FT8. Over a year and half ago I wrote this post: FT8 Is Destroying Ham Radio.
With the results in from the recent DXpedition to Banaba (T33T), I’d say we’re well on the way to having a major part of Ham Radio and DXing become nothing more than lazy, mindless computer scripted text messaging – that’s FT8. And like I’ve heard from many real “communicators” in our hobby, “that ain’t Ham Radio!”
The stats: Of 97,193 logged during the T33T DXpedition:
96.6% FT8/4
3.56% Phone
0.005% CW
Take from that what you will but there’s a bunch of us that see just how far this FT8 cancer has spread in 4 years.
I recently saw these on the Internet, think I may spend some of the money I’ve saved NOT donating to these lazy, mindless computer scripted text messaging DXpeditions on some new wearable gear to the next Ham Radio Swapmeet:
And since I’ve learned a thing or two about you folks that are tripping over yourselves in support of this lazy, mindless computer scripted text messaging app called FT8, your “in support of” comments will be canceled here, just as you have deleted, blocked, locked and canceled our comments all around town. Just a thought – perhaps you can convey, discuss and communicate your thoughts through FT8? Oh wait….
RR73,
N0UN
Why not you speak your real thoughts on FT8 lol
I spent a month fixing all my antennas radio and amps for the upcoming expeditions. What a waste of time. Nothing but boring digital. FT8 has killed ham radio for me.
Pretty sad when several of the latest activation’s are almost 100% non-stop FT8.
Lump
The only thing we can do is adapt. I just find myself calling cq and working who I can on SSB. Hopefully Bouvet doesn’t become a mostly ft8 dxped too
CONCUR
SCREW FT8!!!!!!!😡😡😡😡😡
I’ve been pleasantly surprised that when condx have been decent on 12m/10m, ops will return to CW/SSB.
You fish where the fish are, and if the fish are on FT8…
But it seems that as cycle 25 improves FT8 may take a back seat.
The “fish” are lazy – don’t want to work pileups, and so are the “fishermen”. There used to be “for the deserving”, now there’s “for the lazy”.
You are preaching to the choir… Let’s do something and use this and other platforms to organize and lobby the FCC to make a new class of license. Call it Extra + or something like that. Add code at 20WPM as a REQUIREMENT for the license. Lower 25Khz of each band. Then add lower 5Khz of WARC bands.
What do you think guys? How can we do this? Is it even possible? We can complain about FT8 or be proactive… 73, Pat
Well said Wayne… posted to all my FB pages
I was first exposed to this FT8 DXpedition issue with K7K. They were workable but almost never on CW, the majority was FT8. Their website indicated that CW and SSB would be part but CW next to nill. As my dad used to say ” don’t say it if you don’t mean it”
73,
Mike
VE9KK
FT8 is fake mode. No effort to work anyone with it. Your PC is doing all the work. FT8 operators reminds me a lot of online gamers. The are keyboard warriors. I will never donate to any DXpedition boasting that they will predominantly work FT8. FT8(WW) in Crozet is a prime example of a wasted opportunity. I feel about FT8 like I feel about cyclists around my area where I live. Enough said. I feel so much better knowing I am not the only one thinking FT8 is not real ham radio. 73 NJ0F
It appears there’s, “for the deserving” – and now, “for the lazy”.
N0UN
Very true! It ties right into our society at present. I want it but I do not want to work for it.
73’s and Happy New Year Wayne.
NJ0F
Happy New Year Andre!
N0UN
So true. Among other things, I wrote the following information on my QRZ page:
DXcluster server/node
Although I already have tried various digital modes cause I am very interested in the technical aspects I do not favour them for QSO. I fully understand those hams with antenna restrictions who cannot install antennas without to exite attention, what I do not understand however is the excessive use of FT-8. As I am running a DXspider cluster node and I’ve had enough of so many digital mode spots, I decided to implement a pre-filter for those modes.
If you feel like me and are fed up receiving such massive FT-8 spots on the DX cluster you are most welcome to connect and try my running DXspider node through your favorite logbook software via telnet.
Name:DD5XX-10
Hostname: dd5xx.dxcluster.net
Port: 7000
I am using various filtering algorithms.
blocking digital mode spots like FT-8, FT-4, PSK, RTTY, JT65, JT9, MSK, EME
bands HF+6m only: (160/80/60/40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6m band)
by default spots from or to Europe CQ zone 14,15,16,20 (customizeable by filters)
My node is running for several years and everyone is welcome to connect and use. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2023!
Wow, imagine making a trip to some rocks and just setting up a computer to do the work, while you watch! The operator becomes a spectator in such a case. Hope that Cycle 25 does well that CW and SSB remains important. 10 Meters has been hot, particularly during the recent ARRL DX contest.