Good luck with that. Many RTTY ops have tried to keep RTTY separate from the
other digital modes without success. As an RTTY DXer, with a DXCC certificate
that actually says "RTTY" on it, I resisted claiming DXCC credit for FT8 QSOs
for a long time, hoping for a divorce. Since ARRL is in the business of
selling certificates and plaques, one would think they would jump at the
chance. The DXCC desk says the modes are the same. I've since given up,
resistance is futile.
Interestingly, the contest people seem to know better and run a Digital contest
with no RTTY allowed and a RTTY contest with no digital allowed.
Wes N7WS
On Monday, June 1, 2026 at 01:22:54 PM MST, Alan Swinger via Topband
<[email protected]> wrote:
Jeff - I don't have a solution to fix how FT8 has damaged operations on 160, 6
and other bands. However, I have included my exchange w/ Rick K5UR about the
need to extract FT8 from the current Digital category and establish a separate
award category for that mode. So, for award purposes, there would be no mixing
of FT8 with other modes since it is a computer aided-only non conversational
mode.
He rogered up so we will see if anything happens.
73, alan K9MBQ
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