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First JT-65A Contacts!
30 June 2014 | by  |
| JT-65 Spots on 40 Meter with 2 Watts |
Over the weekend I setup WSJT-X on my old XP computer. I let it do some decoding off and on over the weekend on several bands – and I was decoding well!
So last night I went down to the shack about 0350 UTC and fired up the rig on 40 meters. I set WSJT-X to 40 meters and started seeing several signals on the waterfall, and decodes started coming in.
Over the next 45 minutes I worked 6 stations – 5 on JT-65 and one on JT-9. It was pretty much back to back QSO’s which was fun. I have read a few people complain about the slow speed, and the short contest style exchange.
I actually loved both aspects on this mode! I am really not much of a rag chewer, I prefer the hit and run style of contacts. The speed didn’t seem abnormally slow to me, about the same length of time a typical CW QSO takes at my speed.
Anyway, this mode is a blast, especially in my noisy environment. The weak signals still come through and get decoded in the noise.
Here are the stations I worked:
WB0N – Bert in Minnesota JT-65
NC7L – Robert in Arizona JT-65
W6PDP – Charles in California JT-65
K7IPP – Neil in Arizona JT-65
KF7DRU – David in Arizona JT-9
KI5PM – Ken in Texas JT-65
This was a very fun session playing radio! I will definitely be back to the JT modes for more contacts.
On a side note – my little 2 watt signal was decoded in Switzerland as well! Not bad for 2 watts on 40 meters from an attic antenna. I did see a couple decodes of stations in South America, but I did not work them, or attempt to work them.
If you haven’t ventured into the digital modes, what are you waiting for? Jump in and have some fun!
One Response to “First JT-65A Contacts!”
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Got my rig set up for the first time in over a year in my new place. Just like you…was working JT-65…but on 20M with an old MP-1 screwdriver antenna in my room by the window (because of HOA in my neighborhood).
Having lived in an apartment for the past year…forgot the fun I had AND was making contacts in more places than I ever have. Now…want to run my End-Fed wire out of the window and along the side of the house…if I can figure out how to make the 16 ga speaker wire stealth enough on the roof facing the street to the side of the house…down along the old coax left by the satellite company and sit it on top of the gravel next to the house.