I'm a SatPC32 user at home, so when I toggle CW mode on, the downlink gets kicked into CW mode as well. On some birds, the transponder is stable enough that it works, on others, it's a #FAIL.
One solution if your radio supports it is to adjust or add a wider filter to your downlink radio that remains available in CW. I have started adding additional lines to my Doppler.SQF file to set the modes appropriately - e.g. "USB-D,LSB-D" for FT4, and it finally dawned on me to use "USB,CW" for a more passband-friendly CW. Not quite as quick as the CW +/- toggle but it works for me. Other computer-control systems may allow you to switch the uplink and downlink modes independently (ex: CSN's S.A.T.). And of course, you do not need as much power on CW (I can often tell when someone is running too much by the behavior of the satellite's downlink). FT4 requires even less (and running a 2nd WSJT instance will allow you to monitor your downlink). Since anyone using FT4 has to be computer controlled, I think setting a gathering spot near a passband edge should not be a problem. I recall the initial FT4 experiments were near the passband bottom?
John's suggestions are excellent and based on years of experience.
73 Steve KS1G
On Mon, Aug 23, 2021 at 11:47 AM john@papays.com wrote:
FT4 activity on RS-44 has been increasing. FT4 can be heard just about everywhere in the passband and this can create problems for SSB and CW users. I have heard FT4 around 435668, 64x,639 and 620. The HF bands are divided into mode segments so CW,SSB and Digital are not in the same areas. On RS-44 there are no segments so it is all modes everywhere. Several days ago I listened to WB9YIG trying to work N1DM around 435639, but every time N1DM would give his callsign a FT4 signal would be on top of him. They finally gave up. I doubt if it was intentional. The FT4 computer was just doing what it was programmed to do. The operator may have not even been listening (not a good idea on sats). Also keep in mind that a FT4 signal is key down continuous carrier, much more demanding on satellite power than SSB or to some extent CW. The beauty of FT4 is supposed to be that you don't need a strong signal to decode, so flea power should work well.
It would be good if all the FT4 operations would move to one area on the transponder. I suggest 435610-435620 because it is the least used area. The top end has become very crowded lately due to some rovers operating in that area. This has encouraged others to operate there as well. Maybe some others have a better suggestion.
FT4 is not the only issue on RS-44. CW activity has been increasing as well. CW and SSB can co-exist, however, CW ops cannot be using CW filters and expect not to interfere with SSB stations. Again we don't have a CW segment so using CW filters are not going to be appropriate. Please use a SSB RX filter when operating CW and make sure you don't hear SSB in your passband before starting up. Same for SSB stations. Don't start up if you hear CW in your passband. Just move to a clear spot.
If you are not computer conrtolled for doppler, you are going to be moving in the passband. And you are likely going to slide into another QSO, especially now that RS-44 activity has increased. Please try to keep your position in the passband stable. If your radio can be computer controlled, please take advantage of that so that you don't move. You never have to send dits, whistle or blow into the mic when you are computer controlled. And you won't be transmitting on top of somebody.
Just my opinion of course.
73, John K8YSE