Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Welcome to the Charlie Tango DX Group. The home of ALL things Radio - CB, 11m DX, Amateur, PMR446, PLD, Network and Data. We welcome all radio enthusiasts of all knowledge levels. Join today and claim your own unique World Famous CT Call-sign
Join in with the fun of the Charlie Tango DX Group Winter 11m Challenge - from December 1st 2024
Call Sign : 26-CT-3971 / 2E0LMI Posts : 1340 Times Thanked : 86 Join date : 2021-01-30 QTH or Location : Cirencester, Gloucestershire Equipment Used : Little radios, home-made antennas
Subject: Canada, Ecuador, or bad decode? Thu Jan 12, 2023 8:10 am
New at this FT8 thing, so sorry if its a silly question but I have done a few net searches about bad decodes on the net and not come up with an answer.
Is it ludicrous to think that distance could be received on that band? The grid square is Antarctica!? CF7WKX is a valid call, a special call alias of VA7WKX.. Canada. So what do experienced people say?
Gave it a call for a laugh, but nothing, which didn't surprise me as was only using my homemade 2m j-pole in the loft and only contacts actually made last night were a few very local ones.
Victor likes this post
Alan Pilot Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-220... Posts : 2657 Times Thanked : 70 Join date : 2019-11-19 QTH or Location : Anglesey North Wales Equipment Used : Yaesu FT-991A,,Yaesu FTDX-10,,Icom ic-7610,,Anytone AT-D878UV PLUS",,LINCOLN II+. Age : 16
Subject: Re: Canada, Ecuador, or bad decode? Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:49 am
Hi Neal Both of the calls come up as Canada for me. As you say that is some distance on 70cm. Only ever tried 2m and 70cm with a m8 just to see but will have a look at some time but i lock up the shack around 5pm this time of year.
Victor CT Directors
Call Sign : 26-CT-3228 / M7VIC Posts : 6292 Times Thanked : 389 Join date : 2019-11-10 QTH or Location : Bedford Equipment Used : Various
Subject: Re: Canada, Ecuador, or bad decode? Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:01 am
Nothing surprises me anymore on FT8 Neal.
I must have quite a collection of unidentified/pirate/completely made-upium call signs and locators in my log now.
The low signal level and timing error raises an eyebrow and I know that the 'deep decoding' option on WSJTX can throw some right wobblers. I often ignore them and carry on.
Ivy Mike likes this post
Ivy Mike Major contributor
Call Sign : 26CT4113/G1HWY Posts : 536 Times Thanked : 15 Join date : 2021-05-16 QTH or Location : IO90uv Equipment Used : ICOM radios/antenna farm Age : 69
Subject: Re: Canada, Ecuador, or bad decode? Thu Jan 12, 2023 9:02 pm
Victor is bang on.
Quite often I have seen some weird decodes, on all bands btw.
I have had some stations call me and just have to ignore them as the call and locator does not exist, most of these are very weak signals btw.
Yesterday at 10:35 pm by 
Subject: Canada, Ecuador, or bad decode? 
