FT Challenge FAQs

General

Why is dB report required in the exchange?
The dB report exchange is a crucial part of this contest because it allows you to work non-contesters seamlessly, giving them the dB report they seek to complete the QSO for their purposes. This feature enables you to work any station on the air for contest credit!

Can I enter the Classic Overlay category without entering the regular Single Operator category?
No, the Classic Overlay category is an additional category available only to entrants in a Single Operator category. Your score is listed in both the Single Operator and Classic Overlay categories.

How is the 30-minute Off-Time calculated?
Entries are permitted a maximum “scoring time” of 24 hours. Breaks in operating time (also called ‘off-times’) must be a minimum of 30 minutes. There must be 30 consecutive minutes which have no QSO. If your last QSO before an off-time is at 09:00, you may not make another QSO until 09:31. The thirty consecutive off minutes are 09:01, 09:02, … 09:00. If you take a break that is less than 30 minutes, the entire ‘break’ time will count as scoring time.
Off-times can be of any length. For example, you can have breaks of 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, and 1.5 hours. Or you can take all of your off-time in one 6-hour break. Of course, you can take as much off-time as you want. It is your choice to take more than 6 hours off, but you may give an advantage to your competition.
Scoring time begins with the first QSO. Any QSOs in your log after 24 hours of scoring time will be removed without penalty during the log checking. The rules no longer require you to submit the list of off-time periods in your log. The log checking software will do the off-time calculations.
Do not remove any QSOs from your log for any reason.  This is unsportsmanlike operating because it will cause a NIL penalty to the stations whose QSOs you removed.

Are we restricted to the recommended contest sub-bands in the Rules?
No! The beauty of this contest is that you can work any FT4 or FT8 station anywhere on the 5 bands.  The contest sub-bands recommended in the Rules are intended to relieve the daily sub-bands from excessive congestion during the contest period, which is to everyone’s advantage. Feel free to work any station anywhere, though.

Operating

Can I operate more than 24 hours?
Yes! If you’re enjoying yourself, by all means contribute to the contest activity.  Other participants will appreciate another station to work and you will have fun!  Leave all QSOs in your log so that other stations do not get NIL penalties.  The log check software will properly score just the first 24 hours of your operation.

If I can’t start operating at the beginning of the contest period, must I wait for 30 minutes of off-time?
The 30-minute minimum off-time only applies after your first QSO.

Is it a violation to send a final 73 message?
No, but it is unnecessary and wastes time for you. This practice by some operators creates confusion for all operators about whether both sides consider the QSO complete and will log it.

Can I work the same station on the same band with both FT4 and FT8?
Yes, but only one QSO will count in your score. Do not remove the second QSO as this will cause a NIL penalty for the other station.

To save time, can I call stations with my dB report (Tx2) rather than my Grid Square (Tx1)?
No, as a conscious contest participant, you should always call other stations with your Grid Square message. Otherwise, they will not get any possible distance QSO points and this would be unsportsmanlike operating on your part. Many non-contesters will call with Tx2 (dB report) rather than Tx1 (Grid Square) as they normally do in everyday operation. This contest is designed to accommodate them to provide more activity for the contest.

A station calls me with their dB report rather than their Grid Square. How do I get their Grid Square?
You probably can’t get their Grid Square due to the structured FT protocol, so enter ZZ00 as the Grid Square if you can, otherwise leave it blank and the log upload process will fill in any missing Grid Squares with ZZ00.

What do I do if my QSO partner doesn’t send their Grid Square?
Enter ZZ00 as the Grid Square if you can, otherwise leave it blank and the log submittal process will fill in any missing Grid Squares with ZZ00.

Can I use a Call History file (exchange pre-fill) for missing Grid Square?
Yes, but don’t assume it is correct!  However, if the missing Grid Square is in a prior received message in your software, e.g., a prior QSO or a CQ message, that is more reliable.  It is unsportsmanlike to use databases external to the contest such as QRZ.com.

Logging

What logging software works with FT Challenge?

Please see the Logging Software webpage.

What if my software doesn’t compute the score correctly?
It doesn’t matter. Any claimed score submitted with your log is ignored.  The log check software computes your claimed score, called “Raw Score” when the log is submitted.

What if a station calls me after I already have them in my log?
Best practice is to work the station again anyway.  Your prior QSO may not be in their log and you would get a NIL penalty for it.  Working them again removes that risk.  Duplicate contacts are not scored and there is no penalty, i.e., the same as if they are not in your log, from a scoring perspective.

I made a mistake in my logging and do not want it to count for my score. Should I remove it from my log?
No! Never remove QSOs from your log as this will cause a NIL penalty in the other log.  Instead, use a text editor on your Cabrillo log file and put X-QSO: in place of QSO: at the beginning of the QSO line you wish to not be considered in your own score.

I made notes during the contest of mistakes in my log. Can I make corrections after the contest?
Yes, edits may be made from any notes made during the contest, including information in the ALL.txt file.  However, no edits may be made using material outside your operating experience, e.g., databases giving Grid Square per call sign.

I tried to submit my log several times and have not been successful. Should I just give up?
Please email ftc-questions@rttycontesting.com with a description of the problem and a copy of your ADIF or Cabrillo log file.

My log was accepted but it does not appear on the Received Logs webpage. What should I do?
Email ftc-questions@rttycontesting.com with a copy of your ADIF or Cabrillo log file.

What if I cannot submit my log by within the 5-day deadline?
Email ftc-questions@rttycontesting.com with an explanation to request an extension.