Welcome to the Web-FT8 Client
What is Web-FT8?
Web-FT8 is a modern, standalone web application engineered to decode and encode FT8 weak-signal digital mode communications directly inside standard web browsers without requiring complex desktop installations like WSJT-X for quick operations.
Built specifically for amateur radio operators, it combines a high-performance WebAudio waterfall spectrum analyzer, client-side WebAssembly (Wasm) signal processing, Rig CAT control via Web Serial, and direct cloud logging integrations like QRZ.com.
WebFT8 Features & Capabilities
- Browser-Native FT8 Engine: Real-time FT8 decoding and encoding directly in the browser using Web Audio APIs without requiring external audio routing software.
- Interactive Spectrum & Waterfall: Real-time 0–3 kHz FFT waterfall display with custom controls for contrast, brightness, noise floor filtering, and scroll speed.
- Multi-Band Bandstacking: Quick frequency switching across all primary HF & VHF ham bands (160m through 6m).
- Automated QSO Management & Auto-Seq:
- Full 15-second TX/RX sequence timer with Even/Odd slot tracking.
- Smart Auto-Sequencing to step through standard FT8 QSO exchanges.
- Call 1st CQ automated queueing and response capability.
- Dedicated Waiting QSO Queue to track incoming callers while engaged in active QSOs.
- Rig CAT Control (Web Serial API):
- Direct transceiver control via Web Serial for Icom (CI-V), Kenwood, Elecraft, Yaesu (modern/legacy), and FlexRadio / PowerSDR.
- Flexible PTT keying options including CAT commands, hardware RTS, or DTR signals.
- Real-time frequency querying, setting, and hardware status probing.
- Enhanced Visual Decode Highlighting:
- Dedicated color coding for messages targeting your callsign.
- Automatic highlight identification for POTA (Parks on the Air) stations.
- Worked-Station indicator highlighting previously logged calls.
- Custom Ignore List to skip specific stations during auto-call procedures.
- Integrated Logbook & QRZ Sync:
- Built-in logbook table with local storage retention and manual entry/editing modal.
- Direct, one-click QRZ.com Logbook API Upload.
- Full ADIF export capability for seamless backup to standard logging tools.
- Interactive QSO Map:
- QSO map displaying station location and logged contact grid squares.
- Great-circle path plotting with distance calculations in Miles or Kilometers.
- Time Sync Checker: Built-in network UTC check tool to verify system clock accuracy within FT8 window tolerance.
Operator Access
System Requirements & Setup
- Supported Browsers: Chromium-based browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera) running on HTTPS or localhost are required for Web Serial CAT support and audio permissions.
- Audio Setup: Connect your transceiver audio output into your computer line-in/USB sound card and grant microphone permissions when prompted.
- UTC Time Sync: Precise time synchronization (accurate within ±200ms) is critical for FT8 decoding. Use the built-in UTC sync tool to verify clock accuracy.
Quick Start Guide
- Step 1: Log in with your amateur radio operator credentials (or register if you don’t have an account yet).
- Step 2: Grant audio device permissions and select your transceiver audio input and output devices.
- Step 3: Connect your radio via Web Serial for CAT rig control allowing WebFT8 to control PTT and frequency switching..
- Step 4: Tune to your desired band and click Start RX.
Amateur Radio Community & Field Support
Web-FT8 was built to advance lightweight, zero-install digital operations across the ham radio community. Whether you're operating portable for Parks on the Air (POTA), running a Field Day station, or operating remotely from a laptop, Web-FT8 makes FT8 accessible without bulky software setups.
Designed with open web standards and browser-native technology, Web-FT8 aims to empower operators with fast, zero-dependency tools built to make FT8 quick to deploy and easy to use.