Josh, good video and I hope that lots of FT8 ops watch this. I have been using digi modes for years and reckon this is all very good advice. Some things I might have added is: 1. Please make sure your computer system sounds are disabled. This prevents you transmitting all your operating system sounds. 2 Do try to avoid operating FT8 by just holding your mic in front of your PC speaker. This prevents you obliterating the whole FT8 frequency with background noise. On the subject of power, the unwritten rule in the olden days of JT modes (before FT8!) was that anything above maybe 30-35W was frowned upon. I guess this has all changed a bit now. However, I do sometimes wish there were separate FT8 QRP frequencies. All too often, DX or the low power signals are just swamped by ops running unnecessary amounts of power.
Steve GM0HUU really there’s an art to it. I’ve found the best way is to watch the signal reports you’re sending and receiving, if you’re giving out -17s and getting +22 consistently (seriously saw that on 20m day before yesterday) then you probably need to turn it down. A lot. Also, like I said in a comment above, turn down the RF gain on your receiver. K1JT recommends you reduce the gain until a clear frequency reads 30 dB in the program’s meter. That usually means my S-meter is reading S9+10 dB on my TS-590SG. Putting more signal into the computer doesn’t improve the SNR for weak stations, but it does drastically reduce the dynamic range.
Thank you for your on-point tips! As a result, I reduced my ALC from 100% drive to your recommendation. Next, reset my AGC to fast as recommended. Finished up with a note for Grid Tracker. Great information, great channel! 73.
Great video! Your the first guy that I have heard say running a little more power is OK. I always felt the same as higher power can still mean a weak signal at a DX station. Another trick is if I have a weak DX station at 1,500 hz, or lower, I reduce the receiver bandwidth. I normally have it set for 3000 for FT8, but if I can half the bandwidth still leaving the DX in the passband, I have greatly improved the signal to noise ratio. I have seen weak stations come up 3db or more.
Josh, this is FANTASTIC and required viewing. The only thing I'd add is move to another open lane if no one responds. I've found sometimes my lane is open but the corresponding lane in DX land isn't, so I get stepped on (CB talk) THANKS for all you do!! De WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Xiegu g90 users are looking for ALC 100%. For some reason they program their ALC indicator exactly the opposite of most other radios. Thanks for the tips.
Once again you help me out, been trying to get that elusive state of Hawaii, followed your advice and tighten my game up tonight, got Hawaii and Oceania jus need to get AK now. Thanks for the help
And I bagged the most elusive for me AK Monday night, he made me work for it but it was worth it. Got all 50 now most digital so now I guess it’s time to get them with phone. Regardless you helped, glad I found your channel
Really nice you put up this video. I’m going to get a ts-590s (not sg) this weekend to replace the ts-440 I have. And I wanted to setup my iMac with it for FT8 and psk. These are some really nice starting tips.
Hey Josh. Greetings from Brazil! Man this is amazing. FT-8 is really increadible. Although I don't have a license (yet) I was receiving these signals in my SDR and couldn't figure the type of signal I was receving. They were showing up in several bands. When I saw your video on WSJT-X it simply opened a huge door into these signals. I can now read tons of QSO's that I didn't realize what they actually were. This is helping me to learn more and more on amateur radio. Getting prepared for getting my license soon I hope! Thanks! Kind regards.
Great Video Josh! One of your tips, ALC is universal across all modes. I prefer lower power myself and sold my AMP 25 years ago due to neighbors knocking on my door when I used it.... :) 73
I always operated at low power because that's what everyone said to do. I cranked it up to 100 watts and I instantly begin getting calls from Europe. I fell into group think. Thanks for the advice!
Josh, I had forgotten about how to turn off the AGC on the 7300 (and now my 705), until I watched this video. I had been tapping through the three AGC settings thinking there was a Off setting as well. After watching this video I gave it a try on my 7300. I was listening to a local AM broadcast station at the time and I was greeted with very loud audio when I dialed the AGC to Off. I will turn off the AGC next time I do FT8. 73, Ned, N8OIF
Okay, I finally found Dave Casler's video that really explains FT8 and others. I did EME in 1978 with voice only and that was something. I'm sorry but to me, if you don't pick up a mic and talk to someone it is really something other than HAM radio. I already know what you are going to say but at 80 I am too old to change now and I have no interest at all in digital radio other than maybe DRM which I am going to try soon and without the dam Windows stuff. Sorry, I don't mean to piss you off which I guess I have. You do great stuff for the most part and thanks for all you do.
I’m not mad. But I do think your implications that digital modes over radio isn’t real radio is a bad thing to throw around. You may have personal preferences, but it does not help ham radio to cast those preferences on others to invalidate when you don’t prefer.
The humanity of voice is great, but with the crappy band conditions digital modes are a nice way to explore and get a feel for the physics you are manipulating with your rig and antenna(s) I just got licensed in the hobby a few years ago now. 73
When you say digital HF, I am thinking of digital HF phone. I don;t think an ham radio companies are working on this mode?? I don't know why. Digital HF phone will go below the noise floor and reproduce the audio like a good cell phone connection. Great FM-like quality audio; no noise? That is the mode to talk about! Wanna hear what good digital HF sounds like? Check our the Barrett HF demonstration video. The Barrett is now made in the US. It was designed by Ebitt Systems; the one which made the famous Motorola Micom radios. We need this form of digital incorporated in all ham HF radios if they can come together on the encryption code that they are willing to give to the public without a license fee. I guess this is the hold-up for development.
Josh, I can't help it. It's cuz your're such a great guy that I do this! I'm serious! lol. But silly Josh, everyone knows that, and it's been proven in video, 'FT-anything SUCKS - and is RUINING ham radio for CW ops!' Thanks for all your awesome, fun and informative vids. 73 OM
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Hahaha. Gonna play with CW next, after getting the hang of JS8call and getting better at FT8, which this video is invaluable to both.
Thank you for the tips! On my IC-7000, when I turned AGC all the way down, the noise coming out of the audio is overwhelming, so I would prefer the tunes and set it at 0.1ms.
I'm glad it helped. Remember, if you have the audio going into your computer, you don't need to listen to the speaker. I generally have mine off and just use the meters to tell me it is working.
Hey Josh - great video. I am about 10 days away from being on the air again after 27yrs off. Can't wait to work these new digital modes. Do you have tips or similar as it relates to Windows 10 to insure everything plays nice? Regardless, keep 'em coming! 73...
Great tips!! I do like the various other software like Grid Tracker, I need to download that. I wonder if it can be used on a Raspberry Pi. I have been following Jason, KM4ACK and I am using his Build A Pi script and I use a Raspberry Pi 3b Plus with my Yaesu FT-871ND and Signalink to do digital modes like FT8, JS8Call and Winlink. I would love to add that Grid Tracker to the Pi, but not sure if it compatible with the Pi. I have made lots of contacts with FT8 and enjoy setting down and trying to catch those DX stations. I also run it on my Windows 10 computer and my Yaesu FT-757GX with a homebrewed soundcard interface I built back in the early 2000's before I left the hobby. When I left the hobby PSK31 was the new digital mode on the block, when I came back into the hobby in 2017 the craze has been the FT8. I generally keep my operating on FT8 when on the 757 down to about 25 watts, but I have also been known to pump up the wattage to 100 watts to work that DX station. Don't have an amplifier, sold that when I got out of the hobby in 2006, sold all my gear! Wish I would of just placed it in storage or something. You have some really interesting videos and I have been a subscriber for a long time. Keep up the good work. 73 de Juddie WD8WV
ALC on the 7100 and 7300 will clip if it's over the red bar, so you're fine in that space, if you're only using the bottom, you're not gonna use the whole power :)
Regarding ALC. I was under the impression the correct level for transmission was meant to be to be where the red line under the ALC meter stops.. On my radio if it the ALC was barely registering, my radio doesn't transmit at the power I set.
When the band gets super busy and I can't really pick out a lane I like to disable the "hold Tx" option and just chase CQs. That way I should always land on an empty space where the caller was transmitting. In this mode it is important to remember to not try calling CQ myself right away as I'll be stepping on the last person I had a QSO with if they immediately start calling again.
The problem with Windows time after some research. Windows has an internal ability to sync to an NTP server. This is a good thing in theory.... in practise it doesn't do a damn thing whether running a default or custom NTP server. In windows there is a scheduled task to sync time.... this does NOT actually sync time... it just checks the time service is running, the very same time service that sits on it's ass doing nothing. This has been an issue since at least Windows XP This issue is compounded by having an inaccurate RTC on board. So ultimately Microsoft have included a method of syncing... it's just it sometimes syncs as rarely as once or twice a year.
Hi @Ham Radio Crash Course Is it possible for me to run FT8 on my kpo dx5000 10m radio. Is there an interface I can use for this radio? I run an Icom IC7300 at home with WSJT-X but would like to setup on my 10m radio when not at home. The KPO has external speaker however I'm guessing the microphone / tx will be an issue. Any ideas?
Thanks for the tips... I'm at Day 1 re learning something about FT8. Tip#1: what if there are no empty lanes? Are you out-of-luck (for the time being)?
Well first things first! Congrats on having an antenna and radio setup that is pulling in a lot of signals. Second, generally yes, wait for an open lane.
Josh, this is great. I've been looking for some extra tips on how to set things up - fortunately, it looks like I picked up a LOT of this stuff from watching your Gridtracker video and RTFM when I set up FT8. I want to ask about power output though - you use 100 watts? I've heard a lot of opinions about what the duty cycle is and how high the power should or shouldn't be set with relation to, for instance, max AM carrier on a radio. So I have to ask, what's the max AM carrier your radio is capable of? If you had a 991a would you go ahead and crank to 100 watts for FT8? (PS: I'm actually watching this because it came up in my JS8Call search.)
When Joe Taylor developed the WSJT/FT8 protocol he recommended that an output power of 50 Watts be observed. 100 Watts of Power s 3 db above that level. 1000 Watts is 13 db above a 50 Watt signal, and totally unnecessary. Running that kind of power on FT8 overloads the receiver's front-end. The 'trick' NAZ employs in Tip 4 to shutdown the receiver's AGC shows the stations in the receiving passband are using excessive power. Unfortunately FT8 like every other mode of transmission relies on the Honor System. Running excessive power destroys FT8's capability to discern weak signals. And this brings us to Tip 5 where the Video Producer attempts to create a rationalization for running excessive power. Weak signal work was the reason Joe Taylor created JTDX series digital protocols but now that we see FT8 exploding in popularity in come the ethos to run more power. The Video Producer explains away this propensity by labeling his line of thought as that of "Philosophy". Well here is 97.313 Part A verbatim 97.313 (a) An amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications. Then declares his "NEED" to run such power. More often than not this kid of "thinking" morphs into "when all else fails turn up the juice". Drew you need to be very careful what you view on You Tube. And you are wise to call into question such a blatant disregard for Part 97 Regulations. A large percentage of Video Producers spend their time making these video so they can monetize them. You Tube accepts all comers regardless of what their qualifications are.
Hi Josh, This has probably been asked many times, but what logger do you use when clicking the log contact in FT8? I enjoy all your videos. Stay safe. 73 WB3BJU
Getting your General license is very hard. I have no knowledge on digital and being i guess old timer I am into voice not digital. I want to make contacts using voice. Not everyone is into digital and have no idea as to why its being forced onto us.. There not much info on RU-vid at all on enough data to help you with the general test!!
I have my general and have never done a HF contact yet. I do not have anyone I know to help me so lots of Newbie questions. What software is that your running? I have a KX3 rig and just got an end fed antenna to try it with.
WSJT-X is the software, FT8 is the most popular mode that it can do. Watch lots of videos, play with the tech, watch more vids to answer the questions that come up. That's what I'm doing here brand new to the hobby myself.
I'm sure what you were talking about her made sense to many but I lot you in the first 20 seconds. I don't even know what FT8 is or what it does or what it is for. I love your videos but on this one, I feel like a high school freshman that walked into s college senior class. Yes, I know I am just now coming back into HAM radio having been gone for 40 years. Keep up the good work but this one totally lost me. 73 KH6JMK
I am researching ft8 and not a user yet. My Elmer strongly advises me that ft8 is full duty cycle and only low power should be used or you can burn up your radio. Based upon his comments I reviewed your video again and did note that you pointed out to watch the ACL and temperature gauge. I am not aware of a temperature gauge on my rig. External device? Anyway, he said a club member burnt up his rig using too much power on ft8. As a novice General Class that scared me. Your further thoughts?
Can you or anyone on here tell me why the PTT won’t work on frs or gmrs? Even if it’s on simplex when I press the PTT it says error? is there a setting I need to do? I am using the yaesu ft-3dr
Josh, regarding the issue with operators staying in their lanes I'd suggest someone either approach Joe Taylor and the WSJT-X team to implement "snap to grid" functionality when changing transmit frequencies or somebody in the community creates a patch for the functionality to be included in the next release of WSJT-X.
@Karl Laun, you must be a DJ or a dance music producer. Only they would understand "snap to grid", LOL. Regardless, great advice, I thought the same thing. I think the RX and TX should be channelized.
@@DJChrisArgueta there's plenty of references to "snap to grid" that aren't related to quantizing music notes, like placing icons on your desktop or editing photos.
I dont mean to be off topic but does someone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account..? I somehow lost the login password. I love any tricks you can offer me
@Korbin Kingsley Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im in the hacking process atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I want to send CQ for a specific Country. I have tried creating a macro, or just enter in one of the 6 lines on the bottom right. When I do this I get this symbol "" with CQ_XXX in between the brackets. I can't seen to find any info in how do you do this correctly. I can see others who are doing it on my screen. I will give you the exact example. Give me an example how to type in CQ P43 xxxx FN41 xxxx would be callsign
Geez, no wonder I can't make contacts if there folks out there running 100 watts! Good God no Amps needed for Digital modes. Of course if lives depend on the communication go for it. That's why I quit DX chasing years ago. 100 watts can't compete, DX isn't fun anymore. Sad..
I just started on ft8 using my Icom 7610 and an old thinkpad I had running windows 7. I finally got all the settings lined out and the computer and radio talking to each other, correct driver and all was well, I made a dozen contacts then it gave me a small box that said the sound from the usb stopped, then gives me a rig control error. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled the driver from Icom, it will sometimes start to work then stop, and sometimes never work at all. Can anyone help me with this? It all started after hitting the tune button in wsjtx, now that I’m thinking about it.
It’s like RF that is getting into the box or your laptop. Consider moving things around and deploying ferrites on all the cords into and out of the box and computer.
Good video and tips. 1. Use HOLD TX FREQ!!! Wish it was a defaulted method. I get many many people calling me on my freq. Never heard about the zipper method being bad, so something to watch. 2. Time: another good program is BKTTimeSync (i likeit it better than Dimension 4). 3. For AGC, I stuck with FAST (too distorted with 0 agc). 4. Power: For no amp, I set me radio to 100w or whatever and then use the slider for power output, for amp, I set the radio to low and find the right balance. 5. JTALert is another option for GridTracker, can use them both with multi-cast (I use Ham Radio Deluxe to control my radio). Nice job again on the video and tips. Everyone just has to find what works best for them! 73. KL7TC
Thanks for the great tips Josh. My AGC was set for MID so I changed it to FAST, and then FAST Off. Even adjusting the computer microphone settings and the Power in WSJT-X to where it appeared it should work fine, signals just disappeared. I then switched the AGC to FAST 0.1s, reset the microphone and power settings and it seems better.
Is Grid Tracker good on the Raspberry Pi, or what does it work on? I am new and looking for information like you give. I hope get my first HF radio soon, IC7300. Want to have a Pi do much of the heavy work, so my laptop will not be working the radio all the time.
Free just happens to be my favorite price. Good best practices in this video! Especially holding TX frequency on an empty part of the waterfall. 73 - KC1OCA
Question, how do I force windows to dedicate and not re-address my win10 workstation's 2 physical serial ports so I can connect both the CAT and the rigblaster
This is a great video. I have been surfing around looking on how to set the top slide bandwidth on the wsjtx waterfall to 3000 hz like yours. I saw you show a guy on an other video showing him how to set the tx freq and widen the 891 width setting to 3000 and that was nice but I cannot figure out how to set up the waterfall to show exactly the frequency that I have on the radio. I would love to figure this out. I know it's possible as I see it is at 3000 on this video and one other of the guys it was at 4000 so I know I am missing something. I have clicked around all the settings and my mouse is loosing his mind. Can you give me a tip? Maybe managing the waterfall and all you see is another video ha ha. Thanks for all the video's you do. DE KB7CQ
With JS8CALL right now, you will get much more bang for your buck. You'll have a little more to learn because there are many more features. But, being able to converse with people so far away is amazing. Give it a try. Oh, and one thing it does is give you four speeds. Believe it or not EVERYONE regardless of what speed they are is decoded by every other station. So, someone could have set up in "slow" and a turbo station could come on and their station would decode it ! Hopefully it stays a little quite as I love conversing with my friends in the Philippines, South Africa, Australia , and Japan. Oh, and just missed a conversation this am with Indonesia ! See you on JS8CALL N6GRG
Just went back to working to master FT8 first, JS8call was a bit of a large chunk of tech to begin with. This video answered most of my remaining questions so I should be comfortable with both soon.
In your FT8Man Video, ALC was set on 891 to about 50% of the "limit" Should all radio users try to get as low as possible on the ALC? Or is middle of "range" work?
Thanks Josh! .. Just started FT8 yesterday. After making a few adjustments you suggested in this video I made contacts in Hawaii, Australia, and Africa (from FL).
