This is a view from NASA of the sun today, October 9, 2018, and I am making 10m DX contacts one after another. Zero sunspots but working DX on FT8! Is FT8 creating a “tipping point” for amateur radio at the very bottom of the solar cycle?
Several years ago I was captivated by a book written by Malcolm Gladwell called, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Merriam-Webster defines tipping point as, “the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.” In his book, Gladwell describes how, “The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.” He shows us how the phenomenon applies to everything from flu epidemics to the explosion of new technologies.
Does the FT8 mode included in WSJT-X software constitute a tipping point in ham radio for good or for harm? There are many ham radio opinion blogs on the Internet that strongly or sometimes sarcastically take one or the other stance. There is even an Internet poll asking, “Is FT8 damaging amateur radio?” At this moment it is 52% yes, 45% no and 3% undecided.[1] All of the articles and videos I have seen agree on one undeniable fact – FT8 has since its introduction in June of 2017 achieved “killer app” or tipping point status. Some think it will kill amateur radio and others believe that such innovations give the hobby new life…..READ MORE
Equipment
SP30B Audiophile
The Palstar SP30B audiophile speaker is a custom-engineered communications radio speaker. To truly enjoy the radio listening experience, you need a hi... Read more
LA1K5 is a solid-state 1200 watts 1.8 – 54MHz power amplifier
The RFpower LA1K5 is a solid-state 1200 watts 1.8 – 54MHz power amplifier. It uses a ruggedness 1800 watts 65 V LDMOS technology NXP’s MRF... Read more
The Racal RA3712 Professional Receiver
Racal RA3712 “The Racal RA3712 is a relatively hard to come by professional receiver. It was widely used by the Royal Navy, but certainly found... Read more
Radiosport RS55SL SuperLight Travel Headset
Travel headset The newest edition headset from Radiosport – The SuperLIght Flex Boom-Mic headset. The perfect companion for your SmartPhone, T... Read more
VHF
TYT DM-UVF10 GPS DPMR Digital Transceiver VHF + UHF
TYT DM-UVF10,a dualdisplay, dual standby two-way radio,adopts high-technology and novel design DM-UVF10 adopts humanism design,making it smart in sh... Read more
Baofeng UV-XR IP67 Waterproof Walkie Talkie 10W
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IC-R30 Communications Receiver (Handheld)
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DB-750X Dual Band VHF/UHF 750 Channel Commercial Mobile Radio
DB-750X Description All of the features you want at an affordable price. The newest mobile added to the Powerwerx lineup features Narrow band transmi... Read more
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Icom ID-5100A vs IC-2820H Review by AmateurLogic.tv [Video]
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Digital Modes
FT8 – Tipping Point for Ham Radio?
This is a view from NASA of the sun today, October 9, 2018, and I am making 10m DX contacts one after another. Zero sunspots but working DX on... Read more
JS8Call 0.9 Release notes
“Hi Folks, Thanks for staying patient with me on this one. Build servers were being weird today! Happy to bring you release with simple features... Read more
MFJ-1204 – USB TO RIG SC INTERFACE, W/8-PIN DIN,DATA/ACC PORT
MFJ-1204 Includes radio interface cable (8-PIN DIN) Sign up for the digital revolution and explore a whole new world of amateur radio excitement using... Read more
JS8Call 0.8 Released – Refinement, Group callsigns
JS8Call Download “Hi folks! Happy to announce 0.8 of JS8Call. This is a backwards incompatible release (which is the primary reason for it being... Read more
JS8Call 0.7 Released
J8Call “Howdy Folks, We’ve sure come a long way in the past few weeks. Thanks for sticking with me and enjoying the ride! This release is... Read more
