FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
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FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
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Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#2As someone about to start working HF after a long time with a technician license I didn't use I think low power digital modes are a valuable addition. But there is something to be said for PSK31's conversational nature.
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#3As someone about to start working HF after a long time with a technician license I didn't use I think low power digital modes are a valuable addition. But there is something to be said for PSK31's conversational nature.
There's a variation of FT8, JS8CALL, that allows for text chat and data transmission.
Seems to me that, especially for EmComm, this could be a total game changer. Field radio with small antennas, low power requirements, and nearly worldwide reach.
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#4This has one unspoken bonus feature: Not having to talk to an octogenarian about politics.
I know it sounds silly, but I suspect this is one of the huge features driving it's success. Amateur radio is plagued by bad actors and grumpy old men, along with the general age imbalance that makes it fairly unpleasant for young people and extremely unpleasant for anyone who sounds vaguely feminine...
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#5I've got my technicians license, and have no idea what he's talking about. Can someone explain? Even the AARL page on this that's the top google hit doesn't jargon check itself at all: http://www.arrl.org/news/ft8-mode-is-latest-bright-shiny-obj...
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#6“Is FT8 damaging amateur radio?”
It seems to be achieving the goal of global communications while making better use of limited spectrum to do so. I can't see that as being damaging as it really is an advancement in the state-of-the-art.
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#7I've got my technicians license, and have no idea what he's talking about. Can someone explain? Even the AARL page on this that's the top google hit doesn't jargon check itself at all: http://www.arrl.org/news/ft8-mode-is-latest-bright-shiny-obj...
What would you like explained? I know the tech doesn't cover a lot regarding HF (which this is largely for). Sunspots? Propagation? Digital modes?
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#8I've yet to use FT8, but it's wonderful seeing the ham community invest in newer protocols that incorporate things like forward error correction!
Many of the popular protocols, like PSK31 and AX.25 are getting long in the tooth. There's a beauty to their simplicity, but it leaves much to be desired.
Though SDR is a bit of a misnomer, extracting data out of an audio signal with DSP on commodity hardware is becoming the new way to do radio. It certainly will never replace analog voice in terms of simplicity and availability, but it's definitely breathing life into the hobby!
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#9I'm trying hard to figure out what these "modes" are. Even after watching a video[0] I'm still not sure what is really going on. Is the whole point just to acknowledge 'pings' from other transmitters? Seems kind of pointless but I assume I'm missing something....
Re: FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
#10I've got my technicians license, and have no idea what he's talking about. Can someone explain? Even the AARL page on this that's the top google hit doesn't jargon check itself at all: http://www.arrl.org/news/ft8-mode-is-latest-bright-shiny-obj...
I hope this helps: http://www.arrl.org/ham-radio-glossary