[CQ-Contest] Fwd: [wsjtgroup] WSJT-X 2.1.0-rc6

[David Gilbert]

Who said that digital modes need to become the dominant mode?  Who says 
that the only mode worth discussing here should be the dominant ones?  
The whole point here has been that "contesting" has room for a lot 
broader activity than you and Paul give it credit for.

Personally, I hope that modes like FT8 and FT4 (I've never operated 
either, by the way) do NOT reduce the amount of contest activity for CW, 
but if it does it certainly is worth discussing here.  AM was the 
dominant voice mode before SSB showed up and I remember old timers then 
making the same statements you are making now.

Some people might get excited about making 200 QSOs per hour. Others 
might get excited about making 30 QSOs per hour with stations they would 
otherwise be unable to even hear, especially if they are limited to 
meager operating conditions.  I would guess that FT4 opens up radiosport 
to hams living in apartments and condos who would otherwise not even 
bother.  Why should they be excluded from this reflector?  Because 
you're bored with it?

Dave   AB7E



On 6/4/2019 9:27 AM, ku8e wrote:
> Why are people talking about some digital mode on a reflector that's supposed to be for contesting? It's never going to be the dominant mode for contesting... at least I hope not. If you're getting excited about using a mode that you're making 30 QSO'S per hour or less in a contest I feel  bad for you :)I guess I'm maybe old fashioned like Paul and prefer modes where the operator is copying something with their own brain. But if you want to operate these computer modes all the power to you. I just pray it doesn't take over ham radio. If it does I will be finding a new hobby.I tried doing some RTTY contesting in the past but got bored with it pretty quickly.  I have also used FT8 in VHF contests when the band is dead. Will probably continue to do that in the future to boost my score.
> Jeff