Topband: FT8 Usage or CW QRM

[Bill Cromwell]

Hi Ed,

On 160 meters (as well as other bands) there are the gentlemen's 
agreements that do depend on gentlemen. As long as the FT* folks are 
behaving in a civilized manner I say they should just get on the air and 
take their chances like everybody else.

Personally I am completely unimpressed by FT*anything*.*! Callsign, QTH, 
signal report are *NOT* a QSO at my radio shack. I have also been known 
to handle some formal message traffic. The FT type modes won't 
accommodate me. My decision to shun those modes is based on known 
reasons that I cannot ignore. But those ops don't have to be shunned or 
denigrated. If they have a window I can avoid them. But when contests or 
DX pileups occur then all bets are off. That's when I usually turn the 
radio off and pickup musical instruments or take the dog for a walk or 
perhaps (not least) visit the XYL and help her with some of her 
interests. Contesters and FTers can duke it out without me. It's just a 
hobby that once in a great while turns a little more serious (emergency 
communications).

73,

Bill  KU8H

On 11/30/2017 06:05 AM, Ed Sawyer wrote:
> The more I hear and learn about FT8, the more amazingly bad this mode
> sounds.
>
>
>
> There is a simple way to solve the 1840 problem.  Just "update the app" to
> default to 1980 and the whole 2.5khz crowd will move up there.  Amazingly,
> most won't even know they moved, they will just wonder why their 160M
> antenna "isn't working the way it used to".  But then hit the tuner button
> and call it a day.
>
>
>
> This is essentially the same dialog the automotive industry is having on
> autonomous vehicles.  When "normal life" interferes with efficient driving
> algorithm, the answer is to eliminate normal life (ie - special lanes on
> highways).  Sounds like FT8 just needs its own spectrum spice to be
> sanctioned legally be the Region Bandplans.  And because IT is the one
> needing the special treatment, it can adopt to whatever spot is decided for
> it.  For 160M - clearly 2000 - 1980 would provide the necessary 10
> "channels" it requires for future growth.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ed N1UR
>
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