Typically the interface will appear as a COM port and WSJTX will need to be set to the correct COM, PTT So that the PC can put the rig into Transmit, the software needs to know how to trigger Transmit. Image source: www.qsl.net/w1dyj/FT8%20for%20web.pdf. FT8 and its Decibels Editorial section of the Monthly FB NEWS magazine We have received reports that we are seeing signs of sun spot cycle 25, but it still has been difficult to hear overseas stations on SSB or CW. Or,sometimes you could be overdriving and causing splatter due to distortion. The exchange above would therefore take about 90 seconds (compared with seven minutes on JT65). This cookie is placed by CleanTalk Spam Protect to prevent spam and to store the referrer page address which led the user to the website. Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile. Antenna for 70cms is a 7 ele ZLspecial, fixed towards SE up at about 15 feet. ND4Q starts QSO with signal report ND4Q does not send grid location Causes problems when working complex call signs 75 Sec per QSO, 48 QSOs per hour. Automatic miles km. Rich Text Editor. I am running . Professor Steven Franke and astrophysicist and Nobel laureate Joseph Taylor, have created a fascinating and efficient protocol for data transfer. FT8 handles very weak signals very well, meaning that a Foundation licence holder with just 10 watts should be able to make some impressive contacts with a modest antenna - something not possible with voice or some other data modes. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Different colors are different bands and minutes indicate the last time they heard and reported back automatically. This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. These modes, while great for modest stations (read . Designed by Shape5.com, forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/the-skignal-reports.591508/. Maybe invest in antenna & pre-amp. Tell us more about your antenna system - antenna, feedline, any transmatch needed, etc. To enable reporting, you need to enter the following information into the settings or preferences . Special message This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. Be sure your audio chain does not introduce any distortion. Frequencies for JS8Call and FT8 are adjustable by the user. Nothing defaults to paragraph. I even run the attenuator on 40M. 2023 This cookie is set by DoubleClick to note the user's specific user identity. . MOD input should only listen to you PC of course. Transmissions occur in 12.6s intervals (within the 15s transmit cycle window) until an entire message has completed transmitting. In 2017, FT8 started to become the most popular of the various data modes. This includes: harm to minors, violence or threats, harassment or privacy invasion, impersonation or misrepresentation, fraud or phishing. Now, with FT8, I have real comparisons and can surely see a 5 - 10 db difference for most contacts. Be sure to configure your software properly as described below. A FT8 contact would be quite an undertaking. On a trial basis, and in response to numerous suggestions from around the world, we have added a second set of suggested dial frequencies for FT8 on three HF bands and also on 6 meters. I am running a full 100W into my radio. Examples of non-digital reports would be: The polite thing to do otherwise is to give an accurate report to the other party so they get a feel for how well their signal is getting through. This cookie, set by Cloudflare, is used to support Cloudflare Bot Management. wire Image source: https://www.amateurradio.com/over-2000-miles-on-80m-with-the-warbler/ (2010). ft8 signal reports explained If nothing else sticks from these Hinson tips, at least remember to shift-click. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. shift/alt/control keys and clicks are handily explained on the screen by pressing F5 to ^Display special mouse commands _ (commands for special mice): 3. The following equations explain why FT8 signals start decoding at -26dB and everything else is below the noise floor: SNRFSKFT8 = SNRreportedFT8 + (10 x LOG (2500 Hz/6.250 Hz)), SNRFSKFT8= SNRreportedFT8 + (10 x LOG (400)). As we can see, FT8 is quite an interesting protocol. FT4 and FT8 are digital protocols designed for rapid and accurate communication between amateur radio stations, particularly in weak-signal conditions. The above is an example of what you will find at the PSKreporter.info website where you can monitor your own transmissions and see where you are heard. ), or even compromised antennas. Groups.io. I've seen the same, that outlier station with a good receive setup or just weird propagation magic that copies you +12 while everyone else in that grid is coping you -10. The data being gathered also includes more than just PSK spots, it include JT65 and FT8 -- with FT8 the overwhelming majority at the moment. I noticed for a while that I can hear better than I am being heard. This site uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyze our traffic. Image provided by ANgazu. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. With FT8, youre restricted to very small messages, with a limit of 13 characters per message. Does anyone use a retevis rt95 I tried to join the Monday night net with my Get your Foundation Licence from home (click here), GB1BEL: JOTA 2022, Belchamps Activity Centre, Results from Watson Magitenna installed in loft, G0QQQ confirms signal report & replies with his own report. Ham radio callsigns have a strictly defined format of letters and numbers, which also allows us to record them in a more compact form. JS8 is a variant of FT8 which allows operators to send more information and converse with each other. Here's the actual math behind the signal report if you want to deep dive into the concept: The noise floor is relative to the receiving station, however. Each message of up to 13 characters takes 13 seconds to send. Replied by G0CBOon topic FT8 Signal Reports Many Thanks for the link James, explains it well, a useful chart that gives the scale. For a successful QSO, which takes about 90 seconds, decodes occur 4 times a minute, 2 second break between cycles. A computers onboard clock can be notorious for drifting off, and FT8 needs to transmit at very specific times to work. No Membership Fees. All topics relating to the hobby are welcome here, from purchasing and building equipment, to operating techniques and activities, and everything in between. I am using Windows 10 with WSJT-X v2.5.3 with a USB connection to an iCom 7610 . For details of this cookie, go to. Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. First off, you need to connect your PC to your HF rig. Donation will show as going to SFBA Tech, this is normal, under the same paypal account. I feed the IQ output of my 7610 into HDSDR and then feed the audio out of HDSDR into WSJT-X through a virtual audio feed. FT8 signal report Sent/Rcv consistent difference. Other amateur radio operators herald the mode as a boon to the hobby of amateur radio during times when the solar cycle is at a minimum and when radio propagation conditions are poor. With a SignaLink, it is always best to go back and follow the setup instructions EXACTLY. Antenna for 70cms is a 7 ele ZLspecial, fixed towards SE up at about 15 feet. Very helpful. That would help. Both are compromises, but my FT8 contacts in Antarctica, Fiji, Australia, NZ, Japan, etc don't know that. It is popular among amateur radio operators for its ability to send signals despite challenging propagation conditions, high noise environments, low power operations (QRPIn amateur radio, QRP operation refers to transmitting at reduced power while attempting to maximize one's effective range. My receive is quiet enough I am giving +10 or higher reports by s2 on some bands. On average I run about 30 watts only on this mode and have had some success on 70cms along with the other bands. I've been licensed long enough to know this, but I've only recently in the past couple of months started on FT-8. JTDX adds a number of FT8 decoding options that are useful on crowded bands and in situations when signals are very weak. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 1 week 2 weeks 1 month 2 months 3 months 6 months 1 year no. transmitters. Does anyone know what this connector is please? All this is necessary because the maximum message length is 77 bits (not only predefined symbols but of course, arbitrary text and even telemetry can also be transmitted with similar limitations). To maximize the chances of success, each FT8 packet holds 13. This signal is transmitted almost "as is" into the air, and the backward process of decoding is activated on the receiver side. (Serial number sequencing for DX op's could be a challenge for those op's) The typical JT / FT8 signal report data would interchange nicely instead of RS (T) without any modifications. "By default the [WSJT-X Software's] Working Frequencies table contains a list of frequencies conventionally used for modes FT8, JT4, JT9, JT65, MSK144, WSPR, and Echo. I can see on an external SWR meter that I am sending 100w. These features can be selectively enabled to match band and signal conditions as well as the user's available CPU horsepower. ie every 100 or 120Hz. Functional cookie placed by CleanTalk Spam Protect to store referring IDs and prevent unauthorized spam from being sent from the website. This cookie is placed by CleanTalk Spam Protect to prevent spam and to store the addresses (urls) visited on the website. This blog will explore some of these meanings and oddities. It is popular among amateur radio operators for its ability to send and receive messages despite challenging propagation conditions, high noise environments, low power operations ( QRP ), or even compromised antennas. Be aware that as currently implemented, WSJT-X will set your dial to the lowest frequency for the selected mode and band, when you switch bands. When you get back a signal report from someone, it just tells you how loud you were on their setup at that particular time. Between the radio and SteppIR DB18, I have these devices inline: Welcome to the world of Antennas, Propagation and Black Box Technology!! With all features enabled, JTDX seems to decode more signals on a crowded band than WSJT-X. It's only used to exchange signal reports, so there's no chatting. 1995-2021 Lucas Ford / W6AER / SFBA Tech (Formerly Dream Flix Productions) - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - - Hosted by QTH.com. Many ops can compensate with more power, but the problem with that is you quickly exceed your receive capabilities - people can hear you but you cant hear them. Just kind of looking for a FT-8 signal report sanity check. Until you're into the -20dBs you're being heard. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. UTC: When the signal was received, dB: Signal strength of the received signal in dB. You can test it by clapping your hands or sneezing while the FT8 transmission is ongoing, if you see something appearing in the waterfall on your monitor (as I did) then turn the MIC off. 73 Cliff W3KKO. then work outwards. FT8 was developed by Joe Taylor (K1JT) and Steve Franke (K9AN). During this step, we transform the message into a tones sequence of different frequencies. FT8 is designed to maximize communication even when signals are very weak (as low as -24dB). 3,298 Stations <0 698 Stations >0. . On the other hand, the almost complete automation of the process definitely reduces the role of operator skills. Heres the actual math behind the signal report if you want to deep dive into the concept: The noise floor is relative to the receiving station, however. Overcrowding encourages some to turn on their amplifiers, which only makes things worse. ft8 signal reports explained. I will be on 40 and 80 meter CW, both days. At this step, the message is converted to 00 00 00 23 44 4A 11 91 3F 8B 57 7E CF 78 77 39 55 DE 36 EF 01 48 data block. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In the first step, common abbreviations are replaced by shorter codes, for example, CQ gets a 02h code. The FT8 digital mode that Joe, K1JT, and company rolled out a little over a year ago has become a game changer in ham radio. Remember this is a S/N report,not a power level report. You can find multitudes of contacts on these frequencies. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. On average I run about 30 watts only on this mode and have had some success on 70cms along with the other bands. In general, the authors did a perfect job of creating an almost completely automated communication tool that could, on the one hand, transmit information more efficiently, and on the other, kill the ham radio spirit in the bud. An inline formatting menu will show up when you select text. A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. However, DX communications are actively performed using FT8. Probably everyone who is at least a bit interested in amateur radio and telecommunications heard about the FT8 digital communication protocol. Increasing FT8 usage on the popular bands 40, 30, and 20m means that the default 3 kHz sub-bands are often wall-to-wall with signals. The name FT8 stands for Franke and Taylor, 8-FSK modulation. Sometimes propagation is like a laser. FT8 handles very weak signals very well, meaning that a Foundation licence holder with just 10 watts should be able to make some impressive contacts with a modest antenna - something not possible with voice or some other data modes. Just to report that quarantine in between I was able to pump some hours into the long delayed FT8 transceiver based on a raspberry pi using the RPiTX package and now ft8_lib. In this case, the PC is generating a signal (usually RTTY or PSK), and the operator communicates with the correspondent using a kind of text chat. These frequencies will appear in your drop-down band-selector list after you go to the Settings/Frequencies tab, right-click on the frequency table, and select Reset. I will be starting a donor thank you page soon so please indicate if you wish to be not listed. For details of this cookie, go to, Set by Google to distinguish users. Contrary to a lot of angry comments, the stations running high power and getting +10 reports are actually only an S6 above the noise floor. FT8 is a weak signal - not a low power mode (power works the really weak ones) FT8 lets you work DX on 6m when there would be none FT8 is suddenly dominating VHF/UHF contesting FT8 lets you work weak signal DX without proficient CW skills FT8 is like having constant DX beacons on every band I'm using a TS-590S for FT-8 on a MyAntennas 4010-1k EFHW that's around 35'. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This is measurable to some extent by the signal reports on FT8. The RST reporting system is represented in three numbers for CW and two numbers for Phone. When the audio is over-driven, that signal can take up many times more bandwidth than a properly modulated FT8 signal. (references). On Tue, Jan 4, 2022 at 07:19 PM, neil_zampella wrote: its key down on the carrier how is that 50%? I received services from the Prefet of the TAAF the new convention me allowing me to start my HF activities under the conditions set by the IPEV. Practical Wireless - March 2023 - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. They are negative numbers (unless you are running too much power; Is there too much power? The bandwidth is 50Hz. Thats what I do. I think this message isn't appropriate for our group. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I consistently get low signal reports for FT8 contacts, typically 15db less than what I send as a received signal. JS8Call turns FT8 into a "chat" mode, allowing stations . I always thought, its likely because of a quiet location, a good radio (6600M) and maybe others running more power. Forgot your password? IMO, focus on doing everything you can to improve your receive capabilities first with a focus on lowering your noise floor, then improve antenna transmit gain before adding power. From:
[email protected] [mailto:
[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chuck Hemstreet. A +12 signal does not say how much power a person is using. YSC cookie is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos on Youtube pages. It's not an absolute scale. CleanTalk sets this cookie to complete an anti-spam solution and firewall for the website, preventing spam from appearing in comments and forms. Both FT8 and JS8 are heavily dependent on an accurate computer clock, since the modes send/receive information in a recurring, automated, 15s transmit/receive cycle. It's main advantage is that it allows low-power stations with marginal Let's say I call CQ and a few stations respond, the first being pretty weak (call 1st enabled). SNR measurements in this range imply the received signal power level is below the received noise floor. The simple fact is that they probably have a better antenna than you and yes, they may be running more power, but that won't make too much difference. This mode allows communicating with a lower s/n ratio compared to PSK31 or RTTY. A WSJT-X application screenshot in FT8 mode looks like this: Source: 3fs.net.au/ft8-digital-amateur-radio. FT8 transmits this minimum of information in a semi-automated fashion on its own time frame. PayPal or Coffee donations are always appreciated. The mode is a modification of the JT9 & JT65 weak-signal modes that have been around for nearly ten years, an eternity in the digital world. What do all the characters mean? For example what is the equivalent in comparison to RST. ), QSO-only communication protocol used by amateur radio ("ham radio") operators. This letter is often printed on QSL cards between quotation marks (like "O" ) in order to clearly indicate that it's a letter O and not a zero. But this is my personal opinion. All this, combined together, made FT8 so popular. Lots of variables here. Even if you don't get a response to your CQ, there are plenty of stations monitoring and reporting to the site, and you can see exactly where you are being heard, and how well you are being heard. ie you transmit a 50Hz wide ft8 @ 500 and there will be a 100Hz wide image @ 1000 and a 150Hz wide image @ 1500 and a 200Hz wide image @ 2000 and so on. how to simplify expressions with exponents fractions. (Sources: WSJT-X 2.1.0 Program default settings, DXZone, WSJT-X Documentation, JS8Call Documentation). Menu viscount royal caravan. I consistently get low signal reports for FT8 contacts, typically 15db less than what I send as a received signal. It will gain acceptance in SOTA too. Any other suggestions how to troubleshoot this? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Alternatively, you can add the new FT8 frequencies manually. Yep I've been lucky enough to get Fiji x2 and Kenya in the past week or 2 so it's definitely working! This anonymous data helps us to better understand users' needs and customize the website accordingly. On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 07:13:50 AM CST, John
wrote: On Tue, Jan 4, 2022 at 09:15 PM, Michael Black wrote: Suggest running at 50% duty cycle on the IC7610 for data. At first, just a fun fact. There are 4 slots per minute, and you transmit for one 15 second block, then listen for replies for 15 seconds, and transmit again for 15 seconds. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. FT8 is designed as an HFHigh Frequency (3-30 MHz) mode, but (as with any amateur radio mode) can also be used on VHFVery High Frequency (30-300 MHz)/UHFUltra High Frequency (300-3000 MHz) if desired. Operators may or may not be aware of the noise they're creating on the band's, but the result of that noise is is qrm for the others trying to operate on the same band . As a result, the callsign DL1ABC will be written as 06 29 17 3B we use 4 bytes instead of 6. The only time I bump up to full power is if there's been QSB and the other station isn't copying my "RR73". You can also use the excellent online PSK Reporter website to see where your FT8 CQ calls are reaching, as seen in this screenshot: This isnt a full how to guide on setting up FT8, as there are plenty of those online already. Now, with FT8, I have real comparisons and can surely see a 5 - 10 db difference for most contacts. Your antennas ability to direct that transmit power at the receiving station and. WSJT-X This is the client that most people use for decoding FT8. It's a popular mode, so popular in fact that one report citing Club Log data recently showed that 80% of HF contacts in their tracking nowadays are FT8. hihi I jest. Examples of non-digital reports would be: Conclusion. ft8 signal reports explained. Please leave your Call Sign if applicable. FT8 transmits and receives only the bare essentials needed to make an amateur radio contact (QSO): Exhange of callsigns, readability report, signal strength report, and "best regards" ("73"). I always thought, its likely because of a quiet location, a good radio (6600M) and maybe others running more power. FT8 uses 8- GFSK modulation, includes forward error correction ( FEC ), and has an effective data rate of 5 words per minute. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Basically anything can be proven and figured out,, but the variables are enormous.. WARC Bands: What are They and How Can I Take Advantage of Them. If I tighten the passband in HDSDR down to like 100hz around the signal of interest, there's virtually no other noise in the WSJT-X passband. No, I can't confirm that, I only use FT8. Pretty fast I got a response that they already have enough articles about FT8 and a screenshot of their archive with articles like Using FT8 in DXpedition in Borneo.