FT8 without magic — what really happens in a QSO

FT8 through the official WSJT-X QSO flow: 15-second T/R cycles, structured messages, grid, SNR, RRR/RR73, LDPC and the operator’s role versus the software.

Last updated Sep 23, 2026

Sources

WSJT-X User Guide (current English)
WSJT-X / K1JT
WSJT-X User Guide — FT8 purpose, 15 s T/R, not a ragchew mode (verified excerpt)
WSJT-X / K1JT
WSJT-X User Guide §10.1 — official standard QSO sequence (verified excerpt)
WSJT-X / K1JT
WSJT-X User Guide — Auto-Seq is an operator aid, not a replacement (verified excerpt)
WSJT-X / K1JT
Franke, Taylor et al. — The FT4 and FT8 Communication Protocols (verified excerpt)
WSJT-X / K1JT (QEX paper hosted on wsjt.sourceforge.io)
Work the World with WSJT-X, Part 2 — FT8 parameter table (verified excerpt)
WSJT-X / K1JT