[Elecraft] FT8 - was "On Second Thought, I'll Take The Stairs"

[Rick Bates, NK7I]

Just as one can go from an electric or petroleum powered vehicle back to 
cart and horse (the common factor being wheels), doesn't mean that the 
history to get from there to here must be ignored (or honored).

It doesn't matter the mode, ties into history will still exist and can 
be honored (or ignored), even if elements are destroyed (statues or old 
unused modes).  And ham radio excels at exploring modes and methods.  
FT8 (and RTTY before that) is merely a stopping point on the line of 
history, something 'better' will come along (always has, always will, a 
constant) to fill the (momentary) needs.

The primary advantage (to some) of CW or phone is that it's human brain 
effort and skill, via the radio technology, that gives a sense of 
accomplishment (pride) while for some including the ties to history, the 
paths taken to get here.  For others, a complete technological contact 
with minimal effort, is what they seek and the world of ham radio allows 
that too.

All modes are valid and equal; just as casual, contest or rapid fire DX 
appeals to some, it suits the needs and purpose of the operator; to 
ENJOY what is available.

My satisfaction comes from using different modes (lately FT8 while it's 
popular AND CW and phone) to prove access to all parts of the planet 
(DXing) with a station that I assembled and built from what I could 
afford or manage to do the best (sometimes easiest) I can manage.  My 
'competition' is me, my motivation is always to do better.  I confine it 
with other limits too (budget, space used) because I don't want numerous 
towers or a super station and because that would affect my other 
enjoyable concerns (the view for one).

My preference is for a complete, simple station but that also means a 
group of single point failures exists (one of my choices).

If another has different ideals, there is room for that too, it's a 
personal set of choices.

Rick NK7I


On 7/13/2020 12:59 AM, David Gilbert wrote:
>
> Fine, but that demarcation is pretty arbitrary.  You could just as 
> easily go back to tube gear with crystal controlled transmitters and 
> regenerative receivers., but I'd be a lot of money you don't. The gear 
> you operate compares little in form, fit or function to anything those 
> folks used back then.  Your current radio almost certainly has a lot 
> of digital signal processing already, and I'll bet you use a keyer 
> instead of a hand key.  Quite frankly, I can just as easily imagine 
> somebody at his keyboard on the other end as I could if he was 
> operating a paddle.  Most DXing and almost all contesting is already 
> somebody simply pounding on a function key on a keyboard.