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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