QSO Today with Gerald Youngblood, K5SDR from FlexRadio

"FT8 - Tipping Point for Ham Radio?

• FT8 counters the current dearth of sunspots
• FT8 opens “dead bands”
• FT8 is addictive – see em, click em, work em… Boom!
• FT8 lets little pistols work DXCC like a big gun
• FT8 lets you work the world from small or deed restricted lots
• FT8 is a weak signal – not a low power mode (power works the really weak ones)
• FT8 lets you work DX on 6m when there would be none
• FT8 is suddenly dominating VHF/UHF contesting
• FT8 lets you work weak signal DX without proficient CW skills
• FT8 is like having constant DX beacons on every band
• FT8 puts the DX, WAS, WAZ, etc. on the air when they might not be
• FT8 let’s you work DXCC on 160m without a big station
• FT8 let’s you call CQ and become the DX
• FT8 is amazing literally space age technology
• FT8 is probably other things I haven’t realized yet but some of you have"

FT8 has its place, Flex has its place, but this campaign is just disgusting. Sorry for the long citation, there is even more of it here: https://www.flexradio.com/insider/articles/ft8-tipping-point-for-ham-radio/

 

Anything that keeps the hobby alive is a good thing. There will always be people who prefer voice over digital modes. Or knobs over mouse-clicks.

Much angst for nada IMO. Time better spent playing radio.

73

 

It is not about digital vs. anything else. Any demagogue statement is harmful and destructive, and it is on a whole new level there.

 

6 years too old

 

Love the Flex and want to see Flex succeed but the MIC, KEY and Head Phones Jack must be on the front panel.

 

You get what you pay for.