A couple of weeks ago, Michael, G7VJR, of ClubLog published an analysis of the contacts that were uploaded to ClubLog in 2017. These are summarized in the chart below:
This is really fascinating information. As you can see, at the end of the year, more than 50% of the contacts uploaded to ClubLog were FT8 contacts.
As some of the commenters point out, there probably is some bias in the data. FT8 operators are more likely to update their contacts than are CW ragchewers, but even so, the trend—at least in the short term—is obvious.
It will be interesting to see if this FT8 activity can be maintained, or whether operators will tire of it after a while. What happens when every FT8 operator achieves DXCC?
New operating guide
To help us all convert over to FT8, Gary, ZL2IFB, has just published his FT8 operating guide. I haven’t read it all the way through yet, but I do like this sidebar:
Some of these tips (such as split operating, tail-ending and using low power) are contentious and not universally adopted by FT8 users–and that’s fine. To an extent, we are figuring this stuff out for ourselves as we go along, which for me is all part of the fun. These tips work for me. Your situation and preferences may differ. By all means try out different approaches … and do let me know if they work better.
I really do need to read this. As I’ve written before, my initial attempts at FT8 were mediocre at best. Perhaps this will help me be more successful at FT8.
If you do download and read this guide, don’t skip the appendixes. Appendix A and B dig into some of FT8’s technical details. Appendix D discusses some of the pros and cons of the mode.
Author, you really weren’t prepared to publish this article. And it shows. Reading the guide would have enabled you to write a complete article. Sorry. Journalism 101: FAIL.
These are percentages. If we had absolute numbers we could determine whether this is a zero-sum game, or whether FT8 brought in new operators.
I would like to see software based TNC modem iPhone apps for operating FT8, JT65, & JT9. Would be awesome for off grid backcountry operations such as SOTA.
What do you do when there are is NO cell tower near your remote location? Set up a ham station?
Hi Dan.
Thanks for citing my FT8 Operating Guide.
I’ve updated and republished it several times since then, always with the same URL: http://www.g4ifb.com/FT8_Hinson_tips_for_HF_DXers.pdf
I’m still learning, still exploring, still having fun HF DXing with low power and no sunspots!
73
Gary ZL2iFB