Since FT8 uses a certain frequency for each band, and can be used like a CW beacon, but with them all on the same frequency.

If there is no signals on the FT8 frequencies, the band is most likely dead in your area. If you copy signals, you know it is open some where. If you have a rotatable antenna, you can turn the antenna and hear what direction the signals are coming from. This is very good for catching early band openings. To be able to get the full benefits of Using FT8 as a propagation tool, you need to see the call signs, and signal strengths of the stations. That will require installing one of the FT8 programs, so you can see all of the information provided from the stations on the frequency, such as callsigns and signal strength.

The above shows a full layout of FT8. You only need to pay attention to the left box, with the RED 1 in it to see where the signals are coming from.

Using the standard FT8 software, and interface to your radio, you can see what stations are on the frequency, and who they are working. It will show there signal strength to your station. If you have a directional antenna, you can turn your antenna slowly and see their signals rise and fall on your display.

In the above, it shows typical FT8 activity, with information across the top, time, Db (sig strength), DT (delay time), Freq, operating freq within the 14.074 slot, Call Signs, the one on the right is the calling station.

In the photo above, 9A4AA is calling CQ, he has a signal strength of -15 at my qth,and has a DT (lag) of only 0.1, which is perfect. He is in grid square JN75. Under him, 2 spots is 9K2YD, replying to PA3BWD, that his signal is -06 (very good). 9K2YD is being heard -12 at my QTH. Down below that, AA2T is having his contact confirmed by G4VJN with the RR73.

The signal reports on FT8 are signal to noise , ranging from a very strong +20, down to +5, then 0, on down lower to -10, -20, etc. A signal of -20 to -25 is pretty weak, but workable. Using the standard FT8 programs, a -28 is about as weak as you are going to have a qso with. Using JTDX, there are some enhanced settings in it that allow for extremely weak signal contacts. The weakest I have worked was a -33. This was when I was on what I thought was a dead band. I had the antenna LP to Asia, and seen a Vietnam callsign. After a few tries, I made it. During this time, I could not see or hear his signal on my radio speaker or PC water fall, but the contact was confirmed in LOTW.

I have found that in most cases, the signals -10 or stronger represent stations that would be workable on SSB under low noise conditions.

You can also use it, in conjunction with https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html to see what areas, and which stations in other countries are hearing you.

The above shows a example of me pointing the antenna to the S/E over Africa, trying to work SE Asia Long Path. All of those markers are stations reporting hearing me. By clicking the mouse onto the one in South India, (white mouse)the white box pops up showing his information, along with what signal he is hearing me at. In this case, he is copying me at -18, which is a solid FT8 signal, but too low for SSB. The top line with the red arrows are what the app requires to function. I saved this link into the line under where you type in a url, to save it for easy and fast access. This is a typic path on 20m for Japan and the Pacific, Long Path.

These can be seen even showing your signal report. This is a great tool for finding unique signal paths. Example, during the Summer months it is very hard to work Asia from the Southern US on 10m using the traditional northern path. Using FT8 in our mornings around 11-14:00Z , I can be on 28.074 and point my antenna over South Africa, and copy many South East Asia, and Pacific stations. A added benefit of this path, it gives me a early opening to Europe on most days. It seem that the path to Africa is a traditional F1 path, while the hop to Europe is most likely trans-equatorial, similar to what we have daily between N and S America.

Using this information, when you see a workable path on SSB, you can the switch to SSB on that band, and start calling CQ Asia, or where ever you are trying to work. An added tool you can use, is under the Settings, Macros, is a section that you can make very short, pre made text msgs to send to the area that you are trying to work. Anyone seeing them, will know that you are going to change modes to what you indicate. Something as simple as QSY 21280. Anyone interested in trying SSB will know what you are going to try.

These Unique propagation paths do not stay the same day to day, and often follow more of a monthly trend. looking for, say a LP opening to SE Asia, it may be a good idea to start calling with the antenna nearly straight south, then move it about 10 degrees up towards Africa every 5 mins, while refreshing PSKReporter to see where your signal is being heard at. There is 1 or 2 min lag in PSKReporter updating the information.

The above shows a complete contact with Sudan, ST2NH. You can see that his signal strength was right at the threshold of being workable on SSB. He does have a little excess DT, which means he could benefit using a time sync program. With strong signals, that is ok, but if getting into the -20s, there would be lots of retries.

I do use FT8 from time to time for contacts,
but mostly as a Propagation Tool.

My Regular FT8 Page



   

"My Ham Radio Page"