[Elecraft] FT8: "Magic radio"?

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2018-07-03 5:16 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:

> Hence, I dubbed the mode, "Imaginary" since it hears things that
> aren't there.

Not true.  It takes advantage of large polynomial encoding that allows
the decoder to "get the message" in spite of missing or damaged bits.
That's no different than *an experienced CW operator* will "copy"
callsigns through noise and QRM by picking up one or two characters
at a time from multiple repeats.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2018-07-03 5:16 PM, Wes Stewart wrote:
> In a message to this group back in February I wrote:
> 
>     Quoting G4WJS: "For FT8 the net effect is that
>     up to about 5 seconds of a message may be missing yet still
>     be decoded. The amount missing can be either a truncation or
>     parts of the message below the decoding threshold. The FT8
>     message is structured with sync symbols at the start, middle
>     and end so missing the start or end may have less impact
>     than missing other parts since mostly sync symbols may be
>     lost and they contain no message information."
> 
> Hence, I dubbed the mode, "Imaginary"  since it hears things that aren't 
> there.
> 
> Wes  N7WS
> 
> On 7/3/2018 12:36 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> Overheard yesterday on 40 meter SSB, in reference to FT8:  “Given the 
>> level of automation and whatnot, maybe they should call it ‘magic 
>> radio’ instead of ‘ham radio’.”
>>
>> New contest category?
>>
>> Wayne
>> N6KR
>>
>>