Just uploaded my latest batch of 776 SOTA activator QSOs, which included those made for the Datamode flavour 1st - 7th September. So I thought I’d check to see how I was doing on this, two years in:
78 DXCCs on FT8 so far from SOTA activations. So not bad, over three quarters of the way there, but not as fast as that 8 year old. The mode has netted me quite a few ATNOs though, including plenty that most would consider “DX”, so it’s been a worthwhile and enjoyable aspect of my SOTA activating. The microphone and the paddle are still getting plenty of use too!
One amusing diversion is using the FT8 to see if I can work all continents within a single activation. On The Cloud last week, I’d done EU, AF, AS, NA and SA all within about half-an-hour, but OC eluded me. And I’ve still NEVER worked AN … which could be a slight obstacle to this particular aspiration!