Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

FYI, This was posted yesterday by K1JT to the WSJT email reflector. 73, Jim K9YC Everyone paying attention should already know what's contained in this message -- but it's clear that some do not. The current General Availability (GA) release of WSJT-X is v1.8.0.  That program version does n

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

I'm an Old Timer. I'll be 76 next month and have 299 confirmed on 160m. My goal is to join the magic 300 club. If that happens, and the digital modes become the modes of choice, I think I'll retire and devote more time to my other hobbies. The "my computer talked to your computer" QSOs have absolu

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Good morning all As it probably can not be stopped. The ONLY way seems that ARRL acts, and NOT accept these modes ( unhearing modes) for todays dxcc. If they make a separate dxcc for these modes, anyone that prefer these kind of QSO ca

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Good morning all As it probably can not be stopped. The ONLY way seems that ARRL acts, and NOT accept these modes ( unhearing modes) for todays dxcc. If they make a separate dxcc for these modes, anyone that prefer these kind of QSO can use these for that NEW dxcc. And it will not impact ,,,

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

For those who have not yet seen how the future of 160m band harvesting - not DX'ing - will be done, check this video out http://ae5x.blogspot.se/2018/01/video-fully-automated-ft8-qsos.html Apparently SV5DKL made 13.000 QSO

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Sounds like SNOTEL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNOTEL In 1976, the ARRL SW Division convention was held here in Tucson. The local club sponsor hadn't done anything toward serious VHF programs, so Steve, then W7RUC, now W7CI, and yours truly, arranged a VHF breakfast meeting at the convention

Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Seems like this is a matter of personal preference, where our individual interest lies, and what motivates us to operate. Some of you may know my attempts to activate XW on the lowbands these past few years. My success on Topband to the US, most difficult path, has been limited at best. It seems

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

This is an interesting discussion related to FT8. In 1973 (a whole 45 years ago!) when I worked for Boeing Electronic Products in Seattle, they had a commericial (not ham radio) meteor scatter station. An ASR-33 at the master station in Seattle would send what amounted to "CQ" to a system of s

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

I stand corrected. Thank you, Joe and Grant, for the RTTY history lesson. I hope my point about the reduction of the human element was not lost despite its faulty premise with regard to RTTY. 73, Tony K4QE On Sat, Mar 31, 2018 at 12:09 PM, Grant Saviers wrote: > Yep, automatic TTY networks go

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Yep, automatic TTY networks go back a lot more than 50 years. Certainly with the Model 19 in the 1940s and probably before that. The ASR-33 and its "stunt box" are a true marvel of low cost mechanical engineering. Send WRU, asking "who are you?" And the automatic answer back - "HERE IS" a ch

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Having gone from 100% phone operations to more than 90% CW in the past ten years, I have my opinions on mode use, but I'll attempt to keep them relevant. I have played a bit with RTTY and PSK, and have made a few Hellschreiber and Olivia contacts. Digital modes are technically interesting, but

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

This is a very interesting discussion. I'd noticed some bugs in DXpedition mode with FT8 but am looking forward to those being resolved. I'd suggest an alternative FT8 frequency for any and all participants to test out DXPedition mode while the bugs get worked out. I have an inverted L on 160m and

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

I predict that it won't be long before there is an FT-8 robot, or something similar, on the Moon!  What better way to test a new antenna than a long haul s/n report? No one has mention Amateur satellites yet that in some cases have allowed working thousands of miles with a handheld. On 3/30/20

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

When was the last time a mechanical RTTY machine responded back without it's human pushing the green keys? Mechanical RTTY machines have had answerback (WRU) capability for more than 50 years: 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 3/30/2018 2:21 PM,

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

ing.com Subject: Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Dave, For those of us who like CW, it will always be the preferred mode. FT8 may lower the DXCC threshold; perhaps it should be counted differently. But FT8 is opening 160 m to hams with limited facil

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Original Message- From: k1zm--- via Topband Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:50 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Straws in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Hello Gang I am probably not the only one who has been paying attention lately, but I may be th

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

I've "made a contact", if you want to call it that, with that robot twice now.  That's about the only use I have for FT8; making contacts that shouldn't count for anything, although, I think ARRL accepts them for the grid chase thingy. Wes  N7WS ps. At least it didn't send me a text via JTAler

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

ng to watch it all unfold. But unfold, it will. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS -Original Message- From: k1zm--- via Topband Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:50 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Hello Gang I am pro

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

little over 1100 qsos.from some pretty rare grid squares -Original Message- From: Anthony Scandurra Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 2:21 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! "Maybe someday the

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

mparatively >> little skill on the part of the operators. For me personally, it is >> disappointing to watch it all unfold. But unfold, it will. 73. . >> .Dave, W0FLS >> >> -----Original Message----- From: k1zm--- via Topband >> Sent: Friday, March 30,

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

ave, W0FLS -Original Message- From: k1zm--- via Topband Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:50 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Hello Gang I am probably not the only one who has been paying attention lately, but I may

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

"Maybe someday there will be unmanned solar-powered stations on remote DX entities." This was actually proposed at the 2017 IDXC in Visalia by a well-known and prolific DXpeditioner. I was the only person in the room who stood up with a dissenting opinion about it. However, I did have several pe

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

KX4TT -Original Message- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k8...@alphacomm.net Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 13:39 To: Guy Olinger K2AV ; Topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Just think

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

When 90% of band activity is taking place in ~1% of the available bandwidth, it gets one's attention, doesn't it. Personally, I have always considered DXpedition, and especially contest, CW exchanges to be a bit silly, with nearly everyone getting a 5NN signal report.  With today's technology I

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Just think about thatAfter some terrific disaster, you'll be able to tell the outside world your grid square & signal report. Good luck with that... Brian  K8BHZ On 3/30/2018 1:12 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote: I definitely do see FT8 as having an impact of some sort in disaster communicat

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

FULLY AGREE. Perfect written. THANKS. BUT it is easy to solve this. If ARRL make a special award for no hearing QSO and make these computer to computer connections ONLY valid for this awardanyone that like to work dxcc this way can do so.Years ago they claimed minimum 339 or 33 on a

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

personally, it is > disappointing to watch it all unfold. But unfold, it will. 73. . > .Dave, W0FLS > > > > -Original Message- From: k1zm--- via Topband > > Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:50 AM > > To: topband@contesting.com > > Subject: Topband: Straws in the W

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

My thoughts on FT8: - How is it actually a Q from our normal perspective? The comments Jeff made on the fact that 2 operators (on both sides of the circuit) could see evidence of each other for 20 minutes before the "computers" finally made the connection - is proof that the operator

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

SORRY to say. Of course everyone do what they like to do, BUT FT8 and ,,,no hearing QSO:s,,, will destroy our hobby. Same for me last 6 meter season . Had a 1 hour opening on 6 meter from Florida, to Minnesota and California on CWBUT made 7 QSO during 1 hour of open band. Most people were

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

I also observed the same on 6M last summer when the switch was flipped and FT8 replaced CW and SSB on 6M. I've enjoyed 6M for only a few years, but I lost all interest, despite my 6L SteppIR and KPA500, when that happened. I've had a handful of FT8 QSOs early on, but I got no satisfaction using

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

nfold. But unfold, it will. 73. . > .Dave, W0FLS > > -Original Message- From: k1zm--- via Topband > Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:50 AM > To: topband@contesting.com > Subject: Topband: Straws in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! >

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

y, it is disappointing to watch it all unfold. But unfold, it will. 73. . .Dave, W0FLS -Original Message- From: k1zm--- via Topband Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:50 AM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon u

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Greenbaum Sent: 30 March 2018 13:27 To: k...@aol.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Jeff, and others: From K1JT on the WSJT web pages and instructions: Please note: DXpedition Mode is not yet ready for production

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Don Greenbaum Sent: 30 March 2018 13:27 To: k...@aol.com; topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us! Jeff, and others: From K1JT on the WSJT web pages and instructions: Please note: DXpedition Mode is not yet

Re: Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Jeff, and others: From K1JT on the WSJT web pages and instructions: Please note: DXpedition Mode is not yet ready for production use. Until WSJT-X v1.9.0 is fully released, this mode should be used only in controlled test situations. Please remember to send us your test results. As one of

Topband: Straws in the Wind ....A 160m Dx'ing Sea Change is Upon us!

Hello Gang  I am probably not the only one who has been paying attention lately, but I may be the first to comment directly on what has been taking place right before our eyes the past two nights on 1.836kHz - and its possible implications going forward for future Dx'ing on 160m. Pls read on.