This thread has been addressed on various reflectors.
I've tried it, made around 400 contacts or so, and found the mode pretty
boring. Even with my pileups on FT-8 the mode left me cold. I felt the same
way with RTTY...tried it and found it boring. Why? With CW SSB/AM I felt a
connection with the other person, someone sending with a key or a person
speaking to me. With RTTY and especially FT-8 my machine is decoding your
machine. Oh yeah, I know my XCVR is a machine and so is yours, but for me it's
not the same.
I understand why guys get all hot and bothered about the new mode, it gives the
guys who don't know CW a chance to work DX on a mode other than SSB and gives
the weaker signal guys a chance to work DX. For the guys with bigger stations
it gives them a chance to work the rarer ones on tough bands like, 160 or 6.
Maybe that's why I'm not into FT-8, I've got a big station, and can work CW.
Also, I've never been really into putting the new one in the log as much as
many guys are...I'm more of a contester.
If you want to work your pileups and/or work 300 countries on FT-8, that's fine
with me. I'm not going to look down my nose at you but please don't
condescendingly tell me I'm a dinosaur or refuse to accept new technology.
I'm accepting it, I just don't want to be part of it. No hard feelings.
Bill KH7XS/KH7B/K4XS
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