[OKDXA] FT8 Notes...

[Kim Elmore]

As an admitted radio luddite (I prefer CW to just about anything) and 
I've been dragged wailing, moaning, and gnashing my teeth into the age 
of FT8. Mind! I used to do AMTOR, I've done RTTY, MFSk16, and, 
naturally, PSK31 both standard and quadrature. To me, FT8 was simply 
another digital mode and, frankly, I'd been there and done that. FT8 is 
a very clever digital mode, but digital notwithstanding. AMTOR ARQ was, 
perhaps the most fun to monitor as it was possible to see the old KAM 
TNC switch from rx to tx with the blinkimg lights. Besides, my cats 
loved the sound of AMTOR ARQ; it sounded like deranged crickets. I've 
even done the AOR digital HF voice mode.

All of these went by the wayside because the KAM didn't support the more 
modern HF modes, 2) I got a new radio replacing my Kenwood TS930SAT with 
a TT Orion 2 meaning none of my older interface harnesses worked, and 3) 
My old computer developed bizarre issues with its USB hub and so needed 
replacement meaning all of my carefully crafted COM port numbers were 
toast. Setting these is like pulling teeth. Regardless, it's done.

So, I finish the audio connections and am faced with the ability to 
receive, but no transmit audio is fed to the radio. For a long time, I 
let it be as I have bigger fish to fry. But still, there it was. So 
close! Crozet has given me a reason to get it all going, again. It looks 
like the only chance I'll ever have is FT8, so when in Rome...

Peter, N5UWY, helped me with the initial set up and how to interpret 
what I decoded (all done via 70 cm FM). But, when I tried to transmit it 
was... Well, not FT8 tones. It was almost like audio feedback. We got 
that fixed and I actually made a QSO. But then, I learned that having a 
single sound card came with limitations. On Peter's recommendation, I 
got a USB sound card . Simply mic in and headphones out. How simple! 
Except that the headphone out port was silent. Regardless of what I 
tried, it remained silent. Apparently, I got one that's dead out of the 
carton. I have some more on the way, so we'll see if any of those work 
OK.I feel a bit like the guys that didn't want to give up spark. But, 
technology grinds on. Like rock'n'roll: CW will never die, but there are 
other modes in which I truly should be conversant.


So, here I am.

73 & CU in the Pileups,

Kim N5OP