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An Early Review
You've heard of FT8. You may be of the opinion that you wish you hadn't, but that ship has sailed, my friends.
FT8 is the daddy of modern digital modes in terms of take-up. If you're into your digital modes, you may have dabbled with FT4. Think of it as FT8 after a double espresso - it's twice as fast and you'll have to concentrate to keep up with the flow unless you're in 'do-it-for-me' mode, which in itself does take some of the fun out of it. If you run in 'manual-intervention' mode, you can play two or three QSOs at the same time and rack up the contacts - but you'll need your wits about you. No time for a slurp of coffee, or you'll fat-finger your console.
Then on Monday 16th Feb 2026, Martino Merola IU8LMC dropped his experimental (but working) prototype of Decodium 3.0. It's a fork of WSJT-X, meaning it’s a perfectly legitimate copy of an existing piece of open-source software which then diverges from that original development, introducing its own code and configuration changes.
Forks typically go one of two ways: either they flourish into glorious standalone tools, or they end up as digital moss on a forgotten GitHub branch. Martino's effort is currently somewhere in between, but while it isn't the final polished article, it's already making waves on the bands, excuse the pun.
FT2 In Decodium
Now I like my digital stuff, but I looked at this and thought it was an interesting but ultimately pointless toy. Why? Because FT4 is already blisteringly fast - in fact it's on the limit of my operating capabilities when in full chat. Add to that the fact that FT4 is already packaged into the current stable and well-supported version(s) of WSJT-X (version 2.7.0 and version 3.0.0 Release Candidate 1) - so it's a mature and usable mode. I even scoffed a little when I found out that FT2 'only' decodes down to about -12 dB, compared to FT8’s impressive -20 dB - but it's a new digital mode and other people were starting to pick up on it and were already making QSOs.
Alright, let’s dive in and see what it’s like...
So here's what it takes. Installation isn't pretty, but it's not too tricky either if you follow the instructions laid out by the developer. I did, but still encountered a few teething problems. I'll briefly share them with you, along with some quick fixes, or at least my initial thoughts and observations at the end.
First, a little background. I currently use WSJT-X v2.7.0, not v3.0.0 RC1. Here's why that matters (or not). The installation page linked below leads you down the route of installing v2.7.0 as a starting point. Yes - having WSJT-X installed is a prerequisite, but when you read some of the technical documentation, it says the new software is based on v3.0.0 RC1. OK, so Decodium is really a Beta, but I've tried it with both, and it didn't seem to make much difference. On reflection, I'd recommend going with v2.7.0 for now.
Disclaimer: Based on my very limited experience of WSJT-X v3, there are 'features' of Decodium 3.0 which I've never seen before. These may be in WSJT-X v3 or they may be brand new. I don't know, but they're not documented with Decodium v3.0 that I can find, and this is a problem. Secondly, this thing is moving so fast that I've had to re-write this article three times in the last 24 hours - so I won't be quoting too many specifics.
How To Install Decodium With FT2
To get started, head over to HamPass: https://hampass.com/ft2 (or directly to https://www.ft2.it/) and download two files. The first one contains the forked code and associated support files (the installer for which was sadly only available for Windows when I started writing this, but is now also available for Linux, and rightly so, plus something called macOS?) and the second file is one containing the new frequencies being used for FT2. Mercifully, this downloadable file also contains all the 'existing' frequencies, so unless you've customised your frequency file (for the UK 60m allocation for example) you're good to go. If you have customised it, you'll have a bit of retrofitting to do.
At this point, I'm hearing all the non-digi guys bemoaning the loss of yet more spectrum to the screeching of electronic chalk on blackboard. Yeah. On virtually every band, but within the band plan (probably...). Relax - I can't see it becoming a big thing, and if it does, it'll take the load off FT8. I'll stick my neck out right now, and predict it will remain niche.
After building a Windows machine (doh!), I installed WSJT-X v3.0.0 RC1, but after then having a few minor issues using Decodium, I reverted to v2.7.0. This may or may not have been significant, as I still see glitches.
Next, decompress/unzip/extract the main program file (referred to as a 'plugin' - but it's not - so don't try and put it in the WSJT-X 'Plugins' sub-directory) into the same directory as you installed WSJT-X. The default is C:\WSJT\wsjtx on Windows if I remember correctly. You'll end up with a folder in there called something horrible like Decodium_3_202602014 or similar. Within that sub-directory you'll find the new executable wsjtx.exe. Create a shortcut to that and drag/drop it onto your desktop and rename it Decodium, to save your future self some confusion.
Now you can run it up, and use the program itself to overwrite the frequencies file (Import QRG file in WSJT-X (File -> Settings -> Frequencies -> RIGHT click on list -> Load -> select your downloaded ft2-bands.qrg file). The last option is called 'Load', not 'Import' - some of the instructions online appear to be incorrect.
Now I suggest a reboot.
The new tool appears to have an NTP function built in. I tried installing a third party time-sync tool (Dimension 4), but I think it just fought Decodium. I suggest you use a decent external NTP service and turn off NTP in Decodium. This worked best for me - see below.
I'll let you play with it and make up your own mind, but here's what I found. It's insanely fast, as advertised. It's so fast that your time synchronisation has to be really accurate, and that QSOs often break down causing messages to be re-transmitted because they were not received correctly. This wasn't just an issue with my QSOs, I observed it time and time again with other stations, which rather defeats the point. Is it better to send once with a high success rate, or twice for total redundancy?
FT2 3.8 Second Windows
Apparently, FT2 uses the same Forward Error Correction as FT8 and FT4 (77-bit payload, LDPC(174,91), 8-GFSK modulation) but I'm not sure that bundling that payload into such a short time window is workable. Maybe it can be perfected, but I found that even the lag caused by keying my radio, running through the amplifier, tuner etc. could jinx a transmission. Interestingly, the bandwidth is three times that of FT8 at around 150Hz, but even so...
Let me know if you try it, and how it works out for you. I also found that when using the built-in NTP function, the audio to the radio was somehow inhibited by the software if it thought that the Delta Time was too great, or the NTP time signal was out by more than maybe 500ms - it 'grades' these factors using a traffic light colour indicator in the status bar at the bottom of the window. A 'tune' would always produce output power, but a data transmission would seemingly only occur if those parameters were within tolerance, even though the radio was always keyed. The official maximum time sync differential is a tiny 50ms by the way, but I had it working when far greater than that, even with Decodium's NTP turned on. Delta status was reported with a fair degree of believability, and looks to be aggregated from the last few decodes.
An interesting project, and thanks go to the developer (and support team, testers etc.) for bringing it to the community. Don't forget that it's still an early Beta version, and I for one hope that they can iron out the anomalies (particularly the timing issues) and maybe bring some new options to the party. I would personally like to see a custom filter added, much like you can list only decoded 'CQ' calls. I would like to filter/highlight any specific text string - callsigns, 'POTA', regions, grids, wildcard country names, etc.
What additions or changes would you welcome?
I currently use scripts to monitor and flag/alert specific things written to the wsjtx.log file (not the .adi file) but it would be nice to see this included in the application in some way - once the basics are fixed, of course.
Berni M0XYF
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- Written by: Chris G4ZCS
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During storm Goretti I was working 5 Meg when I noticed some strong lightning interference. I checked my weather map and found an intense snow storm over South Wales. I kept an ear open for this for a while and it faded after about a quarter of an hour. Strange!
Checking the web I noted a phenomenon called snow thunder. This is caused when the ice laden moisture in the air produces the lightning discharges we usually associate with lots of rain and huge cumulonimbus clouds.
I took the opportunity to do a system check and as it had not been raining for a day or so I decided to go out and check the antennas in the garden. I found some Fir tree branches wrapped round the dipole, so a quick prune with my long handled trimmer and I'm back in business again.
On the nineteenth the radio system started to play up, again. The SWR was moving all over the shop and the tuner was making a funny noise.
I stopped transmitting and a couple of minutes later I smelt something hot. Close inspection found the ATU was very hot! I went out to the shed and got a screwdriver and proceeded to open the beastie up. I wish I hadn't as it filled the room with acrid smoke. Inside was a disaster zone - burnt PCB, capacitors and relays, all gone up in smoke.
That stopped operations for a week or so. By chance that Friday was the evening of the sale of Gavin's shack contents at the club. I managed to get permission from the domestic manager to go out for a couple of hours, and looking on the sale bench was an MFJ ATU, just what I wanted! Luckily I was the only bidder so it is now cleaned & tested and working in the shack. I am sure that it is the one that Gavin outbid me on at a junk sale, so I am pleased that it is now in my shack.
By coincidence that week was the one of great upheaval on the Solar front with auroras down south again and with most of the bands blanked out.
My activities are a little limited to late afternoons and early evenings so the DXCC count is a bit low this month, however some good DX was had.
On the first I bagged Paraguay and a couple of minutes later N6WT in California, both on 15m.
I got Vietnam on the fifth (on 60m), on the sixth the Philippines. The ninth produced N7WET in Arizona and 9Y4C on Trinidad. I managed Aruba on 15m followed by VK8DNT, the fourteenth saw Rhode Island in the bag followed by Curacao. Because of the failed tuner there was a short break and during the testing phase I bagged a load of Russians and Brazil (just like the old days) There followed a session of WWA stations, 65 in all and I got an award! On the last day of the month I was working CW for a change and managed Gilbert ZD7BG on St Helina Isl.
So the month finished with 347 contacts and 79 DXCCs 53 of which were on 60m.
Better luck in February?
Cheers & Good DX,
Chris, G4ZCS
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A quick roundup of snippets and one-liners I've been mentally dragging around with me this week that you may (or may not...) find interesting.
Firstly, I've just received the committee meeting minutes for the last two meets in 2025 (September and November) which I have posted to the members section. Go on, you know you want to.
Next, Bob N4XAT passed on to me a link to a Pennine Ham video (on a DXpedition to Penyeta del Moro) where he and Ken were 'caught' chatting - which was a good spot on his part. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/live/IP-2A8wLCks?si=bsxE1dnr90-_GUmi&t=12
Bob's doing OK by the way, given the freezing conditions in his part of the world. He reports that 'It has been extremely cold here. This morning at 8:00am local, the temperature was minus 15C or 5F'. And we thought we had it rough.
What's next. Oh yeah - for those of you that didn't make it to last Friday's club night, Gavin's SK sale went really well, with lots of people in attendance and it was a very respectful 'do'. In total it raised £870-odd and 10% did go to the club from the estate, which was nice. The rest of the gear will go onto Worthing if you want to get down there and have a rummage.
Video of the week for me was easy to select. It's this: W4USA Shack Tour 2026. Absolutely nuts. If you ever get the feeling that your friends or family think you have too much radio 'stuff', then reset their expectations by having a night in watching this together. I'm a gadget guy, but this is off-the-scale fruit-loopery. The only thing missing is a cat flap.
And finally, back in the safety of the artificial world, anyone interested in what reality will look like in a few short years from now would do well to watch two of the architects of that future here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3u_FAv33G0 and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqVbypvxDto
You have to keep in mind that these fellas ARE Google Deepmind, but get ready nonetheless. The industrial revolution in the rear view mirror has got nothing on what's in the front-facing Lidar sensor.
"Information being the most fundamental unit of the universe, not energy, not matter, but information." Demis Hassabis
Berni M0XYF.
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It's a way off yet (Friday 17th July 2026), so you'll get reminded nearer the time, but here's a glimpse of last years event from Stella:
Skittles Evening 2025
We had a fantastic turn out for our Skittles and Pizza evening last year. Great evening with the sun shining (seems a far and distant past).
There were 17 of us in total. There is always someone missing from the photographs taken of such a large group.
We had an evening of beer, skittles and pizza. Followed by some of us having the great desserts on offer.
This is always a social evening.
Venue - The Bull Inn, Mockbridge, Henfield. BN5 9AD.
Time - From 7pm to close at 9.30pm
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Following the sad departure of Gavin late last year, Phil G4UDU was asked by the family to help out with the, let's call it 're-distribution', of his collection of radio-related equipment.
Let's face it, anyone who's been in the hobby for a few years will understand that much of the radio equipment we collectively own will potentially outlast us, and so it is somewhat reassuring to know that our friends and colleagues will continue to enjoy using and benefiting from the 'stuff' we leave behind.
Phil has spent a significant amount of time going through, clearing and selling-on the (literally) shed-loads of equipment from Gavin's shack, and will be bringing an assortment to the MSARS club meeting on the 23rd January at Cyprus Hall.
All of it is for sale, but make no mistake - this is not a 'junk sale', nor is it a 'bring and buy sale'. There will be no commission payable to to the club, and all the money will go directly back to the family. Anyone who knew Gavin will know that he appreciated quality kit, so you can imagine that there are some desirable items available.
His equipment is intentionally being offered to MSARS club members before anyone else. What isn't sold on the night will subsequently be offered to members of the Worthing club, of which Gavin was also a member.
Equipment prices to be agreed on the night, and will be 'fair'. If you would like to walk away with anything offered, you should speak directly with Phil on the night.
Regards,
Berni M0XYF
