Posted by
Bill Frantz on
Jan 02, 2019; 11:43pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Ideas-for-an-FT8-Radio-tp7647476p7647624.html
I thought I would look through the high power QSOs in my log for
Los Gatos, CA to find what I do, instead of what I think I do. I
found that I use high power for:
The Elecraft SSB net: I frequently need a relay to reach Chicago.
DXpeditions: Minimizing the time for my QSO lets others make
their QSOs
Contests: Particularly when entering the contest to work DXCCs
FT8: I have a number of Rx -24 DB contacts. My only 3W QSO
has -17dB from @800W.
At the other end of the power spectrum, I have a QSO with a V3
at 1.4W and 5W contacts around the world. (Many of these were
back when there were sun spots.) All my contacts from New
Hampshire were with 10W or less, most 5 or less. These contacts
include a useful number of DXCCs. I do play QRP as well as QRO.
I also admit that when I got my amp, I was a kid in a candy
store. I used it, perhaps at times when I didn't strictly need it.
It is obvious from this data that I clearly think that all's
fair in love and DX. Also, I should take a careful look at my
transmit antennas. I also act as if I believe that using enough
power to make the QSO is a valid way for a ham to operate.
I will close with the thought that working EME is certainly a
weak signal mode, and that it frequently takes a kilowatt to
play in that league.
73 Bill AE6JV
On 1/2/19 at 2:56 PM,
[hidden email] (Carl J. Denbow) wrote:
>While it's legal to run maximum power on FT8, or any other weak
>signal mode, it's certainly not in the spirit of the weak
>signal mode ethos Most weak-signal mode enthusiasts pride
>themselves on the worldwide contacts they can make with low
>wattage. Many feel that 100 watts is QRO on these modes.
>Personally, I usually run about 35 watts, but I've had QSOs
>with stations in far-flung regions running power in the
>milliwatt range with a dipole up 20 feet. That's the real
>attraction of these modes to many. And, until the advent of
>FT8, you heard very few stations running more than 100 watts on
>these modes. FT8 seems to have attracted a whole different
>crowd. Some of these, I think, view FT8 as a "the new RTTY"
>and operate according to the accepted operating procedures of
>that mode. I view this trend as very unfortunate.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | I don't have high-speed | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506 | internet. I have DSL. | 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | | Los Gatos,
CA 95032
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