The ULTIMATE Beginners Guide to FT8

[@JoeMartinBikes]

For a time sync app I use BKtTimeSync since I have an IC-705. It can sync the time of your PC using the GPS clock from the IC-705, or a GPS dongle plugged into the PC, and not just from Internet based NTP servers which it also supports. You can tell it to try NTP and if that fails it will try GPS. Last resort is to have JTSync to set your time base on the time sync/decode window of other FT8 users. Good backup for portable operations when you don't have another way to sync time (No cell/data services)

[@jptrade8575]

It is computers trading data. I think everyone who likes FT8 is part of the ham community today. In emergency situations the ease of sending and receiving information is very important. Otherwise it's a human thing to want to speak to another person. I played with FT8 and now I'm over it. But it will be there if I need to communicate in an emergency. Now days who knows what's next.

[@JoeMartinBikes]

Since JS8Call uses the same technology as FT-8 it would be an excellent way to use its weak signal capabilities to have directed QSOs especially since you can setup to be a relay for others. Too bad the app hasn't had any updates in almost 5 years

[@jaym1301]

In emergency situations I'm not going to be DXing on HF anyway, I'm going to be trying to contact someone near me who can actually come to my aid. Typically this means VHF and UHF. FT8 isn't going to let you send emergency-related messages anyway, you want something like JS8CALL to let you send free-form messages. FT8 is more like contesting: exchanging callsigns, locations (grid squares), signal reports, and 73s.

[@FernandoGonzalez-jh4tr]

Could you explain fox hound F/H and some other methods used by DX peditions? Thank you. FT8 is very good for people with many QRM (most of people nowadays), for people who cannot hear, for low propagation times, for people who cannot have a good antenna.... It is great for that situations. But I encourage people to continue using SSB and CW, they are almost dead since FT8 arrived. Please, dont stop making SSB and CW. Thank you for your videos. Greetings from Spain.

[@KE4NAB]

I worked Kenya and Angola from here in Virginia last week using ft8

[@RetiredFE]

I'm a technician and want to get into FT8. Can't put a boatload of money into this. Was looking at Xiegu 6100. What do you recommend? Thanks

[@bryantwalley]

Save a little more and get the FT710

[@MikeStammer]

Time to update to newer versions =)

[@kevinburt3075]

Hi how do you know what your grid square is please for the set up in WSJT-X set up box. Thanks in advance

[@HamRadioDX]

You can find your gridsquare here - www.qrz.com/gridmapper

[@bryantwalley]

go to qrz and use the grid square locator.

[@MedusalObligation]

I don't own a computer. (And therefore don't have home internet) I guess I'll have to stick to CW for weak signal work and do the communication myself. (poorly and slowly) But at least now I know what the ephemeral FT-8 is and isn't.

[@kurttuttle1817]

Good for computer talking to computers, very very very did I say very little operator interaction. I tried it years ago, and said not for me.

[@jaym1301]

There's a helluba lot of operator interaction going on to successfully make DX contacts on FT8. But if you enjoy something else instead, that's fine. "Hobby of a thousand hobbies" and all that. Do what lets you have fun.

[@kurttuttle1817]

@@jaym1301 I do what is fun for me, and it not FT8.

[@zicadibrove4119]

The weak signal mode where everyone runs at high power. Of course you can reach great distances. Thats easy. Is it a QSO, nope. Its killed SSB at a time when people should be talking.

[@jaym1301]

Weak signal doesn't necessarily mean low power. Everyone's signal is pretty weak during a geomagnetic storm or coronal mass ejection. The rule is use enough power to let you make the contact. FT8 lets hams who are deaf or hearing impaired, who don't speak English, who still have mic fright or are simply introverts who don't enjoy speaking to total strangers to still make DX contacts, earn awards, and have fun. Are you also opposed to packet, PSK and CW? If as you say FT8 has killed SSB it's because it's a very popular mode. SSB has kind of killed AM. AM put a dent in the number of CW operators. CW over radio killed telegraphy over wires. Telegraphy killed the Pony Express. Times and technology change.

[@bryantwalley]

🤣

[@TAune-K7HPY]

Have you ever thought of doing a review of "Barrett Communications 4090 HF SDR Manpack Transceiver" especially since this is an Australian company or maybe also their "4050 HF SDR Transceiver". I know these are commercial products but should work for Hams also. Thank You Enjoy your channel Todd K7HPY

[@HamRadioDX]

No I haven’t looked at that radio. Barrett are free to reach out to me with one :)

[@liverpudd306]

Excellent.

[@TA4A-32]

Please do not recommend this mode to beginners.

[@HamRadioDX]

Why's that?