Topband: 160

[GEORGE WALLNER]

Nobody is talking about "shutting" anything down.
Quite the opposite: expand the DXCC program by creating a new category! FT-x 
is sufficiently different to justify that. The skills need for FT-x are 
different from those required for the traditional modes. A new award 
category would reflect that.
I would go further, but I don't think too far:
FT-x could be crucial to HAM radio's future. On a recent mini DXpedition I 
asked a young and recently licensed HAM to operate FT-8. He said, sure, give 
me a minute. He brought his laptop (not the one that was part of the FT-8 
station) and proceeded to operate FT-8, while using his laptop to watch a 
movie and was looking at Facebook, and he was in chats with friends (and 
HAM-s) on his phone. I was somewhat peeved, until I came to realize that 
this is how the new generation lives: multi-threading using their electronic 
devices. Unlike us, most of them are not willing to put on the head-phones 
and concentrate on weak CW signals for hours, to the exclusion of everything 
else. They don't live like that and they will not enjoy a hobby like that. 
It is not my place to judge whether this is good or bad. It is what it is. 
But to attract this new "multi-activity generation" to HAM radio (an entire 
generation, not just the odd kid), the hobby must offer a mode that is 
compatible with how they live. FT-8 is perfect for that: it can be operated 
remotely from a smart-phone via an app, while riding a bus or train and 
doing other things... And, yes, it can be automated.
There will be nothing wrong with a young HAM working 100 countries in a 
month while not even at his station. Good for him! Just don't mix his 
achievement with mine. (Is RTTY really a digital mode? It seems to be very 
analog these days.)
73,
George,
AA7JV





On Fri, 2 Aug 2019 17:05:23 -0500
  Cecil <chacuff at cableone.net> wrote:
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>> On Aug 2, 2019, at 4:45 PM, Cecil <chacuff at cableone.net> wrote:
>>
>> This is nonsense....
>
>> That is only possible if someone has modified the software and is cheating the system...which I might add could be done with computers and creative software writing to any of the digital modes including CW....
>
> That is cheating and not grounds for disallowance from total DXCC participation for all users.
>
> Certainly I can do that for one QSO if I need to run to the bathroom or grab a quick cup of coffee etc....but if you believe for a second that the FT8 software is designed to crank it up, walk away for a couple hours and come back later to tally up your take as you describe you are showing your lack of knowledge of WSJT’s design.
>
> Am I suggesting that some are not doing that...no...not for a minute.  Would I suggest that all DXers are running no more than the legal limit when chasing a new one or no more than 200 watts on 30 meters, or not using a remote station element to gain an unfair advantage to add a new one...nope. 
>
> But it is happening...
>
> Should we shut down the entire awards system because the possibility exists that someone will cheat...I think not.
>
> I for one think you should rethink your article before submission Alan...
>
> Respectfully
>
> Cecil
> K5DL
>>>> On Aug 2, 2019, at 4:22 PM, Alan Swinger <awswinger at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> . Since FT8 operators can walk away and not participate in QSOs, and come back after some other activity and see how many new countries and QSOs that the computer made, 
>
> _________________
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