Guy,
This *really* opened my eyes. Thank you, Mr. Wizard (no sarcasm intended)!
It appears that FT8 is actually our friend, fellow long-time Topbanders,
whether we intend to operate that mode or not.
FWIW, I don't intend to use that mode. If I ever do, it won't be in the
customary CW portion at t
>>>AA6YQ comments below
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of John K9UWA
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 12:03 PM
To: topBand List
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
Someone will develop a softwar
Someone will develop a software program that takes the human voice or
CW and packetize it much the same as cell phones already do into digital
packet form. Then it will be added to the carrier or lack thereof similar to
SSB and or CW. On the receive end the software will convert it back to
anal
Steve Ireland
Date: 25/10/2017 09:25 (GMT+00:00)
To: Topband reflector
Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never be
A similar situation regarding digital modes took place on 50 MHz this summer.
In the case of 6 meters, JT65 and FT8 are now the predominant modes for DX work
on 6 meters. During terrestrial sporadic-E openings, there are very few DX
stations now operating CW or SSB on 6. Meteor scatter is the r
Hi Steve
You've certainly stirred up some QRM here!
I can visualize you right now, tinny in one hand and turning the barbie
with the other, saying to yourself: "Was it something I said?"
:-)
--
73
Ian, G3NRW
g3...@g3nrw.net
* Editor: TS-590 Family Resources Page: http://g3nrw.net/TS-590
>From time to time, tickling the RBN nodes on 160 proves that the band is
open, sometimes nicely so. The almost constant FT8 signals nail it.
People get on the band when they think there will be someone to talk to,
this includes trying to get some elusive DX.
In the end FT8 will prove that the ba
Read the full content of my message, specifically the portion where i said:
“One can on any given evening call CQ in the CW sub band and get picked up
by skimmers around the world, yet not get a reply”
73
On Wed, Oct 25, 2017 at 9:49 PM Michael Walker wrote:
>
> Explain why on some nights ther
Explain why on some nights there are many FT8 signals, and no CW signals. No
one calling CQ and everyone just listening.
If you build it they will come.
Mike va3mw
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Steve, as a relatively “young” ham living in a populous area, I have some
things to offer to this thread...
To give you some background: I’m 36, been licensed since 1994. Did the
whole progression before code was eliminated all the way to Extra. Took
electronics classes in high school and when the
I'm with you, Steve. BRAVO!
73 George W8UVZ
On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:31 AM, Hans Hjelmström
wrote:
Hi Steve
I FULLY agree on all you write. Unfortunately I also feel that Ham radio is
more or less lost.
According to me,,,this is NOT Ham radio,, it is digi to digi without
Hi Top Band lovers
The emotion should be aside , lets dig into the technology and ask why things
are that way nowadays.
Computer is not only part of the radio but the radio itself is a computer
today.
The reason FT8, or JT9 and others digital modes dig signals we can't hear can
be understoo
On 10/25/2017 12:38 PM, Charlie Young wrote:
...The first big thrill was hearing my own CW echo several days in a row,
before getting my 8877 amp finished and firing up JT65A.
One of the biggest thrills in my ham radio life was hearing my 144 MHz moon
echos using a station, that except for the
I think the game changing aspect of FT8 is that many folks who would normally
be available to work on CW or SSB will now be on FT8. The amount of activity
on the FT8 frequency of any band is phenomenal.
This summer I constructed a 4 x 7 LFA stack on 6 meters, primarily because the
largest re
ot;
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 10:23 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
Hi Steve
I FULLY agree on all you write. Unfortunately I also feel that Ham radio
is more or less lost.
According to me,,,this is NOT Ham radio,, it is digi to digi wi
On 10/25/2017 10:17 AM, Chortek, Robert L. wrote:
I rarely weigh in these debates (and don’t even know what these digital modes
are except in the most general terms) but I don’t see any movement whatsoever
to (a) require folks to use digital modes, or (b) prevent folks from using the
tradition
Peter has written elsewhere about this. Perhaps he is too modest to refer to
it, but I am not:
http://www.sm2cew.com/jt65.html
Additionally, traditional RTTY is still a "hear it" mode. I actually listen to
the tones and while obviously I can't decode them by ear, I can certainly tune
them
I am pretty serious about DXing. I am not on the honor roll. I have
over 300 confirmed. I couldn't tell you who is at the top. Why does it
matter? Those at the top did it their way, whatever that was. Some did
it all from their own homes and never moved, many started over, many
today use r
On Wed, Oct 25, 2017 at 10:08 AM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:
>
> >>>It's been technically possible to do that with RTTY or PSK for decades.
> No one is interested in running a QSO machine.
>
Shoot, Tree did it with CW DECADES ago.
Contest Exuberantly,
Hank, W6SX
_
Topband Reflector Arch
>>>AA6YQ comments below
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Peter
Sundberg
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 1:50 PM
To: jayb1...@optonline.net; topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DX
You guys should have been around for the AM versus SSB discussions/wars
without the use of the instant communication internet.
Oh my,
Lee K7TJR
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
As I’ve said before, I don’t believe it’s a case of FT8 being “good” or
“bad” for ham radio. The problem is a level playing field for competition
purposes.
Personally, I don’t believe statements such as “Your DXCC is your own” or
“Your DXCC is what you make of it” etc. Rubbish.All serious D
> With some of the new popular digi protocols most of what is written on the
> screen, some call it "received", has never been received as a complete
> message. It is reproduced from other sources than the radio path.
> "without entering already known information (calls) to the software I
> w
Jay, please don't compare the new digi protocols
with RTTY, a character based protocol.
What you see on the screen or paper in RTTY has
actually been sent, and is received as it was
sent. Or it is garbled because the link is not good enough.
With some of the new popular digi protocols most
Spark had other uses, Add ozone to the air, reduce the insect bug
population, warm up the shack in cold WX, Arc kept you awake, could light
your cigar when needed.
So outside of minimizing your personal connection with others , what else does
digital do ? ( ; > )
73
Bruce-k
I rarely weigh in these debates (and don’t even know what these digital modes
are except in the most general terms) but I don’t see any movement whatsoever
to (a) require folks to use digital modes, or (b) prevent folks from using the
traditional modes they enjoy have enjoyed for years.
I just
>>>AA6YQ comments below
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of garyk9gs
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 11:22 AM
To: 'Topband reflector'
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
I was riding t
Steve,
That was a good read. I see there's a lot
of replies so I'll send this before
reeading them...
I too love CW and it is without a doubt my
favorite mode. You asked a question and I
have used FT8 and my favorite band is
Topband, so here's my 2 pence.
I think what might have turned Ham
SPARK FOREVER!! - Greg
Chartrand - W7MY Richland, WA. W7MY Home Page: http://webpages.charter.net/w7my/
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
I represent the under 30 crowd (for another few years at least) who
isn't really into JT65, FT8, etc.. I still prefer the "between the
ears" -modes. However, I see the JT and other weak signal modes
emerging as a response to real estate limits and restrictions. I was
lucky in that I had space and t
One can think of FT8 as a Pinball machine or a video game. You click "here"
at the right time and maybe the ball falls just right and the other station
comes back to you. If not, you click again.
Preserve the CW/SSB mode awards.
Jim - KR9U
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http:/
Oooh! Vey well said, Dave!! Short and perfect. :-)
73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
On Oct 25, 2017 10:14 AM, "Dave AA6YQ" wrote:
"Technologies available before you reached the age of 35 are standard;
every op should use them. Technologies that arrived after you reached the
age of 35 will kill the ho
ned but I'm only 55.
73-Gary K9GS
Original message From: "Wes Attaway (N5WA)"
Date: 10/25/17 8:11 AM (GMT-06:00) To: 'Steve
Ireland' , 'Topband reflector'
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
I agree with all the
"Technologies available before you reached the age of 35 are standard; every op
should use them. Technologies that arrived after you reached the age of 35 will
kill the hobby."
We've heard this with every new technology, going back to the advent of CW in
the days of spark.
73,
Gentlemen,
Why choose to let what others are doing upset us, especially when there is
not a thing we can do about it? Let's just enjoy our 160m DX and contests
instead. :-)
73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
_
Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
I think that digital modes such as FT8 are a boon to hams in homes with
covenants, allowing them to work the world with minimal, even indoor,
antennas and QRP power levels. For them, at least, the challenge is
still there. I think FT8 is so popular because there is more reward
(contacts) for a
I hope everyone in the US (except for me) switches to FT-8 on 160 meters
which will give me a much better chance to work the dx-peditions and other
rare ones on 160 meters CW:-)
I downloaded the software to check out what FT-8 was all about, and after
30 minutes I had seen enough and decided it wa
I'm not a topbander except in spirit; haven't yet flown an antenna for
anything above 80 meters but this discussion is resonant, if you will,
across all bands.
I got into ham radio a couple years ago, about 50 years after I was exposed
to it. Life got in the way in the meantime and at this point
Hi all, here's my $.02...
Radio is what you make of it. Do what you enjoy. If you don't like the
digimodes, stay away from them.
DXCC means different things to different people. To some, it means only SSB
or CW. To others, they're perfectly happy with digi modes. Others want to
earn DXCC from a s
I have used JT65. It's just like watching paint dry, but the only
reason for using it was because I was competing in the CDXC
CHallenge last year. Without using JT65 I would not have won the 6m
section.
This year, again using not JT65 but FT8, I had to use it because so
very few were using co
As a younger old guy in ham radio at 53, licensed since 1978, I am
enjoying the heck out of FT8. It is very different than other modes
such as CW or SSB.
Why the commotion? It takes up a couple of KC's on the band and nobody
is forcing you to do it.
It is allowing people how have smaller s
I guess I don’t understand what makes the new Digital modes any different
from old RTTY...the “sounds” are similar enuf to learn to love and the words
are still displayed on (in the old days) paper or a screen.
There are many audibly-compromised hams out there – such as me – who really
welcome a
ayForensics.com
---
-Original Message-
From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steve
Ireland
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 3:25 AM
To: Topband reflector
Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G'day
As a committed (yeah, that'
ilto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of ok1tn
>Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 12:26 PM
>To: Bob Kupps < n...@yahoo.com >
>Cc: Topband reflector < topband@contesting.com >; Steve Ireland <
>vk...@arach.net.au >
>Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m
"Has the world really turned upside down and what do you think the future
holds?"
Hi Steve
On the old days we used to call CQ several times and listening, very few people
realize what listening really means. It means we need to tune around the band
to find someone calling us. Take that knob an
Steve,
Thanks for calling me this morning. Good signals.
At one time I was interested in EME on 2 Meters. I found out that most of the
QSOs were taking lace using some digital means where you didn't even hear the
station you were working. My desire went to zero at that point in time.
Hope
r
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 4:50 AM
Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so
intrigued and disturbed by
t;
To: topband@contesting.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:22:16 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
Heh,
I have found myself thinking more and more in recent years of just
dropping ham radio. Those psychologists may have oversimplified things a
little b
Behalf Of ok1tn
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 12:26 PM
To: Bob Kupps
Cc: Topband reflector ; Steve Ireland
Subject: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
Agree completely from me too.
over 50years on TOP band only CW
ok1tn
--
73 Slavek Zeler
_
Topband
5, 2017 4:26 AM
To: Topband reflector<mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so
5, 2017 4:26 AM
To: Topband reflector<mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been
Well said. . .I totally agree. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS
-Original Message-
From: Steve Ireland
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 3:25 AM
To: Topband reflector
Subject: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word
2017 10:25
Till: Topband reflector
Ämne: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so
intrigued and disturbed by anything on the
Agree completely from me too.
over 50years on TOP band only CW
ok1tn
--
73 Slavek Zeler
-- Původní e-mail --
Od: Bob Kupps via Topband
Komu: Steve Ireland , Topband reflector
Datum: 25. 10. 2017 12:17:42
Předmět: Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long
Hi Steve
I FULLY agree on all you write. Unfortunately I also feel that Ham radio is
more or less lost.
According to me,,,this is NOT Ham radio,, it is digi to digi without any
personal feeling.
And even more ,it destroy completely the challenge of Ham radio…..
Next is to let your computer mak
: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so
intrigued and disturbed by anything on the band as the emergence of the
Franke-Taylor
G’day
As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white
jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so
intrigued and disturbed by anything on the band as the emergence of the
Franke-Taylor FT-8 digital mode.
For me, radio has always been all
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