FT8 DXpedition Mode Tests Show Promising Results

A second public test of the new FT8 DXpedition mode in early April turned up a few flaws in the

WSJT-X screen shot. FT8 is part of the WSJT-X suite
of ham shack programs.

software but had overall positive results, according to co-developer Joe Taylor, K1JT. The ARRL Letter reports that 390 stations participated in the April 7 test, making contacts with one or more of three test DXpedition stations. Results indicated that QSO rates approaching 200 per hour should be possible with the mode. A third test session was scheduled for May 5 (after this issue's deadline), using the 4th-generation "release candidate" version of the WSJT-X software package. Taylor says he looks forward to the release in the near future of a "general availability (GA)" version of WSJT-X version 1.9.0, which will include the new higher-volume version of FT8 for use by DXpedition stations.