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?
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