[ADXA] HK0/HK3X 12M FT8

[w5zn at w5zn.org]

OK folks.....let's all understand what the "dB" SNR reading on an FT8 
signal means. It means NOTHING...absolutely NOTHING!!!. It is a signal 
to noise ratio however it takes in to account the signal compared to the 
noise of the entire bandwidth your radio is set to plus all of the other 
signals in that bandwidth.

You can actually change that number on your radio and make it extremely 
higher if you want to brag (DX'ers brag???) about how strong someone is 
at your station by running a simple test to prove the point. The next 
time you see a signal that is -15 to -20 dB, reduce your bandwidth to 
500 Hz or so and center it on the station you are copying. For example, 
if the station has a DF of 1250 Hz, reduce the filter bandwidth and then 
center it at 1250 Hz and see what happens!!! That "dB" number will jump 
up to 0 or plus something. Its simple math and the reason we reduce our 
filter bandwidths on CW.

So, it is a meaningless number. If a station is at 0 dB  you may hear 
the signal or you may not. Don't hang your hat on that number. In fact, 
completely IGNORE it!!!

Why doesn't that station go down to CW or SSB?? Several reasons that may 
include:

1. They don't know CW and don't care to learn it (and never will) but 
love amateur radio and want to get on the air.

2. On SSB they "could" work more stations if the op was good and the 
pileup were tame. Most likely it won't be and the op doesn't want to 
attempt to manage an unruly pileup on SSB. On FT8 the op can easily 
manage it as he/she wants. Not all DX ops are good pileup managers.

FT8 is good for amateur radio. All of us "old dogs" like me can complain 
all we want but the reason there is so much activity on FT8 is it is an 
easy mode to learn and to get on the air with. That means more activity 
and more DX.

I personally know of three hams right here in Arkansas that never had 
any interest in HF and DX but they tried FT8, actually got on the air 
somewhere other than a 2 meter repeater or the 75 meter morning medical 
grumbling frequency and have now completed a DXCC. Two of them are 
joining ADXA.....another PLUS!!!! They're consumed with HF and DX'ing 
now.

Enough of my sermon for the day.......the ADXA offering plate will be 
passed shortly !!!!

You all know what to do, regardless of the mode or band........GET IN 
THERE AND WORK 'EM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

73 Joel W5ZN

CW Forever, DX Forever and ANY MODE forever if I can use it to work a 
new one and beat out N5ZM in a pileup!!

On 2021-08-09 16:00, Sandy Hutson wrote:

> _You do have to wait_ when he is in the 0 to +++ dB range of audio and 
> still not going to SSB or CW where he could be easily heard and worked. 
> Sorry for those not on FT8 who have to wonder when he will change 
> modes, if he does. 12m band would be an ATNO for many ADXA members.
> 
> Stay safe and cool this week!
> 
> San YY
> 
> Sent from Mail [1] for Windows 10
> 
> From: John McKinnie
> Sent: Monday, August 9, 2021 4:46 PM
> To: ADXA List
> Subject: [ADXA] HK0/HK3X 12M FT8
> 
> HK0/HK3X is on 12 M FT8.  He is about +5 to +7 here.
> 
> No real waiting to work him.
> 
> John
> 
> KT4AC
> 
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