Tuesday, July 16, 2019

FT8 hate and the DXCC purists


Looking at the 60m DX cluster I found out it is used for a fight against FT8. Some people even claim 1A0C is not valid for DXCC (So are Western Sahara, Kosovo and Mounth Athos!) since the call they use is not official.

Luckely I think 90% of the HAM radio operators are very happy with FT8. They can work a new one with simple antennas and modest or even QRP power from within a busy city with S9 noise all day long. What is human mode? A computer is still programmed by humans and you are free to run the software if you like. You don't want to use FT8, fine...you miss the DXCC and it will be the end of the world. Seriously?

A DXCC is only valid when the ARRL says so? I think more and more HAMs do not care about that or even a official DXCC. It is just for fun, a hobby! It's all about making that contact, are you able to do it, doesn't matter how. QRP, QRO, SSB, CW, digital it's all fine business...

Crazy HAM radio world.! Just my opinion...

11 comments:

PY2255 SWL said...

I liked this website I found very good full of news. This blog site will follow. Congratulations, friends, readers.
Oliveira PU2OLT
Visit: http://qsldobrasil.blogspot.com

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Thanks Oliveira, enjoy my blog. 73, Bas

Jan, OZ9QV said...

Hi Bas,
Agreed, I see a lot of FT8 hate all over the place. I just consider it yet another opportunity for "technical-scientific" experiments in communication, and is that not what amateur radio is about?
I do think, however, that whenever a new mode comes up the amateurs have had this kind of uproar.
Back when SSB became available, the old AM guys were complaining about "Donald Duck", and so forth.
I do see one drawback with FT8, though: It is over-used (at least right now). It *is* useful for many things, but in some cases it is just not suitable. Here is my example:
When I tried to use JT65 a few years ago, for 6m Es contacts, I found that the long sequences were a detriment to the mode. When FT8 became available the advantage of the shorter periods became clear. Many more QSOs were successful, and here is where FT8 falls short:
On 2m sporadic E openings can be extremely short, too short for even the shorter TX periods of FT8. At the same time signals can easily be strong enough for SSB or CW to be effective. Too many people rely on FT8 for everything, even if it falls short.
This is a matter of learning when to use it, and when not.
As I have said to others: The right tool for the purpose.
73 de Jan, OZ9QV

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hallo Bas, we leven in een gepolariseerde wereld. Van alles wordt tegenwoordig een strijd gemaakt. Het is besmettelijk als een virus. Iedereen moet doen wat ie leuk vindt, ieder z'n ding. Zonder FT8 zou het nu een stille boel zijn bij mij. Dus ja, ik wil wel verbindingen maken. Ook leuk om te zien hoe FT8 het doet bij een solar minimum. Ik werkte een tijdje terug Kosovo maar kon hem niet ingelogd krijgen bij QRZ.com 73 Paul PAØK

Peter pa4o said...

Denk dat het 1 en dezelfde persoon is dit dit op de cluster zet. Bij iedere expeditie is het weer raak.

Peter

Hans said...

Hallo Bas. In het begin was ik erg sceptisch t.o.v. FT8. Maar dat lag niet direct aan de mode zelf, maar aan de gebruiker. Het is in mijn ogen nog steeds voor veel mensen een logbookvuller. Gelukkig merk ik ook dat er mensen zijn die FT8 gebruiken om leuke verbindingen te maken, propagaties te bekijken en vooral DX. Nou, prima, ieder zijn hobby. Ik hou het bij QRP en SSB en het liefst portable en ik vind daar mijn plezier, een ander in FT8 of FT4. Mooi toch. 73 Hans, PE1BVQ

PE4BAS, Bas said...

I respect any mode, it doesn't matter what. Personally I prefer SSB. I think for many FT8 and earlier JT65/JT9 opened up the DX world. You don't need much power, you don't need a big antenna, only some propagation and patience. And even in a noisy surrounding like a city there are still DX possebilities. And indeed, you can fill your log easily, who cares. It's a hobby and everyone enjoys it their own way...73, Bas

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Een nogal gefrustreerd persoon. In elke hobby heb je wel zo iemand. 73, Bas

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Hallo Paul, er zijn inderdaad nog meer voordelen aan FT8. Je kan DXen zonder daar je hele familie mee lastig te vallen. Remote via teamviewer of dergelijke gaat ook erg goed. En DXen onder deze "slechte" omstandigheden in het zonnevlekken minimum gaat perfect. Ik vraag me echter af of de mode zo populair blijft als de condities weer wat beter worden....we zullen zien. Gr. Bas

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Thanks for the comment Jan. Yes, I know the history of SSB and it was similair to what happens now. Interesting you write sometimes in ES openings SSB/CW is better because it is faster. Something to think about! On the other hand you will find less SSB/CW stations anymore on 6m these days. 73, Bas

PE4BAS, Bas said...

Lekker doen waar je het beste gevoel bij hebt Hans. Dat zeg ik ook altijd. Maar vind het ook leuk om soms mijn mening te ventileren. 73, Bas