[ADXA] Sent to ZN, Norris and ADXA @ 9:56 but did not come through. #2 attempt now.

Wed Jul 1 15:24:40 EDT 2020

I like Bill, K5FUV’s, analogy to RTTY.  Before Personal Computers were common, folks on RTTY had to have specialized modems and “Machines” to handle the encoding/decoding for FSK Baudot.  I ran a lot of RTTY from KG6AAY when I was on Guam in the Navy.  The station had a nice TTY Model 28 KSR (Keyboard Send/Receive) with a typing reperforator. We had “Brag” paper tapes hanging on the wall.  You could recognize RYRYRY and CQ CQ but not sure I knew anyone who could copy Baudot in there head!  I had a Model 15 for a while in the early 80….loved the way it sounded.   Radio and Telecom technology moves steadily forward.  We’ve had a host of digital modes that required modems and some encoding/decoding device for years.  FT8 is a game changer because the software is free and runs on numerous platforms, Windows, OSX, Linux, etc. WSJT-x does amazing digital signal processing to provide info for a QSO to be passed down to S/N levels 10-15db better that CW.  During these weak solar cycles with long minimums FT8 has provided a lot of fun for lots of folks…new comers and OTs alike.   

Slightly off topic but related.  I don’t think the QRM situation on FT8 is quite as bad as we may think.  Yesterday on 6M I noted that I was decoding G4IFX at -18 while a US station at +8 was 2hz up.  WSJT-X uses a  multi-pass decoding process with strong/clear signals being decoded first and then subtracted from the sample. We tend to think about QRM in analog terms….this is a different process.  I also snagged JW7QIA on 6M FT8 at 1705 UTC.  That’s Peter, LA7QIA, who is on Spitzbergen for a week.  I was calling 9A5X and Pete called me.  He was in about 3 minutes…long enough to complete the QSO.  I noticed other ADXA folks calling him a bit later in the morning.

For a change of pace, I ran FD from home with my KX3, 5W, on battery power.  All CW except for four 10M SSB QSOs.  It was fun and I’m going to do more CW contesting to try to improve my CW skills a bit.  Bumped in to Ken, N5EE during the test.  What a great CW call…unmistakable when you hear it.

Not going back to Spark and Regen receivers!

73,

Pat, W5VY

From: adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Joel Harrison
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 12:31 PM
To: EJ <ejj at suddenlink.net>
Cc: adxa <adxa at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ADXA] Sent to ZN, Norris and ADXA @ 9:56 but did not come through. #2 attempt now.

I can send you a list! 

On Jul 1, 2020, at 11:33 AM, EJ <ejj at suddenlink.net <mailto:ejj at suddenlink.net> > wrote:

Really?  I always thought learning morse code was like learning to ride a bike.  You never forget.  My mother learned morse “accidentally” when her brother was a ham (W9FNJ) in the 30’s.  She was able to knock the rust off and teach me when I was 12.  

EJ

From: adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mailto:adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net>  [mailto:adxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of w5zn at w5zn.org <mailto:w5zn at w5zn.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 11:14 AM
To: David Norris <k5uz at icloud.com <mailto:k5uz at icloud.com> >
Cc: adxa <adxa at mailman.qth.net <mailto:adxa at mailman.qth.net> >
Subject: Re: [ADXA] Sent to ZN, Norris and ADXA @ 9:56 but did not come through. #2 attempt now.

Yes, CW is more fun for me as well but what about the many, many folks on CW today that use their computer to decode CW because they can't copy CW....AND, I'm NOT talking about the folks who did not have to pass a Morse exam to obtain a license. I'm talking about the old dogs that can't copy one dit! They're technology dependent also.

ZN

On 2020-07-01 10:08, David Norris via ADXA wrote:

All my FT-8 is human controlled too.  

If that's where the DX is I'll jump in.  I do share the concern that this makes us more technologically dependent and is there really a skill set being honed here? That will open the door for debate. CW is still more fun...

73 

David A. Norris, K5UZ 

Director, Delta Division

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 1, 2020, at 10:29 AM, HamOP <k5yy1 at cox.net <mailto:k5yy1 at cox.net> > wrote:

  Yes it is an "attended" mode of operation and legal; you do have to SEE the printouts and click a button now and then to complete the QSO, but you sure don't actually hear what is being said if in the subaudible ranges. 

  If audible sounds at the + 20dB in USA to USA contacts or lower + dB range around the world, you DO hear the oscillating tones but no deciphering of meaningful conversation unless a software "assist" is involved. So, yes, "attending to" the "situation" in person is required and not denied by many 1000s of hams who still call it the "non human mode"... They all have tongues in cheeks and smiles, like K5UR has stated. 😊

  That's all I am saying, that some non human software stuff is required for the "attended" to operation of FT8. It sure has changed ham radio and especially DXing, just like SSB did to AM in the late 50s to early 60s. I was there. Took a while to convert but QSOs were easier on the narrower SSB passband and with weaker signals being copied. 

   FT8 will still be here when the demise of ham radio might happen unless new, younger hams get in our hobby. We all agreed to that at the Russellville forums. I will be one of those who continues to smile and frown at various times depending on the different situations being discussed.  IIWII

San     Have a good day all ADXA members!! I did work a TI2 on CW this morning.

Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986>  for Windows 10

From: Joel Harrison <mailto:w5zn at w5zn.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 9:15 AM
To: HamOP <mailto:k5yy1 at cox.net> 
Cc: Steve Norris <mailto:w5ki at silverlarkcrafts.com> ; adxa at mailman.qth.net <mailto:adxa at mailman.qth.net> 
Subject: Re: 6m 100 worked club increasing.. Congrats for ur efforts.

My FT8 is HUMAN CONTROLLED!!!

Automatic unattended operation is not legal in the USA

Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986>  for Windows 10

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