Topband: 160

[k1zm at aol.com]

Hi Again Folks
Been reading all the mail and WOW - I did not mean for this debate to take over the 160m reflector again.
But I CAN ADD something to this discussion.  So I will....
YES - THERE IS FOR SURE AN AUTOMATED CAPABILITY ON FT8 - There may be more software versions out there that do this but MSHV by LZ2HV sure can and it queues up to 5 stations at a time and then works them and then starts with another CQ to work the next batch of 5 incoming callers.
I have tried it on 6m and then just sat back in the chair and watched it all happen.
While this is all going on, you can read CQ or QST and then every now and then check your log or screen to see what "YOU WORKED" (sic!).

Despite this fact there is a much larger issue here and some have spoken to it already - as will I.
WARC Potential Impacts
As we all know spectrum space is very finite and commercial interests would probably salivate at some of our LF and MF spectrum as well as VHF.
There may come a time (probably not in my lifetime though) when some portions of our sacred bands and gobbled up by the FCC and other global authorities and then granted to other interests.
Heresy?  Yes  but if large segments of our bands are not used and this becomes widely known - then that day may surely come.
EXAMPLE - 6m runs from 50-54 MEGACYCLES.    With 50.313, 50,323 and a few other single KILOCYCLES being those primarily used - there is a clearly LOGICAL argument that we do not NEED 4 MEGACYCLES of space.  As an amateur I do not like this logic but it is clearly a compelling argument that can be used as a WEDGE to cause OTHERS to change their minds about what is now protected amateur spectrum.
Think about it -.----  Cannot the same argument be used on 10m where we own 1.7MHZ of spectrum - or sad to say that 160m gets reduced one day to 1825-1840.
As someone nearing the twilight of my lifetime, I doubt I will live to see this or another solar cycle like 1957-58 ( GROAN! HI!) - but that day might be coming.
And with all this FT8 - well the threat is very real.
One more BY THE WAY's.
Some good friends of mine are now on the air from St Paul Island (CY9C) - and  about 90% of their first 2 days of operation have been on FT8 - I have seen a little CW but no SSB so far.
AND THE FLAMES - that are showing up on DX SUMMIT indicate that many world ops do not like this - here are a few comments  I saw yesterday:
"jEEZUZ - ANOTHER DAMNED FT8 DxPedition"
"Do you guys know any other modes?"
"Another GAMEBOY Dx'pedition!"
"Do any of your ops know CW or SSB?"
I have noted N1UR's comments about future Dx'peditions - and Ed may well be right about this - because the trend line is clear. 

Hell - if you turn on MSHV on 20M and just let her rip - you can go outside and put up the antennas for the other bands -
OR
Take a NAP - and come back in a few hours to see who "YOU WORKED!!" Sic.
I fear this is not just another mode - it is already demonstrated that it is a gamechanger.
Forget the awards impact - (That is like trying to save the CURTAINS when your house is on FIRE!)
The clear future impact that really matters is what might this do to our BAND ALLOCATIONS in the near future!.
Anyway that's my view - so I will now go back to MONITORING MODE.
73 JEFF