My thoughts on FT8

Ken - NM9P

Another thing I have found interesting about FT8 is that I can set JTAlert to watch for States that I need on OTHER modes (CW, SSB, etc.)  I can work them on FT8, then send .....CW?.or SSB?.. and move a station off for a CW or SSB contact to fill a band-mode slot on my WAS list, or to another band for the same purpose.  This has resulted in a few nice phone qso's as well.  

I can even set alerts for specific calls for people I would like to chat with and move them off frequency/mode.  

So FT8 has opened doors not only for "semi-automated DX/WAS operations, but has let to other contacts and rag chews as well.

Is FT8 going to replace my other operations?  not a chance.  But it sure has enhanced them, especially when the bands are poor or dead.

Craig Williams

I was on 40 this morning chatting away in my golf cart mobile, remote.

KY6LA_Howard

Dave - W6OVP

Gerald-K5SDR

James Whiteway

Excellant article. Well thought out. Sadly, many cannot see the need for advancement of the radio art. In spite of the online polls, I seriously doubt that FT8 or any other digital mode, will **** Amateur Radio. What will **** it is indifference and not caring about improving the hobby. And protecting it, by making sure our government knows the importance of Amateur Radio. James WD5GWY

Mark WS7M

Gene - K3GC

Justin W4JTD

I’d give FT8 on 80M a try .. ;-) Justin “KL”2D

Gary L. Robinson

Gary L. Robinson

I agree mostly Dave but not about reducing the number of ways it can be configured.  Just HIDE all but 5-6 configurations for most people and that will amount to the same thing.  What would be nice is if someone made a stand alone Olivia digital app with only 6-8 configurations available in it.  I would hate to lose all the choices that FLDigi has but it can be overwhelming to many hams.  Just an idea ... :-)

---Gary WB8ROL

Nick Cloyes, N4CL

Dave - W6OVP

The day they outlawed spark transmission was the beginning of the end for Ham Radio. Just look what has happened since then. Oh, wait... </s> <g>.

Bill N5TU

Douglas Maxwell

If only PTT worked properly for CW mode!

Ken - NM9P

Just, “different.” Like many other advancements in the art, it is an addition that subtracts nothing. It has added much activity to many bands that otherwise would have been left for dead in previous sunspot lows. That acts as a propagation monitor that has stimulated activity on those bands on other modes as well.

k0eoo

L.Kubis

Patrick

Gerald’s point that FT8 opens up otherwise dead bands is significant, especially for me . Living on Hawaii, one has to work stations at a minimum distance of 2400 miles. Current conditions can preclude doing any on air operation, other then local Hawaii stations and Nets. Since the advent of theJT modes and now FT8 the concept of a band within a band or maybe call a sub band. Is significant. Occupying and providing significant no of signals within a approximately 3 KHz bandwidth. The only weakness I feel, is that the mode can not provide for conversationally capabilities. The mode is absolutely amazing for DX operation as it follows the standard pattern of quick in and out of a contact and fast confirmation, which is another factor in modern Ham operation. The one question I have for Joe Taylor & Co. is it possible to adapt the FT8 technology to an interactive conversational mode? The way I could imagine it could work, is that once a connection is established, the two station would then establish a two way cycle, lets 15 seconds, were the buffered text would be transmitted and received, with error correction. The mode would need to be.wider, as needed. Just some thoughts for consideration.

Larry _ NY8T

Patrick

Thanks for the info, will check it out....

KI4P

nice thoughts! ive tried it and done it about 3 or 4 weeks just to get good and used to it, not my bag of tea, so to speak!, to each their own, hope they enjoy it, would love to see some come back to PSK though! later!

Ted VE3TRQ

One thing required for PSK to make a comeback are some sunspots! PSK does not handle QSB well, and is nowhere near as sensitive as JS8 (or Olivia, for that matter). Maybe if you have a multi-element beam at 100 ft it does not affect you as much, but many of us are blessed (!) with compromise antennas. Here’s to an early start to the next solar cycle :-)

Patrick

JS8 is now installed, made one contact. Hopefully more stations will come on board. Installation was same as wsjt-x, and only took a couple of minutes. Just need to get logging going. Compatibility to JTAlert would be nice also. Larry thanks for directing me to this SW, Mahalo and Aloha.......

David Decoons, wo2x

Pat,

I connected remotely into my friend's station in Kauai (Tom, K4XV) and set him up with WSJT-X and HRD Logbook with his Flex 5000A. He is now on the air again.

You might catch him on the bands.

Dave wo2x

Patrick

Hi Dave will keep an eye and ear for him. Do you know what town or location on Kauai he is at?

Patrick

Have made a few JS8 contacts and the reliability is extremely good. So far solid copy. It is slow but just my speed at my age. I do see this mode as an ideal emergency com mode for disaster mitigation communications. It evidently can be used in APRS which would be a plus to integrate HF/ VHF/UHF NETS. It may not be fast but it is solid copy.

Patrick

I think JS8 deserves a separate discussion.......

David Decoons, wo2x

Tom is in the Wailua Estates area of Kapaa, about 350 ft ASL on the east side. I stayed at his guest houselast year and gave him a hand running hard line for his satellite antennas. He works at the Community college and they have a amateur satellite station up. Dave wo2x

K1UO Larry

@WO2X...  Dave..have you got me blocked via your arrl.com email address?