On 2019-08-02 8:06 PM, GEORGE WALLNER wrote:
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.
Absolutely not! All modes used for DXCC have more skills in common
than they have differences. There is more difference between CW and
SSB than there is among RTTY, PSKxx, FTx - yet all count for DXCC
Mixed. The key for any mode is knowing what band/time to choose
(when propagation is most favorable) and understanding where the
other station is listening. Those apply to FTx as much as CW or SSB.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2019-08-02 8:06 PM, GEORGE WALLNER wrote:
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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