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This is the imaginary web address supposedly required to use the FT8 digital Amateur Radio communication mode in the NCVEC Technician Question pool, come to life. It is however a "distractor", or wrong answer.
FT8, and the other modes built into the WSJT-X and WSJT (Weak Signal by Joe Taylor) software packages allow Amateurs to test radio signal propagation, and to send short text messages between each other over long distances, generally using low power. Steve Franke K9AN co-designed the mode.
No online conversion, Internet assistance, etc is needed to work FT8. It is purely radio to radio.
Operation requires a transceiver capable of SSB (single sideband) operation in the band(s) of interest, an interface cable, an internal or external "Soundcard" (a RigBlaster is an option), and a PC, or RaspberryPi or other single board computer, and the free software below. Ideally, add a connection from the computer to the radio which allows the software to control it; Yaesu's CAT, or Icom's CI-V area examples.
If you use voice, or even Morse code, the signal needs to be strong enough that audio can be recovered that you can hear in real time. The same applies to RTTY (radio-teletype) or Packet Radio. With these newer modes the signal can be so weak a person cannot hear it in the background noise.
FT8 compresses short messages into a 77 bits, then adds a stack of Forward Error Correction, and further encodes using Gray code and Costas arrays. The modulation method is 8 tone frequency-shift-keying (FSK), with the radio set to USB (upper sideband), then transmits this over a 12.6 second period. Over the following 2.4 seconds the PC processes the received audio to extract the text, such as callsigns and location codes called "grid-squares". Subsequent messages include signal reports, and a finalising "73" message.
It uses 8 tones, and its narrow bandwidth means that multiple stations can operate within a single 3 kHz voice channel.
The two official packages are WSJT-X, the -X indicating that it is an extended branch from WSJT; and WSJT itself. Both are free and open source.
You can download the official WSJT-X software and manuals here: https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx.html
A second official site offers WSJT, and is here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt/
The Wikipedia article is: WSJT (amateur radio software)
To ensure the safe and orderly use of the Amateur radio spectrum those who wish to operate must demonstrate an understanding of radio technology and the regulations. Thankfully, there are generally several levels of licence. In the United States the current entry level is Technician.
Technicians can use these modes from 10 metres (28 MHz) and up, including 6 and 2 metres.
Upgrading to General or Extra (Amateur Extra) allows access to the High Frequency (HF) bands, including 20 metres (14 MHz), where FT8 is very popular and effective.
My site allows you to learn what you need to know to obtain a licence to take part in this, and other Amateur activities. For lessons, visit the Learning Material page, and scroll down for the index.
In other countries the entry level has a name such as Foundations (Australia and the UK), Novice, Basic (Canada), or a lettered class. While rules vary, in most cases holders of such licences are permitted to operate FT8 on various Amateur bands, including HF. Material on the pages above should prepare you for the technical aspects of most exams.
About Joe Taylor K1JT, one time VK2BJX, a Nobel Prize winning astrophysicist.
A List of Articles by Joe Taylor and co-contributors, on his site.
Note that JT has retired from Princeton University, so any links to their Physics department will generate a 404 error. It is likely what you are looking for is in the list linked to above, or on the Wayback Machine.
Signal ID Wiki page on FT8 lists frequencies used: FT8
FT8DMC is a club dedicated to this mode. See: ft8dmc.eu
Gary ZL2IFB (ex GW4IFB) has an extensive guide in the PDF format: FT8 Operating Guide, noting the previous comment re links. It includes an "Under the hood" section, which is useful.
If you read Italian (or are happy to use your browser's translation function) visit ft8.it, which includes DX-pedition info.
The specifications of these modes must be published, and thus alternative software becomes available, from time-to-time.
US Novices may use the mode on 28.074 MHz in the 10 metre band, and 222.065 MHz in the 1.25 metre band. They can use JS8Call on 28.078 MHz. The Novice segment on 23 cm does not include the common FT8 frequency, but if they can get others to operate it in their segment, they can use it. Neither Novices, nor Technicians may use digital modes in their CW-only segments on 80, 40 or 15 metres.
DXpeditions (Amateurs visiting islands or countries with little or no other Amateur activity) and people like aid workers on their break time in remote locations, often use FT8, and this allows Amateurs which may not otherwise be able to make the contact to do so. "Fox and Hound" mode has been replaced by the SuperFox mode in WSJT-X 2.7, allowing the fox to answer 9 stations at once! Read the fine manual page as a PDF file. The earlier version confused those who had not done so, as it could set the Hound's radio's frequency. SuperFox does have a feature which users have the option of using: After a successful QSO the hound can confirm a one time password sent as part of the message against an online database to confirm it was really from the Hound, not an impostor or pirate station operated by some sad git. Note that this feature post-dates the exam question.
Criticism is a little like saying a high performance motorcycle is unable to move a tonne of fertiliser in one trip, or that a large pick-up can't move a unit or two of a rare blood type across a congested city or county rapidly. A 1200 cc BMW bike is far more suitable. So, yes, it is about logging a contact without other communications; but the underlying techniques may well be useful for essential.
There are several alternative software packages. MSHV is one: http://lz2hv.org/mshv, likewise WSJT-X Improved: https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt-x-improved/
Using the equipment required for FT8, and WSJT-X itself, or a large number of other software packages does allow "rag-chewing", or emergency communications. fldigi does these well, as does JS8call. FT4 is good for contests. Winlink supports email. Olivia, and the related VOICE are useful for chatting too.
Other options are PSK31 using phase shift keying, the very cool Hellschreiber, and FreeDV digital voice using CODEC2. Decoding of Morse (CW) is also possible. AX-25 "Packet Radio", typically using the FM mode, can also be used.
Also written by Joe Taylor, WSPR, pronounced whisper allows propagation research, definitely "Real Ham Radio". This mode does report decodes over the internet to WSPRnet, perhaps the grain of truth behind the idea of the use of the Internet to assist it decoding FT8. Those using JT65 for aircraft enhancement, where signals bounce off either aircraft hulls or vapour trails (contrails), also may use the Internet. Q65 is used for Moonbounce, aka EME. Note that modes for specific activities may vary from time to time.
Slow Scan TV (SSTV) and facsimile can also be transmitted and received using such as station. Note that in the US these must be used in the image and voice sub-bands. NOAA and other Weather-fax can be received. Despite funding cuts, transmission by NOAA / NWS continues. They are confusing Golfo de México and the former name of a bay in eastern Russia, зали́в Аме́рика (Gulf of America), named for a corvette.
The one task the Internet is very useful for is to set the time on your PC or Pi accurately, so transmit and receive timing is correct, unless time is taken from a GPS dongle, or at a pinch, WWV / WWVH. JTsync allows you to align the clock to received signals.
News: Dedicated software called DECODIUM 3.0, currently in open beta, has been designed for a new mode, FT2. It allows rapid contacts with reasonable signal strength, useful for contests or DX-peditions. Frequencies are: 7062 kHz (40m) and 3573 kHz (80m). It is however wider in bandwidth.
Oh, and a BYD, Camry, or similar with a box trailer is probably just as useful for shifting the "byproduct" as a recent model short tray SUV sold as a truck, far cheaper to run, and far safer for young pedestrians. :-)
Tip Jar: a Jefferson (US$2), A$3, 4 Swiss Francs, or other amount / currency. Thanks!
You can also buy me a non-coffee beverage: ko-fi.com/ag6le
Written by Julian Sortland, VK2YJS & AG6LE, March 2026.