Because it's fun. And there are a LOT of haters of the mode too. Much like you I presume, so for a guy like me, there is that certain level of spite I enjoy every time I mention FT8. I'll never get it. I don't rag on other modes. I do what I like and leave others to do the same. I don't find CW particularly appealing but I have a lot of great friends who do. It always amazes me that in such a technically advanced hobby as amateur radio, so many people frown upon and poo poo new advancements in technology. The newest, latest, greatest thing that advances the hobby is always somehow "killing the hobby". Yet FT8 is the most popular mode out there right now. Go figure.
@@hamradiotube I think you have to realize not everyone thinks every new mode is worth there time and the money needed to use such mode . I’m new to this and I enjoy APRS and have no clue really what ft8 is. I’d think I d enjoy winlink more lol
@@DARTHDANSAN and that’s fine. That’s the great thing about this hobby. There’s so many different paths you can take. And again, APRS doesn’t really do it for me but my friends Josh at Ham Radio Crash Cours and Jason KM4ACK absolutely love APRS and Winlink. For me, I have zero desire to check my emails at home much less when I’m portable.
Because people run amps continuous key down on FT8 and most amps are not made for that continuous duty! Ask Array Solutions how many amps they get in a month that some appliance operator has toasted on FT8 without a clue! Run what you want at your own peril! :)
@@hamradiotube .. those with compromised indoor antennas like myself, FT8 is our only option. I personally ignore the we hate FT8 people. For example, I can hear you on FT8, but SSB forget it. Nothing wrong with the discussion, even if many assume we are like them. Some of us aren't.
I run FT8 at 5W with my indoor/subterranean Magnetic Loop antenna and IC-705. I’m no world class DXer with that setup, but I’m in awe when I make connections. Recently, I made a contact on FT4 to Falkland Islands. That’s 7,100 miles away - or 0.0007 watts per mile. Its the personal satisfaction of making it with undesirable operating conditions that thrill me. YMMV. 72 de AI3W, Rick
Run FT8 at a power level that is giving you results you enjoy and is within your rig's ability to handle. I could see kicking the power up to try to reach a hard to contact station, maybe a rare (to you) DX, then bring it back down again and let others get in there. If you are getting results then you may not *need* the higher power. Seems like a balanced approach.
It's the ones that say I run 500 watts all the time. They are out there. It is not necessary as < 100 watts does just fine on FT8. I am 100% with you .. power if needed, however there are some that are power all the time.
I just recently started using ft8/4, running 10 watts with an AlexLoop antenna right next to my station. In 4 weeks, I have over 400 contacts (including K8MRD 😂), 42 states, and 38 different countries. Sure, there's stations that i can't hit, but that adds to the fun and excitement when it actually does happen. -73 de WD3FOT
I run ft8 50-65 watts. Agreed with you across the board, subjective, and not called out in instructions! You sir, have great content and call it like it is!
QRP'r here. I like your conclusions, and I run as much power as needed to make the qso. Mostly I don't need it, but when I do, I crank up the power or flick on the amp.
Marcus, the guy who writes SDR-Control for Mac also did a great SCR control for flex that I used and it’s got features aren’t available in the flex SDR-Control. When I first got my flex radio I was getting so frustrated trying to configure it for FT8, But I found my surprise that Marcus‘ App for flex allow me to seamlessly do FT8. I think Marcus is an unsung hero with regard to remote operation.
I try to do a little over the minimum power to get the job done! That is called best practices! I it may be on the test! I do 10-20 watts to local repeaters, that is all I need. But sometimes noise leaves are up I run more. Your comment about if it takes 100 watts to do it then that is what you need. I have never needed 100 watts. And most splatter is from over driving. The splatter and distortion will keep it from being decoded. Some may think they need more power because it isn't decoding when more power only makes it worse. 73. W4DES
Power output on FT8 has always been a subject of debate. I remember when it first came out, I read many articles bout it, every article said dont run over 30 watts ! or dont run over 40 watts ! and so thats what I did for awhile. Now that i have done FT8 for several years now, I run 50 to 98 watts, typical is 77 or 88W. Leaving room to save on the finals as you say, also having a small boost available for that much wanted DX contact. You can watch your spot reports after transmitting some and get a good idea of propagation for your session at hand and adjust accordingly. Also for FUN i experiment on PSK reporter. I will TX once per minute for 3 to 5 minutes, then do another round of same, then look on PSK reporter to see the stations that heard me. I have done this on 10W, 20W, 30W, 40W, 50W and so on. Typically there is a recognizable difference once you go above 30 watts. ABove 60 watts , not as much difference, but its there. Propagation still rules the day ! ALso on DX contacts that I can hear, I can look on PSK reporter and see if they hear me. Typically my wire HF antenna's hear better than they TX, which indicates to me I could use an amp, say up to 400 W , and I dont think I would over run MY RX capabilities. ALso all things are relative, from receive capability of your radio to the quality of antenna you use. All those things we as Hams combat to get good RX and TX. I definitely watch my ALC meter to keep my signal clean ! This is imperative to be a good operator I think. Our signal is supposed to be 50Hz wide and its annoying to see someone taking up 4x to 8x that in bandwidth on the waterfall. ANd the most important part of FT8, KEEP IT FUN !
I almost never exceed 25 watts when running FT-8. You might be surprised to see how little difference there really is going from 5 to 50 watts. If you are being received at an S-7 with 50 watts you can still be received at an S-6 with only 12.5 watts. You can still send an S-5 at only a little over 3 watts. You have to increase power 4 times the amount you are currently running to gain one S-unit. And then multiply that new power four more times again to go up another S-unit. So, is it really necessary to go from 25 watts to 100 watts to be received from an S-7 to an S-8 running FT-8? Although FT-8 is not a low power mode, it can complete a contact with the weakest signals. It's simple... Don't run excess power unless you need it. Make room for others to share the bands. 73!
That's basically what I was thinking. I've checked into the 7290 net here in Texas both at 5 watts and 75 watts, and it really helps to use an efficient antenna.
I usually run 10 watts. On occasion when another station and myself start bouncing back and forth then I will go up in power in 10 watt increments. If I can make a contact at 10 watts then I feel that it is better for my radio. I spent over a thousand dollars on this thing, so I would like it to last longer rather than shorter. Thanks for answering so many questions and posting. And for those that ask "Why" even do FT-8 I will just say that I am a multi-tasker. I can be doing FT-8 on HF, checking in to net on VHF or UHF and writing a paper all at the same time. Would I rather have a QSO with someone in Japan. I sure would, but each thing in it's own time.
I would like to dispel the myth FT8 is a 50/50 mode. FT8 duty cycle does vary some, but is closer to 40%. Most radios and amplifiers handle a 50% duty cycle without issue, and hence do not have much worry about going beyond what the radio is rated for. I have heard Calum, DXCommander, say he is hearing about 7300's being turned in to have finals replaced due to the duty cycle of FT8, so those who own that radio may have some concern running it at 100 watts.
On my FT-991a, I turn down the Digital Audio PWR and then when I start transmitting, I slide it back up till I see the power go up to the set power and ALC is just starting to come on. Then I back down a hair. I like to lock Tx frequency when possible so that I don't have to keep adjusting because it's frequency dependent. The higher in the band, the more it will drive the ALC up so the lower you have to adjust the PWR slider. I've made good contacts with an EFHW on 50w but will chase someone up to 95w when trying to hit Japan or Australia from MD. Also, gotta tell us what your printing in the background. You can't be squirting filament without a show and tell :-)
I keep power on FT8 limited to 25 watts on my Wolf River Coils and 35 on my TennTennas EFHW since that's what they're rated for. I've never felt under gunned at those power levels, but then I'm nearly always at a POTA site, so people are lining up for a QSO.
I use 10W max on FT8 and enjoying many contacts around the globe, especially on 10m. It's all about the antenna, not the radio power. As my daughter says about most things I do "you do you"... As long as you are happy with what you are running and not causing anyone else interference, carry on and enjoy yourself :)
FT8 allows people to do radio with less equipment. On 160M, I could only reach adjacent States until FT8. With FT8, I work thousands of miles. I appreciate that. I also like WinLink/vara and JS8Call. There are many non-traditional modes of radio now. More than I can keep up with. 😎
There is a far easier way to do the logging. Screenshot the log, export the screenshot to a pdf. Use the OCR function on Adobe. Then export the file as a Word file, then use search and replace to pull out the info you don’t want to log. Then use the function to convert it to a table in word and export it as a CSV. Easy easy.
Mike, you can use the copy and paste method to copy rows from the pota website. Once you have it in a spreasheet not hard to setup for inporting to your favorte logging porgram.
Me personally I run about 10-30 watts depending on which radio I’m using 98% of the time and with just a tad under 6500 FT8/4 contacts in two years I’d say is successful. But, if I need a 100 I have and will use it. I’m a fan of whatever it takes to make the QSO.
Submitting your log to LOTW is suppose to be your log of the QSO. Not a copy of one of the parties' log of the QSO. The LOTW confirmation process gets confirmed when the two QSO participants description matches. Coping the Activators description of the QSO and submitting it as your Hunter description should not be encouraged.
"How much power should I use? All of it" "I paid for the whole wattmeter, I'm going to use the whole wattmeter" Obviously with high duty cycle it can be a lot more rough, on my IC-706 I'd either have to run lower power or give it breaks because the thing would get pretty hot (and I'm a bit overly cautious about frying it). On the TS-590 I can just hammer down on that at full power nonstop, it's a beast. As far as if this is in the "true spirit" of FT-8, eh, FT-8's narrow bandwidth usage allows us to punch a higher power output more efficiently, if it is what is needed to make the contact -- do it. Lower power is good for a lot of reasons, easier on the rig, easier on parts of your antenna network, easier on the power bill if you're hammering FT-8 for hours on end (I've done this), it's ideal to use just the power you need but I'm not going to be upset that you're 1000W and shoving +24db in my face, seems like just an excuse to get mad over nothing.
As I'm sure others have stated, you also have to be aware of the power ratings on your antenna. While an antenna might be rated at 100w or 200w, etc., for SSB, that is not always the case for CW or data. I have two Alpha antennas, the FMJ and the Promaster. Both are only rated at 25w for digital. So, I usually keep my power at about 20w-23w or so. If you go over those ratings for an extended period of time, you will over saturate the coil, matchbox, matching section, etc,. and that is where you can start to worry about damage to the radio. You will know this has happened when the radio goes into TX and the SWR starts climbing instantly. As far as splattering, you can do that with 1w if the ALC is too high. Hope this helps. 73 all. -John KC0JH
Usually I run FT8 on 5W to 20W. I made contacts from Germany to the Caribbean easily. But when those high power blokes shut down your frequency, you fail completing the QSO. That‘s what really sucks. Remember, it‘s all about SNR, not S9++. So my pledge is: try good operating practice instead of high power! Read the instructions and don‘t stop when you haven‘t found anything about high power. Operate split. Find a clear spot to transmit on. And finally RTFM to any extends. If you don‘t understand that weak signals mostly are due to low power or compromise antennas, you got the whole thing wrong.
With FT-8 I typically run 50 to 70 watts, but like you if I need to complete a QSO I will bump up the power just to complete that contact then dial it back down. I will also run down at 30 watts to make contacts just to see what I can or can't do.
Use the minimum amount of power to make the contact. Set the ALC volume levels correctly so that you don't splatter. Know what power level will not damage your antenna and radio.
I use iFTX due to only owning an iPad, it doesn’t have much in terms of settings but I have had a lot of success on FT8/FT4 with it. Sometimes I run under 5w portable with a QRP transceiver, if I am at home I sometimes go up to 25w if there are countries calling CQ that I have not had a QSO with before. Each to their own 🤷♂️ I always check people on qrz that I contact and most have multiple beams and top equipment, I’m that guy with a dipole, an iPad and a second hand transceiver. Being on the air is what counts.
My 705 and my iPad running the FT8 tool in SDR Control for Icom can make an afternoon fly right by. I do portable QRP exclusively for now since I’m in an apartment so no big antennas for me. Some day…
I follow a similar line of thinking Michael. I read the manual and go from there. Reading the manual answers a lot of the questions that people are asking and debating across the internet. Hamateurs: "Go to the source, not to the opinionated message boards for answers." And, Weak Signal, Weak Signal, Weak Signal, yes .... NOT Weak or Low Power. Agreed. I'm enjoying these timely topic videos of yours Mike! 👍📻⚡🎸🐓 Cheers, Tom - WA7FLY
If uploading a log to LoTW you first must add a location in TQSL. If your POTA and out to a park, you need to adjust the new location to a possible new grid, and state otherwise TQSL thinks your at your home location and the upload won't be accurate. Just open TQSL and Add New Location.
As an alternative ensure that the logs have proper QTH details: , , and , and in TQSL, open the preferences, select the "Log Handling" tab, and choose "Override Station Location with QTH details from your log". You may need to use ADIF Master or some other editing program if your logger didn't create and populate these fields.
It might be possible to highlight the info from the log from the browser. Then paste it into a text document. From there one might be able to get it into an adif format to upload. I would try that personally before I hand jammed each contact in individually. Just my two cents!
As was said, low signal mode not low power. When using any digital mode on a 100 watt radio, you are running full duty cycle. SSB is not a full duty cycle mode and is why you will find that when switching most radios into AM mode will limit you to 25 watts carrier. Running more that about 35 watts on most 100-watt SSB radios is looking to cook the finals. They are not made to handle that. I sometimes run FT-8/4 up to 300 watts (on a 2K amp driven at around 10 watts from the radio) and get the contacts I could hear but not reach with lesser power. It all has to do with antenna and propagation at a given location at that time. Doing this, I am not straining anything. When activating POTA, I run 35 watts or less. High power does not mean splattering. Otherwise, no one could ever use an amp. Splattering is normally caused by overdriven audio and if you watch the ALC can be as clean at 1500 watts as 10. Do what you enjoy, but don’t dog the guy getting his contacts at higher power just because you don’t wish to go over 5 watts and vice versa. 73.
I leave the power turned up. Stations are more likely to call a stronger station first. It makes you an "easier" contact or a "quicky". On the other hand, after our first local Hamfest here in Tucson allowed due to Covid, I sold enough to have a surplus and decided that since Icom really was going to make the 705 and you could actually order one, that I called Gigaparts and asked about getting back on the "waiting list" and 3 days later had a new 705. It was easy to set up for FT-8, (had a 7300 at the time) and found little difference between the reports for 100 versus 10 watts, (duh, it really is 10 db!). After working 23 states in about 3 hours, I decided to see how long WAS would take. 64 hours on the air over the next16 days later, I worked Connecticut for #50. The last 2 states (De & Ct) took 5 days (6 hours). My wife said, "you're finally done, now what are you going to do? I said, " Turn the power down to a real QRP 5 watts and start over"------"Crickets....". Now that clubs are doing outings in the park in town, (unfortunately city parks aren't not real POTA), I'm going to use my KX-2 and my AX-2 (when it arrives and start over. Might try some VARA, too.
Back in the day when PSK-31 came out, we were advised to run lower power for reasons specific to that mode. I suspect the reason people think FT-8 is supposed to use low power is because of an equivalence between the two modes simply because it is also a sound card digital mode. I frequently see in ham radio where people assume the rules for one thing apply to the other simply because there is some similarity to what they knew. One example of digital modes using high power is RTTY--no one would ever think to state that RTTY was a low power mode simply because it is digital. Maybe that is because it was generated by different means (true FSK anyway). But somehow because RTTY was used long before the sound card modes like PSK31, no one presumes to equate the two. The old wives' tales hams hold on to are indeed strange. de NY4I
Power and FT-8... Honestly, I usually end up somewhere between 10 and 60 watts, though I've found that with my setup, 38 seems to be the sweet spot. That said, have I used more power? Absolutely, including engaging my linear on 10m to finish a QSO to the very southern tip of South America on a band that was rapidly closing. I think it peaked out at about 238 watts for the last two exchanges. Not really that much in the grand scheme of things, and I think the atmosphere has since forgiven me. Propagation was against me that day, and she's often a fickle mistress. I consider that to be an extreme, last resort kind of thing. I'll try other things first, like changing my TX frequency in case someone who can't hear me is stomping me on the receive end. Either way, as you correctly pointed out, audio quality (i.e. don't overdrive) is far more important to your PSK neighbors than how much EM you're tossing into the ionosphere. I enjoy your videos! 73!
I typically run 30w with my IC-7300 on FT8 and other digital modes. What some people don't do is set their ALC at the proper level. A handful of times I went up to 75w output. I was doing FT8 on 160m one night and someone was overdriving their ALC so much that they were taking up half the spectrum. They were so loud, I thought my ears were going to bleed. I had to QSY to another band because I got tired of hearing it. Another thing that's irritating about FT8 is when a stateside stations is calling for DX and another station from the states decides to click on their call because they haven't worked that county or grid square. Whatever the case maybe, leave the station calling for DX alone.
Pwr for FT8 for me is 25 watts general operating and when needed I bump it up in 25 watt increments till I get the QSO. I stop if contact goes unanswered after three attempts at max power then back down to 25 watts.
I've learned my lesson: I run FT-8/FT-4 at 50W, keyboard to keyboard QSO interactives at 30W. The $600 lesson was simply that I burnt out the PA on my IC-7200 running digital modes. FT-8 isn't too bad actually. Slow QSO modes like Olivia 250/8 are absolutely _brutal_. I run my rigs remotely so don't get direct feedback on how the radio is doing. I've come back after Saturday afternoon digital QSO ragchews with the heatsink on that radio too hot to touch. Turns out that's not good (snicker). It's two things. First, look at the modulated waveform. For the duration of a transmission, you can tell at a glance that the PA is at 100% duty cycle for digital, and substantially less than that for SSB phone. Second, the transmit time especially for slow modes can be quite extended. A multi-minute keydown is not unusual. So, for digital modes running full power is fine. You just need to pick one of the three following: 1. Make sure you've plenty of cooling for the radio. Add a fan or four. Make sure the thermal transfer grease on the PA transistors is nice and fresh. 2. Run lower power. Just say to yourself you're running full power. Saying this often enough builds belief; it's a fundamental premise of faith-based amateur radio. 3. Hey, it's all good. A new radio once a season is just a cost of doing business. Besides, how else can you keep up with all the new radio model introductions. It's important to materially support our ham radio manufacturing community.
With digital HF radio communications I run up to 400 watts on Olivia, and up to 200 watts on FT 8. My ALC is run low. I have run various experiments, and when propagation permits, more power will get you farther. When there is no propagation, no amount of power will get that communication done. Telling people to run up to 1500 watts with HF amplifiers is irresponsible, most manufacturers cap their amps 400 to 500 watts for digital. I always run 100 watts on SSB, even portable. I didn't get into ham radio to talk to myself.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but it appears that you can retrieve your POTA (Parks on the Air) logs by accessing "My Log Uploads" and selecting the down arrow in the last column. This will allow you to export the ADIF file, even if you have previously sent your logs to your coordinator via email. It's important to note, however, that the exported logs will only include information on the band used, and not the specific frequency.
You are correct, but that's not what the question was. He was asking about the Hunted Log. Of course I can download my uploads, because as the activator, I uploaded it. It's my log.
If my signal is above 0 db on the other end, I reduce power by half. Just trying to be a "good band neighbor"! I start out at 20W and go up or down based on signal reports.
I don't know, Is FT-8 a 100% duty cycle mode. If so, DON'T run full power. If the finals in YOUR radio are not rated for 100% duty cycle then they will burn up. If the station on the other end is receiving well above the norm then you can reduce the power from 1.5k to something lower.
as of this year i've now run ft8 on everything from sub 5 watts on a randomwire inside my room (and made contact with Japan) ... to using a remote station with 1500 watt amp temperature limited to 700 watts for continous duty into a serious yagi at 95 feet to talk to 3Y0J .... sadly operator error and assumed the lack of rr73 was qrm and me not hearing it ... not that the qrm also kept them from hearing it too.... oh well.... but really most of the time, I run well under 100 watts ... on an amplifier.... this allows me to keep my main radio running sub 10 watts into a perfect 1:1 swr ... so heating is a minimum and hopefully will "last forever".... and the amp is taking the abuse of my 2:1 at times random wire ... and running well under-rated power to keep it cool and happy. Mostly i keep under 100 watts simply because of the lack of control and the high urban enviornment.... there is a sidewalk 10-15 feet from my antenna etc.
Iirc the exam says something about running the power needed to make the contact. Ignoring how we ignore that constantly I can say for a fact that sometimes I need 100 watts to get some of that dx. (And to reset my router which is why don't usually run 100 watts lmao)
@@hamradiotube I think it needs a better front end filter tbh. It's noisy as heck and it seems 40 meters at 100 watts is enough to desensitized the radio in it. Tbh I just need a new router lol
50 to 75 watts usually, unless it's half way across the planet and I need the contact for a new worked country, then I'll crank it up to 100 or even 200 watts. I've already gotten all my "easy" DX contacts.
Yes there is. I'm not sure about QRZ but it can send the log to another logging software. Pretty sure it can send them directly to LOTW as well. I don't like my logs being automated like that so I've never looked too deep into it.
My 20 Watts on FT8 with the same rig and antenna as someone else, is NOT the same. If I live down in a valley and someone else lives on a mountain top, sure they will brag about their FT8 contacts while I get very few. And since I never know when that guy in DX land is going to get on the radio for a little bit, I use 100 Watts all the time.
Usualy not more than 65 - 70 watts without amp. With my amp, not more than 25% power wich also is consistant with the recommandation on my endfed antenna (at least that is what I think it is). Never any ALC! and my timer is at 3 minutes watchdog. The radio need a few breaks now and then. Tnx for great videos. 73...
@@hamradiotube I understand his pain, though. Nobody really wants to cough up 100 bucks for software that may/maynot do what he needs. I hope he finds a friend that has the software so he can test drive it to see if it's worth 99 bucks. Hey ICOM, please send Mike this software for free so he can showcase it for us. I bet you sell a bunch of copies after everyone watches his video!
If your modern ham rig can run’t FT8 full power, then you got a problem with your rig. I run full power on my Flexradio 6600 full power FT8 all day long without any problems… most modern ham radios are limited by SWR, Heat, and electronically protected from any damage. The splatter comes from over modulation, and or poorly designed cheap equipment. Run as much power as it takes to make the contact… Good luck in getting that DX FT8 station that everyone else is running 100 watts plus, the beam antenna to make contact with. 73
The problem is the word "trend." My experience is that the trend is not just high power, it is "plop down right smack in the middle of the passband on top of whatever other station might be there regardless of whether or not he is rare DX for someone." The problem isn't the power level itself, it is more a case of being inconsiderate of the power level. If he is running 40 watts, good chance the guy running 10 watts in Africa can still get through to the people trying to work him. But the guy running 500, 1000, 1500 watts? No one is hearing anything underneath his signal. And THAT is the problem. Yes, even the guy running 1500 may be "weak." But let's be real, chances are he isn't weak for 3/4 of the planet. He's got a big, obnoxious signal and most of the time he is sitting right on top of a station a bunch of other people are trying to work. In SSB or CW, we would say that the more power you run, the more important it is for you to check if the frequency is busy. There's really no way to do that in FT8 other than the waterfall. And SINCE it is, as everyone is so quick to point out, a weak signal mode NOT a low power mode, it is vitally important that you determine which weak signals are there before you transmit. Since your power output is so much bigger than the station running low power, it is critical to determine what is there first. Ever go to a nice, dark, quiet restaurant and then that big noisy group comes in? They're drunk, talking loud, dressed like dirt bags, and inconsiderate to everyone around them- yet breaking no rules? That's the high power guys on FT8. Sorry- just my opinion. FT8 is neither a weak signal mode nor a high power mode. It just works better when everyone is running a similar power. Want better results? Better antenna- that way you can hear those other weak signals.
Hmmmm….. the ft8 is 42.13% duty cycle, far from 100%. And your comparison to driving car is wrong as well. The engine of your car is not tested for 1200 hp, or is it? For the FTDX10 the 100W in the ft8 mode should be the norm. You don’t believe me? Take a pen and a calculator. Start with the energy dissipation and 0.6 efficiency coefficient. Use parts catalog and your car prospectus.
I always run 100w with my 7300 into an EFHW when working ft8. ALC set just high enough that the power is at max for the band I’m working. Electronics and mechanical engines are not the same thing.
Listen up kids. Forward to 3:40. Play this over and over. Wise words - "I Despise Windows". Get a MAC. It will change your life. You'll thank us later. Have an Evolve for the same reasons Mike. Wouldn't it be great if MAC was 12v? Oh well. We can only wish.
Lol! Love it. Man if Mac was 12 volts that would be amazing. But I still hate taking my Mac (even my old one) out in the field. They're just too expensive. I love the $60 computer for field work. If it breaks I literally would not care. That's why I bought 2.
The way I see it is if everyone adopted the high power attitude for this mode then it's would no longer be a weak signal protocol it would be a strong signal protocol. 25w max
@@hamradiotubeyeah that's kinda my point. Higher power brings higher responsibility as the saying goes. My current log of 169 DXCC was done on MFSK and FT8 and a couple of Slow Scan TV qso there as well. 10W max and most of the time I'm running lower don't see the point in using power if you have a decent antenna system. I mean a lot of these big shooters using 1500 watts are causing issues to nearby hams in the vicinity of those frequencies. However i also understand the term using what's required to complete the qso. It's a mixed bag and I guess that's what makes it interesting. Great video/channel btw
FT-8......why ?
Because it's fun. And there are a LOT of haters of the mode too. Much like you I presume, so for a guy like me, there is that certain level of spite I enjoy every time I mention FT8. I'll never get it. I don't rag on other modes. I do what I like and leave others to do the same. I don't find CW particularly appealing but I have a lot of great friends who do. It always amazes me that in such a technically advanced hobby as amateur radio, so many people frown upon and poo poo new advancements in technology. The newest, latest, greatest thing that advances the hobby is always somehow "killing the hobby". Yet FT8 is the most popular mode out there right now. Go figure.
@@hamradiotube I think you have to realize not everyone thinks every new mode is worth there time and the money needed to use such mode . I’m new to this and I enjoy APRS and have no clue really what ft8 is. I’d think I d enjoy winlink more lol
@@DARTHDANSAN and that’s fine. That’s the great thing about this hobby. There’s so many different paths you can take. And again, APRS doesn’t really do it for me but my friends Josh at Ham Radio Crash Cours and Jason KM4ACK absolutely love APRS and Winlink. For me, I have zero desire to check my emails at home much less when I’m portable.
Because people run amps continuous key down on FT8 and most amps are not made for that continuous duty! Ask Array Solutions how many amps they get in a month that some appliance operator has toasted on FT8 without a clue! Run what you want at your own peril! :)
@@hamradiotube .. those with compromised indoor antennas like myself, FT8 is our only option. I personally ignore the we hate FT8 people. For example, I can hear you on FT8, but SSB forget it. Nothing wrong with the discussion, even if many assume we are like them. Some of us aren't.
I run FT8 at 5W with my indoor/subterranean Magnetic Loop antenna and IC-705. I’m no world class DXer with that setup, but I’m in awe when I make connections. Recently, I made a contact on FT4 to Falkland Islands. That’s 7,100 miles away - or 0.0007 watts per mile. Its the personal satisfaction of making it with undesirable operating conditions that thrill me. YMMV. 72 de AI3W, Rick
That's awesome! I just saw Falkland Island spotted last night but couldn't hear them.
Totally agree
Re: splattering: you can splatter at 5 watts. I’ve seen it…I’ve done it (lol oops)
Like you said, watching the ALC meter is important!
Man some initial review of FT8 on TH-cam I was certain it was a low power mode not to exceed 25W. Glad I found this.
Run FT8 at a power level that is giving you results you enjoy and is within your rig's ability to handle. I could see kicking the power up to try to reach a hard to contact station, maybe a rare (to you) DX, then bring it back down again and let others get in there. If you are getting results then you may not *need* the higher power. Seems like a balanced approach.
It's the ones that say I run 500 watts all the time. They are out there. It is not necessary as < 100 watts does just fine on FT8. I am 100% with you .. power if needed, however there are some that are power all the time.
I just recently started using ft8/4, running 10 watts with an AlexLoop antenna right next to my station. In 4 weeks, I have over 400 contacts (including K8MRD 😂), 42 states, and 38 different countries. Sure, there's stations that i can't hit, but that adds to the fun and excitement when it actually does happen. -73 de WD3FOT
I run ft8 50-65 watts. Agreed with you across the board, subjective, and not called out in instructions! You sir, have great content and call it like it is!
QRP'r here. I like your conclusions, and I run as much power as needed to make the qso. Mostly I don't need it, but when I do, I crank up the power or flick on the amp.
i can’t say if we have anything better to do, but i’ll suggest the log download at our next dev meeting :)
Lol! Yeah I'm sure you have nothing on your plates :)
Using the SDR for Icom, with a 705…..it is great! Really expands the use of the radio.
Marcus, the guy who writes SDR-Control for Mac also did a great SCR control for flex that I used and it’s got features aren’t available in the flex SDR-Control. When I first got my flex radio I was getting so frustrated trying to configure it for FT8, But I found my surprise that Marcus‘ App for flex allow me to seamlessly do FT8. I think Marcus is an unsung hero with regard to remote operation.
I try to do a little over the minimum power to get the job done! That is called best practices! I it may be on the test! I do 10-20 watts to local repeaters, that is all I need. But sometimes noise leaves are up I run more. Your comment about if it takes 100 watts to do it then that is what you need. I have never needed 100 watts. And most splatter is from over driving. The splatter and distortion will keep it from being decoded. Some may think they need more power because it isn't decoding when more power only makes it worse. 73. W4DES
FT8 has been amp repairmen's best friend!!!!!
Lol!
Power output on FT8 has always been a subject of debate. I remember when it first came out, I read many articles bout it, every article said dont run over 30 watts ! or dont run over 40 watts ! and so thats what I did for awhile. Now that i have done FT8 for several years now, I run 50 to 98 watts, typical is 77 or 88W. Leaving room to save on the finals as you say, also having a small boost available for that much wanted DX contact. You can watch your spot reports after transmitting some and get a good idea of propagation for your session at hand and adjust accordingly. Also for FUN i experiment on PSK reporter. I will TX once per minute for 3 to 5 minutes, then do another round of same, then look on PSK reporter to see the stations that heard me. I have done this on 10W, 20W, 30W, 40W, 50W and so on. Typically there is a recognizable difference once you go above 30 watts. ABove 60 watts , not as much difference, but its there. Propagation still rules the day ! ALso on DX contacts that I can hear, I can look on PSK reporter and see if they hear me. Typically my wire HF antenna's hear better than they TX, which indicates to me I could use an amp, say up to 400 W , and I dont think I would over run MY RX capabilities. ALso all things are relative, from receive capability of your radio to the quality of antenna you use. All those things we as Hams combat to get good RX and TX. I definitely watch my ALC meter to keep my signal clean ! This is imperative to be a good operator I think. Our signal is supposed to be 50Hz wide and its annoying to see someone taking up 4x to 8x that in bandwidth on the waterfall. ANd the most important part of FT8, KEEP IT FUN !
I almost never exceed 25 watts when running FT-8. You might be surprised to see how little difference there really is going from 5 to 50 watts. If you are being received at an S-7 with 50 watts you can still be received at an S-6 with only 12.5 watts. You can still send an S-5 at only a little over 3 watts. You have to increase power 4 times the amount you are currently running to gain one S-unit. And then multiply that new power four more times again to go up another S-unit. So, is it really necessary to go from 25 watts to 100 watts to be received from an S-7 to an S-8 running FT-8? Although FT-8 is not a low power mode, it can complete a contact with the weakest signals. It's simple... Don't run excess power unless you need it. Make room for others to share the bands. 73!
That's basically what I was thinking. I've checked into the 7290 net here in Texas both at 5 watts and 75 watts, and it really helps to use an efficient antenna.
@@kd5you1 - I agree with you. An efficient antenna is extremely important.
Full beans. Life is too short for no beans.
Usually 30-50 watts on FT8. Rarely I’ll crank it up to 80-100 for a DX contact.
I usually run 10 watts. On occasion when another station and myself start bouncing back and forth then I will go up in power in 10 watt increments. If I can make a contact at 10 watts then I feel that it is better for my radio. I spent over a thousand dollars on this thing, so I would like it to last longer rather than shorter. Thanks for answering so many questions and posting. And for those that ask "Why" even do FT-8 I will just say that I am a multi-tasker. I can be doing FT-8 on HF, checking in to net on VHF or UHF and writing a paper all at the same time. Would I rather have a QSO with someone in Japan. I sure would, but each thing in it's own time.
35w on my FT450 D is the sweet spot for me and FT8! I get plenty of contacts not blasting full power.
You should be using your 891 now
@@hamradiotube I do, when I'm out and about. But the 450 is the QTH :^)
I would like to dispel the myth FT8 is a 50/50 mode. FT8 duty cycle does vary some, but is closer to 40%. Most radios and amplifiers handle a 50% duty cycle without issue, and hence do not have much worry about going beyond what the radio is rated for. I have heard Calum, DXCommander, say he is hearing about 7300's being turned in to have finals replaced due to the duty cycle of FT8, so those who own that radio may have some concern running it at 100 watts.
On my FT-991a, I turn down the Digital Audio PWR and then when I start transmitting, I slide it back up till I see the power go up to the set power and ALC is just starting to come on. Then I back down a hair. I like to lock Tx frequency when possible so that I don't have to keep adjusting because it's frequency dependent. The higher in the band, the more it will drive the ALC up so the lower you have to adjust the PWR slider. I've made good contacts with an EFHW on 50w but will chase someone up to 95w when trying to hit Japan or Australia from MD. Also, gotta tell us what your printing in the background. You can't be squirting filament without a show and tell :-)
I keep power on FT8 limited to 25 watts on my Wolf River Coils and 35 on my TennTennas EFHW since that's what they're rated for. I've never felt under gunned at those power levels, but then I'm nearly always at a POTA site, so people are lining up for a QSO.
I use 10W max on FT8 and enjoying many contacts around the globe, especially on 10m. It's all about the antenna, not the radio power. As my daughter says about most things I do "you do you"... As long as you are happy with what you are running and not causing anyone else interference, carry on and enjoy yourself :)
FT8 allows people to do radio with less equipment. On 160M, I could only reach adjacent States until FT8. With FT8, I work thousands of miles. I appreciate that. I also like WinLink/vara and JS8Call. There are many non-traditional modes of radio now. More than I can keep up with. 😎
There is a far easier way to do the logging. Screenshot the log, export the screenshot to a pdf. Use the OCR function on Adobe. Then export the file as a Word file, then use search and replace to pull out the info you don’t want to log. Then use the function to convert it to a table in word and export it as a CSV. Easy easy.
I run anywhere from 20w to 45w but have ran 70 a couple of times to get a contact. Also depends on antenna duty cycle
I have a 1/2 wave dipole, 10-meter, attic antenna mated with an Icom-7300. I typically have my power setting at 50% to 80% on FT-8.
Mike, you can use the copy and paste method to copy rows from the pota website. Once you have it in a spreasheet not hard to setup for inporting to your favorte logging porgram.
Good tip.
Me personally I run about 10-30 watts depending on which radio I’m using 98% of the time and with just a tad under 6500 FT8/4 contacts in two years I’d say is successful. But, if I need a 100 I have and will use it. I’m a fan of whatever it takes to make the QSO.
@dxporker - I do basically the same and I agree with you 100%! 73!
Submitting your log to LOTW is suppose to be your log of the QSO. Not a copy of one of the parties' log of the QSO. The LOTW confirmation process gets confirmed when the two QSO participants description matches. Coping the Activators description of the QSO and submitting it as your Hunter description should not be encouraged.
"How much power should I use? All of it"
"I paid for the whole wattmeter, I'm going to use the whole wattmeter"
Obviously with high duty cycle it can be a lot more rough, on my IC-706 I'd either have to run lower power or give it breaks because the thing would get pretty hot (and I'm a bit overly cautious about frying it). On the TS-590 I can just hammer down on that at full power nonstop, it's a beast. As far as if this is in the "true spirit" of FT-8, eh, FT-8's narrow bandwidth usage allows us to punch a higher power output more efficiently, if it is what is needed to make the contact -- do it. Lower power is good for a lot of reasons, easier on the rig, easier on parts of your antenna network, easier on the power bill if you're hammering FT-8 for hours on end (I've done this), it's ideal to use just the power you need but I'm not going to be upset that you're 1000W and shoving +24db in my face, seems like just an excuse to get mad over nothing.
My ham alert went off alot last night. I could hear your signal at 05:45 utc in Mt Vernon Missouri. I got run ft8 though.
As I'm sure others have stated, you also have to be aware of the power ratings on your antenna. While an antenna might be rated at 100w or 200w, etc., for SSB, that is not always the case for CW or data. I have two Alpha antennas, the FMJ and the Promaster. Both are only rated at 25w for digital. So, I usually keep my power at about 20w-23w or so. If you go over those ratings for an extended period of time, you will over saturate the coil, matchbox, matching section, etc,. and that is where you can start to worry about damage to the radio. You will know this has happened when the radio goes into TX and the SWR starts climbing instantly.
As far as splattering, you can do that with 1w if the ALC is too high.
Hope this helps. 73 all. -John KC0JH
Usually I run FT8 on 5W to 20W. I made contacts from Germany to the Caribbean easily. But when those high power blokes shut down your frequency, you fail completing the QSO. That‘s what really sucks. Remember, it‘s all about SNR, not S9++. So my pledge is: try good operating practice instead of high power! Read the instructions and don‘t stop when you haven‘t found anything about high power. Operate split. Find a clear spot to transmit on. And finally RTFM to any extends. If you don‘t understand that weak signals mostly are due to low power or compromise antennas, you got the whole thing wrong.
With FT-8 I typically run 50 to 70 watts, but like you if I need to complete a QSO I will bump up the power just to complete that contact then dial it back down. I will also run down at 30 watts to make contacts just to see what I can or can't do.
Use the minimum amount of power to make the contact. Set the ALC volume levels correctly so that you don't splatter. Know what power level will not damage your antenna and radio.
I use iFTX due to only owning an iPad, it doesn’t have much in terms of settings but I have had a lot of success on FT8/FT4 with it. Sometimes I run under 5w portable with a QRP transceiver, if I am at home I sometimes go up to 25w if there are countries calling CQ that I have not had a QSO with before.
Each to their own 🤷♂️
I always check people on qrz that I contact and most have multiple beams and top equipment, I’m that guy with a dipole, an iPad and a second hand transceiver. Being on the air is what counts.
My 705 and my iPad running the FT8 tool in SDR Control for Icom can make an afternoon fly right by. I do portable QRP exclusively for now since I’m in an apartment so no big antennas for me. Some day…
I follow a similar line of thinking Michael. I read the manual and go from there. Reading the manual answers a lot of the questions that people are asking and debating across the internet. Hamateurs: "Go to the source, not to the opinionated message boards for answers." And, Weak Signal, Weak Signal, Weak Signal, yes .... NOT Weak or Low Power. Agreed. I'm enjoying these timely topic videos of yours Mike! 👍📻⚡🎸🐓 Cheers, Tom - WA7FLY
Thanks Brian. I know that's Bucketheads real name. Or is it???
@@hamradiotube (sorry, I cannot respond - Buckethead doesn't speak)
If uploading a log to LoTW you first must add a location in TQSL. If your POTA and out to a park, you need to adjust the new location to a possible new grid, and state otherwise TQSL thinks your at your home location and the upload won't be accurate. Just open TQSL and Add New Location.
As an alternative ensure that the logs have proper QTH details: , , and , and in TQSL, open the preferences, select the "Log Handling" tab, and choose "Override Station Location with QTH details from your log". You may need to use ADIF Master or some other editing program if your logger didn't create and populate these fields.
It might be possible to highlight the info from the log from the browser. Then paste it into a text document. From there one might be able to get it into an adif format to upload. I would try that personally before I hand jammed each contact in individually. Just my two cents!
As was said, low signal mode not low power. When using any digital mode on a 100 watt radio, you are running full duty cycle. SSB is not a full duty cycle mode and is why you will find that when switching most radios into AM mode will limit you to 25 watts carrier. Running more that about 35 watts on most 100-watt SSB radios is looking to cook the finals. They are not made to handle that.
I sometimes run FT-8/4 up to 300 watts (on a 2K amp driven at around 10 watts from the radio) and get the contacts I could hear but not reach with lesser power. It all has to do with antenna and propagation at a given location at that time. Doing this, I am not straining anything. When activating POTA, I run 35 watts or less.
High power does not mean splattering. Otherwise, no one could ever use an amp. Splattering is normally caused by overdriven audio and if you watch the ALC can be as clean at 1500 watts as 10.
Do what you enjoy, but don’t dog the guy getting his contacts at higher power just because you don’t wish to go over 5 watts and vice versa. 73.
I leave the power turned up. Stations are more likely to call a stronger station first. It makes you an "easier" contact or a "quicky".
On the other hand, after our first local Hamfest here in Tucson allowed due to Covid, I sold enough to have a surplus and decided that since Icom really was going to make the 705 and you could actually order one, that I called Gigaparts and asked about getting back on the "waiting list" and 3 days later had a new 705. It was easy to set up for FT-8, (had a 7300 at the time) and found little difference between the reports for 100 versus 10 watts, (duh, it really is 10 db!). After working 23 states in about 3 hours, I decided to see how long WAS would take. 64 hours on the air over the next16 days later, I worked Connecticut for #50. The last 2 states (De & Ct) took 5 days (6 hours). My wife said, "you're finally done, now what are you going to do? I said, " Turn the power down to a real QRP 5 watts and start over"------"Crickets....".
Now that clubs are doing outings in the park in town, (unfortunately city parks aren't not real POTA), I'm going to use my KX-2 and my AX-2 (when it arrives and start over. Might try some VARA, too.
Back in the day when PSK-31 came out, we were advised to run lower power for reasons specific to that mode. I suspect the reason people think FT-8 is supposed to use low power is because of an equivalence between the two modes simply because it is also a sound card digital mode.
I frequently see in ham radio where people assume the rules for one thing apply to the other simply because there is some similarity to what they knew. One example of digital modes using high power is RTTY--no one would ever think to state that RTTY was a low power mode simply because it is digital. Maybe that is because it was generated by different means (true FSK anyway). But somehow because RTTY was used long before the sound card modes like PSK31, no one presumes to equate the two. The old wives' tales hams hold on to are indeed strange. de NY4I
I would assume it’s because most people fail to read the manual and just regurgitate what they hear instead of doing the research themselves.
SDR Control on the iPad with the 705 is awesome. Well worth the $50 if you're on the fence.
Power and FT-8...
Honestly, I usually end up somewhere between 10 and 60 watts, though I've found that with my setup, 38 seems to be the sweet spot. That said, have I used more power? Absolutely, including engaging my linear on 10m to finish a QSO to the very southern tip of South America on a band that was rapidly closing. I think it peaked out at about 238 watts for the last two exchanges. Not really that much in the grand scheme of things, and I think the atmosphere has since forgiven me. Propagation was against me that day, and she's often a fickle mistress.
I consider that to be an extreme, last resort kind of thing. I'll try other things first, like changing my TX frequency in case someone who can't hear me is stomping me on the receive end. Either way, as you correctly pointed out, audio quality (i.e. don't overdrive) is far more important to your PSK neighbors than how much EM you're tossing into the ionosphere.
I enjoy your videos! 73!
I run 50% of the radio’s power. I’ve tried 15-35w but find that 50w is a happy place.
I typically run 30w with my IC-7300 on FT8 and other digital modes. What some people don't do is set their ALC at the proper level. A handful of times I went up to 75w output.
I was doing FT8 on 160m one night and someone was overdriving their ALC so much that they were taking up half the spectrum. They were so loud, I thought my ears were going to bleed. I had to QSY to another band because I got tired of hearing it.
Another thing that's irritating about FT8 is when a stateside stations is calling for DX and another station from the states decides to click on their call because they haven't worked that county or grid square. Whatever the case maybe, leave the station calling for DX alone.
Pwr for FT8 for me is 25 watts general operating and when needed I bump it up in 25 watt increments till I get the QSO. I stop if contact goes unanswered after three attempts at max power then back down to 25 watts.
It does user local time for late night or early morning activations!
I've learned my lesson: I run FT-8/FT-4 at 50W, keyboard to keyboard QSO interactives at 30W.
The $600 lesson was simply that I burnt out the PA on my IC-7200 running digital modes. FT-8 isn't too bad actually. Slow QSO modes like Olivia 250/8 are absolutely _brutal_. I run my rigs remotely so don't get direct feedback on how the radio is doing. I've come back after Saturday afternoon digital QSO ragchews with the heatsink on that radio too hot to touch. Turns out that's not good (snicker).
It's two things. First, look at the modulated waveform. For the duration of a transmission, you can tell at a glance that the PA is at 100% duty cycle for digital, and substantially less than that for SSB phone. Second, the transmit time especially for slow modes can be quite extended. A multi-minute keydown is not unusual.
So, for digital modes running full power is fine. You just need to pick one of the three following:
1. Make sure you've plenty of cooling for the radio. Add a fan or four. Make sure the thermal transfer grease on the PA transistors is nice and fresh.
2. Run lower power. Just say to yourself you're running full power. Saying this often enough builds belief; it's a fundamental premise of faith-based amateur radio.
3. Hey, it's all good. A new radio once a season is just a cost of doing business. Besides, how else can you keep up with all the new radio model introductions. It's important to materially support our ham radio manufacturing community.
With digital HF radio communications I run up to 400 watts on Olivia, and up to 200 watts on FT 8. My ALC is run low. I have run various experiments, and when propagation permits, more power will get you farther. When there is no propagation, no amount of power will get that communication done. Telling people to run up to 1500 watts with HF amplifiers is irresponsible, most manufacturers cap their amps 400 to 500 watts for digital. I always run 100 watts on SSB, even portable. I didn't get into ham radio to talk to myself.
Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but it appears that you can retrieve your POTA (Parks on the Air) logs by accessing "My Log Uploads" and selecting the down arrow in the last column. This will allow you to export the ADIF file, even if you have previously sent your logs to your coordinator via email. It's important to note, however, that the exported logs will only include information on the band used, and not the specific frequency.
You are correct, but that's not what the question was. He was asking about the Hunted Log. Of course I can download my uploads, because as the activator, I uploaded it. It's my log.
@@hamradiotube Well doh! that makes sense. Can't believe I didn't realize that.
I guess Python Scrapy could be used on the pota site to extract all the logs.
The answer to how much power in any situation is "all of it" or "yes", either will yield positive results.
I hate Windows, Mike, but I **despise** Mac..
..so there it is!
If my signal is above 0 db on the other end, I reduce power by half. Just trying to be a "good band neighbor"! I start out at 20W and go up or down based on signal reports.
I don't know, Is FT-8 a 100% duty cycle mode. If so, DON'T run full power. If the finals in YOUR radio are not rated for 100% duty cycle then they will burn up. If the station on the other end is receiving well above the norm then you can reduce the power from 1.5k to something lower.
ok I am distracted by the 3d printer in the back. Wondering what you are creating
as of this year i've now run ft8 on everything from sub 5 watts on a randomwire inside my room (and made contact with Japan) ... to using a remote station with 1500 watt amp temperature limited to 700 watts for continous duty into a serious yagi at 95 feet to talk to 3Y0J .... sadly operator error and assumed the lack of rr73 was qrm and me not hearing it ... not that the qrm also kept them from hearing it too.... oh well.... but really most of the time, I run well under 100 watts ... on an amplifier.... this allows me to keep my main radio running sub 10 watts into a perfect 1:1 swr ... so heating is a minimum and hopefully will "last forever".... and the amp is taking the abuse of my 2:1 at times random wire ... and running well under-rated power to keep it cool and happy. Mostly i keep under 100 watts simply because of the lack of control and the high urban enviornment.... there is a sidewalk 10-15 feet from my antenna etc.
I really wish you didn't make this comment because now you have me thinking about amplifiers lol! That's a great way to do it though.
Assuming the % is linear 20w on ft8 or 20% of an IC-7100.
Iirc the exam says something about running the power needed to make the contact. Ignoring how we ignore that constantly I can say for a fact that sometimes I need 100 watts to get some of that dx. (And to reset my router which is why don't usually run 100 watts lmao)
Sounds like your router needs some ferrite beads.
@@hamradiotube I think it needs a better front end filter tbh. It's noisy as heck and it seems 40 meters at 100 watts is enough to desensitized the radio in it.
Tbh I just need a new router lol
50 to 75 watts usually, unless it's half way across the planet and I need the contact for a new worked country, then I'll crank it up to 100 or even 200 watts. I've already gotten all my "easy" DX contacts.
Have been running 5w on FT8.
5 watts or less. On 10 meters band i had QSO with amateurs from USA, China, Japan and South Korea.
NO CODE general here - what i like about digital modes is you get an objective signal report instead of just 59 every time.
Roger that. You're 59 here by the way lol!
KF0ERT RONNIE LEE IS MY NAME QRP IS MY GAME. LOL KEEP THEM COMING.!!!!!
Is there a way to send the contacts or logs automatically from WSJT-X to QRZ or other logging software ?
Yes there is. I'm not sure about QRZ but it can send the log to another logging software. Pretty sure it can send them directly to LOTW as well. I don't like my logs being automated like that so I've never looked too deep into it.
other than wsjt-x what do you use for logging on the $60 laptop? I am run up Linux Mint
My 20 Watts on FT8 with the same rig and antenna as someone else, is NOT the same. If I live down in a valley and someone else lives on a mountain top, sure they will brag about their FT8 contacts while I get very few. And since I never know when that guy in DX land is going to get on the radio for a little bit, I use 100 Watts all the time.
"As much as it takes." Next subject.
Usualy not more than 65 - 70 watts without amp. With my amp, not more than 25% power wich also is consistant with the recommandation on my endfed antenna (at least that is what I think it is). Never any ALC! and my timer is at 3 minutes watchdog. The radio need a few breaks now and then. Tnx for great videos. 73...
I can't seem to find a 69w amp anywhere.😆
Ha!
I run 30w generally. If I brake a contact or try to get someone who isn't hearing me, Then 100w. 1500 if I had an amp! HA HA
OK, I LOL'd at: I have a Macbook Pro with an external 27" monitor, just bought an IC7300, but 99 bucks for software is too much.
Lol, but I'm in the same exact boat! If it's the Mac monitor that thing is like $5000!!
@@hamradiotube I understand his pain, though. Nobody really wants to cough up 100 bucks for software that may/maynot do what he needs. I hope he finds a friend that has the software so he can test drive it to see if it's worth 99 bucks.
Hey ICOM, please send Mike this software for free so he can showcase it for us. I bet you sell a bunch of copies after everyone watches his video!
If your modern ham rig can run’t FT8 full power, then you got a problem with your rig. I run full power on my Flexradio 6600 full power FT8 all day long without any problems… most modern ham radios are limited by SWR, Heat, and electronically protected from any damage. The splatter comes from over modulation, and or poorly designed cheap equipment. Run as much power as it takes to make the contact… Good luck in getting that DX FT8 station that everyone else is running 100 watts plus, the beam antenna to make contact with. 73
20-50 watts, i would use more if I could
🤔so I'm not supposed to be using my amp at 500 watts for ft8
I'm pretty sure I said quite the opposite...
I run at 30-50 watts
There's a banana and cat toy on your floor.
Yes there is. They're both cat toys. There's usually a cat on the floor too.
If it's DX that I can hear...I've gone up to 200 watts.
Bands are horrible right now due to solar storm
The radio on ft8 needs to be off that’s the best way to run ft8
Lol!
FT8 is so fun, what do you mean! haha
Long live CW... ;-)
The problem is the word "trend." My experience is that the trend is not just high power, it is "plop down right smack in the middle of the passband on top of whatever other station might be there regardless of whether or not he is rare DX for someone." The problem isn't the power level itself, it is more a case of being inconsiderate of the power level. If he is running 40 watts, good chance the guy running 10 watts in Africa can still get through to the people trying to work him. But the guy running 500, 1000, 1500 watts? No one is hearing anything underneath his signal. And THAT is the problem. Yes, even the guy running 1500 may be "weak." But let's be real, chances are he isn't weak for 3/4 of the planet. He's got a big, obnoxious signal and most of the time he is sitting right on top of a station a bunch of other people are trying to work.
In SSB or CW, we would say that the more power you run, the more important it is for you to check if the frequency is busy. There's really no way to do that in FT8 other than the waterfall. And SINCE it is, as everyone is so quick to point out, a weak signal mode NOT a low power mode, it is vitally important that you determine which weak signals are there before you transmit. Since your power output is so much bigger than the station running low power, it is critical to determine what is there first.
Ever go to a nice, dark, quiet restaurant and then that big noisy group comes in? They're drunk, talking loud, dressed like dirt bags, and inconsiderate to everyone around them- yet breaking no rules? That's the high power guys on FT8. Sorry- just my opinion. FT8 is neither a weak signal mode nor a high power mode. It just works better when everyone is running a similar power. Want better results? Better antenna- that way you can hear those other weak signals.
On FT8 you have a 45 dB advantage over SSB already. I respect the QRP people way more than the QRO people.
Hmmmm….. the ft8 is 42.13% duty cycle, far from 100%. And your comparison to driving car is wrong as well. The engine of your car is not tested for 1200 hp, or is it? For the FTDX10 the 100W in the ft8 mode should be the norm. You don’t believe me? Take a pen and a calculator. Start with the energy dissipation and 0.6 efficiency coefficient. Use parts catalog and your car prospectus.
I always run 100w with my 7300 into an EFHW when working ft8. ALC set just high enough that the power is at max for the band I’m working. Electronics and mechanical engines are not the same thing.
I run 69w as well just cause 69
Noice!
I don't even bother with lotw.
Neither does the ARRL.
@@hamradiotube 🤢🔥Your response just won the entire ham radio portion of the internet. 🤢🔥
Im = IMPORT
You say you are really and yet you're a Mac guy. 🤔
😆 I second what Andy said. " The best radio setting for FT-8 is OFF ."
10kw
not less than 5kw at all times. Dont want to look like a poor.
No ft8 here .CW or ssb voice for me
Listen up kids. Forward to 3:40. Play this over and over. Wise words - "I Despise Windows". Get a MAC. It will change your life. You'll thank us later. Have an Evolve for the same reasons Mike. Wouldn't it be great if MAC was 12v? Oh well. We can only wish.
Lol! Love it. Man if Mac was 12 volts that would be amazing. But I still hate taking my Mac (even my old one) out in the field. They're just too expensive. I love the $60 computer for field work. If it breaks I literally would not care. That's why I bought 2.
The way I see it is if everyone adopted the high power attitude for this mode then it's would no longer be a weak signal protocol it would be a strong signal protocol. 25w max
Except for the fact that you can be running 1500 watts and still have a weak signal.
@@hamradiotubeyeah that's kinda my point. Higher power brings higher responsibility as the saying goes. My current log of 169 DXCC was done on MFSK and FT8 and a couple of Slow Scan TV qso there as well. 10W max and most of the time I'm running lower don't see the point in using power if you have a decent antenna system.
I mean a lot of these big shooters using 1500 watts are causing issues to nearby hams in the vicinity of those frequencies. However i also understand the term using what's required to complete the qso. It's a mixed bag and I guess that's what makes it interesting.
Great video/channel btw
Max 20w
SDR Control works flawlessly with the IC-7300.