@EA5JMW Yeah, granted, I can understand those arguments. However, same arguments apply to packet radio modes and yet I don't see anyone complaining about those. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Or is it that you can't decode signals by just listening to them? If so, what about RTTY, packet radio, DMR, D-Star....? 🤷🏼‍♂

What's with all the hate towards #FT8?

I come from a physics and IT background and I find it super fascinating that you can communicate half around the planet using the power of 2,5 smartphones. From a signal perspective: amazing!

Also, for me it actually was a low barrier to entry, as I'm not proficient in #CW just yet.

Yes, there are always tradidionalists that are against all "new things". I wonder if those people have built the spark-gap transmitter they use for CW on their own... 🤔

@EA5JMW 😂

Don't be afraid, FT8 is not going to hurt you 😉

@EA5JMW For now, it's only FT8, but I'm working on CW :)

@IU1KGS @MrAldisaADS Should we tell him about Hamnet? DAPNET? Any other Internet-Like modes? 🤔

@MrAldisaADS Clearly someone involved needs therapy - badly! Fortunately it isn't you. 😉

This month I have the special #hamradio callsign EH5LGBT, and yesterday I used it in a local Morse contest. After a while I started receaving (in morse), "CERDOS CERDOS CERDOS" (PIG in spanish), and later I recieved this email.

I laughed, because I feel proud about myself, and I don't care what these idiots may think.

Happy #pride and see you on the air!

#pridemonth #lgbtqi

Before this vacation is over (unfortunately tomorrow) and I have to dismantle my #EFHW setup, I want to try a few actual #QSO on #FT8

Wish me luck 🤞

@F4LUB I found https://n6ev.com/articles/phonic-method/ which sounds quite interesting. Paired with https://morsecode.ninja/learn/index.html could work out as a training plan. 🤔

Do you know those USB-C ports that chinese manufacturers like to put into their devices that actually are no USB-C ports? Those, that will only connect and/or charge with a USB-A to USB-C cable only?

How do you fix that? Are there special cables that would allow usage anyway? Do you put in a 56kΩ, as the specs require?

I'm so done with using anything not-USB-C on a USB-C port. 😩

@F4LUB I think the approach of morseDX is great: first, learn to understand texts by listening to them spelled out, letter-by-letter. Then, once you're comfortable with that, start replacing single letters with morse code until you have replaced everything.

It's a shame that it's so broken :(

@F4LUB Unfortunately, I stand corrected. The service is utterly broken and logins are impossible at this time. Support leaves much to be desired.

I will stay away from morseDX. Now I have the same problem and I'm looking for alternatives too.

My first ever #shortwave "on the air" using #WSPR was quite the success! I managed to be received at ER60tb (1000km off the north pole) on 20m and QE38lr (SE Australia, 16700km) on 10m, which is quite awesome!

I have to admit though that I was using 10W TX 😅 (which I reduced to 5W after the first contacts).

I'll stay on 20m for a bit and then probably call it a day.

I bought some CR2032 batteries and noticed that they now have a pattern of coloured dots on one side. Google revealed that the dots are ink, dissolve in saliva, and provide a visual warning that someone has swallowed a battery. So I licked one. My tongue was blue for two days.

@F4LUB Well, I use morseDX and I'm quite happy so far. Mobile browser is supported 😊

I will publish a remix on Thingiverse.

I took handles for the #X6100 from #Thingiverse and modified them so that #DIN912 screw heads would be flush with the handle.

I think it came out quite nicely.

@F4LUB This is the f/w I was talking about: https://github.com/gdyuldin/x6100_gui/releases

OP in our club suggested it, better to operate overall and (although finnicky) builtin FT8 RX/TX.

The neat part: you don't modify the Xiegu, you just put it on a microSD and boot from it. MicroSD out, Xiegu back to "normal".

Neat, innit?

@F4LUB Did you try alternatives and it didn't work out for you or was it just that you didn't have the need for anything "better"?