[NLRS] The New Normal?

[Jon Platt]

So the good news continues to be that amateur radio, and in our clubs focus with VHF+, continues to contain many different facets just as it always has.  Many members enjoy building, antennas, EME, 6 meters, digital modes, microwaves, contesting, etc, etc, etc.   There is room for all in this diverse spectrum of VHF+ interests.  Check out our clubs preamble at http://www.nlrs.org/home/constitution-bylaws to understand what NLRS is.   If your interested is in VHF+ weak signal work, this is a good group to be with.  If you only want to contest, if you only want to play 6m, if you only want to do EME, etc., that is OK.  And please remember, a club is what its members make of it so if you have a leading interest in any area of VHF+ weak signal work, be a leader and use our clubs resources to promote that.  
Regarding FT8, yes its the new normal.  
On the "con" side, FT8 has decimated HF CW activity except for special events or contests.  On VHF, its primarily FT8 on 6m.  I have not heard a 6m CW signal for some time now.  The impact of FT8 has also impacted 2m and up, especially during contests.  During VHF contests, people are on 6m FT8 and its difficult to a) find them on 2m SSB or b) get them to QSY from 6m using FT8.  Regarding the latter, you can use FT8's 6th free text window to send something like "QSY 144210" after completing the FT8 Q.  Also on the con side, as a rover, adding FT8 may add some complexity if you are not already using a PC in the cockpit.   If I go out in the June VHF contest as a rover with only 6m SSB/CW capability I will miss many many Q's that are over on FT8.  That is the way it is now.  The June contest is largely a 6m contest (always has been) and 6m is now largely FT8.  
On the "pro" side, I'm willing to bet that more 6m Q's are being made now than ever before.  6m activity is up.   During a contest, if there is a strong E opening, many of the experienced op's will go to SSB where Q's are faster.  There has been a lot of discussion on various VHF reflectors about this ..... if the opening is strong go to SSB.   I have also notice many many new calls (locals) that I have never heard before; FT8 appears to have attracted a whole new group of amateur radio op's to the World Above.  Also, FT8 has shown that amazing contacts can be made that never would/could have occurred before except maybe at the peak of a good solar cycle (ie, via F2).  When FT8 started to make big gains on 6m, I was stunned to see what was being worked.  Who would have thought that working Europe would be possible at the bottom of the solar cycle (albeit it helps if you live in a favored location like northern Texas, etc).  Above 6m there has been some long haul Q's made on 2, 222, and 432 .... FT8 is now a more common tool on those bands as well albeit a little less so than 6m.  
So yes, FT is the new normal.  Its deeply entrenched in HF through 6m.  It has had a significant impact on VHF contesting where the negative is that everyone is on (just) 6m FT8, but the positive is that there are more 6m op's now then ever before.  I can see where this new normal would make one think about station design and band expansion .... it has me thinking too.
73, JonW0ZQ