15 Things I've Learned About FT8

[@howardwaxman967]

Rob, I have thousands of FT8 contacts in the log. I really enjoyed your video and both learned a few things - and confirmed my 'techniques'! Your WSPR suggestion at the end never occurred to me! Thanks for that suggestion! I'm subscribed and looking forward to more of your videos. 73, Howard, WZ4K

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Howard! Thanks for the feedback and taking the time to watch the video. Yes, with WSPR, I fear that in the stampede to FT8 that WSPR may have been forgotten. I'm currently using it to test both tx and rx on two new antennas. Really handy. Cheers mate. Rob VK3BVW

[@HamRadioDX]

WSPR is very valuable in probing propagation before being able to switch to FT8 or even voice for a contact

[@eddy2561]

Great video Rob....I've been running FT8 almost from its inception and now I've grown bored with digital modes and have gone back to our roots....Continuous Wave....73 K6SDW

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for your comments, Eddy. I picked up two new countries this week, so I'm not quite bored with it yet! 😉😁 Mixing FT8 with other aspects of this vast hobby has helped me maintain my interest, especially with the higher freqs opening up. Had some nice FT8 contacts into Japan and Sth Korea several weeks back on 6m - not bad from here at the bottom of SE Australia! And no 6m beam either! Sadly, my CW skills are abysmal, so I steer clear of that. Cheers, mate! Rob VK3BVW

[@turatea1]

Nice explanation Rob. Thanks for your time an effort to share the ft8 experiences.

[@Swaggerlot]

I've been using the JT/FT modes for almost seven years. It was fun to see how contacts could be made with very low power and then even reducing it further. With the arrival of FT8 things deteriorated somewhat, as power levels were obviously increased by many to compensate for the reduced low signal capabilities. You best tool is the RF gain, learn to use it and thus avoid the involvement of AGC.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Agreed! The RF gain makes a huge difference to success in hearing FT8 signals. Thanks for your observations.

[@johnwest7993]

I'll be using a high Q magnetic loop for digital modes. Spending a little time tuning is the price paid for keeping the bandwidth narrow. But the narrow bandwidth antenna solves a lot of problems before they ever start, from noise to overloaded front ends.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Yep! Good observation, John! Cheers, Rob VK3BVW

[@o00scorpion00o]

FT8 is old news, get on JS8 Call , it’s a great mode, I use it a lot, can have your station automated and can make QSO if I want to, it’s convenient when I don’t want to go to a cold shack or leave the xyl, I can make contacts while she watches tv. I’ve a 2nd EFHW ran time the sitting room and use the Xiegu G90 or X5105.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hahaha. Yeh, well when I made this video, FT8 was not old news at the time! ;-) Not very many people on JS8CALL......at least not from what I can hear from the bottom of southeastern Australia. And I enjoy quick QSOs with no fuss or waffle talk. :-) I might take another look at JS8CALL again and see if it has grown in popularity since I last looked. 73, Rob VK3BVW

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@RobVK3BVW Activity is definitely increasing on JS8 , looking at PSK Reporter now at 10:40 am UTC I see some activity from your part of the world to USA and into Europe. It's a fun mode and you don't have to talk to people if you don't want to. It can be ran in Auto mode just like FT8.

[@robertroche4220]

Thanks Rob, very much enjoyed your inspirational video. I have just returned to the hobby after 30 years and am fascinated to learn about new developments and modes etc. I spliced some cables last week and was amazed how much I picked up on FT8 using only my vertical hf multi band antenna. I'm waiting for cat control cables to arrive. Can't wait to get started. Hopefully work you down the log! 73 Rob G1VXD.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Rob, thanks for your generous comments and feedback. Much appreciated. Good luck in getting started with FT8. Being so close to Europe and North America, you should be able to make plenty of QSOs on your multiband vertical. 73, the other Rob! VK3BVW

[@pbrstreetgang9543]

Outstanding, thank you. I started leaving my rig on WSPR whenever I am not actively working the bands.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Great to hear you are monitoring WSPR signals when not using the rig. Good stuff. The more monitors we have, the more useful is the information collected on propagation and antenna effectiveness. Thanks.

[@saltire546]

Being new to FT8 (2 months now) my observations are it is very easy to get ontacts from all around the world in poor band conditions .I use an ic 705 10 watts max and hit over 30 Usa staions in one afternoon from North East Scotland also Australia, Japan ect .Ifind that it gets boring after a while just clicking on a mouse .But Ft8 is great for stations who cant have big antennas and run low power .Thanks for taking the time to do this video .

[@arbiter3297]

Wow! Great job of clearly explaining your points, Rob. This is a real service to the ham community. I'm motivated now to give WSPR a shot! Thanks a million for the excellent video. K8TOM, Tom Monroe WA

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for your kind feedback, Tom. With your WSPR comment, I can tell that you actually watched right to the end! Well done!! hahaha, 73, Rob.

[@vinnielucci8872]

Which log for ft8 quo's you use? How you get the window "my spots, sent, received" ? Thanks for great video.

[@ThomasK4SWL]

Great video, Rob! Although FT8 might be a polarizing mode for some hams, there's no arguing that it's certainly brought a lot of ops out of the woodwork! I think it's downright brilliant and I've enjoyed working DX with a seemingly propagation independent mode!

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks, Thomas. I liked your comment on the "seemingly propagation independent mode". Indeed, it can be somewhat deceptive and "seemingly". However, the laws of physics and such still apply! A few nights ago, I heard another VK calling "CQ Europe" on 80m using FT8. The time in Europe was around midday!! Needless to say, he never got a reply. He is the definition of a true optimist! Thanks for watching. 73, Rob VK3BVW

[@Tommy_Boy.]

Super video Rob! Thanks!

[@erichstocker4173]

This was a really great practical video. I have thought about some of these but not others. I appreciate you taking the time to provide us your perspective.

[@yarrarangesphotographicsoc9881]

Thanks for checking out the video, Erich. 73, Rob VK3BVW

[@corey-]

Thanks for this video Rob! I'm running a Yaesu FT-991a and was trying to use all the 'online' advice about keeping the ALC as low as possible and couldn't seem to get much power output. After talking with Yaesu technical support they mentioned as you did that on their radios you do need some ALC present on the meter. I'm going to try some of the other tips you mentioned as well...Thanks again for the great vid! 73, Corey KD0SAS

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Corey. Thanks for your feedback and comments. Much appreciated. FT8 is such a great mode for those of us without "super stations" running multi-band beams on towers at 100 feet, etc. Although the video is more than four years old now, I think I'm pretty happy with the advice there. Although I don't seem to need the notch filter tip - I suspect that may be of more help to those with many other hams living in close proximity. Down here in the lower southeastern part of Australia, there are not many local hams and the population is more spread out. If you hear/see me on the air, please give me a call! All the best, Corey. - Rob VK3BVW

[@paulgarcia1566]

Thank you for these personal tips. You are a good teacher and easy to understand.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks, Paul. Best wishes.

[@infoaffiliatemagic]

Thanks for the great tips on how to better use FT8. I've been using FT8 ever since the first release and have made thousands of contacts. Always good to refresh the gray matter with some things you may have forgotten or neglected to do properly. I'll look for you on FT8 - Thanks - K4KSW

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks, Jack. See you on the bands! Rob VK3BVW

[@sarlasharma5146]

Thanks so much for very informative video. All my doubts on FT8 were answered. Your last suggestion on WSPR was great. I have decided to do it!!73, Sarla VU2SWS

[@RobVK3BVW]

Sarla Sharma I’m glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching. Rob VK3BVW

[@johnfloy]

Excellent video Rob, wonder if you had the same mac usb issue i'm currently having. My output sound card codec disappears and comes right back.

[@Funk-DX]

dear DX friend Rob, I clearly must say that you are a professional speaker...... very very good, super ! thanks from the Klaus in Germany

[@RobVK3BVW]

Klaus, great to hear from you! How is your health these days? Wishing you the best, Rob.

[@Funk-DX]

dear friend Rob, it goes better and I have limited time for DX with my newest toy, it is a tube receiver called HAMMARLUND SPR-600 :::: to listen with such a RX is a timetravel back to the 1960ies...... I am satisfied. With best wishes, K.

[@RobVK3BVW]

@@Funk-DX Very good to hear, Klaus. Have lots of fun with your new toy. Sounds wonderful!

[@FiredogKC]

Help! I’m using Mac OS. The USB codec input on the Mac sound card is not adjustable. As a result, I cannot adjust the green dB level on the lower left of the WSJT-X. Any ideas? It’s an older Max without thunderbolt outputs.

[@ptlmbutler]

Excellent video!

[@windjammer1958]

Nice video, I like your shack set up. I'm redesigning mine... might steal your look :) I'm not a big FT8 user, more of a JS8 call guy, good info, may have to look into FT8 more often.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks Dave. I haven't had much luck with JS8, not many guys using that here. I also like the speed of FT8 as I'm not fussed about chatting. My philosophy is "A quick QSO is a good QSO"! :-) But to each his own. Good luck with the shack redesign. 73 de Rob VK3BVW

[@arnongoldstein]

Great tips for a first time FT8'er here. Thank you ! 73s 4X4RD

[@redstickham6394]

Great video. I'm putting my station back together after I had to dismantle it due to a flood. Never tried FT8, will give it a shot.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks "RedStick"! Good luck and hope to work you on FT8 - Rob VK3BVW

[@stridermt2k]

Very good video, and a relief that my observations are largely the same. I like the strategies. Thanks so much! 73 de N2NLQ

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for your feedback, Michael. Best wishes, Rob VK3BVW

[@dkk4751]

Great video, tip about font size was by far my favorite!!! I am new and have a question What is whisper? Thank you

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for your feedback, glad you enjoyed the video. Dave Casler has done a good video on WSPR. Check it out at kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqerd4loaZmKrsk 73, Rob VK3BVW

[@supertorqued72]

I enjoyed your video, especially as a fellow Mac user. I see you have a TS-440s on your desk. Have you tried and been able to connect your TS-440 to your Mac for FT-8? I'm thinking about trying it with mine.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Ted. No TS-440 there. It's the look-alike R5000 receiver. :-) - Rob VK3BVW

[@BoZmD]

I am studying for my technicians license with the goal of getting my general so I can do HF, specifically WSPR and JT8. I've listened to hams for decades. I thought their contest contacts were interesting, but their chatter was boring. Making phone contacts intimidates me. But I am a computer geek. FT8 looks perfect!

[@RobVK3BVW]

Good luck with your study!

[@rogerp5816]

Nice video Rob. Have you ever tried GridTracker by Tag Loomis, N0TTL? It's a companion program to WSJT-X and makes chasing DXCC, grids and the like much easier.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Roger. Yes, I have tried GridTracker on a few occasions and still have it on my computer. It certainly has some useful features.

[@Bill_KL7TC]

Good tips! HOLD TX FREQ should be a default and used by more hams. 5w from Alaska on Ft8 would be useless on 40m. I run up to 400w with a 5el beam on 10m-30m and still have problems. Congrats on using low power and making contacts though. Location is a big factor (rough in the arctic under the aurora). 73

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for your comments. Good stuff! Best of luck with your DX from Alaska!

[@robdf9024]

Well done and really exhaustive of the FT8 matter. Thank you and 73 de Rob 9J2RD

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks so much, Rob. 73 de Rob VK3BVW

[@robdf9024]

Pleasure. I hope to see you on the screen soon.

[@kevinmatthews2620]

nice informative video there Rob, i am a dye in the wool digital operator in the Uk and have racked up approx 4k ft8 contacts in the last 18 months or so, some good useful tips you have, would love to qso with you on 30/40/ & 20 :),keep up the good work Rob

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Kevin. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video. 73 and good DX to you, my friend! Rob VK3BVW

[@DaninVirginia]

Great review thanks

[@CliveDrone]

Hello Rob. I am new to FT8 so this video is great for me. I find that I get one QSO for every 10 CQs I click om , not a very good average. I have been over and over my setting and all looks good. Is this the normal ratio 10-1 for FT8 QSOs. BTW which computer logbook are you using? You had it up when you showed your 5 watt QSOs. Very impressive. 73 Chris VE3XKZ

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Chris. Thanks for taking the time to check out the video. Let's get the easy question out of the way first! The logbook is MacLoggerDX, and obviously for Apple computers. It works very well, has heaps of features and the support from the software author is first class. It's more expensive than other Mac logging software out there, but worth it. Now, to the 1 in 10 QSO strike rate: Your success on FT8 or any other mode will depend on your station setup. Antennas are important and power does help. I have only wire antennas at low heights and I run between 5 and 40 w most of the time. I also have a big hill running to the northwest and west of me that makes transmitting to that part of the world damn near impossible. So my strike rate is probably similar to yours. In addition, Australia is well away from the action than you northern hemisphere guys have. I can imagine that the bands are VERY busy in your part of the world with European and Nth American activity. So perhaps you have greater interference problems that would make it difficult to get a signal through? Good luck, Chris, and thanks for stopping by. 73, Rob VK3BVW

[@ishiharatuyoshi]

Rob Wagner ,TU for your introduces WSPR . I will use it for my setup.There are many logging softwares for digital mode. This is hobby so you may chose any software as your like. N1MM and Loggere32 are default for wsjtx-x. Any softwares use UDP method are available. JTAlert helps you to use much more logging softwares. 73,de JE1BTJ.

[@OverLordkv]

Can you make a video how to properly setup FTdx3000 for FT8? Tnx

[@RobVK3BVW]

Sure. No problems.

[@DirkPA1BD]

Hi Rob great video thanks a lot for the tips you gave. I just started with FT8 but have some problems with the receive audio. The receive audio is far to loud the barmeter reach about 80 and turns red. I'm using a Kenwood TS-590s and a usb cable to run FT8. I've turned down the input on de TS-590s to the lowest point 1 but its still to loud. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance and keep up the great video's. 73 Dirk PA1BD

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Dirk. Check your computer sound card. The input volume on the card needs to be less than half scale. You don't need much audio going in to get excellent results. Too much audio produces problems and overload in the sound card and the software. That should fix the problem. 73 Rob VK3BVW

[@DirkPA1BD]

@@RobVK3BVW Hi Rob thanks for the advice. The soundcard was complete open so the problem is solved now. We're ready to go. Thanks again Rob ,73 Dirk PA1BD

[@RobVK3BVW]

@@DirkPA1BD Great! I'm glad you got it fixed, Dirk. I look forward to working you on the bands. Rob VK3BVW

[@pflinn]

That was a well done video, your a pro at it. I have many thousands of FT8 contact and it is nice to see that your conclusions some of my own conclusions are the same. 73 KG5HTH

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks, Philip. Hope to work you on FT8 one day.

[@samcgill]

Had a QSO with you this morning, which sent me to your QRZ page, which sent me to here. Very good video and I can concur on all these points. Good clear video and happy Christmas. VK4MGL

[@RobVK3BVW]

Hi Scott. Thanks for the QSO and for checking out the video. All the best for Xmas and the NY. Rob VK3BVW

[@mdblack98]

The trick to the ALC setting is to find out where 0dB ALC is on your ALC display. I believe the DX3000 is one where 0dB is halfway up the scale where on most all other rigs any ALC indication is > 0dB. Here's a document which 'splains how to set your tx/rx audio and understand your rig's ALC. www.dropbox.com/s/mcj4hklxxgwswsy/FT8Noise5.pdf?dl=1 de Mike W9MDB

[@davidenright-k3whd822]

Great info you talked about. Will try some of the points out, Thanks. 73's

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks David. Good luck and good DX! Rob

[@jps99]

Helpful video!

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks

[@jonathanjenkins8630]

Very useful video! I use the same rig and Mac computers . What level ALC do you normally use? Thanks - GW4LJW .

[@RobVK3BVW]

Jonathan - Since making the video back in March, I have continued to experiment trying to reproduce what some others have been able to do with registering no ALC at all in their FT8 transmissions. I have now been able to do this with the following settings: On the Mac - the Audio Devices window - USB Audio CODEC at 0dB (or close to that!) On the FTDX3000 - Menu 076 - Mic gain is between 7 and 9. The power output is set to 100w. In the FT8 window - Control the Pwr slider (RH-side) to set the desired power out. The above settings mean that the ALC meter will NOT be activated. However, I find that the ALC meter readings change as the rig warms up (say after 5 min). Don't ask me why....I have no idea, but several people in one of the FTDX3K forums have mentioned this exact same ALC characteristic as well. It can also change from band to band. Having said all of the above, I have monitored my signal both with and without ALC action, and there appears to be no difference in quality of modulation....as far as I can tell. As I said in the video, at least for my rig, some ALC does not appear to incur any distortion in my signal. On one occasion, just for an experiment, I pushed the ALC to flat-out, but still I could not detect any distorted modulation in my signal. So, I suspect the above settings will vary from rig, brand to brand, etc. Actually, I should update the previous video for 3K/Mac users like ourselves, as someone else may find my settings of help. Thanks for checking out the video, Jonathan. Vy 73, Rob VK3BVW

[@thomasmaughan4798]

I turn out the audio drive until the ALC does not react at all (ICOM 7300). On the other hand, my ICOM 735 does not have a "sharp" threshold of ALC and any signal at all produces at least a small ALC deviation. There's actually a calibration on screen in that case that signifies *overdrive* and that's what to avoid; up to that point really it is just a power meter. If the ALC reacts, it changes the shape of the RF envelope and that's ungood. Not bad, just not helpful and driving it to the ALC kicks in doesn't go much for you. What is important to FT8 and any digital mode is CLEAN signal. You don't need power, it needs spectral purity.

[@thbe51]

Hi Rob! May I ask which mic you're using? Thats's for KZbin. Not the radio :-) Thanks!

[@yarrarangesphotographicsoc9881]

Hi Thomas! The video mic is made by Rode. A great Aussie company with a global reputation! :-)

[@thbe51]

@@yarrarangesphotographicsoc9881 Thank you. It sounds very good!! 73 and all the best!

[@RobVK3BVW]

Whoops!! I replied to you Thomas using one of my other KZbin accounts. 😂 oh well. Cheers from me Rob and the Yarra Ranges Photographic Society. 😁

[@massoud999]

Thanks Rob. I have almost 10K QSOs under my belt (most of them FT8) and liked your representation a lot. 73 4Z5UY

[@timpastor3054]

Excellent video. Good thoughts for this new guy! Thanks. 73's. Tim N8HUS

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for your feedback, Tim. Good luck with your FT8 DX. Rob VK3BVW

[@kn4jxcom]

Good Job on the video.

[@martypk7cmi626]

Spot On Rob, Thanks.......K7CMI. Marty

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks for taking the time to watch the video, Marty. And thanks also for your lovely QSL card, too. Much appreciated! 73, Rob

[@pauls8456]

I can see a mic connected Rob, I do hope you get sick of the music and lights of FT8 and get back to phone soon.......

[@paulhastings3109]

Just found this KZbin. Want to do this mode. The problem is FTDX-1200, signalink and laptop. Think I have all the cables right. Can't get it to transmit. I think I missing something. Went to HRD to see if using this program, found out that I need a cable from cat RS-232 rig control. Need to get SCU-17. And not use the signalink. Guess saying I don't have the correct cable from radio to laptop. First my name is Paul and my call is KQ4CD and been off the radio 23 years. With all this technology I get lost. So I don't understand all of this, but trying. I believe that I can get it done just don't try to do it all in one day. Being told just KZbin it. It just not good at doing anything to technical. Under settings can't find the correct radio and some of the programs don't have my radio. Guess I am babling. So thank you for some information that I need to know. Catch you on the bands 73 de KQ4CD Paul

[@g4kfjve7kfj34]

great mode

[@deanhallberg3340]

Rob. Well done. Really enjoy your video. hope to work you sometime. 73 W4DLH

[@RobVK3BVW]

Thanks Dean. Best wishes for 2020. Rob

[@markfrank3497]

Excellent video Rob! It should be required viewing for anyone new to FT-8. 73, Mark - KS4W

[@RobVK3BVW]

Mark, thanks so much for your kind words. 73, Rob

[@aroc000]

Very interesting and pleasant video. Thank you Rob 73 es GL de IU0KWX, Alessandro

[@RedLine_Renesis]

Before I knew what FT8 was, I thought those were alien UFOs trying to contact.

[@Deano_K5MPG]

Great video, thanks de KN4SHC

[@brian.7966]

it's not a QSO, all you have done is sent a digital contact with someone.

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Thanks Rob, great video, will sub and have gander at the rest. VE3KKQ

[@RobVK3BVW]

Cheers, John.

[@massoud999]

TNX for this video Rob 73 de 4Z5UY

[@jackcatlin3602]

Collins radio

[@RobVK3BVW]

?????

[@devinhedge]

MacOS FTW!

[@danluzurriaga6035]

It is NOT weak signal anymore. Go to OLIVIA. Much better.

[@RobVK3BVW]

OLIVIA is great....until I want to make a QSO. All I hear are crickets!

[@danluzurriaga6035]

@@RobVK3BVW Yeah, same with psk31. They all migrated to Zombie-8. It would be great if at least some hams got back to a regular digital communication mode. If Joe Taylor re-released psk31 in his own name and called it JT-31, or Oliva as JoeTaylor 500-16, all everybody would go there and be amazing at the new weak signal technology and we would all be communicating again.

[@techguy9023]

@@danluzurriaga6035 I like the signal efficiency idea but want keyboard to keyboard contacts not complete automation. What’s the point? Anyone working on a way to do high speed data transfers on HF? Digital voice on hf still around?

[@JohnFT3414]

Let me guess: It is boring and a monkey can do it? Switch to Vara AC using the Vara HF Modem, to have real QSOs, you will be much happier!

[@RolyRJ]

In your credits you have ZL2IFB as Jim ....... his name is Gary.

[@RobVK3BVW]

Awwww, geez! I knew that! What was I thinking??!! Well spotted....at least I know you watched the video to the end, hehehe. Oh well, can't change it now. Thanks, RolyRJ.

[@indridcold8433]

I have heard FT8 is an internet mode. I know nothing of FT8.

[@BentConrod]

Although internet is convenient for facilitating accurate time synchronisation, which is necessary. Alternatively, GPS can be used to keep a real time clock honest or in the absence of an RTC, such as with the Raspberry Pi.