FT8 or CW right now? well....with conditions at hand, I'd say cw. FT8 is the lazy hams way of communicating. All button pushing,mouse clicking with maros so that you don't have to do almost anything. CW..it can be computer decoded or by the human computer..the brain. With the FT8 bands are so crowded, at times you can't be heard. So CW is a good choice. However also there is JS8CALL and other digital modes, but the question is which is better. Each one has it's disadvantages and advantages. another great thing about CW is it needs no computer connection to be operated.
Non-radio comment. When comparing two things, one uses the comparative form of "good," which is "better." Which is bettter? FT8 or CW? If there are three or more things, then one can use "best." Example: Which is (the) best? FT8, CW or JS8CALL? h
i predict that when the sunspots return and conditions would be awesome FT8 will be a dead mode. today it has its use is like ft8 has its own propagation! is amazing. cw will be part of ham radio for the life of the hobby. i choose cw over ft8 any day of the week.
You're assuming that the reason FT8 is popular is because of propagation. I believe FT8/4/whatever is popular because it's easy and quick to pile up "contacts", and has nothing to do with propagation. That it became popular in the mimimum of the solar cycle was totally coincidental. So, when propagation eventually improves, I predict that FTwhatever will be even more popular, because all those -24 and weaker signals we keep hearing about, will become -8 signals, and everyone who isn't already on the bandwagon will jump in at that point. Additionally, by then, the UnUpgraded Technician Masses will have gained access to data on 80 and 40 meters and will pile in, as well. The "windows" for FTwhatever will multiply to accommodate the extra strain on the system. The bottom 25 kHz Extra "CW" reservation will fill up with FTwhatever, so Extra FTwhatever ops can avoid the horrendous QRM that will occur in the A-G-T windows. This will displace the hard-core Extra CW ops who have always relied on that 25 kHz as steady, stabile CW turf. They'll drift upwards in the band. Meanwhile, the upper ends of the data/cw bands will be filling up with automatically controlled digital stations, which will over time push CW ops down the band. By 2025, the peak of Cycle 25, there will only remain about a single 3 kHz CW "window" somewhere in the middle, on all bands. It's only a matter of time then before someone files a petition with the FCC to ban CW. [all available emoticons used to emphasie that I'm not completely serious about this]
your point is well taken my friend. but i have to disagree a bit, you see my opinion is base on past experience with digital modes when psk31 hit the airwaves it was a frenzy, mt64, olivia, hell etc. long list and they eventually slow down to nothing, FT8 is the new toy in town and it came at a great time at solar minimum as much as i don't really like FT8 i will get on and make a few contacts myself. the problem with me is that it gets really boring after the first 3000 contacts and i fall sleep many times..lol lets see how it goes in another 5 years ill bet you a beer! my address is good on qrz. cheers 73,
But FT8 has a feature that no other digital mode before ever had: It completely, by design, removes any risk of having to actually have a conversation, and that I believe is of great appeal to a lot of its users. Grid square, signal report, log it, done. It's popular precisely because it IS boring. That's what folks want. Safe and boring. I don't use FT8, instead, I play Civilization IV at the "Settler" difficulty setting - I can't lose, even if I don't pay much attention! Yeah. I may need your Grid in my log ... but I sure as heck don't want to talk to you!
Are you just interested in a contact where you simple exchange a signal report and a grid square? If so FT8 does a fine job. Do you actually desire to communicate? CW is far superior for exchange more info.
The FT-8 mode is a great way for some to get started on HF. Free software used with a modest rig and antenna can start filling up a world map such as pskreporter.info with contact locations. 50 Watts and a 40M dipole got me a contact with DP0GVN at Neumayer-Station III in Antarctica on my first night using FT-8. I was talking about that on the air for some time. Instant gratification such as that can encourage band exploration, antenna improvements, lessons in propagation, etc. After a while, an op might like to use the other 99% of what the rig is capable of such as CW and phone without much, if any, additional investment. If someone just got their General yet is shy about speaking to strangers all over the country or world, FT-8 can be a great transition mode. If I meet an amateur who just does FT-8, I certainly don't accuse them of not being a "real ham", but I do ask if they'd consider turning those pins on the map into QSL cards. They'd have my help if requested. Aren't we supposed to encourage others and not judge them?
The CW operation, (without a decoder, or a PC), is a skill, and if it is with a straight key it is a piece of art also. The FT8 it is just an automated digi mode, and the need to be synchronized the PC clock to the universal time, throught an aplication , e.g. Dimention 4 or Atomic clock via the internet in order to decode the signals, so it can work making QSOs, it is a fake mode to me, a mode not for HAM radio. If I have to use internet in order to make a contact as with FT8 and the similar modes, there is no need to use my radios, I can make it the internet way as ICQ in the past or SKYPE in our days. The FT8 and FT4 as JT modes does not allow chatting, whith CW yes you can have a nice chat, you can make friends, but it needs skill, it needs your brain to work and that is very good! My personal opinion is that FT8 it is good for QSO collectors, and if you use an add on, a robot shoftware, you can leave the computer alone collecting QSOs for you while you are e.g. in the garden, or at QRL Hi Hi
Don't know why you would need the internet. Lots of people use FTx in the field with no such connection.
I like CW which not learned in a few Days unless your extrodinary learner. Ft 8 can be learned pretty fast with some help. Both modes are fun. I call FT 8 Ham Radio Casino mode it ha colors,whistles and bells then a contact. I like them both. It is definitly easier to log contacts faster than CW but that is no what make someting better to me. Nothing can beat an old tube radio and cw key when computers and internet dies for some reason. HAM Radio is just plain fun.
