#60m Maldives worked

 

Quite a strong signal on the band. Have seen 8Q7 before on 60m but never been able to contact this DXCC. Second new one on 60m this year.

Bouvet Isl. in the log

   For those that don't know. Bouvet is a Norwegian island in the south arctic region. It is the worlds most remote island and there are no people living there. It is also one of the most wanted DXCC that radio amateurs want to contact with their radio. Getting there is a challenge, getting on the island is an even bigger challenge. Right now there is a group af radio amateurs on a DXpedition on the island to give radio amateurs worldwide a chance to work this DXCC.

This exceptional DXpedition did cost 2 million dollars. A huge amount of money for just a hobby I think. Some people really take this radio hobby serious in their lives.

One of the team members OY1R Regin has been visiting me years ago. I really hope to work him on CW or SSB on this DXpedition. But the chance to do that will not be very high I think.

I heard 3Y0K on 20m SSB yesterday, they had a good signal. But the pile-up was huge, so I kept listening. Most times working a DXpedition like this is just waiting for the last days of it, when most big stations have worked them and the smaller ones like me get a chance. I hope for a CW or SSB contact but for insurance a FT8 contact will do. So I heard them on 15m FT8 this evening, quite strong but unable to get in the log. I switched over to 20m FT8 and found them with a real strong signal and 5 or 6 streams. My S-meter was on about S7 in peaks, which is really strong. I decided to call them but had to leave the computer since other chores were calling. Suddenly my phone went crazy as others saw 3Y0K calling me and warned me with messages. I switched over to remote on my phone and saw that 3Y0K gave me a report but no RR73. So I went upstairs in my shack and changed my calling frequency slightly. I called again and...

Second ATNO (All Time New One) of 2026.

The two FT2 modes battle

 

Pic from VU3DXR's blogsite.

Not that I'm interested in FT2 at all. I think it is way to broadbanded and way too insensitive. It could be used for contesting, if you like such a thing.

I really didn't know but there seems be be kind of a battle going on between two FT2 developers. Read the article on the blog from VU3DXR:

https://vu3dxr.in/the-ft2-schism-when-a-new-digital-mode-split-in-two/

Really, this reminds me of something that happened years ago when Julian G4ILO (SK) had some issues with the ROS/VARA developer. He was forbidden to use the software anymore. For a while I was even "persona non grata" because I agreed with Julian his statement which was about the bandwidth of the ROS mode. Luckily things settled down and I believe the ROS mode still exists, although not sure if it still is in use by anyone. 

Funny that these days you don't need programming skills really. If you know the right AI model and tell it what you wish for it will write your program or website for you. If I open my social media I see a lot of posts about FT2 all made with AI. It tells you how great and fast this mode is and that you need to try it.

Well, my dear blogreaders. Everyone makes their own decisions. My decision is not to use it and keep it as much as possible at CW and SSB. I want to have fun, I don't need 240 QSOs in an hour...