Introducing RTQM, QRZ's Real Time QSO Manager

I'd be more than happy to assist with BETA testing! 73

 

I'm also interesting this new future

 

I'd like to help.
Rickey
KA4GND

 

I'd like to try it, thanks.

 

I am interested in helping 73s

Greetings from Belgium

 

I’d like to help with beta testing also.

 

Ok for bèta testing ON6UHF

 

Definitely interested in participation in this project. Please advise on how to become involved. 73 de KI4RAY

 

Please sign me up too.

 

i'm interesed in this too. 73

 

Sign me up for test 73 ..

 

I've not applied to be a beta tester, as there seemed to be more than enough volunteers anyway. However, I do have a few thoughts and concerns that I hope that the designers have considered?

Firstly, that comment by F4HPX, highlites a problem about take up and people using it. Also, until it gets traction then you might be hanging about with no replies for some time.

Secondly, what happens if you are silently listening expecting replies without calling CQ and someone, who is not using RTQM, comes on and starts using the frequency. Yes, they *should* ask if the frequency is in use, but people don't always do that and, even if they do ask, you are not actually using the frequency if you are not calling CQ or in contact with someone, so you can't just 'reserve' a frequency and not use it.

Thirdly, if the system does catch on, then the bands might become quieter than they are already! Systems like the Reverse Beacon Network and PSKReporter rely upon people calling CQ. I can't see RTQM being much use for Data modes like FT8 though as they rely on people replying to an actual CQ. For the RBN there needs to be someone calling and someone receiving the CQ to be plotted on the map.

Next is that, if nobody is calling CQ but quietly waiting for a reply, then if someone tunes round the band and there are no signals, they will possibly conclude that the band is dead and go somewhere else or switch off and go and do something else. I already do this after calling CQ for 10 minutes or more on various bands and getting no reply.

Dave (G0DJA)

 

I suspect that you are correct in most respects, but that does not necessarily invalidate the concept - it may even support it. So much activity has moved to the non-conversational single frequency modes - primarily FT8 with FT4, JS8 and VaraC following on - that a conversational QSO is becoming very hard to find. That is where I'm hoping that RTQM will come to our aid...

I don't think that RTQM brings much to the party for the single frequency modes. I do operate FT8 sometimes - though increasingly rarely - I plant myself on 7.074 or 14.074, put out an occasional CQ and allow WSJT-X to highlight callsigns that are in some way relevant to my award aspirations. When I was last on FT8, I did post an entry on RTQM, but I did not consult the RTQM list to see it there were any stations operating FT8 that I might want to call - WSJT-X already does that for me.

What I find interesting on RTQM is the potential to help me find QSOs on unusual modes or ragchews. I like PSK31 - but there are few users these days - I could easily imagine posting on RTQM seeking a PSK31 QSO on 20m. I like to ragchew about astronomy, horse riding or sailing - again, I could imagine posting an entry on RTQM looking for like minded people for a ragchew.

But the rarity of those modes and the rarity of people willing to ragchew would mean that the levels of usage of RTQM would be low most of the time. That would not stop me using it - if it becomes a ragcherer's dating service, I would embrace it with open arms. Will QRZ keep it running if the total number of icons on the map is in single figures much of the time? Possibly not - which would be a shame, I think...

Martin (G8FXC)

 

What about combining what both of you suggested? Post a spot on RTQM and give CQ calls, say once in 5 minutes or so? That way it will keep the airwaves active. Spotting will help others look out for weak signals as with DX clusters. Most often I just look at the waterfall display in FT-710 and conclude whether the band is active or not, knowing fully well that waterfall may not pick up weak signals. To test it out, I am posting on 14.200 MHz now: 'CQ every five minutes for 15 minutes from now!' Let us see.