FT8- WSJT-X for newbies- new digital ham radio mode

TelescopeMan does a quick demo of the WSJT-X software for beginners.
Sorry for the echo that occurred during the video it only lasts about 10 seconds. Apparently I accidentally hit the second microphone connection! :) The echo will disappear after a few seconds.
If you look under the MODE tab in the software you will see that FT8 is already selected as a default. Later you can change this to any or the other modes listed.
Check my previous videos on FT8 to see an actual contact.

[@recycledwood]

Joe I am returning to radio after an absence of 12 years. Lost my wife to the dreaded cancer, lost my head ,lost interest, in most things but as they say there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Met a beautiful lady, moved into a small beautiful seaside village, life is beautiful once again. Bought myself a Icom 7610 and with your amazing video I am now going to start on WSJT-X. I can't thank you enough. All the best fro little Wales. Keep safe and keep well. Rowli, GW0RTR

[@JoeLalumia]

You are most welcome.

[@chileyetitus]

Thanks for the video. I checked the list of Radios and my Yaseau Ft2dr is not listed. How do I manually configure the software?

[@gm4aff]

I viewed this video to learn how to learn about FT8. To be honest I didn't learn much. Having a radio connected to do a radio demo would have been a good start. But this mode seems to forget that this is about radio! Setting up the audio is probably the hardest part - and the part that offered trial and error to the viewer. Oh boy.

[@JoeLalumia]

I have other ft8 videos not just this one. I make actual contacts in some of the other videos. See my channel.

[@kcscarecrow]

Thanks Joe, I wasnt getting any decode yet the audio level on RX was fine. You mentioned selecting different sound inputs. I found the correct one. Thanks so much for your videos. Terry WA0DTH

[@JoeLalumia]

Terry, glad I could help you. 73

[@colin-4794]

Really useful to a newcomer like me, thank you for posting this. 73.

[@AlloverMarbles]

Thank you so much. I got up and running with the final help form your video. 73

[@JoeLalumia]

You are welcome.

[@clifffiftytwo]

Thanks! This is exactly as thorough as is necessary to be helpful. 73 -

[@JoeLalumia]

FT8 is the digital mode for radio operators that do not enjoy the MUCH slower JT65 mode.

[@dwheeld1664]

WSJT-X is a great program, but it has some shortcomings. One that really bugs me is that it does not tell me what state a ham is in when I click on the call sign. It tells the azimuth and distance, but not the state.

[@JoeLalumia]

dwheeld check out Gridtracker software shows the grid graphically on a map.

[@Raven_of_Doom]

good thing you mentioned the echo. I thought I mixed up my pills again at 9:36

[@reallybadaim118]

You sound like Levon Helm. Good video.

[@JoeLalumia]

Version r2 has been released. Much more sensitive, better decides to -24db.

[@JoeLalumia]

Several of my FT8 prior videos--- kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpC8hWyMgr56mK8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/poXPaKSuqJyEd7s

[@DaninVirginia]

So what do you tune the radio to?

[@donh5794]

Can you explain the Tx and Rx HZ selections in the middle of the main page? Also, I downloaded the MAC OS version and it was a bit tricky, but have it working.

[@normanlemons2895]

Good intro for what this is and nuts and bolts set up...73

[@wallysgaragenshop4567]

Talked to my friend John, WZ8D, and he was telling me that he doesn't like it. He told me that even 10 meters has gone digital. Tim...KA8EXK

[@prephampaul]

I have made nearly 200 contacts in a couple weekends of casual contacting, I love this mode! After it sends the QSO to QRZ.com, does anyone else experience the 'Sender Info' not including the decimal in the frequency in the appropriate place? It shows something like 14074.540 instead of 14.074 like it shows in the 'Receiver Info'. So I have to correctly place the decimal before it will upload from QRZ.com to LOTW. Anyone experience this? Know a fix?

[@JoeLalumia]

Have not heard of that issue? I manually log to QRZ. Maybe someone will respond to your question? 73

[@wb8bil]

I have thing configured like you showed, but I cannot change the stop bits to 1 in the radio pane. Do you have any suggestions.

[@JoeLalumia]

Gregg Anderson never had that issue. In the past I noticed it might be set to ,2 stop bits but I was always able to change it to 1 stop bit. ????

[@bddotnet]

I downloaded and installed v.2.1.2 today. I did not get the popup you did. I also do not see the Setup tab in 2.1.2 --- Please advise de KF5GTX

[@JoeLalumia]

Look under FILE....SETTINGS..... for the radio setup folder.

[@willian.direction6740]

Thanks Joe will down load and have a go cheers mate de vk5cz 73

[@JoeLalumia]

Good DX and 73.

[@K5NOV]

Hi Joe not to sure if your coming across the same or anyone else but I don't seem to get out as far with FT8 as well as I do with JT65 and JT9. Cannot say that I have received any stations out to the east of us as in Europe Africa and so on. Be interested in what your pulling in from a distance and how far your transmissions are doing.. Lee K5NOV

[@K5NOV]

I spoke to soon 1 hour after posting the last message I got in to Australia VK3LDB I tend for get about band conditions and a bit of impatience. K5NOV

[@JoeLalumia]

No you are correct FT8 is not as sensitive as JT65 due to the shorter transmission and receive times. I believe I read about -20 db was the best it could usually achieve Read this: qrznow.com/new-digital-mode-from-k1jt-ft8/.

[@kg7wbw359]

Lee, you are correct. FT8 is less sensitive than JT65; however, even compromised antennas do just fine and are capable of worldwide QSOs on just a few watts. One nice feature of FT8 is that the 15 second T/R speeds up the QSO process significantly! It is a caffeinated digital mode for sure.

[@runnininthe80s84]

What if your radio isn't listed? I have a Yaesu VX-8 and that model is not listed.

[@JoeLalumia]

This is really designed for HF type radios on 160- 6 meters --- or a standard mobile radio operating on 2 meter 70cm or higher with a way to get the sound into the computer and back to the radio (usually with some sort of data port or sound port or USB port in the radio). It is possible to do this with a small HT like the VX 8. Receive is easy. Just get the speaker of the radio near a microphone attached to the computer --- but transmitting requires a way to get the computer to KEY UP the radio. Of course you will need someone transmitting PSK31, RTTY, FT8, etc--- on 2 meter or 70 cm. ?? This might help you? www.ndblist.info/datamodes/interfacingv2.pdf

[@JoeLalumia]

I checked the signalink web site and they DO HAVE cables for a vaiety of handi talkies (HTs)- nere is the link: shop.tigertronics.com/main.sc

[@leos9865]

Thanks

[@marcoscavalcanterodrigues8754]

I noted that JTDX is picking up stations better than WSJT. Do you have any ideia why of that? 73 de PY1FX - Marcos

[@JoeLalumia]

I noted that jtdx has more decodes than wsjt. Much discussion about this in several ham radio forums. 73

[@marcoscavalcanterodrigues8754]

@@JoeLalumia Despite I am using JTDX just few weeks, i am very satisfied. It's no easy to set up as WSJT but I'm have to say it's doing a better work than the other app. Now I am try to learn how to set up it to work with Log40 OM. Thanks. As we say in portuguese: Obrigado (Thanks).

[@JoeLalumia]

@@marcoscavalcanterodrigues8754 By the way I worked in Portugal for several months back in the 1990s. 73

[@marcoscavalcanterodrigues8754]

@@JoeLalumia Nice. I'm brazilian. I live in Rio. The parents of my wife are portugueses (They immigrated to Brazil many years ago). As in USA, we have receving people from all parts of the world for many years. We are planning to visit Portugal next year. Thanks for everything.

[@davidgray2969]

Very cool Joe. Thank you. K5HEC

[@JoeLalumia]

Links you may need: Signalink amzn.to/2eGav9w goo.gl/BvGQpn WSJT-X R2 is latest version Sept 2017 www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html

[@vidasvv]

tnx for the video. would have been better if ur radio was connected and do a proper demo. 73 N8AUM

[@JoeLalumia]

I did several others WITH the radio. Here is a link to one of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/poXPaKSuqJyEd7s

[@InternetGoldMiner]

Get up off your ass and do your own video

[@musk3597]

Thanks!.. Also I have heard that cclean is a malware.. but thanks!! 73 ♡ YO9ELY

[@MujoNovak]

Sorry guys thats just not ham radio!

[@kg7wbw359]

How is it not ham radio?

[@thameswater2561]

how many times do we have to hear that.

[@JoeLalumia]

SUPPORT this channel. Use my Amazon Associate and Ebay Partner links to buy. TelescopeMan will receive a small commission. It does NOT affect the price you pay. Thank you! Amateur Radio connectors: amzn.to/2Avd7ke Amateur Radios: amzn.to/2hpctjJ amzn.to/2hiagTv Coax and Jumpers: amzn.to/2ymjZPg amzn.to/2hYI6h0 Books & Testing Materials: amzn.to/2hh1jJY www.joelalumia.wixsite.com/telescopeman

[@richardbishop6923]

the whole point of ham radio is to SPEAK to people not to type to people, if I wanted to do that I would just go to an internet chat room, OR FACEBOOK!

[@JoeLalumia]

What about Cw?? No one is speaking. How about psk31? Or WSPR? IT'S A HOBBY. Chill out.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

Just what amateur radio needs is a bunch of new lazy operators who would rather have their computer logging contacts than humans.Pure stupidity & killing real contacts which include human interaction.

[@JoeLalumia]

1OFGODSOWN why would I log using pen and paper when I can log electronically? Many hams work toward awards and an electronic log entry is much faster and free versus mailing a QSL card. Just my 2 cents worth.

[@kg7wbw359]

A benefit of electronic logging over paper logging is that you can search for previous contacts much faster.

[@KorkyKathman]

Just what amateur radio needs...a troll that believes HE/SHE is more important than anyone else. The hobby is very large and has many areas for enjoyment and challenges. FT-8 and other digital modes provide fun and enjoyment for many. Just because it's not your cup of tea, doesn't mean it's someone else's. I've never heard of any ham that's given up CW or ragchewing to ONLY do FT-8 or digital modes.

[@haskellnj]

This is VERY, VERY BLURRY to me, KD2DRS. Am I the only one seeing that? He's clear but the computer are very blurry.

[@branvinifilms]

Clear to me...