Actually if conditions allow, FT8 (Fox) can 'converse' with ten stations
at once (5 audio streams at a cost of lower signal strength) raising the
Q rate and efficiency of the opening(s). The primary differences from
RTTY is that it's narrower, better utilizing the band space; it can
easily work below the noise floor (not a dream of a chance with RTTY)
and that FT8 is simpler for most folks than RTTY (point, click, connect).
I score it as semi-automatic since an operator must still manage it; the
signal strengths are more accurate (meaning honest) than the eternal
'599' (after ten retries) and the largest bonus is that it keeps
interest alive in the bottom of the cycle AND allows meager stations to
have an improved shot at improving their DX standings. It's a breath of
fresh air to reinvigorate ham radio at some level.
Rick nhc
On 7/3/2018 1:24 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:
How is it any different than the RTTY setups used for DXpeditions that
would do essentially the same thing, listen over a wide range and
stack the calls heard? FT8 just allows them to complete 1 to 5
contacts at one time. That to me is pretty amazing! There is still
plenty of skill in working FT8 if the goal is to get in and get out
quick just like any more. Hey if you have all day to work someone
chances are you will get them sooner or later.
The cool part about this and the most important part is this mode is
allowing people with really marginally poor stations to be able to
actually get on Ham Radio and work people and work DX! It has to be
exciting for them!
Try to put yourself in their shoes. It is a whole new world! We need
more activity, more active hams and maybe FT8 will be a building block
to get more people in. I would hope this is a good thing!
W0MU
On 7/3/2018 2:10 PM, ANDY DURBIN wrote:
I have been using WSJT-X since before version 1.0 was made
available. I was also an early adopter of JT9 and FT8. I have
enjoyed using JT65, JT9, and FT8 for HF and 6 m QSO. Using
DXpedition mode to work KH1 was a different experience. I felt that
the operator had been taken much too far "out of the loop". I'm
glad I made more KH1 QSO using CW than with FT8 and I found them much
more satisfying.
FT8 DXPedition mode is certainly not for everyone but if it was the
only way I could make a QSO with KH1 I'd have been glad to have it in
my log. KH1 was DX 200 worked CW in 4 years. That was nice and
only the magic of propagation was involved.
73,
Andy k3wyc
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