Digital Lazy Mans Ham Radio

KL4QG

What I’m seeing is Digital destroying HF SSB and CW What fun is it looking at text type messages ? I guess it just easier than SSB and CW no noise too?? Welcome to 2019 **** kids don’t even go outside or ride bikes together they have iPhones Sorry just how I feel about Digital Ham Radio if you want call it Ham Radio Yukon -Joe

Wayne VK4ACN

I love Ft8. Im working heaps of new ones on Ft8. Would be impossible on ssb and nearly impossible on cw given the state of present band condx. When the condx inprove I will be doing more on ssb/cw. If i can hear them on cw/ssb i'll work them. But thats the condx atm. I do think though with band condx at all time low and cycle 25 is supposed to be worse, i think lot of hams would have given up. So you could argue Ft8 is holding onto hams until condx improve. My 2c worth.

KL4QG

Ok I see for weak signal work I just like see more at least try using SSB you be shocked band open more than u think -

Tim VE6SH

Amateur Radio today looks very different from how it did 10 years ago. It will change even more over the next 10 years. The ARS has evolved from inception and will continue to do so. It has to be relevant to future generations of amateurs. FT4/8 is part of that evolution. We need to adapt to stay relevant and change our view of what "ham radio" means to others.

Tim VE6SH

Michael N3LI

There are a lot of different modes and operations in Ham Radio. We shouldn't fall into the trap of decidiing that one mode, or type of radio is better, or that certain modes are unworthy. 

During the Morse code versus the world battles years ago, I was tolkd I wasn't a "real" ham becaue I primarily used SSB. I've been told that the Flex  signature series radios are not "real" radios. Real radios are Superhet, and have knobs and don't have any computer involved at all. I've heard that Technicians are not real Amateurs, and I even know a couple guys who refuse to update from the old Advanced license to Extra, because they consider themselves real hams that passed a faster test, than me, whom they refer to as a nickel ham, an unworthy who only had to take a 5 wpm test. 

There are so many different activities in Ham Radio that it seems a shame to decide what is good and what is killing the hobby. With all of the options, this is truly a golden age.

Anyhow, This is just thrown out for your consideration Joe. 

Ted VE3TRQ

Just as computers are now a part of everyday life, so computers are a part of all aspects of any hobby, Amateur Radio is no exception. Expect that as those who have grown up with compute devices join the ranks of amateur operators, they will not be satisfied with a peripheral role for computers in the hobby, but will expect compute devices will be at the core of it. Witness Flex radios :-) Tell me compute devices aren’t at the core of our radios today!

KL4QG

I agree 1986 I got licensed not like it used be ,I don’t like what I’m seeing even at our ham club meeting - EGOs are taking over -/people down taking to older hams and new members trying to prove they are smarter and force their ideas -chased about half our older members away -I sorry but I’m not part of evolution nor adapting -I see this the same thinking distorting home life the way kids play now texting and video game - they don’t how to relate on face to face old good outside and play together- -

Wayne VK4ACN

Im.guessing someone out there may still be using a spark gap tx

Wayne VK4ACN

Im licenced in 1977 and im enjoying ham radio more than ever. Theres something for everyone

KF4HR

Not for me either Joe.  I tried FT8 and after a few QSO (QSO's really?) I grew tired of it quickly.  But many do like it.  Hi and Bye... perhaps its a sign of the times.

When the bands do get better I wonder if these hi/bye FT4/8 fanatics will ever transition back to real communications modes?  Heck, they may forget how to really communicate!

The only good thing I see about FT4/8 is it doesn't take up very much of the band space, otherwise IMO, b-o-r-i-n-g. 

Tim VE6SH

Yep. I can remember when I was licensed in 1977 me and others of my vintage were faced with the same criticisms  form older amateurs("**** kids and your 2m repeaters"!). You have to put the ARS in perspective. Think where we would be today if the morse code requirements were still in the Int Radio Regulations....I suspect many fewer amateurs!

Tim VE6SH

Paul - GI4FZD

What has this to do with Flex 6400? This isn't in the correct forum.

KL4QG

Oh Back 6400M I have few questions
I getting my first computer ever Acer laptop from friend -Tuesday and just put internet at house with Rooter - wife freaking a little she afraid of computers
Be side getting updates from Flex. will the internet and computer make 6400M preform better on SSB ?

Michael N3LI

We do go all over the place in here! 

KL4QG

It’s just a forum nice place make new friends I’m sure we can all just relax chill out and take things a lot less Serous I was raised respect people and Grandmother three Magic words -Please-Thank You ,I was Wrong and I’m sorry -

Michael N3LI

Some folks like rag chewing, some contesting. Some like digital modes. Some like APRS, a few even like Packet.  Some like going out to breakfast, sitting around and chatting in person and almost never use a radio. It's a hobby, and I'm loathe to impress my idea of fun on others. My only rules are be respectful.

On a personal note, I came to Ham radio from computers. So Flex and digital modes are a natural for me. I also am almost deaf, so the digital modes allow me a lot of opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise. My better half can hear me in the next room with the sound levels I use in my headsets and it annoys her. So a nice quiet digital signal that I see instead of hear is FB!

Dave - W6OVP

>What I’m seeing is Digital destroying HF SSB and CW

You got that right Joe. But I'm still in a frump from when licensed in 1954 I learned there was no more spark. Now THERE was real Ham Radio! Everying since is just a cheap imitation and a silly distraction.  /s

BTW, have you no noticed they no longer provide a crank with new cars? Not even a hole to plug one in. How are you supposed to start the engine? Bah Humbug.

LONG LIVE DIGITAL!    -Dave

David Decoons, wo2x

No. Having the radio connected to a computer and the Internet will not change the performance.

Performing updates when they are released may include bug fixes and feature enhancements that affect receive. Flex posts the release notes for each software release. There you can find what has been fixed or added.

Dave wo2x

KL4QG

Thank U

Michael N3LI

I've always wanted to see one of those old school RF alternator stations. Humongous things that reached up to about 500 KHz. I understand they had a very nice tone. Before that it was apparently just rasping noises.

Ken - NM9P

Digital “destroying HF SSB and CW?” Really?

When I was a 7th grader in 1972 studying for my license there was a great debate as to whether allowing novices to use a VFO was going to destroy the hobby.

And SSB had just won the war waged by AMers who were convinced that SSB was going to destroy ham radio.

Similar arguments were made about the introduction of 2-meter repeaters,

The same with giving Technicians SSB Access to 10 Meters,

And auto patches,

And eliminating the requirement to log every Contact, CQ, or test transmission,

And not requiring mobiles to identify their US call zone would encourage pirate operations,

And store bought rigs would turn the bands into a bunch of appliance operators and glorified CBers.

And the same hysteria with dropping the code speed to 5 WPM for General Class,

And Code-free Technicians,

And dropping the code altogether,

And the introduction of PSK31,

And computerized contest logging,

And keyboard CW,

And voice keyers,

And packet radio,

And DX spotting networks,

And linked repeaters,

And IRLP,

And even the introduction of SDR radios.


In my over 45 years as a ham I have heard at least 45 arguments that “++++++++ is going to destroy Amateur Radio...”


Yes, the hobby has changed, significantly in some ways, but it is still going strong. Some of the developments that seemed most threatening to some at first have made the largest improvements. Others have fallen by the wayside as short-lived fads. But they were fun while they lasted!


We must guard against the attitude of “enjoy it my way, or you are destroying the hobby.” One of the greatest things about the hobby is that it encourages experimentation, innovation, and development. Otherwise we would all still be using spark gaps and crystal receivers.


Ken - NM9P

Michael N3LI

Ken, as I have often told people "Ham radio is dying, and it will be dying forever1"  

KL4QG

What The average age of hams in 2019 I went to Alaska 40 meter SSB net picnic July - I’m 63 I was second youngest person there -
After a 59 year old -that freaked me out a little no new hams -

Ted VE3TRQ

The thing to remember is that “dying” is a part of “living”. Essentially, without death, there can be no life. Renewal is the keyword. Wow - does this thread ever have a life!

Ted VE3TRQ

We have a raft of new hams here in town - from both Universities. They are young, they are eager, BUT almost all of them just use UHF and VHF on the repeaters :-( For now.

KY6LA_Howard

When I got my Ham license in1958 the first Mode I used was a very primitive DIGITAL MODE. I I always thought that CW AM and later SSB AND FR Were ruining ham radio

Bill -VA3WTB

But in fact according to many radio manufactures, who stands to lose or win in the market, claim ham radio is growing by at least 1% per year.

Do you think companies would continue to spend big money for research and develop for a new radio if they thought ham radio was dying?

All these companies do yearly market research to understand the market trends, are they all wrong?

KL4QG

I seem that in Sitka AK and now Bethel AK After 2 meters repeaters hit both towns all hams went VHF repeaters again it’s easier than turning VFO - Than this happen in Bethel the 2 meters expert and repeater owner left bethel with the repeater -just 3 hams on Air now no more VHF users - Sitka AK just one guy left AL6G on SSB -

KL4QG

Ok what average Ham operator age 2019 ??? that will tell us the truth ?

Patrick

To each his own! It is no use labeling people as lazy or any other label. There are always new things on the horizon, and that is what makes Ham radio very interesting. Anyone can set up for SSB and operate, no computers necessary, and have fun. Success in Ham radio is dependent on ones skills and is an on going process that never ends. That is the essence and attractiveness of what we do.

Patrick

Hope not, they would have lots of angry neighborhoods.....