Stan,

Of course, the FT8 software is performing as it was intended and developed for, and that is decoding of very weak signals on VHF buried in the noise. The fact that hams hijacked it to decode signals on HF that are very audible is unfortunate and indicates a laziness on their part to not use a more time efficient mode for contacts. I have most likely PO’ed some folks with that statement but it’s a fact.

Unfortunately, FT8 that is where the bulk of DX activity is today, even when the signals are very loud, and those of us who don’t particularly like to use FT8 have no choice but to go where the DX is.

All I can say is thank God for CW DX contests!!  😊

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

From: Stan Stockton <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 5, 2026 6:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ADXA] ZF9CW on 50313 KHz FT8 at 2300z

Surely there is some way to confirm a contact and on the same transmission send NW W5ZN +20, for example, sending the report to W5ZN without going through a cycle of sending the RR73 thing to the first guy, waiting another 15 seconds and then sending a report to W5ZN?

On Jan 5, 2026, at 7:23 PM, [email protected] wrote:

No I was turned toward ZL so I would not have heard you. I probably could if I had turned your way. Guess I should have as there was nothing down in the pacific I need on 6 meters. I saw other stations calling and wrking you.

73 Joel W5ZN/ZF2ZN

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Stan Stockton
Sent: Monday, January 5, 2026 6:04 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ADXA] ZF9CW on 50313 KHz FT8 at 2300z

Did your computer hear me on 6? 

Biggest signal I worked was K1HTV.  He was +22 and I was +17.

I was on 40.682 earlier, hoping to make a contact on 8m so I could brag about having the highest country total on one of the amateur bands of anyone in ADXA.  Was heard by a couple USA stations but only a special license can operate on that band.  VE and most European countries can.

I haven’t tried to hook up a control box for the  6m Yagi.  It’s fixed on Europe now.  Could probably do better by cutting a few inches off my 8m vertical and putting it on 6m.

On Jan 5, 2026, at 6:02 PM, [email protected] wrote:

And there’s that ZF9CW guy on 6 meters now !!!!!!!!!!!!

Heck he’s like Santa Claus, he’s EVERYWHERE !!!!

73 Joel W5ZN / ZF2ZN

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