At the risking of hijacking the original thread, I'll add my two-cents worth.
I'm using FT8 because it's a good way to rack up QSOs. My passion these days is for portable operation, where programs like SOTA and POTA need a certain number of contacts for activation credit. At least during weekdays, it can be tough to scrounge up the necessary minimum on CW if you're not 'spotted'. By contrast, FT8 is always jumping if the band's open. It's a matter of 'going where the action is'. The contacts themselves aren't terribly exciting.
I'm preparing for warmer weather here (NH) by assembling a portable FT8 station. A Microsoft 'Surface' and a homebrew FT8 transceiver. The rig runs 8 watts out, and recently picked up a new country - EA9 (Cueta y Mellila)- with it. And yes- I'll have a small CW rig along on outings- that mode has always been my favorite.
73- Dave, K1SWL
On Sun, Mar 17, 2019 at 5:46 PM David Speltz < dspeltz@...> wrote: FT8 is rather remarkable and in a few short weeks I had worked the Falklands, WAS, etc etc on a nine foot vertical all from NH. However, I really do find PSK, which tends to have the same robust characteristics, more interesting since it is keyboard to keyboard talking other that watching the robot do its work. I am sure I will be back to FT8 now and then, but after maybe 1000 contacts, there is so much more to do and so little time.
David KB1PJ On Mar 17, 2019, at 4:39 PM, Jim Parks < jim.ny0j@...> wrote:
Here is my experience with FT8. I have been a ham for nearly 50 years and had been inactive for the past 20 years due to the typical excuses, job, family etc. I retired and moved into a condo in Branson MO and decided to become an active ham again. Unfortunately, due to very restrictive HOA regulations a “normal” antenna was out of the question. I did have, however, a 18’ piece of downspout right outside the room where I could put my radio equipment. I jury rigged an antenna out of it, but to no surprise I heard virtually nothing in the way of SSB signals and a few weak CW signals. One day while tuning around on 40m near 7.074 I heard these strange musical tones. Asking around, I discovered FT8. I downloaded the software and learned to use it. In the past 14 months, using this amazing weak-signal mode, I have worked, and have confirmed 49 states on 5 bands and have confirmed over 35 DXCC entities. I would NEVER have been able to do this using the “conventional” modes. This reenergized me in ham radio and kept one old him active. I think this is just an example of just how broad this hobby is. There is something for everybody from 75m rag chewers to 10GHZ moon bounce communicators. I guess my feeling is that you don’t knock it until you have at least tried it. It might just be the right thing for you. You CAN trach an old dog new tricks as long as he has an open mind!!! 73 Jim Parks NY0J Yes, of course, however there is a mentality afoot that repeatedly attacks FT8 (and other things they don't understand, not taking time to get the facts). This is quite rampant and it's difficult to separate the humor from the haters. Sorry if I overreacted. I use FT8 quite regularly and find it quite awesome. For those that don't support FT8 or other modes, please don't belittle those that do. I am sure that is reciprocal in that each amateur makes personal choices. Check out FT8. You will like it. FT8 fits in perfectly for QRP and QRPp work as it is a weak signal mode. Soapbox off. Do you not understand humor?
|
