Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History -- FT8

[GEORGE WALLNER]

Gentlemen,
I think we need to be a bit more thoughtful about the role of FT8.
"Real Amateur Radio" probably started to disappear 40 years ago: digital 
transceivers, SSB, Yagis on rotators, etc. Although the magic was 
diminishing, the "barrier to entry" to good DX was getting lower and more 
people were able to join and enjoy the hobby. Ultimately, not a bad thing.
160 meters endured longer as "real Amateur Radio" because it remained 
difficult and unpredictable. And 160 was mostly CW, which is an 
ultra-difficult personal skills based communications mode! 160 remained 
"magical". Well, like it or not, technology has caught up with 160 meters in 
the shape of FT8. The new mode has taken some of the magic out, but it 
brought in new blood. Look at a band-scope on any weeknight: there are lots 
of signals around 1840 and not much between 1820 and 1835. Many of hose 
signals around 1840 are new 160 m ops enjoying Amateur Radio. Granted, not 
the same sweat-and-tears radio that we are used to, but still Amateur Radio.


73 and CU on TB CW,
George,
AA7JV/C6AGU


On Sat, 9 Nov 2019 12:50:23 -0500
 "John Harden, D.M.D."  wrote:

I fully concur!!

73,

John, W4NU
K4JAG, 1959 to 1998

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 9, 2019, at 12:42 PM, Doug Renwick  wrote:

To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline.
Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is
where we are today."

Doug 


"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."
Albert Einstein 


-Original Message-

I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not
consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO.
Doug


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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Hugh Valentine]

This discussion should be re-directed to the ARRL and the Awards committee.
Otherwise it will detract from our universal Love-working DX with a burning 
Coax and a Smile in our filaments.
…Or Transistors….or Remote switching arrangements….or Virtual Reality 
headsets…whatever floats your boat.

I agree w/ Tree.

Val
N4RJ

Sent from Mail for Windows 10


From: Topband  on behalf of Tree 
Sent: Saturday, November 9, 2019 1:42:25 PM
To: Doug Renwick 
Cc: 160 
Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

Guys  - we seem to have spiraled once again into a debate about the
validity of FT8 QSOs.

PLEASE STOP...  or moderation will commence.

Thanks.

The Management

On Sat, Nov 9, 2019 at 9:41 AM Doug Renwick  wrote:

> To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline.
> Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is
> where we are today."
>
> Doug
>
> "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its
> limits."
> Albert Einstein
>
> -Original Message-
>
> I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not
> consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO.
> Doug
>
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Topband: Zone 2 QTH

[Martin Benoit]

Congratulations. Having been often operated in Zone 2, I wondered what your qth 
was. I did 160 / CW from Havre Saint-Pierre a long time ago.
Martin VA2ZO VE2EDK

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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[JAYB1943]

Hey – I’m still concerned about the validity of RTTY, SSTV, and SSB since 
they’re not REAL radio !!! hihij -ny2ny 
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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Tree]

Guys  - we seem to have spiraled once again into a debate about the
validity of FT8 QSOs.

PLEASE STOP...  or moderation will commence.

Thanks.

The Management

On Sat, Nov 9, 2019 at 9:41 AM Doug Renwick  wrote:

> To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline.
> Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is
> where we are today."
>
> Doug
>
> "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its
> limits."
> Albert Einstein
>
> -Original Message-
>
> I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not
> consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO.
> Doug
>
>
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband
> Reflector
>
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Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Frank VO1HP]

Jeff and Miriam

Thanks for the report on your Zone 2 activity.  I am so happy to see you
were successful in working the JA stations.  I am particularly pleased to
see Kuni JA7NI made it into your log.  I met him and Kaz JA8ISU et al at a
luncheon at JE1ZST contest club station in 2012.Those you worked must
be so pleased to finally have completed 5BWAZ.

I totally support the successes we are seeing with FT8 on the low bands and
I enjoy using the mode on 160 and 80/40 daily.

I would certainly be interested in hearing a bit about the antennas that
you used.  Maybe we can learn something for our upcoming contest trip back
to Point Amour.

Congratulations on the success!!

73 Frank VO1HP
 VO1HP/VO2


-- 
Sent from Gmail Mobile
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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[John Harden, D.M.D.]

I fully concur!!

73,

John, W4NU
K4JAG, 1959 to 1998

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 9, 2019, at 12:42 PM, Doug Renwick  wrote:
> 
> To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline.
> Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is
> where we are today."
> 
> Doug 
> 
> "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."
> Albert Einstein 
> 
> -Original Message-
> 
> I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not
> consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO.
> Doug
> 
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

_
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Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Doug Renwick]

To all those who worship FT8 - Enjoy the decline.
Quote: " I agree Doug - as I said - FT8 is not real ham radio - but that is
where we are today."

Doug 

"The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."
Albert Einstein 

-Original Message-

I congratulate you on your effort. However there are many of us who do not
consider FT8 as a 'legitimate' QSO.
Doug


_
Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Greg - ZL3IX]

Well, after nearly 19 years of QRV in ZL, Miriam gave me my first ever 
zone 02 contact. Thanks Miriam and Jeff!


I would imagine that, because of the increased distance from VK, zone 02 
would be even more difficult to work from there than from ZL.


73, Greg, ZL3IX
  


WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked
Zone 2.


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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Since you cc'd me to your Topband Reflector comments Michael/VA3MW, are you 
inferring I am "thankless"?
( nor did I say anything about Jeff's operation other than positive comments )

If you just hit "reply-all" and I got copied accidently, then all is good; pse 
disregard this query.

Mike VE9AA

Mike, Coreen & Corey
Keswick Ridge, NB


-Original Message-
From: Michael Walker [mailto:va...@portcredit.net] 
Sent: November 9, 2019 11:39 AM
To: Mike Smith VE9AA
Cc: topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

Regardless of what the others say and who are thankless...

For those that committed time, vacation and certainly lots of personal CASH, I 
thank the entire team.

Your contributions to the hobby are certainly appreciated.  

Mike va3mw

> On Nov 9, 2019, at 9:44 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA  wrote:
> 
> WTG Jeff and Miriam !
> 
> 
> 
> I am always wanting to go to Zone 2 for some contest, but time, money and
> work/home commitments thus far have prevented it.
> 
> 
> 
> WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked
> Zone 2.
> 
> In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest
> expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional
> antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere)
> 
> 
> 
> I know that Yuri VE3DZ goes there into the QC side of Zone 2 nearly every
> year as VE2IM (sometimes twice a year)
> 
> usually for CQWW and other contests..but I *think*.(I stand to be
> corrected), he uses a relatively low Inverted L for TopBand,.he's always
> loud here but I am <1000kms away, so can't judge what he might sound like on
> the other side of the planet.
> 
> 
> 
> There are usually a smattering of other VE2/VE3 ops that go to VE2(Zone 2)
> contest operations from time to time and an occasional one from the
> Clubhouse in Lab city by Americans, VO1MP and others.  All in all it's not
> rare, but evidently nobody is concentrating on 160 (except VO2AAA/VO2AC) to
> work Asia/Pacific I guess.
> 
> 
> 
> I am pleased to know at least a few very distant DX stns were able to do it
> with my 'neighbours' over there on PEI...
> 
> 
> 
> I only operate CW/SSB and a sprinkling of RTTY, so won't make any comments
> about the FT-modes lest I get myself in trouble.hi hi ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc.
> 
> 
> 
> In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining
> zones 
> 
> I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope
> you 
> 
> and Jeff will go back one day. ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - 
> 
> which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work
> into 
> 
> this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every 
> 
> DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one
> - 
> 
> which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep
> was 
> 
> heard from here.
> 
> 
> 
> I should add that I am a CW operator.
> 
> 
> 
> In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have 
> 
> appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the
> world 
> 
> and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions.
> 
> 
> 
> I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ,
> 
> 
> Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has
> become 
> 
> unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf.
> 
> 
> 
> Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming
> CQ 
> 
> WW CW or the CQ 160 CW.
> 
> 
> 
> It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter
> 
> 
> Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the
> 
> 
> Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination
> for 
> 
> some topbander. ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> Vy 73
> 
> 
> 
> Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF)
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
> _
> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector

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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Michael Walker]

Regardless of what the others say and who are thankless...

For those that committed time, vacation and certainly lots of personal CASH, I 
thank the entire team.

Your contributions to the hobby are certainly appreciated.  

Mike va3mw

> On Nov 9, 2019, at 9:44 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA  wrote:
> 
> WTG Jeff and Miriam !
> 
> 
> 
> I am always wanting to go to Zone 2 for some contest, but time, money and
> work/home commitments thus far have prevented it.
> 
> 
> 
> WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked
> Zone 2.
> 
> In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest
> expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional
> antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere)
> 
> 
> 
> I know that Yuri VE3DZ goes there into the QC side of Zone 2 nearly every
> year as VE2IM (sometimes twice a year)
> 
> usually for CQWW and other contests..but I *think*.(I stand to be
> corrected), he uses a relatively low Inverted L for TopBand,.he's always
> loud here but I am <1000kms away, so can't judge what he might sound like on
> the other side of the planet.
> 
> 
> 
> There are usually a smattering of other VE2/VE3 ops that go to VE2(Zone 2)
> contest operations from time to time and an occasional one from the
> Clubhouse in Lab city by Americans, VO1MP and others.  All in all it's not
> rare, but evidently nobody is concentrating on 160 (except VO2AAA/VO2AC) to
> work Asia/Pacific I guess.
> 
> 
> 
> I am pleased to know at least a few very distant DX stns were able to do it
> with my 'neighbours' over there on PEI...
> 
> 
> 
> I only operate CW/SSB and a sprinkling of RTTY, so won't make any comments
> about the FT-modes lest I get myself in trouble.hi hi ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc.
> 
> 
> 
> In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining
> zones 
> 
> I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope
> you 
> 
> and Jeff will go back one day. ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - 
> 
> which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work
> into 
> 
> this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every 
> 
> DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one
> - 
> 
> which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep
> was 
> 
> heard from here.
> 
> 
> 
> I should add that I am a CW operator.
> 
> 
> 
> In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have 
> 
> appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the
> world 
> 
> and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions.
> 
> 
> 
> I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ,
> 
> 
> Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has
> become 
> 
> unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf.
> 
> 
> 
> Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming
> CQ 
> 
> WW CW or the CQ 160 CW.
> 
> 
> 
> It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter
> 
> 
> Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the
> 
> 
> Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination
> for 
> 
> some topbander. ;-)
> 
> 
> 
> Vy 73
> 
> 
> 
> Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF)
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
> 
> Keswick Ridge, NB
> 
> 
> 
> _
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Re: Topband: A Bit of Zone 2 History Was Made Last Week

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

WTG Jeff and Miriam !

 

I am always wanting to go to Zone 2 for some contest, but time, money and
work/home commitments thus far have prevented it.

 

WRT to Steve's comments, I am *very* surprised that few VK's have worked
Zone 2.

In recent memory VO2AAA/VO2AC have put on 2 pretty big 160m contest
expeditions from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador with exceptional
antennas and huge signals into NA and EU.(and elsewhere)

 

I know that Yuri VE3DZ goes there into the QC side of Zone 2 nearly every
year as VE2IM (sometimes twice a year)

usually for CQWW and other contests..but I *think*.(I stand to be
corrected), he uses a relatively low Inverted L for TopBand,.he's always
loud here but I am <1000kms away, so can't judge what he might sound like on
the other side of the planet.

 

There are usually a smattering of other VE2/VE3 ops that go to VE2(Zone 2)
contest operations from time to time and an occasional one from the
Clubhouse in Lab city by Americans, VO1MP and others.  All in all it's not
rare, but evidently nobody is concentrating on 160 (except VO2AAA/VO2AC) to
work Asia/Pacific I guess.

 

I am pleased to know at least a few very distant DX stns were able to do it
with my 'neighbours' over there on PEI...

 

I only operate CW/SSB and a sprinkling of RTTY, so won't make any comments
about the FT-modes lest I get myself in trouble.hi hi ;-)

 

Mike VE9AA/VO2DX.etc.

 

In common with most topbanders any in this area, one of the two remaining
zones 

I need on 160m after 24 years of operation from here is Zone 2, so I hope
you 

and Jeff will go back one day. ;-)

 

I am guessing you went to/near the southern boundary of Zone 2 in Quebec - 

which is the best - possibly the only area - where it is possible to work
into 

this part of the globe. Over the years I have listened for just about every 

DXpedition that operated on 160m from Zone 2 and I have only ever heard one
- 

which was from this area. Despite the efforts of many from VO2, not a peep
was 

heard from here.

 

I should add that I am a CW operator.

 

In the past there have been several longtime topbanders in the US who have 

appreciated how difficult it is to work some zones from this part of the
world 

and made special efforts to work us on their DXpeditions.

 

I would particularly like to pay tribute to your husband Jeff, George W8UVZ,


Bob K4UEE and Jerry WB9Z. However, this kind of knowledge and effort has
become 

unusual - which is why I'd like to thank you particularly on our behalf.

 

Here's hoping someone will go to the Zone 2 part of Quebec for the upcoming
CQ 

WW CW or the CQ 160 CW.

 

It'd also be nice if there was a DXpedition to Zone 12, in particular Easter


Island or San Felix (CE0) who did a heap of 160m CW at times that suited the


Asia/Indian Ocean/Pacific area - now that'd make a good holiday destination
for 

some topbander. ;-)

 

Vy 73

 

Steve, VK6VZ (also G3ZZD and VY2LF)

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

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