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Re: Topband: Top Band and JT65

To: Glenn Wyant <va3dx@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Re: Topband: Top Band and JT65
From: Mike va3mw <va3mw@portcredit.net>
Date: Sun, 21 May 2017 06:20:43 -0400
List-post: <topband@contesting.com">mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Glenn nailed it. 

If you don't like it, don't use it.   No one is forcing anyone to comply. 

It is really that simple. 

Mike va3mw

> On May 21, 2017, at 6:09 AM, Glenn Wyant <va3dx@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> 
> If an amateur has interest in  psk, jt65 etc or EME, cw or any band
> or mode; it is not for us to judge his particular interests.
> 
> VA3DX
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <k8bhz@alphacomm.net>
> To: <Topband@contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2017 11:47 PM
> Subject: Re: Topband: Top Band and JT65
> 
> 
>> Promised myself I'd stay out of this, but it's getting 
>> ridiculous....Comments like "I worked 20 new ones on 160, and I never heard 
>> any of them!". Wow! That's amazing...I personally can't find any 
>> satisfaction in claiming a contact I never heard. I never have...Yes, the 
>> digi modes allow easier qso's that would never have been made, but let's 
>> face it, you never made those contacts, your computer & it's software did. 
>> Any resulting "Awards" should be made out to your computer. Meteor scatter 
>> used to be very popular, actually getting to hear the excited voices of 
>> those you worked was thrilling. One m/s qso of mine was with a yl from the 
>> Carolinas with a most delightful Southern accent...hard to duplicate with 
>> digi modes. I don't know anyone who works or talks about rocks anymore....no 
>> challenge. Same with eme, which I pulled the plug on when it was no longer a 
>> challenge. How many new eme operators have heard their own voices coming 
>> back from the moon?  I migrated to TopBand as 
 one of the last real challenges left....
>> I find the litany of excuses about why one has to go to digital means on 160 
>> to be feeble at best." My rig can't cut it, I don't have the antennas, I 
>> can't copy code (one of the real elephants in the room!), my location isn't 
>> on the coast where it's easy, etc, etc". There are MANY dxers operating 
>> successfully on small lots, and there are a myriad of clever, small 
>> receiving antennas out there. How about the gentleman on the left coast who 
>> worked DXCC on 160 from his mobile!! (without digital modes).
>> My TopBand rig is quite modest, no towers or rotors. The TX antennas are 
>> wires hanging from trees with no more than 50' vertical rise. The 16 radials 
>> under each are only 48' long. Desperately needing a new rig, I bought the 
>> very cheapest HF transceiver on the market (no DSP, keyer, antenna tuner, 
>> etc). My location in Upper Michigan is not near either coast for "easy" dx, 
>> but is unfortunately close to the auroral oval. My amp was a non-working 
>> "gift" that doesn't run full power. However, I have 233 countries & 37 zones 
>> confirmed on 160. I have personally HEARD every qso made & have decoded them 
>> as necessary, in my HEAD. I don't spot myself or arrange skeds....I don't 
>> have a computer in the shack.
>> If ham radio was to go all digital, I would walk away from it....Not because 
>> I'm a curmudgeon, but simply because the challenge and resulting thrills 
>> would be gone.
>> Lest you think I am a ignorant technophobe, I am a degreed electrical 
>> engineer and have been a ham for over 60 years. I have a fine computer & am 
>> on it actively every day....but I never pretend that it's ham radio.
>> I realize from the comment below that it's rather boring to work digi modes, 
>> but I suspect that help is on the way....I am truly surprised that no one 
>> has produced an "app" that will take the remaining work out of it. You would 
>> simply download the app, check the appropriate boxes (DXCC, WAS, WAZ), 
>> select the desired bands, and turn it loose 24 hours a day. It would make 
>> all the contacts for you (with similar robo-stations) and send you a text or 
>> email when it's through. Heck, it could even apply for your desired awards, 
>> and then wake up your printer to print your award certificate out! It would 
>> then send another message to pick up your award....How truly exciting that 
>> would be.
>> Brian K8BHZ
>> 2017 12:39 AM, DXer wrote:
>>> >>>To me, just not the challenge of dxing mostly cw and ssb.
>>> 
>>> Fair enough. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
>>> 
>>> Another angle. I find JT65 to be a very relaxing mode. Which other mode 
>>> allows one to read and write emails, go get a coffee, answer 'nature's 
>>> call', etc. while making contacts? Timing is important, but doable. :^)
>>> 
>>> 73 de Vince, VA3VF
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>>> 
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