No talking ham radio: Digital mode FT8
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- Опубликовано: 4 июл 2024
- I show my FT8 portable setup, describe how this digital mode for HF works, and make some contacts.
This video is sponsored by: XGGCOMMS.com
Links:
Xeigu X5105 HF radio: amzn.to/2WfX2Ky
Chameleon Cha F-Loop antenna: amzn.to/31Oe6IO
WSJT-X download: sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/
PSKreporter: www.pskreporter.info/pskmap.html
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
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Thanks for showing this. I'm new, and would really like to try FT8
Hey, Thanks for showing me FT-8! Two days from now I get my first HF radio that is digital ready. This video helps get me ready for the low point in the 11 year cycle.
I went to your CAT cable website and they don't appear to have the CAT cable I need for a Yeasu FT-991A. Can you send me a link to the correct cable? Thanks
I think this is the one you need: Product: Yaesu CAT FT-Cable-5-USB
www.xggcomms.com/userimages/Yaesu-Interface-Shop(2066641).htm
You can contact the XGGCOMMS team with questions, they are very responsive.
Funny, as a 70 year old computer nerd who was in the Navy as an ET (HF transmitters) this is all very familiar and yet new. I needed a hobby in my old age so took the Tech test last week and will take the General and Extra next month. KD9OAM
Great vid. Hate to see FT8/4 bashed, because it serves a purpose.
For those who don't want to talk, then try the original digital mode.... CW
No one cares to learn to Morse code to be able to use that mode.
@@KandiKlover wrong, there are many ops learning cw, and many use it too !
CW is alive and well.
Nice video Brian. Another point worth adding is the need for an accurate time of day clock. You can install a small app that syncs your PC to a good time source. Although this only works when you can connect to the Internet, if your PC syncs before leaving home that should be good for the day. If your clock is too far out, successful QSOs may be hit and miss.
Most computer operating systems these days have a service that syncs to NTP servers. Not sure why you would need a small app for that.
I’m learning morse code…& just realized your video-entry is your call sign…. :)
FT8 is ok for some. but for me its like watching paint dry!
Yeah RTTY and STANAG are way better. Also so are the Echo Charlie pirate radio band instead.
js8 is a nice mode. About as good as ft8 for low power coms but able to actuall chat if you want.
Talk to each other? Eeeeeeeeee! That's so 1990's. *lol*
@Dustin Eward Maybe her needs a nap? *lol*
Very good video explaining the basics of FT8. But, I am a very old ham and I "think" that I will stick to CW, SSB, AM & FM and mailing/receiving QSL cards! The QSL cards look great on my wall and friends like to see them! 73, KO8S
Did you have to use the Line in and Line out settings on your Xiegu? I used the xggcomms device and I had to choose line in to get it to work with the external sound card. I was hoping you’d show your configuration. I have only been able to make 1 FT8 contact on the Xiegu, and it was only 35 miles away. 🙁
I use a cobra 142gtl with USB and lsb
You need to calibrate the S-meter on the X5105. Yours is showing full scale with no antenna attached at the start of the video. I really don't understand why they don't do this before shipping the radios. It's easy to do on the firmware you have installed. Put the radio in USB, VFO A tuned to 14.250 MHz. Preamp ON, AGC Fast and no antenna attached. Long-press the menu button and click through to the two menu settings for S Meter Offset and Gain. Adjust the offset until the displayed reading sits at ZERO. Then see how the meter looks. If it's still a bit shy, increase the S Meter Gain menu setting....
Thank you!
I kinda wish I'd quite seeing the X5150 so much. I just received my Xiegu G90 yesterday, and I'm very impressed with it. Although I was saving $$ for an Elecraft KX3, I may just have to buy an X5105. I paid $439.99 for my G90, got free shipping, and it was here in (3) days....from *China!* Considering the quality, functionality, features, price, and everything else, the G90 was some of the best money I've ever spent! It has a tiny screen, but it's still easy to see with my old eyes, and has a lot of beautifully-displayed information. I paid nearly twice the price for my Yaesu FT-747GX.....in (1989)!!
So what was this video about? Oh, FT8, that's right. :-)
If you are interested in the X5105, I would wait another week or so. The latest FW has been released and it looks like it has resolved a whole bunch of frustrations with the v3 software, but might help to wait a day or two.
@@magwhyte Thanks.
Thank you so much for giving a demo of FT8.
I now know that it is not for me.
look into js8 call. it allows to chat and some other nice functions.
The paint dried on day one ! CW all day.
Do you still exchange cards for these digital QSOs?
YES
Great videos! Would you do a video on vhf digital modes in the future? 73 K7AVG
It's actually for those that can't carry on a coherent conversation.
Looks like you could just send an email since you already have your laptop out.
I like your video but hate the mode. It is destroying the CW portions of the band where I live. Think I'm crazy? Maybe I am. Haha.. but it's true. If you want to see what it's doing to me, look for 'ft-anaything sucks - and is ruining ham radio for cw ops' 73 and thanks for the vids! Lots of thumbs ups if i could :)
CW - learn it - then become proficient. Accomplish something for a change!
Remember what JFK said when we went to the Moon? We don’t do these things because they are easy but because they are HARD!
If something takes no effort there is no accomplishment. The greater the effort the greater the accomplishment.
I'M A NEWBIE AND WANTED TO KNOW JUST WHAT KINDS OF STUFF CAN BE PROGRAMMED INTO RADIO USING THAT CABLE? CAN I TALK TO BOATS OR ON MARINE BAND? WILL I BE ABLE TO TALK AROUND THE WORLD? WHAT KIND OF RANGE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE STANDARD SET UP?
Range all depends on your power output, band conditions, antenna setup, etc. Etc.
No, you can not transmit on the VHF marine frequencies. There is a very specific frequency range for each band inside the ammatuer spectrum and contingent upon your license grade.
QRP = Low Power Transmission. Typically 5 wts or under. Some people crank out 1500 wts (legal limit on most bands) but that is just unnecessary in my opinion.
I talk all over the world on 20 and 40 meters with a simple dipole antenna and a 100 wt. Rig. Florida to Belfast Ireland last night!
Go get your license!
@@AlphaSierra323 THANKS FOR THE INFO
There is no talking with CW either.
WHAT ABOUT CB RADIO? YOU DON'T NEED A LICENSE AND IT'S ALOT CHEAPER IN COST IN EQUIPMENT.
Getting a license and a dual band FM mobile or HT cost about the same as a CB radio. And the license opens up a lot of other things to you.
@@jtshannon WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T GET A LICENSE?
You can receive on the amateur bands as much as you would like, however to transmit, you need your license. If not, It’s bad form and you can be fined by the FCC. You also need an FCC issued Callsign that must be used at the beginning of every conversation and every 10 minutes thereafter for ID. More importantly, other HAMs will know fairly quickly that something is out of place and will more than likely just not respond. Getting your license is super easy and a lot of fun. It opens up world wide comms on a simple 5 wt. hand held radio via networked repeaters, etc. Great stuff, Great community of people and a lot of fun.
@@microminiskirt Initially, not a lot. Ham operators will notice you don't have a valid call-sign and stop responding to you. If you persist and get reported for occupying licensed frequencies AND the FCC gets motivated to send out a field engineer to find you, then massive troubles. None of the $100.00 here and a $100.00 there. More like confiscation of equipment and tens of thousands of dollars worth of fines.
The FCC is not so bothered about policing the ham frequencies, IMHO, but they can't be seen to be slack when corporations have spend hundreds of millions to billions of dollars for their LTE allocations. They have to be seen to be harsh when needed by the lessees.
Either get a CB radio, as I hear some CB operators are getting into data modes (i.e. JS8Call), become a Shortwave Listener (SWL), or spend a couple of days and invest some time in your hobby and get yourself a license. It is fun, by the way. Just don't operate outside of your privileges.
Enjoy the hobby, XXX!
@@magwhyte thanks for THE INFO. IT SOUNDS LIKE MORE FUN TO GET THE LICENSE HAVE NOT WORRY ABOUT LIMITATIONS. 15.00 ISN'T MUCH $$$
going to give ft8 a try,,,but still would rather have a voice qso,,,you learn a lot from other hams by having a voice qso,,,find it strange why people doing want to interact with other humans by doing what is natural,,,seems these days no one talks to anyone,,,on a bus,,in a nightclub etc,,,you go to a bar and everyone is on there phones,,,,very bazaar and sad sign of the times,,,this is why young people dont have proper life skills anymore !!!!!!
FT8 is cheating! :-) 73 de G6AD
i have to say this digital mode is not for me i prefer to talk to people this is not (in my opinion) amatuer radio.
I disagree when you say it's not amateur radio, but this hobby has so many aspects that I can appreciate that not every aspect will be enjoyable for everyone.