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WHISKEY FOR NOT REAL RADIO:THE BLOG |
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WHISKEY FOR NOT REAL RADIO:THE BLOG |
There's a brand new mode that just hit the airwaves. It's based on FT8 and FT4. It's about four times as fast as FT8 with three times the bandwidth. It's called FT2, and it's being developed by Martino Merola, IU8LMC. It runs on a modified version of WSJT-X, so there really are no surprises in store for FT8 users. If FT4 is the contest mode, FT2 is the sprint mode. Its lower sensitivity makes it less ideal for weak signal work, though it still competes with many other data modes. Its bandwidth is 150Hz, which is not particularly wide, but looks it compared to FT8 or JT9. What's really impressive is its 11 second QSO time. It's an absolute speed demon. Imagine a DXpedition working FT2 in Superfox mode, burning through contacts like crazy. I look forward to what the future holds for this mode.
I haven't gotten on the air with it yet, but I have installed the fork of WSJT-X that supports it. It looks and sounds just like faster FT4. One possible issue I see is that the default frequencies are right up against JS8 frequencies. I hope this is remedied in the future. There's a lot of room for digital watering holes without overlaps, even on HF.
I also wonder if the FT name will last. JS8Call used to be FT8Call, and it was changed allegedy to differentiate it from the FT developers. I think that's fair, and a mode that does what FT2 does really doesn't need the FT label to be successful. That's a pretty minor point, partly driven by speculation, so take it for what little it's worth.
This is the kind of innovation and experimentation that the amateur radio community thrives on. For every thousand assholes who cry about the existence of FT8, it only takes one smart and motivated ham to create something as exciting as FT2. That's why the sad hams will lose. Even if they outnumbered the rest of us, their position is necessarily a failing one. The message "don't make progress, don't get better, don't try new things" always fails.
By no means do you have to try or like FT2. What I'm saying is publicly defecating in your drawers on social media isn't going to convince anyone you're correct. It just tells everyone you need a new diaper 💩.
I wish the FT2 team the best of luck. If the mode lives up to its promises, it'll fit well into the amateur service.