[ADXA] CW learning can be difficult - TU Scott for your input on this FT mode subject. W5JAY is a guru on FT modes.

[sbranyan at cox.net]

Roger that on W5JAY also! He is the FT8 guru!

Scott

-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Hutson [mailto:k5yy1 at cox.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 7:38 PM
To: sbranyan at cox.net; 'ADXA'
Subject: CW learning can be difficult - TU Scott for your input on this FT mode subject. W5JAY is a guru on FT modes.

I, as mentioned, do respect your working so hard with your software updates and knowing so much more now than I ever will about the FT modes and updates, etc .. You got me beat in all aspects of knowing about getting on FT modes. I  guess mainly I just don’t want to start another mode to add to my sorta fixed RTTY digital DXCC count. The Digital award now does include FT4, FT8 etc in addition to any RTTY confirmations. I have basically stopped RTTY since not much on that mode anymore, especially not a new one for my RTTY personal country count.  I have way over 300 on RTTY DXCC count but never submitted for the DXCC award. Mix-PH and CW is OK with me and has been for decades. Off 6m and 160m now, so no more endorsements on those bands that I have solo band DXCC awards for. Fun time in years past. I like W5JAY’s pursuit of the FT mode DXCC contacts. He also is a guru in getting into his PC software and figuring out problems.

 

Agree with learning CW being a problem to so many and takes a lot of time to learn. I took the code proficiency tests when I was an SWL in early 1957. Got up to 20 WPM certificate BEFORE getting my license and had code practice 33 RPM records that I had bought. Now, with CW testing not being required for a ham license, some hams do get on the low 25kc part of several bands to work CW guys, tho some Qs are on “up the band”.  They do have the Extra Class band permission which is CW on bottom 25kc of the main HF bands.  I am sure some hams have slowly learned more CW by making slow CW QSOs in the 10 WPM range and feel comfortable with it. Good for them! Ham radio is an ever changing hobby and IIWII, as I say. Still it’s the best hobby I have had for 64 years, among several other interests including Corvette collecting, Harley Davidson motorcycling and Sturgis 11 times, and some interest in golf and also hunting and fishing in the Clarendon and Stuttgart areas for many years. Enjoyed being on KWAK, KDEW and WQXI (Atlanta) as the 50s-60s record spinning DJ and liked it for the small income but I stopped in 1972 except for football game announcers for free, just liked football from up in the broadcast booth. So you see, ham radio was my main hobby and continuing hobby for decades and still will be. 👍 

    Enuff for tonight and better doing discussions like this than seeing almost no DX spots on our ADXA site to comment on. Can’t wait til the Cycle 25 improves and peaks in 2024!  😊

San YY

 

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From: sbranyan at cox.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 6:47 PM
To: 'Sandy Hutson' <mailto:k5yy1 at cox.net> ; 'ADXA' <mailto:ADXA at mailman.qth.net> 
Subject: RE: [ADXA] JTAlert 2.50.2

 

>> But he never could copy CW at a rate of even 5 WPM!<< 

Guilty as charged, San. My 67 yo brain loves cw skimmer. Da di-di-dah 

 

Working with software updates is whole lot easier than drilling code for hours a day. hihi

 

73

Scott

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Sandy Hutson [mailto:k5yy1 at cox.net] 

Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 5:49 PM

To: sbranyan at cox.net; 'ADXA'

Subject: RE: [ADXA] JTAlert 2.50.2

 

Scott: 

 

Says a lot as to why I will never get on the FT8/FT4 or such inaudible modes. They serve a purpose if SSB or CW can not be heard in the -5 to 0 dB range, narrow bandwidths. But there are so many reports of those on the FT8 system having constant update changes and disruptions of the software, and when actually operating those softwares out there, the DX station or DXpeditions may be using different systems of how and where to call and such… and what reports to give that indicate an “OK” QSO or not. Some don’t know until actually seeing a log update on a website or on Club Log.. At least on CW or SSB or RTTY I know when I am in the log 98% of the time. 😁

 

 

 

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