WHY I DON'T DO FT8 | CONTROVERSIAL (PERHAPS) 

Getting ft8 to work on a hilltop is a nice technical challenge, which is part of the attraction of the hobby. Then try it on 2m and upwards and it's a bit more of a challenge to make contacts.

For me it’s actually a good way to understand how feasible phone ssb contacts are, I think of it like a more involved WSPR and I can quickly understand where my signal is good enough for a voice qso. I sometimes do a little ft8 when propagation is poor to get a feel for where I’m hitting.

Hello Richard, I really like your short videos. Very clear. I think FT8/FT4 are so populair because most people don't like personal contacts but only want to fill their logs. You are right, everyone should do what they like. Tnx, 73, Bas

Having a compromised antenna (indoor), ft8 is the only way to make a contact. I cannot even get cw. It is what it is.

I agree with you and enjoy the conversation part of it, however I share the ham shack with wife's sewing room and she got tired of hearing my call sign 60 times an hour, my rig, my antenna and wattage. So for me to keep the peace, FT8 it is.

I'm right there with you concerning CW, or other digital modes than FT4 or FT8. From what I researched, they're just too impersonal for me. RTTY and PSK31 at least give you the ability to add personal touches to the QSO. I think the FT4 and FT8 modes are more for seeing just how far your signal can go as a good test bed.

As a shortwave and scanner listener, I find unattended digital communications have really put a damper on the best aspect of the hobby. Hearing people communicate with one another is very interesting. I set up WSJTX to see what that was all about, and immediately figured out it was for exactly as described here. Just a way of making record numbers of contacts in a way that only automation could. Kinda like using CNC machines instead of building something by hand. Sure you get to claim more contacts, but who ARE these people you have added to your "collection" of QSLs. Can you even be sure there is a person somewhere at the other end? It's just a crap-load of machines talking to each other while the operators are away doing something else. Other than as a test of conditions, why bother? It might be nicer if some interesting data was being broadcast, but as I understand it, FT8/4 are designed for short bursts and can't really sustain longer conversations.

I personally choose to learn CW, not because it is easy, but because it is hard, because the goal will serve to organize and measure the best of my energies and skills.😀

I agree totally. No other case to make.

I don't think the digital infestation is destroying amateur radio but it is clearly destroying the operators.

I use FT8 on QRP for POTA - I want to get the park activated. I have progressed to SSTV for my go-to digtal mode, its great fun on 20M and 80M and allows for a 'personal' QSO in a digital format. I've found it really fantastic in the range and images I've received. Do I enjoy FT8, yes, when a QSO completes on QRP operation in poor propergation, I'm getting excited, i'm running 5-10W in a mag loop. Would it be more awesome to do the same on SSTV - of course !

FT8 is fun and just another fun mode and aspect of ham radio. I do it for fun, I couldn't care less about "awards" or contests so I just do it because it's fun to do now and then.

I agree 💯 percent.....CW is the way to go, just my opinion !!!! I use Ft8 etc only to check the propagation or Antenna test.73s

FT8OFF once a week, such a blast, just for fun

Love ❤️ the simplicity of FT8, I like you’re comment “we should do what we enjoy”

Back when PSK31 was popular, I used to have many conversations on 20m and even 15m PSK. Ah well.

Exactly

Couldn't figure it out...

Sorry,two computers talking to each other,no human interaction at all!!!!