I’ve finally dipped my toes into the dark side of the hobby: FT8.

Since I became active last fall I’ve not had any great interest in the digital modes. I want to “talk” to people, even if it is a simple exchange of 59’s and 73’s. That’s how I fell in love with radio, listening to signals that traveled hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach me. With digital, it all seems so disconnected. You click a button, a computer controls your radio, a computer on the other end controls another radio, and so on.

Something about that process does not resonate in my brain. I know lots of ops really enjoy digital but I figured I’d put it off until we get deeper into the bottom of the solar cycle.

After a recent visit with a friend and seeing his setup, I decided to give it a shot. There was the standard set of missteps trying to get everything working. An old Mac plus an IC-7300 can be a tricky combo. Or maybe it’s just my ignorance that was the problem. Once I was able to get a signal out, I wasn’t sure if I was doing things correctly or incorrectly. YouTube to the rescue!

Now, just a couple days later, I’ve nearly worked all states and am starting to rack up some DX contacts.

My verdict? I’m still not sure I get it, nor does it have the same “magic” that voice has. I don’t know if that makes me a curmudgeon or a purist. Hopefully neither, as I have no hostility towards people who are crazy about FT8.

I do enjoy being able to listen to music or watch TV while I operate. Especially on a morning like today, when the bands seem hostile to voice, it gives me an excuse to sit in front of the radio (and computer).

I suppose I’ll stick with it. Perhaps it will interest me more once I know what the hell I’m doing. Or at least have a better idea than I do at the moment.