i m starting in ham radio i doing the novice class in marth next year and i did buy the qyt 8900d after the video you make on it and i like it alot,i use it now only on pmr and lpd because i dont have my licence yet
Still going strong, new updates to the WSJT-X and JTAlert softwares. Still busy, I feel that more people are being driven to FT8 due to its ease of getting your contacts into a log and chasing that award. I honestly like it...
Thank you for mentioning the POWER LEVEL used 8-) It along with all digital modes are interesting to use =) It would be nice if everyone used those POWER LEVELS EVERYWHERE on the digital modes .... it REALLY HELPS in reduce FRONT - END OVERLOAD on the Receivers on ALL HAMs on the band in your STATE !
Digital modes are the same as any other mode .. you use as much power as needed to make the QSO., and if you're using the WSJT-X waterfall for anything other than finding an open frequency to call CQ, then you're not reading the manual, as K1JT has said its not good for anything else. Remember, many new users are using compromise antennas in HOAs, or in rental properties, so they may need to use 20 to 30w to make some contacts.
Neil I live in such an environment and I rarely use over 15 watts and mostly 5 watts to work the WORLD =) My second floor apartment with only TWO 3' X 4" windows without any outside steps or balcony is one of eighty apartments in the middle of a 80,00 population city =) Look at the Thumbnail picture ( yes it is a CW 5 WATT RIG with an "Outbacker Perth" vertical on a camera tripod =) I have ran Digital HF net from the same location on a weekly basis and had check-ins from all over the planet =) So yes you can run POWER ...... but unless it is an EMERGENCY ..... Please DO NOT for everyone one in your STATE not being able to COMMUNICATE with ANYONE AT ALL because you have DE-SENSED EVERYONE radio FRONTEND =) Otherwise we will end up like the OVERCROWDED SSB PHONE BAND needing power to talk across the street /-) I have had ten years plus experience with digital modes and over thirty years in commercial radio =)
Tony .... you are SO WRONG ON MANY LEVELS in your responce and apparently you ARE THE PROBLEM =( NO I did not have any problem on MY WATERFALL ...... BUT I DID HAVE a 60+ over NINE db level EVERY TIME someone transmitted 400 miles away with 70 watts .... oh yes I was not the only one with the SAME PROBLEM /-) THINK about what you are saying before you answer /-)
Actually ... he's correct as Joe Taylor has said it many times, they are WEAK SIGNAL MODES. You may want to read the most current QSTs (Oct & Nov 2017, I believe) WSJT-X and FT8 are mentioned in articles by Joe, Bill Sommerville and Steve Franke.
NEIL ..... I sorry for your condition you are in =( PLEASE LISTEN TO THE UA-cam you are watching above and FOLLOW HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ..... enough said .... YOU CANNOT FIX STUPID =) YES I HAVE BOTH QST Magazines and have read them and even work with the people he cites in his editorial =)
well today all these months on, many are using QRO up to a KW. I have hardly used it since testing out last year, i monitor mainly, certainly proves bands are not dead, it's lack of activity normally. I used psk rtty for many years, but FT8 certainly taken over. Its just a contact, not a qso. it's over in seconds and became monotonous, was falling asleep over the keyboard Hi. It's a clever system and also pleased it's good to hear 6m signals which is rare for me. Have worked only a hand full this year. I support it, but it's not for me. Gone back to building gear rather than operate,
Thanks for the Video..... I also have an FT-450 for a Go-Box.... are there any special setting in the Menu? I see that you have USB along with Data to work digital..... Thanks, Mike
People underestimate how many hams are not prepared to pick up the mic and face the music on the HF bands - or at least, that is how it feels for them. However, give them FT8 and they feel completely at home, and pretty pleased with themselves to boot!! Big-mouth hams rule the SSB airwaves with their kilowatt-level clout and the club meetings too, but no longer do they rule the ham bands - the quiet boys ACTUALLY on the air now outnumber them ten to one. I'm interested to see what happens next - perhaps they will get together and take the clubs back off the loudmouth idiots who stole it from them. Watch this space.
Where I live there has been a surge in digital on UHF to the point it is obnoxious noise when trying to scan frequencies that I have programmed in the memory slots. I don't lock them out because I frequently travel about 300 miles and some of the repeaters I use are analog where I go. The digital noise sounds like a big rig diesel on high idle. I wish that there was a radio that would filter and mute the noise and automatically bypass the frequency on scan.
It's been ages since I have been on HF. I like digital modes. I have done a bunch of psk3, a little rtty, and some JT65. But I haven't done FT-8. I should see if there is FT-8 software for linux. It could be fun to see what I can dig up on 10 meters. 73 Jennifer KK6FVP
ft8 the zombie mode where the computer is having all the fun. remember folks this is not a QSO mode is a contact mode. and soon people will get bore. right now is the hottest mode
Please, don't use high output power ! FT 8 is efficient with 50 W maxi. Using 500W is stupid and cause a signal saturation. More, it's not very fair with a lot of operators refusing wave pollution. This mode is made for low power. Other way is a nonsense! 73's F1HKN Leon
Well it appears many using up to a KW. Many say weak signal mode does not mean QRP. I Beg to differ. Certainly an interesting mode and i enjoy it now and again. only had about 10 contacts this year, i monitor mainly when on the workbench, its more interesting that way Hi. not a dx chaser. never have been in 40 years. ask least it keeps the bands alive. At last i hear Signals on 6m. Also first for me is digital on 160m,
Well, it depends on the display of the radio. Generally all digital modes are in USB, but my radio will give me the option of USB or LSB, so it just says DIGI on the display, and in the menu i can designate which SSB i want. Older rigs just show RTTY...
I'm sure asking the question I'm about to ask is going to be considered controversial. Blasphemy to some people. As a long time ham that prefers phone and fighting through the static crashes in the noise I honestly don't consider digital modes as true ham radio any more than I consider Echolink through my cell phone working a a repeater. One may use Zello for that. Or instant messenger if you're into typing digital messages. I do see it as a benchmark as to band conditions but really, what's the fuss? Only marginal antennas with low power are required for global communications and this old-timer just doesn't get it. I live high in the mountains of Southern California, not that it matters for HF, and after a divorce in major medical issues the tower is no longer up with the step IR. I work with a simple fan dipole. Working phone for me is very much a challenge. Although ft 8 is exciting in some respects I don't get the challenge of digital. I have a modest station with an ft-2000 and the kilowatt amplifier. Don't beat me up too badly.
JustAnotherGuy Digital modes are sending radio signals over ham frequencies. So it's ham radio. Even Broadband Hamnet and AREDN are ham radio even though they use WiFi. Radio signals sent over ham frequencies by licensed hams is ham radio. Regardless of whether it's CW, phone, ditial, slow scan tv, fast scan tv, packet or what have you. It's all ham radio. 73 Jennifer KK6FVP
KK6FVP :: as an extra class operator I believe you missed my point. I'm fully aware that they use small amounts of RF to do what they do. But so does one cell phone that connect to the internet and allows you to send messages back and forth through instant messenger. I can see by your QR Zedd information that you favor qrp operations and digital which explains you're biased towards digital operations. My comments were not a rebuke of digital modes but a question. You seem to have been offended by the question. With digital HF for example where's the challenge? 5 watts and an antenna throwing up for over a tree branch and you're working around the world. Again, not a rebuke at all. Bob - AF6D
As an Extra Class Operator with 6 Commercial FCC LIcenses, I get it. You are able to communicate with these modes in the absence of any and all infrastructure just like voice and CW. Perhaps since you might have lost the internet in a catastrophe, you might lose some of the operator lookup functions available via the web but could still have much of the data stored on your PCs on both sides even for the lookup. Your PC, operating on battery power, could still decipher and send the messages so the intent of having ham radio useful in emergencies is leveraged through improved readability. It’s a Win Win for Amateur Radio. 73 de AA1JV
Yeah nah but you gotta admit, FT8 is just about making a contact, there's no chat involved or whatever... even I'm bored of it already, I just do it when I really cant get voice!
Haha that spirit of elitism is amazing. Nah it just seems like the hobby has one specific part of it not suitable to everyone. So you can see that one of two ways: "Like 100% of everything or change hobby" (not my favorite) or "what can we do to improve this specific part so more people can enjoy it and stay in the hobby" It seems like FT8 has the speed to handle a decent chat, how about we try to go that way instead of kicking people that dont 100% like it?
Glad to see you're back on the air! Thanks for putting out all the content that you do, it's super helpful for a new ham like myself!
Patrick Haggerty h
Good overview. Glad to see you're back on the air. I always look forward to your videos ... interesting content.
I came across some PSK31 on the CB band the other day. It was really weird. They were talking about Oprah.
HAHAHAHA no kidding?
Just worked you this evening on FT8, I believe it was 80 meters. Thanks for the QSO and '73 from AC8JT.
Sweet... I dont think i put it in the log tho :(
i m starting in ham radio i doing the novice class in marth next year and i did buy the qyt 8900d after the video you make on it and i like it alot,i use it now only on pmr and lpd because i dont have my licence yet
I did a video on FT8 as well - it is a huge deal! You park your radio on one frequency and work many DX stations. So easy!
Still going strong, new updates to the WSJT-X and JTAlert softwares. Still busy, I feel that more people are being driven to FT8 due to its ease of getting your contacts into a log and chasing that award. I honestly like it...
MIKE W1SRR is it really a contact,no listening to the other person and maybe making a long life friend,can't do that on ft8
Heard FT8 on 40 meters a couple days ago - "A man has fallen into the river in Lego City"
Thank you for mentioning the POWER LEVEL used 8-) It along with all digital modes are interesting to use =) It would be nice if everyone used those POWER LEVELS EVERYWHERE on the digital modes .... it REALLY HELPS in reduce FRONT - END OVERLOAD on the Receivers on ALL HAMs on the band in your STATE !
Digital modes are the same as any other mode .. you use as much power as needed to make the QSO., and if you're using the WSJT-X waterfall for anything other than finding an open frequency to call CQ, then you're not reading the manual, as K1JT has said its not good for anything else. Remember, many new users are using compromise antennas in HOAs, or in rental properties, so they may need to use 20 to 30w to make some contacts.
Neil I live in such an environment and I rarely use over 15 watts and mostly 5 watts to work the WORLD =) My second floor apartment with only TWO 3' X 4" windows without any outside steps or balcony is one of eighty apartments in the middle of a 80,00 population city =) Look at the Thumbnail picture ( yes it is a CW 5 WATT RIG with an "Outbacker Perth" vertical on a camera tripod =) I have ran Digital HF net from the same location on a weekly basis and had check-ins from all over the planet =) So yes you can run POWER ...... but unless it is an EMERGENCY ..... Please DO NOT for everyone one in your STATE not being able to COMMUNICATE with ANYONE AT ALL because you have DE-SENSED EVERYONE radio FRONTEND =) Otherwise we will end up like the OVERCROWDED SSB PHONE BAND needing power to talk across the street /-) I have had ten years plus experience with digital modes and over thirty years in commercial radio =)
Tony .... you are SO WRONG ON MANY LEVELS in your responce and apparently you ARE THE PROBLEM =( NO I did not have any problem on MY WATERFALL ...... BUT I DID HAVE a 60+ over NINE db level EVERY TIME someone transmitted 400 miles away with 70 watts .... oh yes I was not the only one with the SAME PROBLEM /-) THINK about what you are saying before you answer /-)
Actually ... he's correct as Joe Taylor has said it many times, they are WEAK SIGNAL MODES. You may want to read the most current QSTs (Oct & Nov 2017, I believe) WSJT-X and FT8 are mentioned in articles by Joe, Bill Sommerville and Steve Franke.
NEIL ..... I sorry for your condition you are in =( PLEASE LISTEN TO THE UA-cam you are watching above and FOLLOW HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ..... enough said .... YOU CANNOT FIX STUPID =) YES I HAVE BOTH QST Magazines and have read them and even work with the people he cites in his editorial =)
You have to be on speed to work JT8. In the old modes JT65 and JT9 I used to fall asleep between transmissions.
well today all these months on, many are using QRO up to a KW. I have hardly used it since testing out last year, i monitor mainly, certainly proves bands are not dead, it's lack of activity normally. I used psk rtty for many years, but FT8 certainly taken over. Its just a contact, not a qso. it's over in seconds and became monotonous, was falling asleep over the keyboard Hi. It's a clever system and also pleased it's good to hear 6m signals which is rare for me. Have worked only a hand full this year. I support it, but it's not for me. Gone back to building gear rather than operate,
Thanks for the Video..... I also have an FT-450 for a Go-Box.... are there any special setting in the Menu? I see that you have USB along with Data to work digital..... Thanks, Mike
People underestimate how many hams are not prepared to pick up the mic and face the music on the HF bands - or at least, that is how it feels for them. However, give them FT8 and they feel completely at home, and pretty pleased with themselves to boot!! Big-mouth hams rule the SSB airwaves with their kilowatt-level clout and the club meetings too, but no longer do they rule the ham bands - the quiet boys ACTUALLY on the air now outnumber them ten to one. I'm interested to see what happens next - perhaps they will get together and take the clubs back off the loudmouth idiots who stole it from them. Watch this space.
In my experience, the operators on the digital bands are the smartest and have the best attitudes.
Where I live there has been a surge in digital on UHF to the point it is obnoxious noise when trying to scan frequencies that I have programmed in the memory slots. I don't lock them out because I frequently travel about 300 miles and some of the repeaters I use are analog where I go. The digital noise sounds like a big rig diesel on high idle. I wish that there was a radio that would filter and mute the noise and automatically bypass the frequency on scan.
Tried it, wasn't that impressed, went back to other digital modes. 😉
It's been ages since I have been on HF. I like digital modes. I have done a bunch of psk3, a little rtty, and some JT65. But I haven't done FT-8. I should see if there is FT-8 software for linux. It could be fun to see what I can dig up on 10 meters.
73
Jennifer
KK6FVP
ft8 the zombie mode where the computer is having all the fun. remember folks this is not a QSO mode is a contact mode. and soon people will get bore. right now is the hottest mode
Hmmm Is that a radio shack 2 m rig....never came to Australia Eric. Rgs Pete VK3TQ
Will this mean that digital ham radio can be tracked just like GPS in mobile phones that have WiFi access?
What interface were you using between your FT-450 and WSJT-X?
Please, don't use high output power ! FT 8 is efficient with 50 W maxi. Using 500W is stupid and cause a signal saturation. More, it's not very fair with a lot of operators refusing wave pollution. This mode is made for low power. Other way is a nonsense!
73's F1HKN Leon
Well it appears many using up to a KW. Many say weak signal mode does not mean QRP. I Beg to differ. Certainly an interesting mode and i enjoy it now and again. only had about 10 contacts this year, i monitor mainly when on the workbench, its more interesting that way Hi. not a dx chaser. never have been in 40 years. ask least it keeps the bands alive. At last i hear Signals on 6m. Also first for me is digital on 160m,
Eric, great vid, what antenna are you using?
Great video! I have the same RadioShack 2 meter radio!
you don't telling me something new. I made 1200 contacts at FT-8 the last 2 month.
73 Mark
Sawubona from ZS6, high noise floor in SA probably driving people onto digital
So do I run it into the cw input on my radio ?
Does FT-8 have 100% error correction, the same a Packet.
What is the software you are using and where can I get it
I was listening on 20m earlier and the digital portion of the band sounded very cramped
Eric, how do you know where the FT8 "hotspots" are? Also, is FT8 flooding the bands so much that it is making CW/SSB difficult?
Timothy Parry Jr there is a specific frequently on each band. The software is Pre configured for them.
What software are you running? Thank you
What mode is best to be in for FT-8? USB Data? RTTY? USB?
You want to be on DIGI or RTTY mode on your radio, to allow interface to the port on the back of your radio, and USB on the band
Thank you. I'm wondering why so many say USB or Data-USB?
Well, it depends on the display of the radio. Generally all digital modes are in USB, but my radio will give me the option of USB or LSB, so it just says DIGI on the display, and in the menu i can designate which SSB i want. Older rigs just show RTTY...
Any new videos of that 7100
should be starting tomorrow
What antenna are you using???
I'm sure asking the question I'm about to ask is going to be considered controversial. Blasphemy to some people.
As a long time ham that prefers phone and fighting through the static crashes in the noise I honestly don't consider digital modes as true ham radio any more than I consider Echolink through my cell phone working a a repeater. One may use Zello for that. Or instant messenger if you're into typing digital messages. I do see it as a benchmark as to band conditions but really, what's the fuss? Only marginal antennas with low power are required for global communications and this old-timer just doesn't get it. I live high in the mountains of Southern California, not that it matters for HF, and after a divorce in major medical issues the tower is no longer up with the step IR. I work with a simple fan dipole. Working phone for me is very much a challenge. Although ft 8 is exciting in some respects I don't get the challenge of digital. I have a modest station with an ft-2000 and the kilowatt amplifier.
Don't beat me up too badly.
JustAnotherGuy Digital modes are sending radio signals over ham frequencies. So it's ham radio. Even Broadband Hamnet and AREDN are ham radio even though they use WiFi. Radio signals sent over ham frequencies by licensed hams is ham radio. Regardless of whether it's CW, phone, ditial, slow scan tv, fast scan tv, packet or what have you. It's all ham radio.
73
Jennifer
KK6FVP
KK6FVP :: as an extra class operator I believe you missed my point. I'm fully aware that they use small amounts of RF to do what they do. But so does one cell phone that connect to the internet and allows you to send messages back and forth through instant messenger. I can see by your QR Zedd information that you favor qrp operations and digital which explains you're biased towards digital operations. My comments were not a rebuke of digital modes but a question. You seem to have been offended by the question. With digital HF for example where's the challenge? 5 watts and an antenna throwing up for over a tree branch and you're working around the world. Again, not a rebuke at all.
Bob - AF6D
So, I guess CW is not true ham radio either then?
As an Extra Class Operator with 6 Commercial FCC LIcenses, I get it. You are able to communicate with these modes in the absence of any and all infrastructure just like voice and CW. Perhaps since you might have lost the internet in a catastrophe, you might lose some of the operator lookup functions available via the web but could still have much of the data stored on your PCs on both sides even for the lookup. Your PC, operating on battery power, could still decipher and send the messages so the intent of having ham radio useful in emergencies is leveraged through improved readability. It’s a Win Win for Amateur Radio. 73 de AA1JV
JustAnotherGuy
It won’t last. It’s a fad like Yaesu Fusion and DStar were when they first came out. Fun when it comes out but people get bored fast.
Here there was a politician that stated that internet is just a fad.
Yeah nah but you gotta admit, FT8 is just about making a contact, there's no chat involved or whatever... even I'm bored of it already, I just do it when I really cant get voice!
Sounds like some folks have chosen the wrong hobby!
Haha that spirit of elitism is amazing. Nah it just seems like the hobby has one specific part of it not suitable to everyone. So you can see that one of two ways: "Like 100% of everything or change hobby" (not my favorite) or "what can we do to improve this specific part so more people can enjoy it and stay in the hobby" It seems like FT8 has the speed to handle a decent chat, how about we try to go that way instead of kicking people that dont 100% like it?
What antenna do you use? 73s Lb9YH
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Digital 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Stop you'r Hobby 🤣🤣🤣