One of the things I had promised myself in 2023 was getting onto the digital mode FT8.

I had previously done digital work using the PSK31 and 63 modes, but that was 7 years ago. Back then I was using my Yaesu FT450 and the SignaLink USB interface device. With FT8 I decided to use the Yaesu FT450 exclusively for the digital modes.

I downloaded WSJTX and JTDX and with both programs I was able to monitor the incoming FT8 signals but I could not get the radio to talk. John VK5BJE kindly came over on Thursday but we still could not get the radio to operate. I then reached out to Peter VK3ZPF who gave me the settings for the FT450, and BANG IT WORKED.

Thanks John and thanks Peter.

FRIDAY 13th JANUARY 2023.

On Friday night (13th January 2023) I worked a total of 27 stations on 20m and 40m FT8.

Countries worked on 40m FT8:

• Antarctica
• China
• European Russia
• France
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Norway
• Scotland
• Sri Lanka
• Venezuela

My first ever FT8 contact was with Gildas F4HRG.

Above:- screen showing my contact with F4HRG

Above:- Gildas F4HRG

Countries worked on 20m FT8:

• European Russia
• Japan
• Netherlands
• West Malaysia

It was a nice taste of FT8.

SATURDAY 14th JANUARY 2023.

Yesterday (Saturday 14th January 2023) I worked a total of 172 stations on FT8 on 15m, 20m, & 40m.

• 15m – 98 QSOs

Countries worked on 15m FT8:-

• Asiatic Russia
• Australia
• Brazil
• China
• Fiji
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Korea

• 20m- 44 QSOs

Countries worked on 20m FT8.-

• Argentina
• Asiatic Russia
• Austria
• Australia
• Belgium
• Canary Island
• England
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Israel
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Poland
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• USA

• 40m FT8 – 30 QSOs

Countries worked on 40m FT8-

• Asiatic Russia
• Australia
• Canada
• Colombia
• Indonesia
• Japan
• New Caledonia
• Panama
• USA

USA states worked on 40m FT8

• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Louisana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Wisconsin

FT8 has opened up another exciting aspect of amateur radio for me.