from:"George Taft via Topband"

Re: Topband: Wednesday CW DX Activity Night

2020-11-19 Thread George Taft via Topband

 Tom

Using beverages here. Fairly quiet here, too

George W8UVZ On Thursday, November 19, 2020, 01:21:26 PM EST, 
weave...@usermail.com  wrote:  
 
 They report lots of noise down there. 160 operation must be a nightmare.

73,
Bill WE5P

Comfortably Numb

> On Nov 19, 2020, at 13:13, Thomas Hoyer via Topband  
> wrote:
> 
> Would be interested in hearing (no pun intended) what type of antenna you, 
> or anyone heraing the 7q7, are using
> TomW3TA
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: Salvatore ["Ted"] K2QMF 
> To: Guy Olinger K2AV ; thoy...@verizon.net
> Cc: Greg Chartrand via Topband 
> Sent: Thu, Nov 19, 2020 12:20 pm
> Subject: Re: Topband: Wednesday CW DX Activity Night
> 
> The 7Q7 was 100% copy here on Long Island!!Tried for over an hour to work 
> him!!  No Luck...Ted  K2QMF
> 
> On 11/19/2020 12:15:01 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV  wrote:I 
> heard the 7Q7 call sign here in NC exactly once, of course at the tippy
> top of a long QSB cycle, which then immediately dove into the noise not to
> be heard again in the 30 minutes
> before I had to go downstairs.
> 
> 8’s and 9’s appeared to be hearing him. Go figure.
> 
> 73, Guy K2AV
> 
>> On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 10:44 AM Thomas Hoyer via Topband <
>> topband@contesting.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Observation from my little gun station in eastern PA is that propagation
>> seems to have moved more to the west of me, western PA, Ohio and further.
>> Whereas for the last two weeks or so I was hearing EU fairly well given my
>> S5 noise level which is quite for me.
>> Worked the KP2 and YL stations last night but as Roger alludes to some
>> deep QSB made it a couple try QSO.
>> That 7Q7 was drawing a lot of activity bit I could not hear him at all.
>> Seemed like stations to the west of me were hearing better.
>> TomW3TA
>> 
>> 
>> -Original Message-
>> From: Roger Kennedy 
>> To: topband@contesting.com
>> Sent: Thu, Nov 19, 2020 9:40 am
>> Subject: Topband: Wednesday CW DX Activity Night
>> 
>> 
>> Once again, lots of stations on the band last night from both sides of the
>> pond . . . good have such a nice turnout.
>> 
>> However, quite deep QSB on most signals, and propagation didn't seem as
>> good
>> as the night before (when I worked several stations right across to the
>> West
>> Coast).
>> 
>> Thanks once again to all that made the effort to come on 160 to have a few
>> QSOs . . . let's hope we can keep the DX CW activity going again next
>> Wednesday.
>> 
>> 73 Roger G3YRO
>> 
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Re: Topband: activity topband

2020-05-12 Thread George Taft via Topband

 Hello Andy

Yes, CW still alive on topband.. Over the weekend was QRV for abt 90 min and 
worked 2 G stns, 6Y5FS, IT9 and 9H1XT. Lots of QSB but good peaks and 
moderately low QRN. 

It has been modest QRN all Spring in Midwest US.

Andy, you and Roger and others are doing a great service to CW on topband. Keep 
up the good work.

One final note. One of my goals on topband each season is to connect with 
enough countries on CW to achieve DXCC. This was a modest year with 130 or so 
in my log.

And CQing helps.

73 George W8UVZ On Monday, May 11, 2020, 11:55:39 PM EDT, Andree DL8LAS via 
Topband  wrote:  
 
  
 Hey,
there was a little DX activity this morningon topband from NA,worked VO2NS and 
W2VO with good signals.I will look tomorrow morning again from 02:30 UTC
73 Andy DL8LAS

www.dl8las.com

www.swing-company-bigband.de/
www.uni-big-band-kiel.de/
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Topband: RF Issues with Heart Pacemakers

2020-03-08 Thread George Taft via Topband

A few years ago, my Cardiologist was recommending a pacemaker for my heart 
health.  I was concerned over RF issues with my DX operating and polled the TB 
reflector for personal reports from those who current had pacemakers installed. 
 I got several encouraging reports, but at that time my heart health was stable 
and I opted not to have it done.

I currently suffer from A-fib and the condition is worse than that previous 
period.  My Cardiologist is now recommending a new pacemaker device:  
Medtronics Micra.  It  is installed directly into a heart chamber and has a 
supposedly battery life of ten years or more. My specialist says there is no 
danger from RF issues with the "Micra" implant.

I mostly operate low bands on my two phased arrays which are some distance (400 
- 500 ft) from my shack.  And of course I use an Amp with output of 1000-1500 w.

Is there anyone on the TB reflector with experience with this new pacemaker 
device?  I would appreciate comments either on or off line, thanks

73  George  W8UVZ
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Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night

2020-02-27 Thread George Taft via Topband

 While I assumed the band was open NA/EU, the interest seemed to be 
north/south, last evening, with VP8PJ and CP6/DK7PE active. Rudi had a nice 
(but small) pile going most of the evening. The VP8 operation seems to perk 
from 03Z until their SR.

Confess I did not call CQ toward EU. With limited time, the concentration was 
with SA.

73 George W8UVZ



 On Thursday, February 27, 2020, 08:30:21 AM EST, 
 wrote:  
 
 I agree with you Roger!

Len
SM7BIC
-Ursprungligt meddelande-
Från: Topband 
För Roger Kennedy
Skickat: den 27 februari 2020 13:47
Till: topband@contesting.com
Ämne: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX CW Activity Night


Well I came on a couple of times last night, but gave up after an hour each
time.

The band was certainly open as my RBN reports were good. 

There were other Europeans on Calling CQ too . . . but very few NA stations
on. I only worked a handful, and reports were good both ways.

It saddens me the lack of CW activity on 160 !

Roger G3YRO

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Re: Topband: Dacron & varmits

2020-02-18 Thread George Taft via Topband

 Grant has the answer as far as we are concerned. The Dacron from Synthetic 
Textiles is good rope.

Been using it for mni years. Currently guying my 5 el 80 M array that has been 
up 25 years. Looks bit weathered but no failures.

Charlie, W0CD (SK) used the same rope and when we dismantled his low band 
array, the rope was still in FB shape. His antennas had been up over 25 years.

FWIW

73 George W8UVZ On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 11:05:24 AM EST, Grant 
Saviers  wrote:  

 aircraftspruce.com  (but airplane stuff is $)

If it is really dacron then http://synthetictextilesinc.com/supportham.html

And available at several ham radio suppliers.

Maybe you want nylon based, this ebay seller has high quality 
"para-cord"  also called "550 line"  I suspect originally mil-spec as 
parachute riser lines, pretty important.  I have bought from others but 
the sheath was loose on the core.  This may not affect the strength, 
don't know, but it sure makes for messy cutting, heat sealing and poor 
handling.

Also, red based colors while highly visible fade very quickly in sun. 
The herringbone patterns even in blues and greens are still highly 
visible, if that is desired.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bulk-1000ft-Spool-of-550-Parachute-Paracord-Type-III-7-Strand-Nylon-Cord/233012186762?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Grant KZ1W

On 2/18/2020 01:25, Roy Morgan wrote:
> There is a company that sells aircraft parts and supplies. The name is 
> something like "American Spruce" or some such. Memory is unreliable on this.
> 
> They sell spark-plug shaped silica gel de humidifier devices used in 
> preserving piston engines and also used in early Collins PTO's.
> 
> Some creative searching will turn up the company name.
> 
> Roy Morgan
> K1LKY Western Mass
> 
>> On Feb 18, 2020, at 3:01 AM, Gary Smith  wrote:
>>
>> Coupla things. I need new Dacron, some I
>> have is from the 80's & finally at its
>> end. I bought some replacement but it's
>> not what I had. What I had was greenish
>> and solid braid, tough and incredibly
>> resistant to nature.
>>
>> What my new "Dacron" is, is a white center
>> conductor I assume is Dacron, with a black
>> braided sleeve/outer-layer which slides
>> over the center conductor. It's OK but
>> difficult to work with and certainly not
>> what I am going to keep using. I contacted
>> one source who said he sells pure Dacron
>> rope but never buying from him before,
>> asked for a photo of an end piece so I
>> could see if it's what I'm looking for. He
>> never sent it to me so I'm still looking.
>>
>> For the moment I need 500', soon, double
>> that. If there's a known source for the
>> good stuff in the states, please let me
>> know.
> ..,
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Re: Topband: 160 portable vertical

2019-08-07 Thread George Taft via Topband

 Etal on 160

And I can attest to his 160 sigs from Guam as I have nine Qs with Gus over his 
2 year QRV on Topband. Inv L up as high as you can with a few short radials 
will do the trick - especially from the Caribbean (16 X 30' ground radials).

And Mike is correct that an rx antenna will make the diff on hearing. Consider 
a "flag or pennant" small rx antenna

GL

73 George W8UVZ On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 6:55:29 PM EDT, Julius Gostel 
via Topband  wrote:  

  My antenna at KH2/K4SXT was 126' of wire 40' vertical up a coconut tree - 
then the rest horizontal to another coconut tree. Two full 120' radials on the 
ground. No separate receive antenna. Pretty simple and it worked pretty well. 
Did I hear everyone, probably not, but I did work some pretty good stuff and 
way over 100 DXCC in less than 2 years. Same piece of wire for A92ZE. but 70' 
vertical and two gull wing elevated radials worked better. Used a 350' 
horseshoe non-terminated beverage (on top of my compound wall @ 8'). Both 
worked Real well. Again more than 100 DXCC in about 3 years. 
If you can get 126-130' of wire in the air, it will work.

Have a great trip - I'll look for you,

Gus K4SXT ex 9V1ZE, /KH2, KG4ZE, A92ZE, /DU3

    On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, 5:23:32 PM EDT, W0MU Mike Fatchett 
 wrote:  

 and then you need to be able to hear the people calling so you will want 
some kind of receiving antenna.

On 8/7/2019 11:13 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
> Hi Pat,
>
>  
>
> Your #1 friend will be 127' of vertical(ish) wire (ie: inverted L) and a few
> ground radial wires or better still 3-4 raised radials and a tall palm tree,
> otherwise I am afraid you'll be sorely disappointed in any kind of short
> compromise (loaded) antenna with summer (QRN) condx and QRP and/or LP (K2 is
> 15w, correct?).
>
>  
>
> There's no getting around physics and you're going to be very weak and a
> full sized antenna is going to be your best bet to being heard.
>
>  
>
> GL
>
>  
>
> Mike VE9AA
>
>  
>
> Planning on going to some island in the Caribbean this December. Unless I
> find
>
> a friendly ham, will bring along my Elecraft k2 and operate qrp or lp.
> Looking
>
> for ideas on an easy to setup small vertical antenna to bring.
>
>  
>
> N8vw
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
>
> Keswick Ridge, NB
>
>  
>
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Re: Topband: FT8 on 160 - how you can make a difference

2019-08-04 Thread George Taft via Topband

 Mark etal

Using CW, I've worked DXCC on Topband for at least the past ten "seasons" 
including 2018/2019. But last year was the most skimpy with just 105 in the 
log. Peak was several years ago at 155. I use July 1 - June 30 as a "season".

Mebbe when the new mode fad settles, CW on 160 may agn be worthy.

73 George 
W8UVZ On Sunday, August 4, 2019, 12:02:58 AM EDT, Mark K3MSB 
 wrote:  
 
 Jerry

You said " Yes DX last year on 160 CW was pretty scarce" and other have
made a similar comment.

Are you referring to new ones, or just DX in general?    I worked 16 new
ones on CW last season and understand that "scarce" can be different
depending upon how many DXCC one already has worked.

73 Mark K3MSB




On Sat, Aug 3, 2019 at 8:51 PM K4SAV  wrote:

> NR2DX asked: "If read your post correctly you are saying that you are
> working against an ambient noise level of 20-30 db over S9 is that
> correct.? "
>
> No.  The S9+20 to 30 dB is the S meter reading when all the FT8 stations
> are transmitting after the band opens a little.  Receiver bandwidth was
> 1.5 kHz.  Tuning to a clear frequency my noise level was about S1 with
> 200 Hz bandwidth when I made these tests.  I usually used 100 Hz
> bandwidth when measuring the signal level of the FT8 signal for
> determining his actual strength. Sometimes less if there were multiple
> signals in the passband.
>
>
> W0MU asked:  "Have you attempted to open a conversation with the
> creators of the mode and discuss what you are seeing?"
>
> No I have not.  I have also not seen any published data from anyone
> showing actual performance.  All I see are claims based on calculations.
> Theory is good but it has to agree reasonably well with actual
> measurements.  If not, one of the two is in error.
>
> Yes DX last year on 160 CW was pretty scarce.  Even when I was hearing
> S6 FT8 signals from Europe I would tune down to the CW portion of the
> band and usually there were no CW signals there.
>
> When I was doing these tests I was using WSJT-X in FT8 mode on 160
> meters.  I was using version 2.0.0, which was the latest version at the
> time.
>
> Jerry, K4SAV
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Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX Activity Night

2018-02-23 Thread George Taft via Topband

Hi All
Roger, I wouldn't get too excited abt this weekend QRV.  Remember we have the 
CQWW160 SSB test!  Doesn't do much for DX, hi.
And Ken, I was listening when you worked UK9AA.   Unfortunately, noisy with 
early Spring QRN and a new Indian Casino in my nearby NE path.   Fortunately, I 
worked Fedor on a quiet nite some time ago.  He apparently hears very well.
Now if we could get some prop into W8 from the VU and EX actives.  
73  George  W8UVZ 

On Thursday, February 22, 2018 11:33 AM, rayn6vr  wrote:

 Ken,Good catch! Heard i u calling uk9aa but never heard him. He's been spotted 
a lot but it would take some very special /weird condx for us to hear him.
Otherwise, checked the band several times but never heard EU last nigjt, 0500 - 
0800z, EU SR.
Ray,Near Prescott, AZ

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
 Original message From: Kenneth Grimm  Date: 
2/22/18  6:03 AM  (GMT-07:00) To: Roger Kennedy  
Cc: topband  Subject: Re: Topband: Wednesday 160m DX 
Activity Night 
Thanks for the QSO Roger.  If it were not for your exhortation to be on the
band on Wednesday evenings, I would have missed a QSO with UK9AA.  That's a
fairly rare one from this side of the pond.

73,

Ken - K4XL

On Thu, Feb 22, 2018 at 5:48 AM, Roger Kennedy <
ro...@wessexproductions.co.uk> wrote:

> Well conditions were strange last night . . .
>
> Generally poor propagation . . . and high background noise here (even on my
> Rx aerial) - apologies if you were one of the stations I heard calling, but
> couldn't pull out of the noise.
>
> However, I did manage to work 16 NA stations in the 2 hours I stayed on,
> including across to Texas.
>
> What was more weird was some of my RBN reports from NA stations (which I
> often view when the band's quiet, to check propagation) - several gave me
> over 40dB above the noise, one even +48dB !
>
> Thanks to everyone who came on (inc several EU stations) . . .
>
> I shall be on at the weekend, and certainly next Wednesday again.
>
> 73 Roger G3YRO
>
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Re: Topband: VU2GSM webSDR use

2018-01-14 Thread George Taft via Topband

Steve, interesting to a stn that needs VU on 160. I agree and respect your
conclusion. With 318 on the TB ball, it is tempting but glad to know the
situation.
BTW, I'm impressed with your EU QRV.
Hang in, we'll get a clean CW two way with India at some date
73 George W8UVZ

On Sunday, January 14, 2018 11:00 AM, Steve Babcock wrote:

I have been "sitting" on this for a few weeks wondering if I should share this
information, but after seeing some spots yesterday for VU2GSM on 160m, I
decided that others may appreciate it.
I know I would.

If you have worked Kanti, VU2GSM recently on the low bands...40, 80 or 160 you
should be aware that he was most likely RX using a NA webSDR. The links below
are PDF copies of email correspondence with Kanti confirming that this is
routine for him.The emails are between both VE5UA, myself and VU2GSM. (Please
read the email threads from the "bottom up" to be chronological.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/15n35-1wHPOdWi2Xib7QAQgxkg-hrOujs/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MdZFLJrwcBs-vHh0PNZc2DSevu3lrwcg/view?usp=sharing

To be clear, I do not judge Kanti for his desire to augment his rx, and do not
think it is wrong. If he chooses to use Ham radio this way that is his choice.
However, I myself do not wish to include a "half" QSO toward my own (personal)
DXCC count, and perhaps others will feel the same hence this email. I also
don't judge others that are good with such webSDR QSOs since each has his own
goals and objectives.

Here is some background. I have been working VU2GSM frequently and with ease on
40m in the morning and evening. He would respond almost immediately to my calls
which seemed odd. More typical is Rakash VU2RAK who has a great signal but
usually can't copy me, though we have QSOd a few times when conditions are
exceptional.
While at a local ham lunch, I mentioned this, and Don VE6JY said that Kanti is
often logged into his webSDR. The following week I copied VU2GSM on 80m in the
evening with very light copy with my 2el Yagi and 1000' beverage (diversity rx
with K3). He answered immediately and we had a QSO. I was suspicious. I emailed
Don VE6JY and he confirmed that at that time Kanti was indeed logged into his
SDR.
I deleted the QSO from my log.
This then precipitated the e-mail correspondence which I share on the attached
links.

There is little doubt this is going on all the time, and we will never know. We
can't undo the technology that makes webSDR possible.
There are those who who feel that this destroys the “integrity” of the DXCC.
However, not everyone cares about DXCC.
Kanti is not a villan. He is doing nothing wrong. He is not “cheating”. In his
email correspondence he is very open and transparent and makes it clear he
doesn't chase DXCC, and could care less about it. Why should he?
From Kanti's perspective, using a webSDR enhances his enjoyment of the hobby
living in RFI polluted Bangalore. For others, a "half-VU" QSO is better than
none and they are happy.

Like others, I spend a great deal of effort optimizing both rx and tx and
someday when I do make the QSO with VU on 80 and hopefully 160, it will be a
true two-way contact. The “buzz” for me is not getting the country counter in
the log, its about knowing that my station made the contact via radio….both
ways…all the way.

The purpose of this email is simply to inform those who have worked Kanti
recently that it is possible/likely that your TX signal was not actually heard
in VU.

73, de Steve ve6wz
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Re: Topband: Big 160m openings just before K index spikes

2017-12-08 Thread George Taft via Topband

Hi Bob
Do agree with your observations relative to prop enhancement on the upside 
(beginning) of solar disturbances.  Especially for we northern types close to 
the northern auroral zone.
I've made some extraordinary contacts in my 35years on topband during these 
situations.
Now if we could just have one fall on the days that stns like XW4ZW and the 
BD/BG  stns are active, hi/
73  George  W8UVZ 

On Wednesday, December 6, 2017 6:09 PM, Bob Lawson N6RW  
wrote:
 

 Is it just my imagination or have others noticed big 160 meter openings 
- hours before big K index spikes?

It seems that several times, we have had big openings into Europe and 
Asia from out here in Arizona and my hopes of having a great opening the 
next night was ruined by a big geomagnetic storm. Last Saturday morning, 
the JAs were quite weak here.  Sunday morning, several Asians had good 
signals.  BD4WN was the loudest I'd ever heard him and JA3YBK was 10 
over 9 at sunrise until 15 minutes past sunrise.  He was still solid 45 
minutes after sunrise.  Sunday night, I heard the first EU Russian since 
getting on TB almost three years ago.  I was looking forward to a great 
post-contest Monday night and bang - the K index jumped up to 4 - just 
like a few weeks before.  I heard no Asian signals this morning and so 
far no EU on 160 tonight (Monday night).

73 all de Bob N6RW Prescott AZ

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Re: Topband: Shortened Radial Experiments

2017-10-27 Thread George Taft via Topband

As a practical application, the "Battle Creek Special" is configured with 
shortened radicals; 30 X 60' for mni years now.   It's success is well known.
We found, that when 1/4 wvl radials were furnished, DXpeditions often did not 
have space for deployment.  And used only a few of the radials included.
73 George  W8UVZ 

On Thursday, October 26, 2017 10:53 PM, Mike Waters  
wrote:
 

 Elevated radials can also be run zigzag to fit them in the available space.
My 1/4 wavelength S radial was like that.

73, Mike
www.w0btu.com
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Re: Topband: FT8 - the end of 160m old school DXing? (long)

2017-10-25 Thread George Taft via Topband

I'm with you, Steve.  BRAVO!
73  George  W8UVZ 

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:31 AM, Hans Hjelmström 
 wrote:

 Hi Steve

I FULLY agree on all you write.  Unfortunately I also feel that Ham radio is 
more or less lost.

According to me,,,this is NOT Ham radio,, it is digi to digi without any 
personal feeling.
And even more ,it destroy completely the challenge of Ham radio…..
Next is to let your computer make these so called QSO:s during the day when you 
work,
and during night ,when you are at sleep.You only check once per day,,what 
contacts he 
made, and the computer log for you.And send info to LOTW.Not any cards to look 
at
any more. Just check your standings once per month at computer.
At this point all social-connection is gone ,and you can just sit back and 
rest,,,

It was the same this  season on 50 mc. After 5th of July ,there was almost NO
stations on either CW or SSB. People that I know of, having no interest in
the challenge of magic band,  worked ??? countries that they never could dream 
of before.

I feel that ARRL should make a new dxcc for only Digi-modes that gives 
report less as  - 1 db.    Like in past ,when they used to need a report of 
minimum 33 or 339. As computer make the ,,,so called qso, and also write
the report ,that should be easy to do.And this modes should NOT be 
counted for the other dxcc-awards. Doing this ,a lot of people ,can work a new 
dxcc ,if they like ,on these digi  modes, and not destroy the old awards.

I sent an e-mail concerning this to ARRL about one month ago, to one of the 
top-guys at
dxcc-award.  His lazy answer was more or less::: Use ,take it or leave it. Its 
new times.
He / they were NOT interested to think it over, not even do they care.
His answer was really not for a hobby. It was just too much for him to think of.

WORSE of all is : that it takes away challenge to increase antennas,station and
your operating skills.  In all other hobbies,,, this is most important, to give 
some
advantage to these that do something extra

VERY SORRY, BUT if 50 mc and also 1.8 mc is going to be the same this and 
coming 2018 season,  I stop my ham-radio and will do something else.
I give it to end of 2018 ,to see if any changements will come.

I think the best to solve this shit,,, is to make a separate dxcc award for 
it,
and not mix with the others.

Sorry for long e-mail, BUT I can tell you,  for sure,,,many many Hams around 
our globe,feels similar as you and me.

Kind regards

Hans  SM6CVX

> 25 okt 2017 kl. 10:25 skrev Steve Ireland :
> 
> G’day
> 
> As a committed (yeah, that’s probably the right word - complete with white 
> jacket that laces up at the back) topbander since 1970, I’ve never been so 
> intrigued and disturbed by anything on the band as the emergence of the 
> Franke-Taylor FT-8 digital mode.
> 
> For me, radio has always been all about what I audibly hear. I love all the 
> sounds that radio signals make - and even miss the comforting sound of Loran 
> that I grew up with around 1930kHz as a teenager in south-east England. Yeah, 
> I am one sick puppy.
> 
> With the emergence of high resolution bandscopes through SDR technology over 
> the last decade, I embraced that as it meant that I could find what DX 
> stations I wanted to hear and contact quicker and more easily (and, in 
> particular, before those stations who didn’t have the same technology). 
> 
> It was really exciting and enhanced the sensual experience of radio by being 
> able to see what I could hear (and no dinosaur me, I was an SDR fan boy!).
> 
> During this period, there has also been an extraordinary development in 
> digital radio modes, in particular by Joe Taylor K1JT. 
> 
> As a topbander I could see that these modes in which you ‘saw’ signals 
> through the medium of computer screen or window as being a remarkable 
> technical achievement, but had relatively little to do what I and the vast 
> majority of active radio amateurs practiced as radio on 160m, as it had 
> nothing to do with the audible.
> 
> The good thing was that I could see that good old CW and Silly Slop Bucket 
> (you can see where my prejudices lie) that I like to use were still the modes 
> of choice for weak signal DX topband radio contact as these fancy digital 
> modes were either very slow or, if they weren’t, were not good at dealing 
> with signals that faded up and down or were covered in varying amounts of 
> noise.  
> 
> While some amateurs seemed to have lost the pleasure of actually hearing 
> signals in favour of viewing them on their computer screens, I felt secure 
> that these digital modes were just a minor annoyance and any serious DXer or 
> DXpedition was never going to seriously going to use them, particularly on my 
> first and all-time love topband, for other than experimentation.
> 
> Then, out of the blue, along comes FT-8. Joe and Steve Franke K9AN have 
> quietly created the holy grail of digital