First, I haven't read through this entire thread. I've been a RTTY guy for a long time and am in the #1 spot on the RTTY DXCC Honor Roll. That said, I don't get FT8 at all. Turn on your radio and computer, come back an hour later and see what you worked - really?
NOT really. An exaggeration by those who don't want to use the mode and discredit those who do.
What do I know -- I'm one of the younger guys -- only licensed since 1955, Extra only since 1959, primarily worked CW all my life except for contributing to our club score for contests. I do a lot of RTTY contesting, but I have yet to meet anyone who can copy RTTY with their two ears.
And radio is FAR more than pushing buttons, yelling in to a mic, or doing CW. It also includes maximizing your station and understanding propagation, antennas, transmission lines, noise suppression, and operating skill. It is totally false that WSJT modes require no operating skills. Knowing where to place your signal in the waterfall, what to do when QRM causes problems, understanding that you can call a station when he's having difficulty with another QSO (the equivalent of "tail-ending" with other modes) and so on, are also a factor.
If you don't like a mode (or don't want to learn it) don't use it, but don't disparage it by saying things about it that aren't correct.
73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
