A new weak‑signal digital mode called FT2 has started to show up in PSKReporter statistics and discussions, catching the attention of many HF digital operators. Much like FT8 and FT4 changed the sound of the bands, FT2 looks to be another experimental mode aimed at efficient QSOs and propagation study.
FT2 Showing Up In PSKReporter
PSKReporter’s statistics page now lists “Decodium 3 FT2 v3.0.0‑rc1 (mod by WM8Q)” among the reporting software, confirming that at least some stations are already using FT2 on the air. PSKReporter remains a central tool for monitoring activity in modes such as FT8, FT4, WSPR and others, and FT2 is beginning to join that list in live maps and charts.
FT2 is in a very early, experimental stage. Public technical documentation is not yet available, and information in this article is based on limited on‑air observations and PSKReporter statistics, which may change over time.
Operators who have “All modes” selected on the PSKReporter map may have already noticed FT2 in the mode filter or in the spot details for certain QSOs. For active digital experimenters, this is often the first sign that a new mode is moving from private testing into wider, on‑air trials.
As of mid‑February 2026, PSKReporter’s statistics page lists “Decodium 3 FT2 v3.0.0‑rc1 (mod by WM8Q)” among reporting software, with a growing handful of stations already generating FT2 spots on HF bands.
What We Know So Far About FT2
Public technical documentation for FT2 is still limited, but some clues are visible from the PSKReporter software list and community posts:
- FT2 appears alongside other weak‑signal modes commonly used on HF, suggesting a similar use case to FT8 and FT4 (short, structured contacts at low SNR).
- The reference to “Decodium 3 FT2 v3.0.0‑rc1 (mod by WM8Q)” indicates that FT2 support is currently tied to specific, experimentally modified software rather than mainstream WSJT‑X releases.
- Early reports point to operators using FT2 primarily for testing and comparison with established modes, watching spots via PSKReporter to gauge performance.
Until a formal specification or mainstream software support appears, FT2 should be considered experimental, and parameters may still change as the mode evolves.
How To Spot FT2 Activity Yourself
If you want to see where FT2 is being used, PSKReporter is the easiest starting point:
- Open the PSKReporter map and choose “All modes” or look for any explicit FT2 entry in the mode filter when it becomes available.
- Set the “Show signals received by” or “Show signals sent by” options to your own callsign to see whether any FT2 activity reaches your station.
- Use the statistics page to look for FT2 under software or mode breakdowns (e.g., entries mentioning “Decodium 3 FT2”).
These tools are already widely used to track activity on FT8, FT4, WSPR and other modes, so adding FT2 to your regular checks is straightforward.
Trying FT2 From Your Shack (With Caution)
Because FT2 is still in an experimental stage, interested operators should approach it the way they would any new, non‑standard mode:
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Watch for announcements or documentation from the developer callsign WM8Q, or from digital‑mode communities that track new weak‑signal developments.
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If you locate Decodium 3 FT2 or similar software builds, install them only from trusted sources, and test on standard HF digital segments while observing local band plans.
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Keep PSKReporter reporting enabled so you can objectively compare how your FT2 signals get out versus FT8/FT4 from the same antenna and power level.
Established modes like FT8 and FT4 use structured, time‑slotted exchanges to complete QSOs at very low SNRs, typically with 15 s and 7.5 s cycles respectively. FT2 seems to target the same weak‑signal space, but its exact timing, symbol structure, and modulation scheme have not yet been published for general reference
FT2 offers a fresh topic for experimentation alongside familiar digital modes: running side‑by‑side tests, capturing PSKReporter maps, and measuring decode rates over noisy HF paths from your QTH.
====Latest news on FT2 mode====
Decodium Forum
Decodium Forum — FT2 Community | IU8LMC Decodium and FT2 Community Forum. Discussions, support, and more.http://ft2.it/forum
JTAlert does not support FT2.
”Any FT2 decodes from the forked version of Wsjtx will be seen by JTAlert as FT4 and be alerted and spotted as FT4.
The developers of FT2 followed the same misguided path of the JTDX developers with their T10 mode. They used an existing mode identification character present in all decodes, the “+” character, for their own purposes.
JTAlert has no understanding of the FT2 mode and cannot alert on that mode. At this time there are no plans for yet another version of JTAlert to cater for this non standard Wsjtx fork.”
de Laurie VK3AMA
(JTAlert author)
FT2 Revolution: Decodium 3.0, 32-Bit Support, and English Docs Now Live
The digital mode landscape just shifted gears. The experimental FT2 mode, developed by IU8LMC with the support of ARI Caserta, has officially launched its dedicated web portal. For those who find FT8 too slow and FT4 not quite fast enough, FT2 is the answer—offering a staggering 3.8-second T/R cycle.
FT2 utilizes the same robust 77-bit payload and LDPC (174,91) FEC as FT8, but it compresses the timing significantly.
- Cycle Speed: 3.8 seconds (4x faster than FT8).
- QSO Rate: Up to ~240 QSOs per hour—a dream for contesters and DXpeditions.
- Technical Footprint: ~150 Hz bandwidth with a sensitivity of approximately -10.8 dB.
The biggest news for many shack operators is the software release. The new Decodium 3.0 (based on a WSJT-X v3.0.0-rc1 fork) is designed to handle these ultra-fast cycles.
While the primary download is a modern 64-bit installer, the project has committed to 32-bit Windows availability. This is crucial for the amateur radio community, where many dedicated station computers are older “Toughbooks” or industrial PCs running 32-bit architecture. This ensures that no operator is left behind due to hardware limitations.
Previously, much of the experimental data was in Italian. The official site now hosts the Full Technical Documentation in English (PDF). This 4-page guide covers:
- Modulation Details: 8-GFSK at 20.83 Baud.
- Time Sync Requirements: Because of the 3.8s window, clock accuracy must be within ±50 ms (Standard NTP may not be enough; GPS time-sync is recommended).
- Performance Charts: Detailed Time vs. Bandwidth vs. Sensitivity comparisons.
The first-ever verified FT2 QSOs took place on February 16, 2026, on the 40m and 80m bands. Now, you can join the beta test.
- Official Website: www.ft2.it
- Software: Decodium 3.0 (Beta)
- Docs: Available in both Italian and English
Frequency Shift: FT2 Moves to 7062 kHz on the 40-Meter Band
Attention all digital mode enthusiasts! If you have been hunting for FT2 signals on the 40-meter band recently, it is time to spin the dial. Team FT2, consisting of IU8LMC, IZ8XXE, and the ARI Caserta Team, has officially announced a frequency migration to ensure smoother operations and better spectrum etiquette for everyone involved.
The standard operating frequency for FT2 on the 7 MHz band is moving from its original home at 7052 kHz to the new designated spot at 7062 kHz. This change is effective immediately, and operators are encouraged to update their rig control software and memory channels as soon as possible.
The decision for this relocation stems from a commitment to follow the IARU Region 1 bandplan. Currently, the 7050–7060 kHz segment is designated for Wide Digital Modes with a 2700 Hz bandwidth. This specific portion of the spectrum is a high-traffic zone utilized by well-established services such as Winlink radio email, FT8, FT4, and various other wideband digital data modes.
By moving to 7062 kHz, the FT2 community aims to avoid unnecessary interference and ensure the most efficient use of the 40-meter band. This proactive step helps maintain harmony between different digital modes while providing FT2 users with a clearer operating environment.
Clarifying the Software: Open vs. Closed Source
Following questions from the developer community regarding the project’s source code, IU8LMC has released a statement clarifying the “hybrid” nature of the FT2 software. The project is essentially split into two distinct parts:
The WSJT-X Framework (Open Source) The developer utilized the well-known WSJT-X software as the foundational user interface. Because WSJT-X is licensed under GPLv3, the team has acknowledged their obligation to share the modifications made to that specific code. They have committed to making these source files available to the public shortly.
The FT2 Decoder (Proprietary) Crucially, the developer clarified that the core FT2 encoding and decoding algorithm is not a fork of existing software. Instead, it was written from scratch as original research. Consequently, the team is exercising its right to keep this specific component as a closed-source library.
This “black box” approach for the decoder—while keeping the interface open—is a common practice in software engineering that allows new protocols to integrate with familiar tools while protecting the creator’s intellectual property.
Linux Users Join the Revolution: FT2 Software Now Available for Linux
The digital mode landscape is shifting faster than ever, and now Linux users are officially part of the race. Martino Merola (IU8LMC), IZ8XXE, and the ARI Caserta Team have announced the highly anticipated release of the compiled binary for Linux, bringing the ultra-fast FT2 protocol to a broader range of shack computers worldwide.
This release marks a significant milestone for the project, ensuring that the “speed king” of digital modes is no longer restricted to Windows users. With this update, the entire amateur radio community can now access what many are calling a revolution in weak-signal communication.
One of the most welcoming aspects of this announcement is the ease of installation. Rather than requiring users to manually compile the code from source—a task that can sometimes be daunting for casual Linux users—the team has provided a ready-to-use compiled binary.
The software is designed to be compatible with major Linux distributions, allowing operators to download the package and start making contacts almost immediately. This “plug-and-play” approach reflects the team’s goal of making high-speed digital modes accessible to the widest possible audience.
For those ready to move beyond the 15-second cycle, the Linux binaries are now hosted on the official GitHub repository. The team has also pointed users toward their central hub at ft2.it for technical support, detailed documentation, and direct contact with the developers.
As FT2 continues to gain momentum, this cross-platform compatibility ensures that the future of digital modes isn’t just fast—it’s inclusive.