Nobody is talking about "shutting" anything down.
Quite the opposite: expand the DXCC program by creating a new category! FT-x
is sufficiently different to justify that. The skills need for FT-x are
different from those required for the traditional modes. A new award
category would reflect that.
I would go further, but I don't think too far:
FT-x could be crucial to HAM radio's future. On a recent mini DXpedition I
asked a young and recently licensed HAM to operate FT-8. He said, sure, give
me a minute. He brought his laptop (not the one that was part of the FT-8
station) and proceeded to operate FT-8, while using his laptop to watch a
movie and was looking at Facebook, and he was in chats with friends (and
HAM-s) on his phone. I was somewhat peeved, until I came to realize that
this is how the new generation lives: multi-threading using their electronic
devices. Unlike us, most of them are not willing to put on the head-phones
and concentrate on weak CW signals for hours, to the exclusion of everything
else. They don't live like that and they will not enjoy a hobby like that.
It is not my place to judge whether this is good or bad. It is what it is.
But to attract this new "multi-activity generation" to HAM radio (an entire
generation, not just the odd kid), the hobby must offer a mode that is
compatible with how they live. FT-8 is perfect for that: it can be operated
remotely from a smart-phone via an app, while riding a bus or train and
doing other things... And, yes, it can be automated.
There will be nothing wrong with a young HAM working 100 countries in a
month while not even at his station. Good for him! Just don't mix his
achievement with mine. (Is RTTY really a digital mode? It seems to be very
analog these days.)
73,
George,
AA7JV
On Fri, 2 Aug 2019 17:05:23 -0500
Cecil <chacuff@cableone.net> wrote:
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 2, 2019, at 4:45 PM, Cecil <chacuff@cableone.net> wrote:
This is nonsense....
That is only possible if someone has modified the software and is cheating the
system...which I might add could be done with computers and creative software
writing to any of the digital modes including CW....
That is cheating and not grounds for disallowance from total DXCC participation
for all users.
Certainly I can do that for one QSO if I need to run to the bathroom or grab a quick
cup of coffee etc....but if you believe for a second that the FT8 software is designed
to crank it up, walk away for a couple hours and come back later to tally up your take
as you describe you are showing your lack of knowledge of WSJT’s design.
Am I suggesting that some are not doing that...no...not for a minute. Would I suggest that all DXers are running no more than the legal limit when chasing a new one or no more than 200 watts on 30 meters, or not using a remote station element to gain an unfair advantage to add a new one...nope.
But it is happening...
Should we shut down the entire awards system because the possibility exists
that someone will cheat...I think not.
I for one think you should rethink your article before submission Alan...
Respectfully
Cecil
K5DL
On Aug 2, 2019, at 4:22 PM, Alan Swinger <awswinger@earthlink.net> wrote:
. Since FT8 operators can walk away and not participate in QSOs, and come back after some other activity and see how many new countries and QSOs that the computer made,
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