[Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands.

[Mark K3MSB]

Hi Ron

FT8 is the new “designer drug” for the digital crowd. It's been out for
just over 2 months so it's simply “the rage” for them.

Yes conditions have been pretty bad, but I'm still making CW QSOs with my
old boat anchor gear. 80M Has been horrid, but 40 and 20 have been holding
up pretty well considering the conditions.

This last weekend was the Classic Exchange contest (such as it is.....) and
we got hit with 2 solar flares. The bands were none too good, but I managed
to make 15 QSOs with my ARC-5 gear and another 15 or so with my 5100B /
SX-101 radios. Not the best band conditions by far, but QSOs were made.

I also have noticed that most of the DX has been trying FT8; it's new – and
it makes racking up those DXCC totals effortless.... Remember, there are a
LOT of people that live and die by their DXCC totals, and as we approach
the sun spot minimum, FT8 is the proverbial manna from heaven for those
guys.

So the digital modes will allow people to quickly run up their DXCC totals.
There's only a certain number of DXCC entities out there – what are these
guys going to do then?

73 Mark K3MSB

On Sat, Sep 16, 2017 at 6:24 AM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:

> Well, I had an update from a friend who is an almost 100% CW op but
> mostly with all the modern stuff.  We were talking a few nights ago
> and he happened to talk about his recent operating activity and how
> everyone who operates CW on HF has pretty much given up due to poor
> condx and are now operating those alphabet soup PSK weak signal
> computer modes.  They have designators like JT something or F8, ... I
> can't even remember exactly because when people talk about them I tune
> out.  But he's regularly active hunting DX, especially on 80 m. and
> says that's what "everyone" is doing instead of CW.  I would have
> never guessed that myself but apparently I am out of touch with the
> modern ham.
>
> 73
>
> Rob
> K5UJ
>
> >Not so long ago, tuning from 3500-3550 at night and 7000-7100
> >any non-contest time, one would have heard many CW QSOs.
> >The last several times I've listened, it's one or two.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>