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FT8: New JT Mode for fast QSOs

Moleculo

Ham Radio Nerd
Apr 14, 2002
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This is a message from the founders of WSJT about a new experimental weak signal mode to have fun with:


Steve (K9AN) and I have developed a potential new mode for WSJT-X. We're calling the mode "FT8" (Franke-Taylor design, 8-FSK modulation). FT8 is designed for situations like multi-hop Es where signals may be weak and fading, openings may be short, and you want fast completion of reliable, confirmable QSOs.

ft8.png



Important characteristics of FT8:
  • T/R sequence length: 15 s
  • Message length: 75 bits + 12-bit CRC
  • FEC code: LDPC(174,87)
  • Modulation: 8-FSK, keying rate = tone spacing = 5.86 Hz
  • Waveform: Continuous phase, constant envelope
  • Occupied bandwidth: 47 Hz
  • Synchronization: three 7x7 Costas arrays (start, middle, end of Tx)
  • Transmission duration: 79*2048/12000 = 13.48 s
  • Decoding threshold: -20 dB (perhaps -24 dB with AP decoding, TBD)
  • Operational behavior: similar to HF usage of JT9, JT65
  • Multi-decoder: finds and decodes all FT8 signals in passband
  • Auto-sequencing after manual start of QSO

Comparison with slow modes JT9, JT65, QRA64:
  • FT8 is a few dB less sensitive but allows completion of QSOs four times faster.
  • Bandwidth is greater than JT9, but about 1/4 of JT65A and less than 1/2 QRA64.

Comparison with fast modes JT9E-H:
  • FT8 is significantly more sensitive, has much smaller bandwidth, uses the vertical waterfall, and offers multi-decoding over the full displayed passband.
Still to come, not yet implemented:
  • We plan to implement signal subtraction, two-pass decoding, and use of "a priori" (already known) information as it accumulates during a QSO.
  • Three extra bits are available in the message payload, with uses yet to be defined. We have in mind special message formats that might be used in contests, and the like. Your considered suggestions for use of these bits are very welcome!
K1JT, K9AN, and G4WJS have conducted on-the-air tests of FT8 with excellent results. We're now at a stage where tests under a wider range of conditions are desirable. If you can build WSJT-X from source code revision r7750 or later, and would like to help, please do so and report your results to us! Pre-built installation packages will be made available after further testing is completed. Suggestions for FT8 setup can be found in the attached screen shot (above)
http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/ft8.png
We look forward to receiving your feedback.
-- 73, Joe, K1JT

Joe Taylor followed up with this note about frequencies for testeing:

It will help to have some initial frequency coordination among those testing the new FT8 mode in WSJT-X v1.7.1.
To help get things started, we suggest using the following frequencies:
Band MHz
-------------
160 1.841
80 3.579
40 7.079
30 10.141
20 14.079
17 18.105
15 21.079
12 24.920
10 28.079
6 50.313
4 70.094
-------------
Most of these suggestions follow a simple guideline: add 3 kHz to the commonly used JT65 dial frequency.
For 6 meters we suggest using 50.313, which should be consistent with band plans in all IARU Regions. (Six meter activity that's now on 50.276, world-wide, might be moved to 50.310.)
We are very much open to suggestions for changes in the above table.
-- 73, Joe, K1JT
 

...
It will help to have some initial frequency coordination among those testing the new FT8 mode in WSJT-X v1.7.1.
To help get things started, we suggest using the following frequencies:
Band MHz
-------------
160 1.841
80 3.579
40 7.079
30 10.141
20 14.079
17 18.105
15 21.079
12 24.920
10 28.079
6 50.313
4 70.094
-------------
Most of these suggestions follow a simple guideline: add 3 kHz to the commonly used JT65 dial frequency.
For 6 meters we suggest using 50.313, which should be consistent with band plans in all IARU Regions. (Six meter activity that's now on 50.276, world-wide, might be moved to 50.310.)
We are very much open to suggestions for changes in the above table.
-- 73, Joe, K1JT

Well,I do a lot of 6 m JT65, it seems that "certain" people are starting to spread out so as to not create any QRM to other "pingJockey" users.
Where did they get the idea that they should EACH get their own freq???
Breaking news,..... QRM HAPPENS, and no, that is not illegal.

You should watch them whine and moan on certain chatrooms as they complain about someone being in their passband or on "their" odd/even sequence. "I'm listening to Europe and that !@#$ with the wa4 call is TXing while I am listening" type comments.

they are now going as low as 50.250, and Joe wants to go as high as 50.313?????????????


Anyway, bearing that in mind,there is no need to "roll your own version" of FT-8, the autoextracting program is at https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx-1.8.0-rc1-win32.exe
 
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Just started playing with this mode. It is definitely fast paced. Takes a bit to get used to compared to the snails pace JT-65.

If you use JT-alertX for auto-logging to HRD, it works just fine.

I think this one will catch on as people start using it.
 
Been playing around with it last night on 40m. Got some nice contacts into Fiji, Somoa, and a few others.

It seems LOTW doesn't recognize this new mode yet. When I tried to upload logs from HRD and QRZ, I get error messages relating to TQSL unsigned.

I would imagine this will be accepted by LOTW soon.

Has anybody else have the same issue uploading to LOTW?
 
Besides having a CAT port on your radio what else is required to run this?

probly a sound card internal to the radio or external,,,,, my Icoms are simple usb cable from the radio to the pc and that's it.

it is a fun mode, you can make a lot of contacts fast.
 
Is signal link a program or a hardware device.
It's a hardware device.

If your radio has audio in/out on the USB line or audio connections on the ACC port, you don't really need signal link. Most people like it because it's convenient being it's really it's own external sound card with on the fly level controls.
 
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I use the ACC jack for audio to my computer soundcard with my Icom and my Kenwood streams both audio and CAT control thru the USB line. Older Icoms require CI-V for rig control.

These provide all the audio required for using my digital mode programs as well as my remote station control audio using either radio.
 
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You don't need a CAT cable to operate WSJT, onsuch as a RASCAL interface using the USB port.

Any interface that does any digital program will work... MMSSTV, PSK, RTTY, ect.

The CAT cable only controls the rigs operating status and other items such as logging, ect.
 
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The CAT cable only controls the rigs operating status and other items such as logging, ect.
I went over to a friends house so he could demo his system for me.
It worked intermittently but I did find it interesting. Where can I learn more about this? I know I studied all of this for my Extra Class license, but the course material did not cover much on the details of equipment and setup. Just band width power levels and the theory behind it all.
 

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