Topband: KH1/KH7Z TopBand Ops Brief

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

They said the same thing about 6m DX and FT8 is the dominate choice now.


On 7/13/2018 11:18 AM, Jim Thomson wrote:
> Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2018 22:19:07 -0400
> From: GEORGE WALLNER <aa7jv at atlanticbb.net>
> To: <topband at contesting.com>, ha7ry at tomisat.com <ha7ry at tomisat.com>
> Subject: Topband: KH1/KH7Z TopBand Ops Brief
>
> <After operating 7 straight nights on 160, my ears were ready for a break. We
> <switched to FT8 for about 5 hours, using the regular QSO mode (not
> <hound-and-fox). With N1DG operating, we made about 120 NA QSO-s in about 5
> <hours! Just before midnight, we switched back to CW for the JA-s, who are not
> <allowed to operate FT8 in the lower part of the band.
>
> <The FT8 operation
> <revealed three things: There is SERIOUS  DEMAND for FT8 on TB, the MODE  GETS
> THROUGH the NOISE VERY  WELL  and gives  MODEST STATIONS a chance to work
> <serious DX on TB, but it is easily dominated by the strong signals.
>
> <The key lessons learned
> <1.  160 m DX is more than possible in June and July.
> <6. FT8 is now part of Amateur Radio, even on TB.
>
> <George,
> <KH1/KH7Z (AA7JV)
>
> ##  1500  qsos  on TB, but only 120 of those using FT8.  And  5 hrs  to work just
> 120 stations on FT8.   That averages out to  1 station every 2.5 mins.
>
> ##  FT8 is indeed a game changer,  but I dont think the hard core CW op will  buy
> into the.... new fangled mode.
>
> Jim   VE7RF
>
> _________________
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