Hams may have various reasons for disliking FT8, a digital mode of communication in amateur radio. Here are some common concerns and criticisms:
Lack of Personal Interaction
Minimal Communication: FT8 involves short, automated exchanges of information with little to no conversational content, which some hams find impersonal.
Reduced Social Aspect: Traditional modes like SSB, CW, and phone allow for more personal interaction and socializing, which many operators value.
Skill and Challenge
Lower Skill Requirement: FT8 is relatively easy to use and doesnβt require the same level of operating skill or knowledge of radio theory as modes like CW or SSB.
Less Technical Challenge: Some hams enjoy the challenge of optimizing their stations and skills, and FT8βs automated nature can feel less rewarding.
Impact on Bands
Band Congestion: FT8βs popularity can lead to crowded frequencies, making it harder for operators using other modes to find clear spots on the bands.
Dominance of Bands: The widespread use of FT8 can sometimes overshadow other modes, leading to a perceived imbalance in band usage.
Perceived Value
Questionable Accomplishment: Making contacts with FT8 can feel less like an achievement since it relies heavily on automated software and less on operator skill.
Awards and Certificates: Some operators feel that awards earned through FT8 contacts are less meaningful compared to those earned through more traditional modes.
NOTE I RESPECT FT8 AND ENJOY OPERATING IN ROBOT MODE SO I CAN MAKE LOTS OF CONTACTS WHILE SNORING AWAY IN MY SLEEP
JOHN ips
You made 8 contacts Steve on FT8 and I made 32 on SSB during the hour. I got my activation done so catch ya later!
Hams enjoy operating in Parks on the Air (POTA) events for several reasons:
Connection with Nature
Scenic Locations: Operating from beautiful, natural settings adds an element of enjoyment and relaxation.
Outdoor Activity: Combines the hobby of amateur radio with the benefits of being outdoors, promoting physical well-being.
Challenge and Adventure
Portable Operation: Setting up and operating a station in a remote or temporary location presents a fun and rewarding challenge.
Adaptability: Hams must adapt to different environments and overcome obstacles, such as power sources, antenna setups, and varying weather conditions.
Community and Camaraderie
Social Interaction: POTA events often bring together like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.
Engagement: Operators enjoy the interaction with other hams worldwide, exchanging QSL cards and earning recognition.
Skill Development
Technical Skills: Provides an opportunity to test and improve technical skills, from setting up portable antennas to optimizing power sources.
Operating Skills: Enhances operating skills under different conditions, improving proficiency in making contacts (QSOs).
Recognition and Awards
Achievements: Many hams enjoy the recognition and awards associated with POTA, such as certificates and endorsements for activating or contacting multiple parks.
Friendly Competition: Participating in POTA events can add an element of friendly competition, motivating operators to improve their performance and achieve more.
Promotion of Amateur Radio
Public Awareness: Operating in public spaces helps raise awareness about amateur radio, potentially attracting new enthusiasts to the hobby.
Community Service: Demonstrates the capabilities of amateur radio in providing communication in remote or emergency situations.
Personal Fulfillment
Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully activating a park and making contacts provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Relaxation and Enjoyment: Combining a beloved hobby with the tranquility of nature creates a unique and enjoyable experience.
These diverse factors contribute to the appeal of Parks on the Air events, making them a popular activity among amateur radio operators.
Tks Sean
Be ham radio Active and get off the coach and stop watching YouTube videos of hams activating parks. Get out and do your own!!!!
I often get asked, βWhy use 20 watts when my radio can do 100?β
Hereβs why:
First, itβs about battery and power management. As a QRP enthusiast, operating at 20 watts simplifies my life, especially for SSB (Single Sideband) communication. While CW works great at 5 watts or lower, when readability is crucial, my park activations are at 20 watts. Yes, I operate at 5 or 10 watts SSB when the band permits or when Iβm feeling adventurous.
The maximum power output of 20 watts is the sweet spot for effective SSB communications. The difference between a 20-watt and a 100-watt transmission is about 1 to 2 S-units on the receiving end, according to the Collins Radio standard of 6 dB per S-unit.
Most military and Australian bush HF manpacks are rated at 20 watts maximum output power. This level balances communication effectiveness with the practicality of how many batteries you need. Adding compression also provides a 6 dB boost in the modulation envelope, effectively enhancing your output power.
At 20 watts, I use 9 amps instead of 15, which translates to almost double the battery life. I can use a smaller and lighter 9aH battery instead of my heavier 18 or 30 aH battery pack.
I found two 6aH LifePO4 batteries at a liquidation store for $5 each. Wow!
I can pull 10aH out of the battery with no problem on SSB, giving me about an hour of run time, which is fine for a park activation.
Hams may have various reasons for disliking FT8, a digital mode of communication in amateur radio. Here are some common concerns and criticisms:
Lack of Personal Interaction
Minimal Communication: FT8 involves short, automated exchanges of information with little to no conversational content, which some hams find impersonal.
Reduced Social Aspect: Traditional modes like SSB, CW, and phone allow for more personal interaction and socializing, which many operators value.
Skill and Challenge
Lower Skill Requirement: FT8 is relatively easy to use and doesnβt require the same level of operating skill or knowledge of radio theory as modes like CW or SSB.
Less Technical Challenge: Some hams enjoy the challenge of optimizing their stations and skills, and FT8βs automated nature can feel less rewarding.
Impact on Bands
Band Congestion: FT8βs popularity can lead to crowded frequencies, making it harder for operators using other modes to find clear spots on the bands.
Dominance of Bands: The widespread use of FT8 can sometimes overshadow other modes, leading to a perceived imbalance in band usage.
Perceived Value
Questionable Accomplishment: Making contacts with FT8 can feel less like an achievement since it relies heavily on automated software and less on operator skill.
Awards and Certificates: Some operators feel that awards earned through FT8 contacts are less meaningful compared to those earned through more traditional modes.
NOTE I RESPECT FT8 AND ENJOY OPERATING IN ROBOT MODE SO I CAN MAKE LOTS OF CONTACTS WHILE SNORING AWAY IN MY SLEEP
JOHN ips
You made 8 contacts Steve on FT8 and I made 32 on SSB during the hour. I got my activation done so catch ya later!
After several thousand contacts with the MC-750 I can say that it is still like new. Of course, after a snowfall or rainfall I do wipe the antenna before storage into its excellent case.
I love this antenna because it works with my QRP radios and Ft-891 that do not have a tuner.
Jab spike into grass, extend whip to 14Mhz markβ¦go operate as SWR is always under 2:1 using its fixed radial length of 10 ft.
4 radials (wait isnβt it counterpoise?) has been proven to be a great performer. I always lay them on the ground and it just works with QRP contacts into Europe on 20m.
I have put all my end feds into a bag as to really work DX you need an efficient antenna without Balun losses and tuners in place (more losses) AND a low angle of radiation. The MC-750 gives you this.
I also tried the antenna on 40m understanding its a bit short so the performance is a bit short (usually an S unit or 2) but the speed of activation and recovery is awesome.
I deployed it this time on the rocks and was rewarded with some good contacts on 40m. The 40m coil is well built and has protection from the elements. I love POTA and my POTA is usually on 40 or 20m.
The Q is very good for the coil and the bandwidth is good so readjustment isnβt really needed when hunting for parks.
JNC is working hard to bring more affordable antenna products to the market place but only are they released after much testing and protyping.
I love the custom case with pockets that contain everything from getting lost. Its stood countless tossing into the truck, rain pour and transport on my bike. This alone is worth $60. The zippers work properly and there is room in the case for coax and even a QRP labs QCX radio. Even a swiss army knife and a energy bar and water flask.
My French River activation and Field day activity included 2 primary antennas (I brought a third for testing) and after the poor results with the end fed long wire with my 9:1 balloon I just kept the MC-750 connected. The band change from 40m to 20m was fast as well. Recover the 40m coil then extend the whip to 14mHz and run back to the cabin to operate.
The team has added some accessories and other items of interest to hams at price points that are affordable and designed and built extremely well. Pride in workmanship is a key company value.
I have had two MFJ telescopic whips fall apart due to poor quality and workmanship but my MC-750 whip although lighter in weight has worked admirably.
Get OUT and operate not sitting on a couch watching YouTube on people activating parks. Operate not watch!
John VE3IPS
Icom 705 at 5 watts with the MAT-705 tuner for the end fed and the Heil headset. QRP works and life is long enough.
My DIY 9:1 hangs off a nail
Working DX on 20m Thanks to the F6 in France using 5 watts SSB.
just some simple macro work cant work DX all day right?
Just stick the ground spike into the crack and go operate. At 17 ft and the base coil its a formidable weapon for 40m activity especially where a dipole cant be put up. I am constantly surprised how well it works on 40m with High Q and great bandwidth.
Distracted by a bunch of βreal lifeβ things, I basically dislike the posts Iβd been working on. So there will be a brief hiatus while toss out the drafts that read like they were done in broken crayon, and start those topics over anew. Iβll see if I can finish off a few new drafts [β¦]
Distracted by a bunch of βreal lifeβ things, I basically dislike the posts Iβd been working on. So there will be a brief hiatus while toss out the drafts that read like they were done in broken crayon, and start those topics over anew. Iβll see if I can finish off a few new draftsβ¦ Continue reading Donβt touch that dial β a brief hiatus (JulyΒ 2024)
E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the July 2024 edition of OSCAR News, issue 244, here.
The paper edition edition will be sent to postal members and should arrive in the next 2-3 weeks.
In this issue:
β’ From the Secretaryβs Keyboard
β’ Satellite News
β’ ARISS International Face to Face Meeting 2024 and 40th Celebration of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight by Ciaran Morgan, M0XTD
β’ QO-100 School contacts by John M5JFS
β’ FUNcube+ AMSAT-UKβs Next Mission by David Bowman, G0MRF
β’ Assessing Path Loss Due to Weather in Newfoundland by David Bowman, G0MRF
β’ VO1/M0XUU Operation from Newfoundland by R. Gopan M0XUU
β’ The QO-100 Challenge from VO1 by Graham, G3VZV
β’ VO1NAR Beacon by Graham Dillabough, VO1DZ
In ON245 we will continue with articles on the QO-100 Challenge from the VO100QO
AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch
Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in amateur radio satellites or space activities, including the International Space Station (ISS).
E-members of AMSAT-UK are able to download the quarterly publication OSCAR News as a convenient PDF that can be read on laptops, tablets or smartphones anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Join as an E-member at Electronic (PDF) E-membership
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the Real POTA-ble antenna, highlighting its features, deployment tips, and advantages for amateur radio operators on the go.
Whether by phone, by text, by SMS, by postal mail, or by email there is so much Spam! The noise is easily exceeding signal on most every method of communication. Inbound phone calls are largely Spam or their even worse cousin, political begging for money calls. My spam filter is trimming out junk emails at [β¦]
Being able to complete that last QSO with GB13COL, 20m FT4, Β it is a Full Sweep for me as well! Link:Β Β http://13colonies.us/ Just used their log tool to create a print ready log for submission. Iβm not much of a certificate person, as most end up in a desk drawer. In this case it becomes the [β¦]
Whether by phone, by text, by SMS, by postal mail, or by email there is so much Spam! The noise is easily exceeding signal on most every method of communication. Inbound phone calls are largely Spam or their even worse cousin, political begging for money calls. My spam filter is trimming out junk emails at⦠Continue reading Spam Spam Spam Spam
Being able to complete that last QSO with GB13COL, 20m FT4, Β it is a Full Sweep for me as well! Link:Β Β http://13colonies.us/ Just used their log tool to create a print ready log for submission. Iβm not much of a certificate person, as most end up in a desk drawer. In this case it becomes theβ¦ Continue reading Thirteen Colonies Week Outcome 2024 β LogΒ Tool
Dale N6JSX reports he has a Full Sweep for 2024 (all thirteen colonies plus all three bonus stations) where as I started to write it looks like my natural Clean Sweep (all thirteen colonies) plus two of the three multipliers is my 2024 outcome. As I am writing Iβve been able to complete that last [β¦]
This is perhaps because I am older now, but my perspective on amateur radio has changed. This weekend in the UK is VHF NFD. I went on 70cm SSB briefly yesterday afternoon to work a local and have not been on since. At one time I would have been really keen.
Operating SSB and FM no longer give me great pleasure and chasing DX on all bands has lost its thrall. Much operation has moved to FT8 and fewer people use amateur radio for chatting.
Many are plagued with high local noise levels. Up to now, this has not been a real problem here. although I am aware of noise levels as high as 70cm getting worse.
Overall, I am more interested in seeing where my QRP signal reaches and far less interested in 2-way contacts.
Dave Casler sets out in his Youtube video to answer why two wire transmission line has so little loss . With more than 10,000 views, 705 likes, it is popular, it must be correct⦠or is it?
He sets a bunch of limits to his analysis, excluding frequency and using lossless impedance transformation so that the system loss is entirely transmission line conductor loss.
two wire line is most commonly used with high standing wave ratio and the often ignored loss under the specific mismatch scenario is more relevant.
Conclusion
It is common that the loss in two wire line system underestimates the line loss under mismatch and impedance transformation that may be required as part of an antenna system.
Caslerβs DC explanation appeals to lots of viewers, probably hams, and might indicate their competence in matters AC, much less RF.
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With Varying Frequency β Amateur Radio Ponderings
E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the July 2024 edition of OSCAR News, issue 244, here.Ham Radio β Ham Events β Ham Reviews β Ham Links β Ham News
