One-hour "practice contest" sessions will be held this week and next week using the FT4 mode and the ARRL RTTY Roundup rules. Thursday, May 9, 0000-0100 UTC (Wednesday evening, May 8, NA time) Tuesday, May 14 0000-0100 UTC (Monday evening, May 13, NA time) Dial frequency 7.090 (and higher, in 2 kHz increments, if too much QRM). Everyone works everyone. To participate you must use WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc5. Installation packages for Windows and Linux can be found near the bottom of this web page: https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html Note that this Release Candidate ("RC5") is a beta-test version. A full release of WSJT-X 2.1 is targeted for release in July 2019. Be sure to read "The FT4 Protocol for Digital Contesting." Links to this document in ten languages are available on the WSJT-X web page: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html . Also, be sure to read the updated list of known issues and workarounds: http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/Reported_bugs.txt IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE MOCK CONTEST: 1. On the *Settings | Advanced* tab, check the *Special operating activity* and *ARRL RTTY Roundup* options. In the field labeled "Exch" enter the 2- or 3-letter abbreviation for your state or province (US/Canadian stations) or DX if you are not in the US or Canada. 2. Make sure that 7.090 appears in your drop-down frequency list for FT4 mode. Navigate to *File | Settings | Frequencies*, right-click on the frequencies table, select *Insert*, then *IARU Region = All*, *Mode = FT4*, and enter *Frequency = 7.090*. 3. Go to *File | Open log directory* and rename your ADIF log wsjt_log.adi to something like wsjtx_log.adi.bak, so as to start the mock contest with an empty log. Also select *File | Reset Cabrillo log*. Remember to restore your original ADIF log after the mock contest. 4. Go to *File | Reporting* and check *Log automatically (contesting only)* and *Clear DX call and grid after logging*. 5. Go to *File | Settings | Colors* and check these boxes (reading top to bottom): X My call in message X New DXCC X New Call on Band X CQ in message X Transmitted message 6. Do not use a compound or nonstandard callsign in this event. Post your results and comments here so we can all learn from an actual FT4 contest-like experience. If you are not already subscribed, you may wish to join the email list wsjt-devel: https://sourceforge.net/p/wsjt/mailman That list is the best way to communicate directly with the WSJT Development Group. -- 73, Joe, K1JT (for the WSJT Development Group)