It is a difficult path from the USA to that part of the world and we were doing a budget operation and operated with what could bring to the island in excess baggage, which unfortunately meant that we didn’t get many SSB contacts into the USA. We did around 30% of our contacts on SSB and CW. With Fox and Hound mode, you actually need to be there or it just sends out calls and never answers (this did happen for about 10 minutes once when I forgot to switch off split after being on SSB so wasn’t receiving responses). Go tell the world how FT8 is saving Ham Radio on your own social media.Īs one of the VK9CE team, I can say that we were all on the island, and that the operation was not automated.

How much fun is sitting in a car you’re not driving? You get my point?Īnd a pleasant reminder. In my opinion FT8 is like a self-driving car. It’s only fair, right?įT8 isn’t rebellious, it’s stupid. You FT8’ers can pull your own weight and subsidize these computer efforts. I do not want to be affiliated in any way with DXpeditions that operate more than 20% or so FT8. I handed over my domains and Website I spent hundreds, if not a thousand hours developing. From the Rebel DX Group site I read today, “ We will be testing some our new ideas to operate 5 different stations on FT8 (FOX & HUND) at the same time by 1 operator.”Īs co-founder of the Rebel DX Group a few years ago, I walked away when it became clear FT8 was ruining what I consider “Amateur Radio”. If it comes down to it, I’d rather die with 339 DXCC entities than work Bouvet on FT8. I saw the upcoming Bouvet DXpedition is all about FT8, even more so than they were on Conway Reef. Note, I didn’t say FT8 is killing Ham Radio, I said it is destroying it. Hell, no need for a microphone or a CW key (or keyer)! You just need some computer software where your computer can earn ARRL’s DXCC in a day!įT8 is destroying Ham Radio. The automated software does the scripted connectivity.ĭon’t worry you little pistols.

Don’t think it happens? Do your homework as it most assuredly does. You know the mode where their unmanned computer talks to your unmanned computer. VK9CE has been on that Ham Radio destroying computer software mode, all day. How frustrating to invest and build a station, put aluminum in the sky, get a little goo, and pffft – nothing. All day I’ve scanned the bands and DX Cluster on both CW and SSB on all bands for Cocos-Keeling (VK9CE) and guess what? Nothing.

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