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What Is FT8? How It Works and Why So Many Operators Use It | Icom Setup

She's On Frequency

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In this video, I’m breaking down what FT8 is, how it works, and why it has become one of the most widely used digital modes in amateur radio — while walking through how to run it on Icom radios. 📻💻

If you’ve heard the rapid digital tones on the HF bands and wondered what’s actually happening, this video explains the structure behind FT8, why it’s so effective in weak-signal conditions, and how a complete contact is made.

This isn’t just a settings walkthrough. It’s a deeper look at how FT8 functions — how your radio and computer communicate, how structured message exchanges work, and why so many operators rely on it for low-power and portable operation.

For this video, I’m demonstrating FT8 on an Icom IC-7300 MkII using WSJT-X, showing what’s happening from first signal to completed contact.

That’s what makes FT8 so interesting. It changes how you experience HF. Instead of just listening to the bands — you start seeing propagation in real time.

If you’re curious about digital modes, weak-signal operation, or how to configure FT8 on an Icom radio, this video walks through the full process.

📡 Callsign: KJ5LXP
📻 Radio: Icom IC-7300 MkII
💻 Software: WSJT-X
📡 Mode: FT8
🌎 Band: HF Digital

📌 Helpful Links & Resources

🔗 Icom Amateur Radio
https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/am

🔗 WSJT-X
https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html

🔗 GridTracker
https://gridtracker.org/

🔗 Ham Radio Prep – Get 10% off your license course with my code KJ5LXP
https://www.HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=89

🔗 Join My Channel
@shesonfrequency

🔗 Instagram
Instagram: shesonfrequency

🔗 QRZ Profile
https://www.qrz.com/db/KJ5LXP

✨ Support the Channel

💜 Subscribe for more amateur radio content and digital mode deep dives
💜 Comment if you’ve made FT8 contacts or are planning to try it
💜 Share this video with someone curious about digital HF

📷 My Filming Gear
• Camera: Canon EOS R5
• Lens: Canon RF 24–70mm f/2.8L IS USM
• Mic: DJI Mic Wireless System
• Editing: Adobe Premiere Pro

🔎 Hashtags
#FT8 #HamRadio #IC7300 #Icom #DigitalModes #WSJTX #HF #AmateurRadio #ShesOnFrequency #ICOM

20 Comments

@89yjrj 7 months ago (edited)

FT8 is great for those of us who are a bit introverted, but still want to play radio. Great video! Really liked how you explained everything from set up to completing your first contact.

@RicksHamShack 7 months ago

FT8 is the mode that really forces you to learn sound settings in Windows. 😁

@billcouch9850 6 months ago

This is the best description of FT8 I’ve ever seen.

@plurpimpin1178 3 weeks ago

This was a great explanation. I’m studying to take my tech and general this weekend and I’m interested in getting into HF but am not sure what I really want to do with it. Your explanations of how you can use FT8 to watch propagation around the world is exactly what I’m interested in so I think this might be where I start to play around and start learning.

@AZ_Raven 6 months ago

Something I will add is this: If your radio uses a USB Type B connector, like the IC-7300, don't try to save money by buying a cheap USB cable. Spend 20 to 30 dollars and get a shielded Type A to Type B cable like what is used in audio/recording applications. If your radio uses a mini, micro, or Type C, then you will probably not find a shielded cable. In that case, you may need to add chokes to the cable.

When I first started running FT8, I was using a cheap USB cable and WSJT-X would not run reliably at all. I saw a lot of noise on my waterfall and tracked it down to the USB cable. When I unplugged the USB cable, the noise went away. I had to put three chokes on each end of the cable to suppress that noise. It worked but I wanted a proper cable so I bought a good quality shielded cable. Not a trace of the noise and WSJT-X has worked flawlessly since.

@micgent 11 days ago

Nice tutorial thanks. FT8 gained me my first Ever contact last night. PSK reporter taught me a lot, one minute I'm getting 3300km, 10 mins later just 1000km. Will try the grid tracking tool.

@mikethetuner 2 months ago

Very nicely done. I come from the old school (Know-Code Extra since 1980), so I've seen a lot of things come down the pike in our hobby through the decades, and the digital revolution of late was in the cards, once we started integrating computers with our radios. We are expanding the modulation options more and more all the time, and as a result, more programmers are joining the ranks to pursue their interest in the digital side of things. There is room for everyone, and we all have our own interests under the umbrella of Amateur Radio. As past president of our local Club, I made it very clear: As long as it's done legally and ethically, all modes are welcome. Each mode has its purpose and place, so none is "better" than any other in the whole scheme of things. Keep up the good work! 73 DE KØVZ

@matthewplante2028 10 days ago

I just set this up with my Tecsun PL-990 and was amazed at what is hidden in the static. Obviously, I can't transmit, but I can see how well my antenna and receiver will reach. Thanks for the help.

@1shARyn3 3 weeks ago (edited)

Ham Radio Was CW and RTTY. Voice was CB. FT8 & WSPR are great additions

@MagusHellwalker 7 months ago

At last someone has explained what FT-8 is. Never understood what this was. Heard people talking about it for years but no-one explained HOW to get into it or use it. Thanks so much for your video.

@kmoecub 2 months ago

It's so strange to me that anyone would complain about digital radio not being "real" ham radio. It's just an advancement of RTTY (I still remember when dad brought a teletype home in the early 70's) and packet radio.

@ReneFolse 2 months ago

Been a licensed ham since about 1960. I have watched the technology progress through AM, SSB, VHF repeaters, DME, EME, satellite communication, and now digital DX. IMHO the point for me was to stay on top of developing communication technology. Each one caused old school controversy. AM rag chewers thought SSB hams sounded like quacking ducks. Back then DX was hard to come by. Took a kilowatt plus a high triband-beam to have a chance. CW DX chasers thought CW was the only "efficient" way to get DX. I rotate in and out of the hobby every few years, and on my return, I am shocked and amazed at what hams like Joe Taylor engineered. DX is now commonplace for QRP and HOA restricted neighborhoods. EME can now be accomplished with a modest VHF/UHF beam and a couple hundred watts. A lot of rag chewing migrated to DMR talk groups. All of this is what amazed me, and kept me coming back into the hobby just to catch up. 73s WA6MJE

@usopenplayer 2 months ago

Completely agree with Janice, NZ5W. FT8 has taught me more about how HF propagates, and what my radio system can do in 1 week compared to years of operating other modes.

It's really fascinating how temperamental the ionosphere can be.

I also love watching propagation patterns, and seeing how much my lower level correlates with receive signal strength. Power matters much less than I thought 90% of the time.

@TerminalFailSafe 1 month ago

Thank you! This is a great video that has helped me understand and setup! Being an introvert, FT8 looks like a good way to help build my confidence and work up to being able to do “normal” QSO’s. I’m studying for my General test license- hopefully I can take my test in the next month or so (August / September 2026) -73’s!

@GettingOutInLife 7 months ago

Good gosh! This video lays everything out and even addresses the controversy of FT-8. Well done with instructional ease that promotes the understanding of this mode. There are so many aspects to this hobby that people avoid venturing into simply because they are having difficulty grasping the concepts. Thank you for putting this together. I really enjoyed it.

@ivandubinsky1857 2 months ago

I don't work FT8 but find it handy for checking out the propagation on various bands.

@w8kl 3 days ago

Very Informative Video, Well Done...

@paulamoors 6 months ago

Thank you I’ve been into Ham radio for a little over a year. I’m 79 still don’t know what I’m doing.

@paulmadsen51 7 months ago

Hey Ellie, great introduction to FT8! Another, and really fun modern digital mode to try is VarAC. It's kind of like instant messaging via RF. Very robust, has all the little bells and whistles. I think you'll be quite impressed.