[TVARC] FT8 Fun

[K2PS Pete Stafford]

Thanks to Dennis N0SMX, Frank KA1AF, and Rich ND4G for all their help in
getting me up and going on FT8.  

 

I pulled a muscle in my back and played golf too soon so I was unable to
move out of my recliner this past weekend.  I took the opportunity to really
get into the FT8 mode that I recently (with the help of those aforementioned
guys) set up in my shack (actually, the laundry room).  So I was set up so
that I could access the PC in the shack while sitting in the recliner with
the laptop and the heating pad set to High.  FT8 allows you to just click on
the call of someone calling CQ or, better, to just call CQ and then wait
until someone calls.  Nothing is required of you until the QSO is complete,
at which point you need to click on OK to log it and then  click to tell the
program to call CQ again.  That's it.  No need to hang around listening to
any transmissions or to respond in a timely fashion.  The computer does it
all.

 

I had to stop all that clicking only when I went to bed or when the storms
dictated prudence.  So all told, I made 296 FT8 QSOs over the weekend,
mostly by way of CQs.  Worked a bunch of TVARCers: KB4XO, K2TE, K3ZGA,
KF4CQ, KA1AF, W4MRJ, and N0SMX.  (If I missed any of you, let me know.)  Was
also called by a bunch of Europeans, Japanese, and South American/Caribbean
stations - 26 countries in all.

 

I encourage those of you who haven't yet taken the plunge into this mode to
do so.  It's not a mode for ragchewing, but it's great for award chasing,
and for seeing how well you can get out.  I haven't dumped CW, mind you, or
even RTTY, but it is a fun change of pace.

 

Gotta go now.  Am busy running FT8 CQs and UT3IB just called and I have to
log him, click to call CQ again, and continue watching TV and reading
today's paper during the commercials while checking to see whom I've just
worked.

 

73, Pete, K2PS



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