Guide to Getting Started with FT8 and QuickStart 

Good instructors don't assume prior knowledge about the subject is possessed by anyone being instructed, and with that in mind you are an EXCELLENT instructor! Thank you.

This old geezer appreciates what you just taught me, something a lot of the other videos failed to do. Thank you for your presentation on the basics of setting up the software and how to operate it. The wonderful thing about this hobby is that anyone can pursue whatever interests them. You do what ever you like and have fun. Sharing what you have learned and encouraging others is what it all about!

I have been a ham for 50 years and having you as a young virtual "Elmer" has been a delight. Just got the FT8 set up on my rig and this was a great intro. Don't worry about what is old or new. Just have fun and enjoy YOUR journey! 73 VE6GK

Nice presentation. Im 67 and really want to try this mode. Sort of tired of phone stuff on HF, VHF, & UHF. I laughed at your comment about the bladder infection. I agree with you that ham radio is suffering a drop in members. Your generation and this digital modes will help stimulate intrest in the hobby. Dennis WA6ATI

Like the writer below, I've been a long time ham, (phone) only. Your tutorial was excellent. I had limited to no knowledge of FT8, but your video spelled it out in easy, understandable steps and has helped me immensely! Today will be my first attempt on this new venture of digital amateur radio! I wanted to thank you for your knowledge and assistance helping others! 73...

Great! This is the only WSJT-X video I've watched that cuts the rambling and gets right to the point about how to use it! I don't want to talk to some old geezer about his bladder infection for 30 minutes, either -- so FT8 works great for me, too! Thanks!

I`ve been a ham since 1988 and now i am at the point where I dont know what the hell these young hams are talking about. Yes . I am lost. LOL. Good job explaining all that stuff young man. 73`s

Thanks for the tour. I started learning CW but gave up because I could not keep up with the speed. I love digital modes but hope the CW stays alive.

Ham Radio must go with the times going digital to stay relevant and yet at times we can always throwback to nostalgic moments when the hobby was enjoyed with hands-on tinkerings and ingenuity.

Thanks for the great video! Just got started with ft8 this weekend and this was a huge help.

Thank you for introducing me to this mode. It looks interesting. -KL0T

Just got into FT8, yesterday being a ham since 2005, it’s another mode. At times I get mic fright and can key up the PTT, this hopes will help me, see how easy it will later to get more involved in the nets I belong too. Than you for the video.

Thank you for those explanations! I'ma also a young opperator (20 y/o) and I've started HF since around 1 or two month now, and, as a person that is more in the "old" style of radio, FT8 really bored me. Like I don't mount my 22[m] dipole after getting 20 minutes of bus, carrying my 12Ah lead-acid battery, attaching the things on trees, to just do "clic clic" on my computer (I do it all the day at work...). And, yes, I am also a bit like just wanting to do lots of contacts, dreaming of awards and big DX (even with my little 20W), but this way of working just remove all the fun I can find. With FT8, I probably won't be as happy to do Azores (from europe) than I was when I did it in SSB. And of course that voice modulations is allredy way more easyer to do that CW, but that increased the human contact that you have, by hearing the voice, the heat of the other OM that you opperate with. FT8 I feel remove that human-contact that you have by doing radio. I thing that digital is not a bad thing, but would be way beter to use for automatic stations (like using DTMF to send informations to, for exqample, a SSTV transmitter), adding possibilities instead of removing difficulties. But I can understand that some people don't care about "the true spirit of ham radio" and just want to do it like that, even some awards encourage to use ham radio like that (like the grid2 or US Counties Award, that is as I feel really long and not so interesting to do). Best 73 and sorry for my aproximate english HB9GZB

Fantastic video! Saving the hobby = saving spectrum. Well done!

Enjoyed the video. Was able to get FT8 up and running along with WSJT-X and GridTracker. Thanks for the tutorial. BTW I'm 70 years old, just got my ham license 3 months ago and my General yesterday and hope to get my Extra within the next 3 months. Kinda made me laugh about the old geezer part. Some of us old folks can't accept the fact that were really that old though.

I like your session on the use of this format. Very good and best wishes, I’ll have my Technician license in just over two weeks. Will keep this for reference and QSO later 73’s to ya!

Can't wait for a video on using the Callable Roster in GridTracker where you can initiate QSOs! -N0TTL

great job on the video. I have had the rig ready for ft8 for a year and until your video came along now I am up and running thanks KB4QA Joe

Thanks for the tip, for using gridtracker next to Ft8👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks for the video, looking to get FT8 setup soon!

Nice work dude!!! Looking forward to the next video.

Can’t wait to get my Hf antenna up so I can get this up and running! I’ll be using your video when I get started. -73- W1KPS

thanks for the videos. recently got licensed and they have been helpful

Good video. Helped this real old "newbie to ft8" understand the Auto Sequence along with some other items. Time well spent by me watching/listening. Tnx.

Good basic overview for explanation on what this is ...

Hey Billy, good work on this video. You're absolutely right, some videos seem to think we're all experienced with WSJT-X and gloss over a lot of important elements. Sure this video is a couple of years old, but it's been helpful. 73!

Great information thanks. I agree with your sentiment the hobby must evolve like anything else 👍

I'm new to FT8 - your presentation was very helpful ..73

Good job. I am an old guy, but I appreciate your video. Keep it up.

I love FT8 and your video!!! When I go home I’ll download grid tracker!!! Very nicely done!!!! AC2OY

Thanks for the info. I got my first license in 1957 so I'm a geezer for sure but I'll be on FT8 for sure. I'm attracted to FT8 because it is a way to enjoy the part of the hobby that has to do with an understanding of propagation and the setup of my equipment. But I also like CW and SSB because it is interactive. . .there are some great conversationalists out there like the guy in Chile describing the view from his shack as the sun set in the Andes or the one on Prince Edward Island telling me about the winter storms or the Aussie in Adelaide that I worked on 10 meters am with 5 watts from a CB I had modified. Different strokes dude, different strokes.

I’m one of those old hams from the 80s and I think you young guys are the best. Ham radio is all about experiments and improving the hobby keep it up. I find this fascinating and I’m getting into it myself

I’ve been licensed since ‘61 and never liked hearing about bladder infections either. I found cw to be a good way to maximize my dx with poor antennas while minimizing my exposure to mindless rag chewing. Thanks to CC&Rs I now find myself relegated to using a hamstick on my car. Yes, it is still fun to push the paddles and copy in my head, but everything changes and I think this sounds like a real kick, particularly given most modern ham’s limitations on antennas. Ham radio has always been about discovery, innovation and exploration. This is the most recent example of a new paradyme and I welcome it. It is particularly valuable for those of us who can’t get access to great antennas and power. Vive FT8! 73- Paul, N6DN

Great video..I'm with you..I love ham radio and love the digital modes....SSB is great, CW is old school, did that in the army and hated it...but FT8 is amazing. Great job

Thanks for the video. I learned several new things - just starting in digital after a lifetime in ham radio. I hope many young folks will be attracted to ham radio through digital modes. Perhaps some will move on to building hardware and modes where there is more human interaction.

Nicely done.

excellent content man!

FT8 shouldn't be controversial. It is just a mode within a wide range of technical avenues within the amateur radio hobby. The hobby has always been a hotbed of technological innovation and I'm glad to see young people getting involved in something that expands their knowledge of the underlying technology rather than playing video games or spending hours in twitter, facebook, texting or instagram, which I think are the modern day equivalent of "rag-chewing".

Great work, keep it going

"I'm not really interested in talking about your bladder infection for 20 or 30 minutes." 😂 My god, that's so true. Scanning around the bands, most guys can speak for 20 minutes and not say anything. I'm lucky to live in Dayton, Ohio, so our local repeaters are active, and the conversations are genuinely engaging most of the time, but HF is another story.

Great video. Can you explain how you set the Digivox level on your transceiver? Thanks, Rick

Well now I know that FT8 is used for. It will be fun seeing where I can reach with my NVIS dipole.

Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for the video I find the personal part is looking at the contacts log or qsl card. Have you ever tried doing a multi cast with HRCC ?

I’m an old man and have just got my Foundation license. Forty odd years ago I was a Radio Operator in the R.N. so the Morse is not a problem. Like yourself, I don’t want to talk to old farts either, so FT8 is a godsend. Great vid, very informative, thanks. Anyway, about my bladder.......

Nice video. Is there a situation when the transmit frequency is offset from receive? I read an instruction that simplex with no offset could cause some problem.

Been out of HR for many years. It's these types of modes that got me re-interested. So, I'm coming back to AR to do things like this. Could have used a bit more detail on setting up the WSJT-X software and I got lost with FT8 and how that relates to WSJT-X. (My 1st video on this stuff) And if it were not for the guys that came before you, then you'd probably have 2 cans and a piece of string. As an old guy once told me..."if you don't show respect, you won't get any"!

I have found your ft 8 video a great help as I am now getting started. Can you please advise on the most suitable antenna please. I have restricted garden space. Thanks

Great video as its helped me get set up and make 20 contacts this weekend. I'm struggling to figure out how to adjust the meter in the lower left corner. Any advice would be very appreciated. My meter never goes over 50,

thanks for the great video - question 7,074.000 frequency, but in the graph you control clicked to find an open frequency??? confusing because I never saw the frequency on your radio or on the main WSJT-X window change. I'm confused??

Super helpful dude

Great intro to FT8, this old guy appreciates it very much.

Thank you for the content. Qq on that last ITA attempted contact, how long will you let the ft8 keep calling? Do you simply disable the TX button? Thanks again

I don't think it is a matter of age, but just being motivated to adopt new technology, what ham radio is all about. I am 76, was licensed in 1957, just when SSB was the new thing, good for me because I never liked CW! But ham radio is also about fellowship, on and off the air and FT8 doesn't contribute much to that. But I still like it! But don't stop there. Never stop learning and COMMUNICATING.

Thanks for the Help, I've been calling cq on 15 with CW off and on for the last year and not much action.. so I went to the dark side and tried FT8 for the second time..Your video was very good to remember how to run the software. I had to laugh though when you were talking for quite a while about not wanting to talk to some old geiser about his bladder..anyway, I think we hams all talk a lot.. ,perhaps in different ways.. I'm an old geiser, and like cw and ssb, and won't share too much on youtube, instagram twitter etc.. but the generations behind me tell their whole life online.., keep up the good work, gotta try the grid square software you have. 73

Good video, I'm new to HAM but enjoy FT8, I think its a great addition to HAM & if you wana chat about bladders, the option is there too. 73

Good explanation. Does anyone do PSK31 anymore? Is there a keyboard to keyboard chat program using a modulation format like the newer modes? Been away from radio for awhile

Love your videos man! I personally prefer Psk!

I know what you mean by "chewing the rag". I don't personally like to ragchew, but you don't have to do that. All I do is call CQ DX Europe on 20m during the daytime in the morning on a remote station and get a 200 station pileup. Pretty simple. You can work 50 guys in 10 minutes without waiting 15s to get a reply. Contesting is the same way. It is like FT8, but the contact only last 3-5 seconds. I like FT8 when there is a coronal mass ejection. Makes it a lot of fun on those days. 73 de W0AAE

Hello. Just set up FT8 with everything but my dialogue boxes are empty. Should they be pre-filled by the application or do I need to manually configure them? Thanks

How do you configure WSTJT to show the station's country on the decode window?

Thanks for the clear and too the point presentation bro. Some of the more "popular" ham channels with the cringe thumbnail get too autistic and off track with this stuff and don't actually explain anything.

I used to do a lot of PSK31, never used macros and always typed messages live. Most users were not into chatting which I can understand when your first language is not English and hence macros were more convenient.

I’m a relatively new ham. I’ve figured out PSK-31 and this video is very helpful to get FT-8 up and running. My question is: Does anyone use FT-8 to have a conversation? Or is it only limited to exchanging signal reports?

Awesome video, rookie question. Where does the software log the qso's too?

NICE KEEP UP THE HOBBY

ya know what sucks? Yaesu (I have a dx 10) isn't an option to ask for assistance. I clearly have something wrong in the settings. You've been helpful but cant help me. I have the cat cable and am unable to get any sort of band activity. any help would be helpful. Thanks

Hi im new to ft8 i have a ft840 i have it connected to my pc via cat cable how do i get audio back into the radio to transmit ?

Just watch your video. Good content and what it does. tnxs KQ4CD Paul

Have not used did tracker need to check it out.

Looking forward to watching this when RU-vid sorts itself out! How are things going with the HF wire to the tree?

Great video! w0xs

A video of the settings on the ft450d would be really helpful, I’m lost in the sauce trying to get interface cable or signalink working.

can you run the program without a radio? just to see how things work. I dont have an HF rig yet.

Old Geezer here and Ham since 1978. Brand new to the digital modes and learned a lot here. Thank you. Now, about my bladder infection.......

somebody could help me? i am in north america and it looks like most people are sending FT8 on 40m 7.076mhz and not 7.074mhz as in the pre-set. is it normal?

Thank you for the effort and video!! Somewhat of an old guy but not old enough to bitch about my bladder... 😂 just new to ham. For the auto messages the tx1 through tx6 what is the ‘format’ to type in? Thanks and cheers 🍺🍺

I'll give it a try after 40 years.

FT8 isn't just for HF, It works on VHF/UHF as well. It's included on the ICOM IC9700. I'm not sure how widely it's used yet, I just know it's there.

Funny comments toward the end. Not all of us older guys are rag chewers and as someone who is just starting out in amateur radio I find it difficult to learn Morse code particularly in our digital world. Hope to work you sometime and tell you about my bladder infection-HA! Thanks for the video.

I love ham radio I don't like to talk on the phone or RADIO at all so PSK-31 or FT8 is what I want to do but I like analog to digital its fun!

Enjoy FT8!

Really nice tutorials video I'm just newly with Ft8. Can you kindly teach me on how to transmit and send? And also your message format from 1 to 6 on the lower right of the screen, what are the samples that I can put in there? I would really appreciate it 73 kh2zz

This is well done.. however, it is a bit dated.. alot of changes have happened.. I suggest you update this video for new hams to learn this mode of operation. Great Job.. on the video!!

Good vid! No need to such a justification. A mode is a mode. The same said someone when voice was added to morse code! 73 de IU0EUI (fmr IK0RKR)

I am also a relatively young a new HAM. Young in this context is that I'm 28 but hey I did pick up my interest in ham radio 5 years ago. Anyways, I do feel you about the controversy, IMHO, it's just the evolution of the hobby. Some could say that packet radio is pointless. The reality is that HAM radio is pointless to many young people who grow up with mobile phones from day one. As one said, amateur radio is a hobby of hobbies and it's about finding what works for you. I'm also not very interested in talking being naturally a listener type but the idea of FT8 or even SSTV happening passively next to me whilst I am working is what interests me. Shall we make an ft8 contact? 😊

Like it! 73 de KE0STO

is it just making contacts or do people share content?

The matter which disturbs a number of old time operators is not the fact that FT8 is a digital mode (FT8 encryption can be used for op to op manual qsos by means of JS8CALL, allowing for very efficient, secure, low power operation with message forwarding, message storage, and other useful features--very important in emergency comms). The issue arises, however, when the satisfaction from operating is degraded to merely one of a high tech version of digital voyeurism. Granted, low power digital is very useful for discovering propagation, comparing antennas, and so on. But one cannot compare the skill required for a QSO via FT8 to that of a 35 WPM QSO in CW--with the only encryption/decryption tools being a Vibroplex bug and the operator's brain. Admittedly, if one prefers to operate via data mode only--allowing the radio and the computer to have all the fun--its their right to do so. Nonetheless, others might think of it as merely digital masturbation.

I have been doing digital modes for years, they tend to bore me after about an hour. CW never bored me ever.

The ultimate social distancing tool.

Nice video--Don't apologize to us "old-geezers"--I'm 70 years old and I really want to get into FT8. I think learning morse code is easy compared to setting up FT8. I runs great once setup but, I cannot understand how to set it all up. The challenge of working a PC plus the software Apps seems impossible to me. I would gladly pay you to come to my QTH and setup FT8 on my FTDX101MP. Every video or "setup guide" I've read assumes I know how to get into my PC and setup drivers and ports--I HAVE NO IDEA how to do that. Great to have you in HAM radio--please continue to enjoy the hobby and share your obvious intellect. Peace be with you!

If all you do is just log calls there isn't much. Sending messages is what many want to do. Can you send me a message? If all you do is just log contacts to get an award you haven't done anyone any good. Can you handle traffic from a disaster zone to help someone in need? I want to have fun but I also want to be able to help when someone needs a massage relayed from a disaster! I am new and your information helps me learn so I can set up my radio, so I can help relay traffic for a disaster! I just set up winlink. I will do what I can to relay messages for others. There is a way to send a message to one station that can it to another station, if there system is set up to automatic!

Yeah its guys who say computers are not Ham Radio or real radio. Well a real radio back in the day was a spark gap transmitter! Who has used one of those in the last 100 years? NO ONE! All of these modern Transceivers have a computer chip! I think most rigs have had a computer chip for a couple decades now. So are they not real radios either? lol Ham Radio is supposed to be about "Advancement of the radio art"! Its on the exam! Honestly I hate the fact CW was removed from the exams because there is no longer a hands on proficiency part of the exam. But its just a sign of the times I guess. Some countries you use to have to build a transceiver to pass certain exams. I suck at CW! I passed my 5wpm but never have been able to get above 10wpm over the years even after practice, practice practice so here I am. I think FT8 is an awesome QRP mode for portable. It just requires that you carry more equipment. I have a PSK31 app on my phone and used it a few years ago but PSK31 seems dead. Hopefully they will make a FT8 app soon. WW5RM

I see Runescape and Im happy :D

What do you mean "contacts", "getting contacts", I don't get it. I see numbers, I see call1, call2, what's the point of all of this?

@14:49 the look on your face when GT acks (audio ping) the QSO log event :)

Can I add I been off the air for 20 plus years and the digital modes are a big curve. Computers and I don't like each other lol

No it is not a digital mode! It is an analogue data mode, aka it sends tones over an analogue signal aka USB

controversy: "I feel special and entitled knowing CW." New things interfere with that identity, and psycologically speaking the "cheese has been moved." I'd encourage any new guys to learn CW and use it, and any old guys to get off the couch and learn some new software.