[Elecraft] FT 8

John Harper johnae5x at gmail.com
Sat Mar 3 21:43:22 EST 2018


I think FT8 and, more significantly, FT8's future iterations will add to
ham radio in ways that aren't being considered.

For example, adding an extra layer to the computer time sync requirement of
future modes (and with those computers being on the 'net) could allow DFing
of each station worked. Or the exact propagation path could be made known
via the time delay in working stations at known locations - was it direct
path, LP, gray line or something else? Imagine that info being plotted on a
map in almost-real-time by a future version of WSJT. Opens up a lot of
possibilities in learning propagation while "our computers work each other".

For those who are inherently against this mode and the automation behind
it, I don my flamesuit and say that we are hams, not CBers. It doesn't have
to be about human QSO's and human contacts - we can also engage in modes
that allow the vagaries of propagation and other aspects of radio to be
investigated in ways that aren't possible with current modes of
communication.

John AE5X


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