DELARANEWS

Dan

Dan Romanchik, KB6NU

Is this the beginning of the end for CW DX-ing?

In a recent thread on the CWops mailing list, a fellow wrote: You wonder why more and more guys are getting on FTx mode? How about this? o MADAGASCAR, 5R. Eiki, JH8JWF is QRV as 5R8AS from Ivato, Talatamaty, IOTA AF-013, until November 6. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using FT8. QSL via LoTW. o GHANA, 9G. Dave, AB0GC is QRV as 9G1SD from the Wenchi, Brong Region. Activity is on 17 to 6 meters using FT8 and FT4 at various times during the day. QSL direct to home call. o BANABA ISLAND, T3. Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as T33T until November 15. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using FT8 in DXpedition mode. QSL via LoTW. o INDONESIA, YB. Amir, YB9IPY/p is QRV from the Rajaampat Islands, IOTA OC-239, until November 8. Activity is on the HF bands using only FT8. QSL direct to IK2DUW. I’m not on FT modes, but if you like chasing DX and new band/countries, or ARRL DX Challenge, or even tracking weird and unexpected LP propagation on a “dead” band, stuff like this makes it start to become a rational decision. Sigh…. What followed was a wide-ranging discussion of CW vs. the digital modes. Some thought that FT4 and FT8 were cheapening the value of DXCC and other DX awards (as if they had any real value to begin with). Others just brushed it off saying, “There are a steadily increasing number of ways to enjoy this hobby. Pick your favorites for whatever reasons excite you.” I’m more in the second camp than the first. If people get their kicks from operating FT8, then more power to them. It’s funny when you think about it. We CW operators often say that one reason for operating CW is that it’s easier to work DX on CW than phone. So, I guess it’s a bit hypocritical to bad mouth FT8 just because FT8 makes it even easier to work DX. I’m not a big DXer, so it’s not a big deal if I don’t work Banaba Island this time around. And, overall, I think anything that gets people on the air is a good thing. Even so, not even having the chance to work these DXpeditions unless I fire up the FT8 software is a little disappointing. What do you think? The post Is this the beginning of the end for CW DXing? appeared first on KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog.
DELARANews

Dan

Dan Romanchik, KB6NU

Is this the beginning of the end

for CW DX-ing?

In a recent thread on the CWops mailing list, a fellow wrote: You wonder why more and more guys are getting on FTx mode? How about this? o MADAGASCAR, 5R. Eiki, JH8JWF is QRV as 5R8AS from Ivato, Talatamaty, IOTA AF-013, until November 6. Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using FT8. QSL via LoTW. o GHANA, 9G. Dave, AB0GC is QRV as 9G1SD from the Wenchi, Brong Region. Activity is on 17 to 6 meters using FT8 and FT4 at various times during the day. QSL direct to home call. o BANABA ISLAND, T3. Members of the Rebel DX Group are QRV as T33T until November 15. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using FT8 in DXpedition mode. QSL via LoTW. o INDONESIA, YB. Amir, YB9IPY/p is QRV from the Rajaampat Islands, IOTA OC-239, until November 8. Activity is on the HF bands using only FT8. QSL direct to IK2DUW. I’m not on FT modes, but if you like chasing DX and new band/countries, or ARRL DX Challenge, or even tracking weird and unexpected LP propagation on a “dead” band, stuff like this makes it start to become a rational decision. Sigh…. What followed was a wide-ranging discussion of CW vs. the digital modes. Some thought that FT4 and FT8 were cheapening the value of DXCC and other DX awards (as if they had any real value to begin with). Others just brushed it off saying, “There are a steadily increasing number of ways to enjoy this hobby. Pick your favorites for whatever reasons excite you.” I’m more in the second camp than the first. If people get their kicks from operating FT8, then more power to them. It’s funny when you think about it. We CW operators often say that one reason for operating CW is that it’s easier to work DX on CW than phone. So, I guess it’s a bit hypocritical to bad mouth FT8 just because FT8 makes it even easier to work DX. I’m not a big DXer, so it’s not a big deal if I don’t work Banaba Island this time around. And, overall, I think anything that gets people on the air is a good thing. Even so, not even having the chance to work these DXpeditions unless I fire up the FT8 software is a little disappointing. What do you think? The post Is this the beginning of the end for CW DXing? appeared first on KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog.