This is a message from the founders of WSJT about a new experimental weak signal mode to have fun with:


Steve (K9AN) and I have developed a potential new mode for WSJT-X. We're calling the mode "FT8" (Franke-Taylor design, 8-FSK modulation). FT8 is designed for situations like multi-hop Es where signals may be weak and fading, openings may be short, and you want fast completion of reliable, confirmable QSOs.



Important characteristics of FT8:

• T/R sequence length: 15 s
• Message length: 75 bits + 12-bit CRC
• FEC code: LDPC(174,87)
• Modulation: 8-FSK, keying rate = tone spacing = 5.86 Hz
• Waveform: Continuous phase, constant envelope
• Occupied bandwidth: 47 Hz
• Synchronization: three 7x7 Costas arrays (start, middle, end of Tx)
• Transmission duration: 79*2048/12000 = 13.48 s
• Decoding threshold: -20 dB (perhaps -24 dB with AP decoding, TBD)
• Operational behavior: similar to HF usage of JT9, JT65
• Multi-decoder: finds...

Come April I have been a member for 4 yrs. Couple yrs ago I posted some pics of the install of my old honda. I figured it's time to share some pics and info on my home setup. This is, as the title of thread suggests, a work in progress. It's been about 3 yrs in the making and not complete yet. Lots of hard work, time, $...ect.. I'm very thankful for the help of my radio friends both new guys and elmers. Lots of digging by hand. Did it by my self over a couple weeks with limited time off work. My neighbors house is close so no room to leave a big dirt pile in my yard. Everything I shoveled out went into the bed of my truck and had to be hauled off. This pic is about 3/4 complete. Hole ended up at about 4x5 and 5ft deep. Bottom 6in was lined with gravel for tower leg drainage. After all that I had my concrete pored from a truck. Wasn't about to mix that many bags of sack create!! It turned out pretty well. I then ran out of...

When Kenwood announced that they were coming out with an HT that would include not only D-Star, but also include and expand on the features of the TH-D72, I knew that I had to have one as soon as they were available. Before I wrote a review, I decided to make sure I had enough experience with the radio to give it a fair evaluation. After 6 weeks with the TH-D74, I can confidently say that this is the best, most complete HT on the market and it's not even close.



The TH-D74 has a few cosmetic and ergonomic changes from the TH-D72: The most noticeable change is the new color, high resolution dot-matrix screen, but it doesn't take long to notice that the buttons are much larger and as a result, much easier to use. The four-way button is also moved to the center of the radio, which is important since it is used extensively in D-Star mode.

The radio now includes a microSD...

This weekend I picked up the new Kenwood TH-D74 HT from Ham Radio Outlet here in Southern California. From the preliminary information, I new this radio was an updated version of the TH-D72 but with D-Star included, but I definitely didn't realize how sophisticated and complete this little radio is.



I can honestly say that I haven't been this impressed or excited about an HT since the introduction of the Yaesu VX-8. This radio is like the love-child of the Kenwood TH-F6, the Kenwood TH-D-72, and the Icom ID-51. The TX range covers 2 meters, 220 Mhz, and 440 Mhz. It has a built-in GPS and TNC supporting APRS and KISS modes, much like the TH-D72. The D-Star support is on par with the Icom radios and works flawlessly. Like the TH-F6, it can receive HF & MW bands, including support for SSB, AM, CW, and FM modes. Lastly, it features USB, SD-Card, and Bluetooth...

Icom has released a few details on the new ID-51A Plus 2 D-Star HT. It has all of the same feature set of the very popular ID-51A Plus / Anniversary Edition, but now adds the capability to connect directly to the internet via USB cable. This new feature will allow you to connect directly to reflectors or internet-connected repeaters across the internet, even if you don't have a local D-Star repeater. In addition, the Plus 2 will also allow you to use it as a D-Star Hotspot so other D-Star enabled radios can use it as a gateway to the D-Star network.

I haven't yet found out if popular software such as DSTARRepeater or MMDVM will support the radio as the terminal device, but I imagine it won't take long to incorporate support. I don't have price information, but we've seen how competitive Icom has become with pricing lately, so it's a pretty safe bet that it will come in under the price of the Kenwood TH-D74. More info to come as it's released...

The FCC just released the test report for the new TH-D74 tribander, which I've attached. This new 144/220/440 HT will support D-Star, includes a built-in TNC and GPS and also has built-in Bluetooth and a MicroSD slot. The fact that the FCC has published the test results indicates that the radio should hit the market shortly. This looks like a very interesting radio that I can't wait to get my hands on.

Today Elecraft announced via SouthgateARC the new KX2 Pocket HF Transceiver. These are rumored to be showcased for preview at this year's Dayton Hamvention.

Here is a copy of the Press Release from Elecraft:



Here is the text of the release from Southgate ARC
New KX2 radio to be announced this Thursday at the Dayton Hamvention 2016
Hello to all,

We are please to announce a new radio to complement the KX3 and the KX-Line. Here are the details.

What: Elecraft announces the KX2, Ultra-portable radio
When: Thursday, May 16th, 1300Z
Where: Four Days In May QRP event, part of the Dayton Hamfest activities

Elecraft is excited to announce a new radio targeting the Ultra-portable market with a Fit-In-Your-Pocket size. Please see the attached brochure for details.

Pricing
- KX2: $749.00

- Options and accessories: Please see the...

The new Icom IC-7300 direct sampling SDR rig has arrived at my shack! This new rig is a radical departure from the traditional Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu superhet design and instead uses direct sampling low-IF design. The closest other rigs to compare this to are Flex rigs and the Elecraft KX3 (although the KX3 is a zero IF Direct Conversion SDR, which is a little different). The architecture used in the Icom IC-7300 allows for a variety of features to be incorporated into the rig at a reasonably affordable price point - currently $1500.



Current Icom HF users will find the layout of the buttons and knobs familiar, short-circuiting the learning curve for the new rig. However, this rig also features a touch screen which is used for many adjustments, making this one of the most modernly designed user interfaces in an HF rig we've seen to date. In this first part of the review,...

For some time, I've wanted to put together a quickly deployable HF station that I can use from a backpack while hiking in the local mountains and desert, or just for use with a bug out bag. We've all seen the pictures of the military applications and I wanted something that would work reasonably well for civilian use. I've owned the Elecraft KX3 since it came out (I was one of the first to receive the kit when it shipped) and have been searching for a suitable backpack antenna ever since. Chameleon Antenna has provided me with an elegant solution to complete the setup.



There are a couple of different ways to configure the Chameleon products to create the Chameleon man-pack antenna; the setup in the picture above includes the CHA HYBRID-MICRO which is a 5:1 UNUN in a heavy duty package with 60' of wire, the 10'-8" CHA MIL WHIP, and the CHA MIL WHIP EXT which is a 6'-6"...

The Icom IC-7300 HF rig is now available for purchase at about $1500.


This interesting rig is one of the few rigs that is architected using direct RF sampling instead of the traditional superhet design. Other features include a touch screen control, real-time spectrum display and audio scope. While I haven't seen the rig in person yet, I plan to go to HRO and try it out as soon as it's in stock.

Is anyone planning on purchasing or considering this rig? If so, I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.