FT8 & WSJT-X Setup - STEP by STEP

In this video I show how to setup and run WSJT-X on the FT8 mode, what setting you need for new beginners and how to tell when the bands are open!
Download WSJT-X 👉
physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/...
HamAlert 👉
hamalert.org/about
GridTracker 👉
gridtracker.org/grid-tracker/
www.ft8.it/images/GTQS_0406.pdf
More FT8 👉
• FT8 and WSJT-X
This was a presentation given to the MERC radio club:
www.vk3fsk.org.au/
🎥 Watch more recent videos here: / hamradiodx
⏱️Chapters⏱️
0:00 What is WSJT-X
1:24 What is FT8
2:26 General Settings
4:44 Radio Settings
7:48 Audio Settings
8:15 Frequencies
9:27 Colors
10:51 Setting RX/TX Audio Level
12:31 Other Functions
13:43 Band Activity & Waterfall
14:51 Getting Ready to RX/TX
17:56 Auto Sequencing
18:36 Responding to a station
19:35 How to Call CQ
21:43 Configurations
23:05 Is FT8 actually useful?
24:17 PSK Reporter Spotting
27:36 HamAlert
29:28 GridTracker
Some links are affiliate and I may receive a small commission on sales
► GET 5% OFF Messi & Paoloni Coax - Use Coupon: VK7HH
messi.it/
► $15 OFF at Radioddity ($65 minimum spend): radioddity.refr.cc/haydenvk7hh
► Gear I Recommend: www.amazon.com/shop/hamradiodx
Support Ham Radio DX:
► Patreon: / hamradiodx
► KZbin Memberships: / @hamradiodx
► PayPal Tip Jar: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_...
► Buy Ham Radio on Amazon & eBay: geni.us/HamRadioDX
► Merch: hamradiodx.myspreadshop.com/
Items in My Shack:
► www.hamradiodx.net/vk7hh-shack
Contact Me:
► Website: hamradiodx.net
► Facebook: / vk7hh
► Instagram: / hamradiodx
► Twitter: / hamradiodx
► Discord: / discord
► Email: [e-mail] (note due to high level of email - if you have a question the best way to contact is via the comments section of the video)
► Ham Mail: Hayden Honeywood - P.O Box 5071, Sandy Bay Tasmania 7005 Australia
#HamRadio #WSJT #FT8
Music:
Bensound: www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/

[@HamRadioDX]

More FT8 👉 kzbin.info/aero/PLSuX83ay4OugdZpQ9SW0j7YZz13CzAo4R

[@tony2wheelz408]

Actually that video also starts when the app is totally running. I cant get any band activity. cant quite troubleshoot. maybe ill try again in a few weeks.

[@1KenSweeney]

Last year in June, I was calling CQ on 6m, Joe Taylor worked me. That was quite a surprise.

[@HamRadioDX]

👀 wow that’s awesome!

[@radiotests]

Lots of details on the frequency bandwidth, tx power and settings few guys know about. Especially duty cycle. Great to see it promoted!

[@DerekWitt]

Got this to work very quickly. FT8 is loads of fun. I’m seeing people as far away as Chile, Spain, Brazil, Japan. Not bad for an SDR from Kansas. And with a 2 meter dipole attached to a south-facing window.

[@Dusty_Ham]

This is a great in depth video, thank you Hayden. Super helpful!

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks Dusty!

[@VK7DBX]

Excellent tutorial on FT8. Would love to see you do some of the other digital modes like varAC and other modes that can do actual chats.

[@DonzLockz]

Great comprehensive video Hayden. I have saved the video for when I get a HF radio. I think it's brilliant software, very powerful tool. 👍🍻🤓

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks Don!

[@BradenPitts_]

Awesome! Hopefully with more information available to make getting on FT8 easier, we'll have more contacts to make!

[@HamRadioDX]

That's the plan!

[@ricksmith3011]

Just made my 1st 50contacts from a fellow ham's house I now have the bug ..... great stuff KC8SUI Beloit Ohio

[@shawnp6653]

Good stuff Hayden - thanks for putting these FT8 videos out! Frankly, I always found the biggest 'challenge' to be adjusting the pc audio - probably an operator issue lol 73 de ki5gx

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks Shawn. In one of my other videos I detail it a bit more as far as setting audio levels/ALC etc. Cheers!

[@mirage3rd]

Thanks for the video. I had stopped digital for several years and needed a refresher. FT8 is so much quicker than JT65/9. Paul AB3YN

[@colsmith7901]

Thanks Hayden this as helped me so much great video brilliant

[@M0RMY]

Hayden thanks for this - although I rarely use it - your explanation is clear and very useful. I'm really hoping that FT8 gets less used as the sun wakes up soon!

[@HamRadioDX]

I hope so too! Thanks Tom

[@marshred]

I used FT8 during field days as our club had a couple of rigs set up... Totally NOT into it. If I can't hear your voice, I don't want to play radio!

[@TheFretman2]

Great info!

[@Desertwolf426]

Great video Hayden 👍🏻

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks!

[@justin9605]

Thank you.

[@qutips33]

ft8 is good to use for radio amateurs who have hearing and speech problems

[@HamRadioDX]

Yes very true!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Hayden, Awesome video with very detailed info. Learned a couple of tricks. You and your family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks Don

[@DrSergeyKibalnikov]

**PSK Automatic Propagation Reporter** - инструмент для разработчиков, который определяет распространение условий и настраивает параметры антенны и радиосвязи. Проект включает несколько частей: * сбор данных (позывной вызывающего, частота, отношение сигнал-шум, интермодуляционные искажения); * представление данных (дейтаграммы отправляются не чаще, чем раз в пять минут); * техническая информация об исправлении IP-адреса (атрибуты, связанные с конкретным предприятием); * информация о формочках для печенья (передаваемые значения в «сетевом порядке»); * данные закодированы тремя или четырьмя полями с байтовым кодом и данными в формате UTF-8; * информация об антенне показана на дисплее при наведении на приёмник.

[@danvk3ndg104]

Awesome video Hayden, gonna get back into FT8..it's been a while. What's your advice with radio settings, I.e Noise Reduction, NB etc for 7300? Cheers, Dan

[@HamRadioDX]

Hey Dan, No worries thanks! As for radio settings, when using the data mode for WSJT-X. Just turn off NB and any filtering - the software does that for you... also make sure you're on the widest filter (i.e. 3k wide)... which I think is Fil1.... I think :)

[@Ei2iP]

I've had both wsjt and jtdx side by side, and I seem to hear a little better on jtdx, especially with weaker stations, have you tried side by side comparison?

[@n1kkri]

Is there a way to configure "CQ only" checked at start up?

[@moozoowizard]

What are the correct/best settings for power and Digital Mod Level on the IC 7300. For Australian advanced and standard licences. For standard I guessing power 30w and digital Mod level 100. For advanced I'm guessing 100W and digital Mod level as high as you can go without overheating or alc

[@denniscarslake3153]

Thanks for video. I am now starting on FT8. I am using Yeasu 857D with the cat interface Yeasu SCU17. Just trying to sort settings so any help would be good. I hace a small garden and restricted on antenna size. Can you suggest one that I could use. Thanks G7JDI

[@colinrotchell95]

Hi Hayden, great videos very helpful, I have one problem I wonder if you have any ideas please. I installed wsjtx ver 2.60 that runs great except it has a message that it is a pre release version and will cease to operate after dec31 2022. I uninstalled it and downloaded and installed ver 2.5.4 from the site, but it will not start on my desktop running windows 10 64 bit, have tried installing the 32bit version which is just the same. I have tried all i know which is not a lot lol but no way can i get it running, any suggestions would be helpful cheers Colin G0JMP

[@sp9o601]

Hello, do you have settings for cable connection? Where to look for settings for connecting via WiFi.

[@KE8MWQ]

In my device manager, under sound, video and games, it's labeled USB Audio Device not USB Audio CODEC, is that an issue? My signal doesn't seem to be getting out in FT8

[@Utahforrest]

Would different configurations also accommodate multiple radios?

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

I was trying to use the Signalink USB with the Yaesu FT-817 and kept getting Hamlib Errors?!?! I had the jumpers set correctly. Downloaded new Hamlib libraries and still kept getting errors?!?!

[@vk3hau]

Is there a ft8 freq for 6 meters about 52MHz for use Standard opps.?

[@HamRadioDX]

No standard frequency that I am aware of :( I wish ACMA would give Standards access to the whole of 6m

[@markgutierrez9295]

Why when I click the menu to view the Waterfall, nothing happens? Question 2, when I double click on a CQ, the SWR meter pegs high. I don't know what to adjust to fix this. Any help would be appreciated.

[@todivefor47]

I had the same problem to start. The waterfall is probably hidden behind the main window.

[@jamesacland1041]

I find every so often with the Icom 7300, it jumps out of USB-D and you have to either re-select it on the radio or in the WSJTX software you have to stop the transmission and start it again a few times to get it back into USB-D. I don't know why it does that, maybe a faulty relay in the radio???

[@HamRadioDX]

Weird, I haven't seen that on my radio. Data is selected in the Settings > Radio portion of setup?

[@jamesacland1041]

@@HamRadioDX Yep, all good. Followed the settings from your previous content. I'm thinking there is a fault in the radio somewhere. I will have to wait till it dies to try and find it though unfortunately.

[@jamesacland1041]

The way I found out was there was usually a bit of ALC on the radio and the Ib current was down as well as the amp meter on the power supply.

[@appross6994]

any idea as to why the TX drops 1kHz when transmitting?

[@HamRadioDX]

Do you have split turned on?

[@tony2wheelz408]

Is your black box with the time set to UTC time? I downloaded net time and I don't think it works or is supported anymore. My black box is 8 hours ahead. Do I change that? Also I am not hearing anything from the radio, All radio on computer is set to copec, Im getting nothing on the slider for volume from the radio

[@HamRadioDX]

Yes it’s always set to UTC time. The PWR slider to the right is for the TX audio. RX audio is the green slider to the left. If you don’t see anything there double check audio in and out and CAT control (if your radio supports it)

[@tony2wheelz408]

@@HamRadioDX I have all the audio to compec (misspelled) but not getting any band activity. I pass the CAT test, but get nothing. About 120 red eyed you tube video hours into it, troubleshooting doesn't exist

[@billlewsey7961]

Hello, does wsjt keep a log of your contacts and QSO's? If so, how do you get to it please. Thanks Bill M1HZJ

[@HamRadioDX]

In the settings menu there is a setting to turn on logging

[@billlewsey7961]

@@HamRadioDX thank you 73

[@kennynvake4hve584]

Can you run WSJT without a rig? Using just a receiver.

[@HamRadioDX]

Yes! You can pipe a SDR into WSJT-X as a audio device

[@tony2wheelz408]

once again these videos start when the set up is totally complete and running. Totally useless when having troubles setting up ( which we all do) I set up what I was instructed and get no band activity and no tx frequency. Was hoping this set up video would help.

[@HamRadioDX]

Try this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6q6iWOfbZyDZtEsi=xfZeuuORHtHmwo6k

[@Aimsport-video]

What is this black magic: I just received an FT8 message that RR73’d to another call, then followed by a ; myCall theirCall and an SNR… it worked… how is RR and snr reply on same message possible?? Wth?

[@sergiodantas5127]

This is not easy for a beginner. If you don't have a helping hand it w'ont work. That's areal challenge today in amateur radio: learning FT8!! . FT8 is not really easy to start! 73

[@billlewsey7961]

have you sorted it yet? I got my FT8 bits this morning, 30 minutes later I had my first QSO

[@handyparts]

Can you have a call sign like xk2dee/portable vk3 also how to setup to see the countries ?