FT8: Why I started my DX'ing with FT8

 Why did I start my HF journey with FT8?  

As a new ham there are a lot of options to choose from when getting on the air, so many that it can be overwhelming. Initially, I wasn't that interested in digital modes, however running a low power rig (Icom-705) limits ones ability to make contacts. I wasn't having much success with SSB and I really wanted to start logging some contacts while learning how to DO HF. 

I had been hearing a lot of chatter on the local VHF repeater about FT8 so I decided to install WJDT- X and watched some videos on doing FT8 with the IC-705. I run my shack on an System76 Ubuntu 20.04 machine, which almost always requires some fiddling to get new hardware running. I struggled for a few days to get things all working together and eventually read a blog about JTDX, which is based on WSJT-X, but seems to work better on Linux. I added an RFI choke to the USB cable to help reduce with the connection problems I was having. I was able to start making contacts as soon as I had my system stable (no app crashes or radio disconnects) and have been adding to my logbook since.

FT8 is a great entry point for new DX'r due to its low skill/knowledge threshold when compared to SSB or CW.  As a newbie, there is a ton to learn and having early success at making contacts got me hooked. I was a bit worried after I bought the IC-705 as I started reading that it wasn't a great choice as a first HF rig but it I am finding it a fine way to get going with an out of the box FT8 configuration. The simple, automated process of an FT8 QSO teaches the new Ham the basic elements of a QSO, Name, Location and RST. I found a PDF FT8 Guide that also helped boost my confidence and knowledge.

Getting Started: My path to becoming a Ham

 2021 ... a year of trying new things. Amidst the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic I found myself transitioning into some new interests. One of my major decisions was to sell our club airplane as the 2 other members were leaving the area and I wasn't up for recruiting new people after a year of lots of maintenance downtime. I took the opportunity to re-purpose the money to learn a new flying activity, paramotoring. As part of the gear up I was required to purchase a 2M Handheld radio for communications during training exercises. Thus begun my interest in amateur radio.  

Initially I didn't really think too much about the usage of the radio outside of the training and so I purchased the cheapest Baofeng I could find. The USHPA  has a set of frequencies allocated in the 2M band for member use such that members aren't required to have a license. This is convenient for training but beyond that is useless unless you join the organization, which I didn't plan to do so I threw the radio aside after my training. Unfortunately, a health issue kept me grounded the remainder of the year so I didn't' get much flying in anyway.

Later in the year, I pulled out that Baofeng and decided I should program it and learn how to use it for when I am able to start flying next spring. I youtube'd "how to program Baofeng" and the world of Ham radio opened up before me. I found with the Ham Radio Crash Course Channel and within a couple of weeks I began studying for the Technical License using HamStudy. 

The more I learned about various ham operators do the more I became engrossed and quickly found videos about Parks On the Air and Summits on the Air. Both piqued my curiosity and I realize quickly that I would need a General class license to participate effectively so 2 weeks after passing the Technical exam I sat and passed the General during a 1 day "Get Licensed" crash course the local ARRL affiliate club was delivering. I purchased an ICOM-705 portable station and a Buddipole antenna setup and have been playing radio for a couple of months now.