Maybe it is because I am getting irritated because of the pinched nerve in my neck, I'm thinking maybe I have just had enough of the plethora of digital modes. Yes, it is K3UK saying that...the bloke that is always trying varying modes.
I tried calling CQ numerous times in the TARA Skirming using various "exotic" modes, but ZERO respondents. No one answered Olivia CQ's, no one answered DominoEX CQ's, no Hell, and even no MFSK16 ! The only three modes that produced a response were PSK31, PSK63 and RTTY. Several months ago, I saw Dave AA6YQ make some comment about Winwabler not adding additional modes because (paraphrasing) RTTY and PSK31/63 are effective and the others too under utilized to warrant inclusion. While I have really enjoyed many experimental modes and had lots of fun testing, I think if I added up the time I have spent endlessly trawling the digital bands without results, I could have built a few more antennae, or added a few thousand more QSO via other modes. Heck, my CW could be even more practiced. So, for the next few months I am going to detox, and consolidate around the following modes. PSK31/63 (125/250 on VHF/UHF) RTTY MEPT-WSPR (passive operations) Narrow SSTV/Digital SSTV HF JT65A ALE 400 Time to put MFSK16,Hell, standard ALE, Olivia , Contestia, RTTYM, DominoEX , etc, in to the virtual junk-box. They can join their counsins from the non-virtual world...Betamax ,8 track tapes, and cassettes. All good applications, but no one uses 'em anymore. Andy K3UK
