[CQ-Contest] Contesting and the FT8 Revolution

[Jeff Clarke]

Dave,

With all due respect there are other lists that are dedicated to digital 
modes that this subject can be discussed. It doesn't appear that 
contesting.com has a digital reflector anymore ( see 
http://lists.contesting.com/) but Groups.io does. See 
https://groups.io/g/digitalcontesting I bet lots of people like me are 
tired of all the posts about FT8 on the contest reflector. There are 
lists for VHF contesting and top band on contesting.com and you don't 
see those people posting their gripes on CQ-Contest. Since FT8 is also 
specialized mode it should be discussed on a digital reflector and not a 
general contesting reflector. Please note I'm not anti-FT8. I operate it 
all the time on 6 meters and some of the HF bands because no one seems 
to operate CW or SSB outside a contest.

BTW your quote " a mode SIMILAR to FT8 or FT4 but with a different 
interface and some different parameters could and should be an excellent 
contesting mode i/f it was done properly by somebody who was smart 
enough and cared enough to do it/. " seems to be disrespectful towards 
Joe Taylor, K1JT. You're aware he is a Nobel Prize laureate in Physics 
among other honors? ( 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Hooton_Taylor_Jr.)  I'm sure he 
could easily do what you suggest but have you ever thought that he 
didn't envision FT8 to be used for contesting?

Jeff

On 7/3/2021 02:57 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>
>
> The answer to your question ... for the umpteenth time ... is that a 
> mode SIMILAR to FT8 or FT4 but with a different interface and some 
> different parameters could and should be an excellent contesting mode 
> if it was done properly by somebody who was smart enough and cared 
> enough to do it.  That you and the majority of hams seem to think as 
> you do is why it isn't likely to ever happen, but that doesn't make it 
> a complete shame that it won't.
>
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
> On 7/3/2021 9:36 AM, Jeff Clarke wrote:
>> Again for the umpteenth time... Why are people talking about this 
>> subject on a CONTESTING reflector? Neither FT8 or FT4 are contesting 
>> modes. I guess this is more proof that FT8 has totally taken over ham 
>> radio? I guess people are really bored and can't help themselves? 
>> Hello Mr Moderator can you please tell people to stop!
>>
>> Jeff
>