How would you know how much skill is required if you don't work the
mode. There is plenty of skill involved. You just don't turn on the
rig and work like it was nothing. The FT bashing is kinda like the hate
for Trump. Tons of people use it and enjoy it and it has allowed many
to work dx or even work ham radio when they could not before. Can we
please stop the bashing? It does not help the hobby and FT modes
arguably might actually save the hobby.
W0MU
On 6/1/2026 4:16 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA via Topband wrote:
I "probably" won't work any more new ones on 160m, nor 6m.
At one time I was neck and neck (or trailing slightly behind) with guys like
VE1YX and VE1ZZ(sk) on 6m DXCC totals in VE.
I think I was #3 or #4 to get 100 DXCC's on 6m here in VE, but never
applied. I would literally leave my 6m rig on for weeks on end, endlessly
scanning or keyer calling CQ, sometimes for hours. I picked up a handful of
super rare DX's this way. I had rigs in all my cars, cottage, work QTH's,
parents place so when visiting, could put the rig on, motorcycle,
you-name-it. I even have worked or heard a few rare stns mobile. Very
exciting~! Those days are dust. Gone forever. Only memories remain.
I know what I have (148 now on 6m but when FT8 hit the scene all those
rare DX stns went away. I won't "cheapen" my 6/160 DXCC totals with
computer modes that take little in the way of real skill. (I hear that there
are actually guys employing robot programs so they can leave their rigs on
all night and check in the morning to see what they've worked on 6/160)
Yawn! Where's the pride in that?
The story is very much the same here on 160m. I never ran huge antennas nor
power, but was very active in the 1990's into the 2000's and managed to
scrape together 200 DXCC's with what I have and other than to pick up a few
mults in CQWW CW (etc. ) I don't ever get on Topband anymore. Why would I ?
99% of everyone is parked on FT8. Like watching paint dry.
Oh, and I put on several rare DXCC's in the area so OTHERS would be able to
work a new one. I will never be a FT8 op.
I hope things change, but I don't see it.
dit dit guys
Mike VE9AA
Mike - Keswick Ridge, NB, Canada
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