As evidenced by several posts here, COVID-19 has not killed ignorance or intolerance yet, not even in ham radio.
This was a very good use of your time and effort. My own experience with the JT modes as part of my DXCC work, showed me that, in my experience, any mode you can work in to get new country or contact, is a great mode. My log has plenty of JT-65, FT8, PSK, and RTTY, to go along with SSB and CW. I hear the fear of change in some of the comments throughout many discussions on this topic. I find is odd that a tech based hobby has some need for new modes, new equipment, and new ideas to keep it healthy. The world evolves and Ham Radio needs, not only yo evolve with it, but grow and lead the way. Our interest and skill sets have built entire industries over the years. We should be working on the forefront of technologies and just be another consumer base for commercial products, but let out interests and hobby show the world just how connected we can be. During the Texas QSO party, I like to head out to the local state park and setup for a great weekend of making contacts. I always catch the interests of the people there and they are amazing at we are able to make contacts around the world with just a little effort and a good old tree and some wire. The mode will never be as important as the message in the time of need. The essential skills to provide basic communications is something I work on every day. The JT modes are a blessing as is the privilege of being part of the ham community. Thank you for taking a bold and exciting step in helping our community see the value of FT8 and having fun along the way. Have Fun, Jeffery MacMillian KC5TT
I like the idea of getting DXCC in all the different modes. I think real paper chaser will as well. It is a great accomplishment in any mode. Try getting DXCC 5 band in three modes. I can imagine we have Hams working i that direction.
KC5TT ---Your above comment ironically, in my opinion, is one of the biggest drawbacks of the FT/JT type communication modes. At the heart of Amateur Radio is the ability to perform Emergency Communications, to accomplish that mission the communications channel must be capable of transferring usable information of some type. The FT/JT protocol stack, while quite ingenious, has no inherent capability as an information transfer node, it only provides basic ACK-ACK Keep-Alive messages between software clients. Suppose there is a hurricane and we are tasked to provide emergency communication, passing messages from a remote area; Once the radio links are established what transmission/protocol mode will you choose, probably not a JT/FT protocol as it they have no capability to transfer information. The underlying technology of how FT/JT's function is not new. Those of us that worked with long-haul serial communication links recognize the mechanism, it's based on the old X.25 link-layer protocol (LAPB) that transmitted short messages (SABME/RR/SNRME) to establish and maintain a 2-way communications link. The difference is that X.25 provided a higher-level protocol to pass message traffic, FT/JT (as written) does not provide that capability. Yes, we can trick the software into sending a "Thank You" or "Hello Jim", but the character limitation prevents passing any meaningful message traffic. Are JT/FT protocols/modes fun, absolutely, and their ability to overcome horrendous propagation conditions is truly amazing. Unfortunately, the functionality as a communications channel is just not there, the current programming is focused on contesting vs communications. The FT/JT technology is sound, but in order to be useful in the real world the client software needs to be redesigned to venture beyond basic "keep-alive" type messages.
I seems most responders here forgot that this was an experiment by a group to see how quickly 100 countries could be worked on FT8, not confirmed. Then the ignorant FT8 bashers showed up. Working 100 countries is not that difficult during some weekend contests, regardless of mode. As for the computer haters, please demonstrate how to decode FT8, etc, in your head. I bet a lot of FT8 haters use some type of code reader when they use CW.
Several of us have posted constructive comments, why not respond to us and ignore the over the top stuff? Personally I use FT8 quite a bit when conditions are poor, its fun, easier on the ears, and it levels the playing somewhat so the smaller stations can compete against the big guns. I do think its current programming limits its legitimacy, and JT8 is moving in the right direction to expand the protocol's capability beyond QSO farming. Please tell us your thoughts on FT8, both pro and con, let's have a constructive conversation instead of a slugfest.
That's because they can achieve all that without lifting their butt from the chair, performing mouse clicks only. Having QSL cards printed, going to club meetings and send/receive QSL cards seems to be too much effort these days.
FT8 allows me to work the world on a wet noodle and being apartment bound with just wires on the balcony I enjoy it. Yes it is easier than CW and I should probably be spending my time working on my CW skills instead and probably could have enjoyable CW contacts with the wire on the balcony, too. Working mostly domestic FT-8 with my current set-up and trust me I am not loud, I occasionally get some DX, logged Ukraine on 30m last night.
Much like anything other mode in this hobby. Versus mic-clicks or key-clicks? One can do more with a mouse than you'd ever do with a mic or Morse code key. There are 100s of modes, most use a computer. Phone and CW are easy once you learn it. Digi-modes is an ever-changing environment. And if you've ever worked on computers, you know software isn't always plug-n-play. Or perhaps a lack of interest in QSL cards or club meetings? Some of us aren't collectors or the social types.
I mean part of the fun for me is indeed the computer part of the hobby. I really enjoyed finally compiling the latest version of fldigi on my Linux workstation. If only I actually paid attention my C++ class in college I could maybe contribute to the project.
Maybe that's my "problem" with this. I am on several computers all day long, designing hardware and software for embedded systems. So, reverting to "primitive" systems in my spare time floats my boat. I'd really like to learn CW but I don't have the patience for that. And yes, I get all warm and fuzzy when receiving a paper QSL card from a distant country
I did CW for years. It wasn't that difficult for me. I just got bored with it a few decades later. I listen once in a while but that's about it. I like the current crop of digi-modes and the integration of my PC, software (some that I wrote and mostly using what others wrote), my own home-brewed interfaces where needed, and my radios.
