FT8 is a digital mode that lets you make contacts across the world with modest power and a simple antenna. It is also one of the easiest digital modes to learn, because the software does the hard work. Your job is to set up the computer and radio correctly, then choose who to call. This guide walks you through installing WSJT-X, setting the time and audio levels, and completing a first exchange.
What FT8 Is and Why It Suits Beginners
FT8 sends short, fixed-format messages in 15-second cycles. A transmission lasts a little under 13 seconds, so stations take turns: one transmits while the other listens. The signals are very narrow, only around 50 Hz wide, and the decoder can pull them out of noise that would swamp a voice signal. That is why weak-signal contacts are routine on FT8.
The trade-off is that FT8 is not a conversation. Each contact is a brief, structured exchange of call signs, a location and signal reports. It is a good way to confirm that your station works and to see where your signal is heard.
Licence and Equipment You Need
Transmitting requires the right amateur licence, and you must follow the rules of your own country. Canada and the USA differ in how HF privileges are granted. In Canada, HF access needs more than the minimum Basic pass. In the USA, the Technician licence has only limited HF privileges, while General opens far more of the bands. Check the current rules before you transmit. Our exam practice pages can help if you are still studying.
You will need an HF transceiver (or another radio covering the band you choose), a computer, and a way to connect audio between them. Many modern radios have a built-in USB audio interface. Others need a separate interface. If you are choosing a radio, see our beginner's buyer guide.
Install WSJT-X
WSJT-X is the free, open-source program used for FT8. Download it only from its official project page, then install the version for Windows, macOS or Linux. Run it once and it will open with a main window, a band activity pane on the left and a receive frequency pane on the right. Nothing will decode yet, because the program needs to know your details and your radio first.
Set Your Computer Clock
This step matters more than any other. FT8 cycles begin at fixed times: 0, 15, 30 and 45 seconds past each minute. Your computer clock must be accurate to within about a second, or your signals will not decode properly at the other end.
- Make sure your operating system is set to sync time automatically over the internet.
- If your clock drifts, use a dedicated time-sync utility, or a properly configured time service on Linux.
- Watch the DT column in WSJT-X. It shows the time offset of each decoded signal. If most stations show a similar large offset, your clock is probably the problem.
Configure WSJT-X Settings
Open File, then Settings. On the General tab, enter your own call sign and your four-character Maidenhead grid locator. On the Audio tab, choose the input and output devices that connect to your radio. On the Radio tab, select your rig model or a serial port, and choose how the radio is keyed. CAT control lets the program read and set the frequency, and it is the neatest option. Otherwise you can use VOX or a serial control line, depending on your interface.
Set your radio to USB (or the data mode that uses USB audio). Turn off speech processing, equalisers and compression.
Set Audio Levels Safely
Receive first. With the radio tuned to an FT8 frequency, watch the level meter in the bottom left of WSJT-X. Adjust your computer input or radio output so it reads roughly 30 dB. A very low reading loses weak signals, and a maxed-out meter means distortion.
For transmit, start with the Pwr slider low. Set your radio to a modest power level and use the Tune button briefly to send a steady tone, after making sure the frequency is clear. Adjust the audio drive so the radio's ALC shows little or no activity, and the output stays well below the rig's maximum. FT8 transmits for most of each active cycle, which is a heavy duty cycle for a radio, and running low power keeps signals clean and equipment cool. Keep antennas away from people and follow RF exposure guidance for your country.
Choose a Band and Frequency
FT8 stations gather on standard dial frequencies, which is what makes the mode work. Commonly used ones include about 7.074 MHz on 40 metres, 14.074 MHz on 20 metres and 28.074 MHz on 10 metres. Confirm them against a current band plan, and check that FT8 is permitted for your licence on that band. Our quick reference page lists the bands on one page. Before choosing, look at the live HF propagation page to see which band is likely to be open. In daytime, 20 metres is often a good place to start, as covered in our 20 metres guide.
Read the Screen
The left pane shows everything decoded across the passband. The right pane shows messages on or near your receive frequency. The waterfall at the bottom shows each signal as a short vertical trace. Messages starting with CQ are stations inviting a reply. Numbers such as -12 are signal-to-noise figures in dB, not S-meter readings, and the decoder works down to roughly -20 dB. Let the program listen for a couple of minutes to get a feel for the pace.
Make Your First Exchange
- Pick a CQ message from a station whose signal looks reasonably strong.
- Double-click it. WSJT-X fills in the reply, picks the correct time slot and sets your transmit frequency.
- Turn on Enable Tx. Your reply, with your call sign and grid, goes out in the next cycle. Tick Auto Seq so the program advances through the steps.
- If the other station answers, you will receive a signal report from them, and you reply with one of your own, often with an R meaning received.
- The sequence ends with RR73 or 73. Once you see it, stop transmitting.
If nobody replies after several tries, choose another station. Some do not answer every call, and that is normal.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong clock. An unsynced clock is the most common reason for decodes that never come.
- Too much power or drive. An overdriven signal spreads across the band and annoys neighbours.
- Calling on top of others. Move your transmit frequency to a clear gap on the waterfall.
- Wrong slot. If you transmit in the same cycle as the station you are calling, neither of you will hear the other.
- Leaving Enable Tx on. Unattended transmitting is a poor habit. Stay at the radio and use Halt Tx when you finish.
- Using the wrong frequency. Stay on the standard FT8 frequency rather than wandering into other activity.
Log Your Contact
WSJT-X shows a Log QSO window after a contact, and it also saves each entry to an ADIF file. You can import that file into the free HamRadioList logbook, which keeps your contacts and awards in one place. Once they are logged, you can turn them into shareable cards, or keep growing the list from the same logbook.
Wrap-Up
An FT8 contact comes down to a licence, a synced clock, sensible audio levels and a little patience. Start with modest power, pick a clear frequency and take one step at a time. Once your first exchange completes, the routine will feel natural, and you can explore other bands and modes from there.
How HamRadioList can help
Before you call CQ, check the live HF propagation page to see which bands are open, then keep every FT8 contact in the free HamRadioList logbook by importing the ADIF file WSJT-X creates. If you are still working toward your licence, the exam practice questions and crash courses can help you get on the air legally.
- Free online ham radio logbook - log every contact, import and export ADIF, sync with QRZ.com and keep your awards organised.
- Live HF propagation - see current band conditions before you call CQ.
- License exam practice - practice questions for the US and Canadian amateur exams.
- Ham radio quick reference - bands, modes, phonetics and Q-codes on one page.
- QSL and QSO cards - create shareable QSO and QSL cards from your logged contacts.
New here, or getting back on the air? Create your free HamRadioList account to log contacts, check band conditions and practise for your exam, or browse more guides from the blog. HamRadioList is built by amateur radio operators in Nova Scotia for operators everywhere.