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From https://www.facebook.com/groups/12699105116/permalink/10168096481800117/?ref=share&mibextid=NOb6eG

Mocking FT8

A few years ago, Joe Taylor, K1JT, a Nobel prize physicist, had created a new digital mode. The co-assistant in the project was Franke, K9AN so the mode is officially known as "Franke-Taylor design, 8-FSK modulation, FT8".

In essence, the FT8 enables decoding of signals 10dB below what we perceive, by ear, as a noise floor.

A revolutionary development which made a huge impact on amateur radio, worldwide.

What Joe and Steve did was simply amazing: they've literally given 10dB to every amateur in the world, free of charge. Think of it this way: you wake up in the morning to find that your vertical antenna is gone, and instead, you see a 20m tower with a 3 element yagi. And not just any yagi - but a yagi that works on any band from 160m to gigahertz.

Practically, FT8 allowed an average amateur running the most basic setup - a 100W into wire - to make two way contacts he could previously only dream of.

Yet instead of sending K1JT a 'thank you' letter, a note expressing amazement and gratitude, some amateurs - to this day! - find a great deal of amusement mocking not just the FT8 mode, but operators who use it on the band.

In their view, there are two major 'problems' with FT8: the operation could be automated, so a less scrupulous amateur could simply let the computer do all the work. "You go to bed, and in the morning, there are 100DXCC in the log, thank you very much". The second complaint is that FT8 contacts are just too easy to make, therefore, FT8 is nothing but a vending machine that spits out DXCC awards.

Yes, it is true that cheats will cheat, no matter what. There is no sport or hobby without cheaters, and FT8 is no different - people do cheat. But that itself has nothing to do with FT8. Using remote receivers on SSB or CW in order to hear signals that otherwise are too weak to hear, or a practice of "working DX" on behalf of a friend, has been around for decades.

The second claim is simply ridiculous: anyone can work their first dozen countries with literally one watt and piece of wire. With 100 Watts and a simple vertical, working 200 countries is still relatively easy and could be achieved in a year - or less. But pass 200 and things are starting to get very difficult. And to work all 340 it would take a couple of decades - or more - even for an operator running kilowatts into directional antennas.

Those who are loudest mocking FT8 are actually those who have never achieved much in DXCC chasing. People who were never serious about the hobby, those who have no clue how difficult it is to work a rare DX.

FT8 is not easy. Definitely not in an urban environment where local noise is painfully high, where putting up an antenna is prohibited by council or local strata. For those who are forced to live on tiny blocks, or in a strata unit or retirement home, to them, FT8 is the only way to enjoy our hobby. We must respect that.

As they say, cynicism is the lowest form of entertainment. Making fun of amateurs who understand and enjoy FT8 is the lowest form of 'social media' engagement. Next time you see a meme like the one above, pause for a second, before hitting the like button.

Our goal should be inclusiveness - encouraging amateurs to engage in any form of communication that suits their needs, their technical and educational level, using whatever equipment they have at their disposal. To respect those who are serious chasers equally as those who simply turn the radio on to say 'hello' to an old friend down the road.

Thank you Joe.

Nick VK9DX