[Elecraft] Ideas for an FT8 Radio

[Edward R Cole]

I've been using JT since its advent in early 2000's (I began with 
JT44 in 2003 using my HB psk-31 computer interface).

I only had 110w on 2m using a MOT repeater PA so lucky to get 80w to 
antennas.  But I was using four 10-element yagis, which was 
considered minimum for CW eme in 1998 if using 600w.  JT modes 
allowed me to make contacts with a 10-dB weaker signal.

I was at about the bare minimum of ERP for doing eme back 
then.  About 2007 I started running 600w with an 8877 powered by HVPS 
of an old Swan HF amp that ran 2500v at 400ma.  About 2011 I upgraded 
to a 4kV 750ma PS to run 1500w, which produced a big signal using my 
array on JT65.  It took 55w drive to reach that.

Just finishing a new sspa from W6PQL that will run about 1200w that 
requires 2w drive and using a 50v PS.  I installed a 30w 10-dB 
attenuator so my 20w 2m transverter could run full power.

But the main issue is that one uses the RF power needed to make the 
contact.  I understand that FT8 is less sensitive than JT65, about 
-24 vs -28 dB.

I may try it on 6m where I have 1kW and two 7-element yagis (not 
quite yet QRV - rotator issues).

73, Ed - KL7UW
   http://www.kl7uw.com
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