Topband: A way forward to keep 'old school' modes vibrant alongside FT-8? (long)

[Tim Shoppa]

Quoting ARRL Contest Update for October 18 2017:

"FT8 mode usage continues to increase! According to a tweet by Michael,
G7VJR, operator of Club Log, "In September 2017, the number of FT8 QSOs
uploaded to Club Log was the same as CW and SSB combined." (Bengt, K7ADD)"

DXCC concept of "by mode" awards has been reworked several times in the
past 70 years and I don't see why it can't be reworked again.

In 1940 only 4 hams had "radiotelephone" DXCC.

It wasn't until the mid-1970's that they made a certificate for CW.

I'm not sure when RTTY DXCC Certificate began but it morphed into "Digital"
in 2011.

I do a lot of RTTY contesting and think I've built up a good skillset for
that particular mode.

I've made a few dozen FT8 QSO's, kinda have the basic hang of it, but I'm
sure the FT8 experts know more than me about how to work rare DX with it.
When we get a truly rare dxpedition using FT8 they will have to manage the
pileup somehow, I'm actually looking forward to see what operating
practices are adopted.

Tim N3QE

On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 11:10 AM, Nick Maslon - K1NZ <k1nz at arrl.net> wrote:

> Hi Dale,
>
> My comments were more aimed at the "let's separate FT/JT modes into their
> own separate DXCC category and disqualify them from Mixed" sentiment. I
> have no problem with the per mode style DXCC awards. I just wanted to point
> out that someone can't retroactively change the definition of Mixed because
> they don't like a specific mode being in there. I guess I wasn't as clear
> as I could have been in my phrasing.
>
> 73,
> Nick K1NZ
>
> On Thu, Oct 26, 2017 at 11:04 AM, Dale Putnam <daleputnam at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi Nick,
> >
> >   Not necessarily  needed retraction. Not at all..
> >
> > It seems to me that a solely one more or other.. is called for, also,
> >
> > a mixed mode, already in place, with any or all of a mix of modes.
> >
> > These are all digi modes that I am speaking of.
> >
> > Pretty much the same as "phone" awards.. doesn't care if it is FM voice,
> > SSB voice, or AM voice.
> >
> > Neither would the "digi" award.. but the difference would be noted with a
> > single mode cert.
> >
> >
> > Have a great day,
> > --... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy
> >
> > "Actions speak louder than words"
> > 1856 - Abraham Lincoln
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* Topband <topband-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Nick
> Maslon
> > - K1NZ <k1nz at arrl.net>
> > *Sent:* Thursday, October 26, 2017 8:58 AM
> > *To:* topband at contesting.com
> > *Subject:* Re: Topband: A way forward to keep 'old school' modes vibrant
> > alongside FT-8? (long)
> >
> > I just have one question about your suggestion about creating a "new"
> digi
> > DXCC award and excluding JT/FT modes from mixed. Are those people (myself
> > included) who have applied JT/FT credit to their Mixed award and received
> > it as such going to have to mail the certificate back to the League and
> > have the award retracted? It will be difficult to retroactively create a
> > "new" award without including every mode in mixed, which by definition is
> > mixed. Creating a "Mixed but without JT/FT modes" DXCC is getting into
> the
> > splitting hairs and logistics nightmare ballpark.
> >
> > PS. I am also one of the <30 crowd.
> >
> > 73,
> > Nick K1NZ
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