Mode FT8

FT8: weak-signal amateur contacts.

Group	Amateur: digital
Default frequency	14.074 MHz
Default sample rate	2 Msps
In the mode list	WSJT, 14.074 MHz

Step-by-step: Tutorial-FT8

What FT8 is

FT8 is the most popular weak-signal digital mode among radio amateurs: 15-second slots, 8-FSK, and contacts that work well below the noise floor of voice.

Frequencies and settings

Setting	Value
Start frequency	14.074 MHz
Tuning range of the mode table	1 to 30 MHz
Sample rate asked	2 Msps
Lowest working rate	250 ksps
Channel width	3 kHz

OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is WSJT, 14.074 MHz.

What OnAir shows

FT8 weak-signal contacts in 15 s slots, 14.074 MHz.

The mode's own tab has these screens: Decodes, Map. The other tabs (Overview, Receiver, Scan, History) are described on the Main window page.

Tips and caveats

• Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
• Which radio: An RTL-SDR can receive HF only in direct-sampling mode, which OnAir offers in its radio settings; results depend on the antenna. SDRplay and Airspy HF+ radios are better suited.
• Try it without a radio: most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls first.
• Receiving and the law: Amateur radio signals are meant to be received. Receiving needs no licence in most countries; OnAir does not transmit. See Legal.

Related pages

• HF digital: FT8 and WSPR
• All modes, Amateur: digital
• Supported radios, Troubleshooting, FAQ
• More in Amateur: digital: FT4, FT2, WSPR, JT65, JT9, Q65, FST4, MSK144, PSK31, JS8Call, RTTY, CW, SSTV, HamDRM, Olivia, Contestia, MFSK, THOR, DominoEX, Hellschreiber