Getting Started with FT8

What is FT8. FT 8 stands for Frankie-Taylor design. Two guys, Steve Frankie K9AN and Joe Taylor K1JT who came up with this idea. The 8 comes from the 8-Frequency Shift Keying Modulation, hence FT8.
I have installed FT8, so I thought, what do I need to get started on FT8? This was not an easy process as it needs some setting up of the radio's setting and the computer program. I found a couple of YouTube videos below with a step by step guide which makes it a lot easier to get started using FT8. Before you dive straight in on YouTube, I would suggest that you read on with the tips below.
NOTE:
These videos below only refer to the Icom IC-7300 setting. If your radio is not an Icom IC-7300 then you will need to source your radio's config or maybe get an idea what to change from these videos.
After reading and watching some YouTube videos, I found these two great videos explaing the step by step guides. Thanks to Hayden VK7HH These explain what you need to do to get started. See the links below. You will need to install the WSJT-X software. This software is not just for FT8 and does other modes, but for now you need to download the WSJT-X software. It is free to use.
ALC SETTING:
Once you are all ready and set up, one trick is with the Icom 7300 is not to over drive your signal, so make sure when you set the ALC level, to make sure you have it set just when the ALC starts to read, then back it down so you have no ALC showing. This seems to work best and get more contacts. DO NOT overdrive your ALC, this just causes your signal to distort and splatter so you may cause interference with other FT8 stations, plus they will not be able to receive your transmission, due to being over driven. Always keep an eye on your ALC level, especially when you change bands.

BEFORE YOU PLUG IN YOUR RADIO USB LEAD.
A very important step is to make sure you install the Icom drivers for your radio first. The USB driver from the Icom website is included below for the 7300. This driver applies to a range of Icom radios so if your radio is in the list it will work.

Software Download

To download and install the software, click on the links below.

WSJT-X Software You will need to pick your operating system.
WSJT-X User Guide

YouTube Links

Click on the links below. These were the best I found.
There is much to learn but this should get you up and running. I would suggest that you watch other YouTube links on FT8 to pick up tips. I will add other links to help you, some may be a bit long but you can always skip the bits you already know.

Get Started with FT8 - Introduction for Beginners

Icom IC-7300 Setup for WSJT/FT8

Thanks to Hayden VK7HH for making these YouTube videos above

FT8

FT8 Operating Guide V2

Grid Tracker

This is a great program that works with WSJT-X. It will show you if the band is open or whos on.
Below is the download link, just choose your operating system.
Also below is an operation guide.
Download Grid Tracker
Grid Tracker Operating Guide

Net Time

One thing using FT8, your computers clock needs to be accurate when decoding FT8 signals. To do this install this NetTime program to keep your PC up to date.
Once you have installed and run the program, click on setting and change the "Update Interval:" to 15 minutes, click ok and that's it. You should not have any issues. In the WSJT-X program you will see along the top line under Band Activity, UTC dB DT Freq Message.
The "DT" shows the accuracy of the time. e.g. 0.2 This needs to be under 2 seconds, so .2 is good.
Download NetTime Set-up

Icom Driver

Below is the link to down the USB driver
Icom Driver

Interface Cable

For the Icom IC-7300 radio's, it has it's own built in sound card so you only need a USB Cable, USB A to USB B to link it up to your computer.
This USB B goes directly into the back of your radio, and the USB A goes to the computer.
Once the driver is installed it will assign a com port. You will need to know what this port number is to set up in the program.
I would assume you know to find your coms port?
You should have your USB driver installed before you continue.
Your radio needs to have the lead connected and be plugged in to the radio and switched on. Depending on which operating system you are using.
FOR WINDOWS.
Search for, "Conrtol Panel" click on "Device Manager" scroll down to "> Ports (Com & LPT)" click on the ">" next to Ports to open the drop down menu. Here you will see a list of your com ports installed.
Mine shows "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (Com3)". This means I am using Com 3 in my set-up, so the WSJT program needs to be set on Com3 to operate and communicate with the radio.
If you are using a laptop or you remove the USB lead from the PC, then you will need to make sure you use the same USB port as before, otherwise if you plug it in to another USB port, it will assign a new port number and no longer work on the original com port you set it to.

Other YouTube Links you may be Interested In

The Stuff You May Not Know About FT8
Here Hayden VK7HH and Steve KM9G explain things in more detail.

WSJT-X Set-Up


Thanks goes to all those involved in the making of these video's. It has helped me to understand more about FT8, so I hope it helps you. You can like the video or subscribe to their channel.