FT8 On The Go APP
We chose this app because you don’t need to be connected to the internet for it to decode FT8. Which means if you are in the field and you have it on your tablet, you just open the app and put the tablet next to your radio (or run cable spkr to mic) and the tablet will decode FT8.
This is what SWL’ing is all about if you understand FT8 and you send QSL cards to your pickups then this app will give you lots of joy! Good DX’ing…
Website Link Is The Google Play Store
Understanding FT8
With FT8, you’re restricted to very small messages, with a limit of 13 characters per message.
Here is a typical conversation over FT8:
| “CQ M6PSK JO01” | CQ call from M6PSK |
| “M6PSK G0QQQ IO81” | G0QQQ replies with their location |
| “G0QQQ M6PSK -12” | M6PSK responds with a signal report |
| “M6PSK G0QQQ R-08” | G0QQQ confirms signal report & replies with his own report |
| “G0QQQ M6PSK RRR” | M6PSK says Reception Report Received |
| “M6PSK G0QQQ 73” | G0QQQ says Best regards |
| “G0QQQ M6PSK 73” | M6PSK says Best regards |
Each message of up to 13 characters takes 13 seconds to send. There are 4 slots per minute, and you transmit for one 15 second block, then listen for replies for 15 seconds, and transmit again for 15 seconds. The exchange above would therefore take about 90 seconds (compared with seven minutes on JT65).
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