync.  Once sync is set do not adjust the vfo or click in the waterfall again so as to move your transmit.

DOS recommends participation in the Saturday & Sunday morning Random Hour activity periods.