The beauty of any mode, not just FT8, is that no makes you use it. If you don't like it, that is fine. Don't.
However, this is many a night, even recently, where there are a bunch of guys on FT8 including good DX and only 1 guy on CW if that. For all you complaining about not liking it, that is fine. However, ask yourself how often to you get on on a Tuesday night and just call CQ for a few hours. I know some of you do, but if I did a poll on this list, I bet 80% don't. And, that is ok. The hobby has many many options. Don't knock those that like what they get out of it. Carry on... :) Mike va3mw On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 6:37 AM, Bill Cromwell <wrcromw...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Ed, > > On 160 meters (as well as other bands) there are the gentlemen's > agreements that do depend on gentlemen. As long as the FT* folks are > behaving in a civilized manner I say they should just get on the air and > take their chances like everybody else. > > Personally I am completely unimpressed by FT*anything*.*! Callsign, QTH, > signal report are *NOT* a QSO at my radio shack. I have also been known to > handle some formal message traffic. The FT type modes won't accommodate me. > My decision to shun those modes is based on known reasons that I cannot > ignore. But those ops don't have to be shunned or denigrated. If they have > a window I can avoid them. But when contests or DX pileups occur then all > bets are off. That's when I usually turn the radio off and pickup musical > instruments or take the dog for a walk or perhaps (not least) visit the XYL > and help her with some of her interests. Contesters and FTers can duke it > out without me. It's just a hobby that once in a great while turns a little > more serious (emergency communications). > > 73, > > Bill KU8H > > > On 11/30/2017 06:05 AM, Ed Sawyer wrote: > >> The more I hear and learn about FT8, the more amazingly bad this mode >> sounds. >> >> >> >> There is a simple way to solve the 1840 problem. Just "update the app" to >> default to 1980 and the whole 2.5khz crowd will move up there. Amazingly, >> most won't even know they moved, they will just wonder why their 160M >> antenna "isn't working the way it used to". But then hit the tuner button >> and call it a day. >> >> >> >> This is essentially the same dialog the automotive industry is having on >> autonomous vehicles. When "normal life" interferes with efficient driving >> algorithm, the answer is to eliminate normal life (ie - special lanes on >> highways). Sounds like FT8 just needs its own spectrum spice to be >> sanctioned legally be the Region Bandplans. And because IT is the one >> needing the special treatment, it can adopt to whatever spot is decided >> for >> it. For 160M - clearly 2000 - 1980 would provide the necessary 10 >> "channels" it requires for future growth. >> >> >> >> 73 >> >> >> >> Ed N1UR >> >> _________________ >> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband >> >> > -- > bark less - wag more > > _________________ > Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband > _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband