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FT1: The Next Step in Weak-Signal Digital?
Following the recent FT2 implementation - covered in my recent Mid Sussex ARS news article - it was probably only a matter of time before someone asked: how much further can we push weak-signal decoding?
From FT8 to FT4 and now FT2 protocols, each step in the progression has traded bandwidth, timing precision and processing power for incremental gains in sensitivity and throughput.
Enter FT1.
Positioned as the next logical evolution, FT1 builds on those foundations but introduces something new: recursive decoding enhanced by lightweight AI-assisted weighting models.
Digital Signal Processing Loops (Utilising AI)
FT1’s headline innovation is the use of Digital Signal Processing Loops (DSPLs). Rather than making a single decode attempt per transmission window, FT1 captures the probabilistic state of the received signal and recursively refines it. Each loop:
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Re-evaluates timing offsets (per-tone Delta's)
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Reconstructs incomplete symbols
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Re-weights parity structures
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Applies AI-assisted confidence scoring
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Feeds the refined estimate back into the decoder
The embedded AI layer doesn’t 'guess' messages; instead, it dynamically adjusts statistical bias based on observed propagation behaviour, drift characteristics and noise profiles gathered over time.
The effect is cumulative. Instead of discarding frames at -28 dB, FT1 continues iterating, statistically compressing uncertainty with each pass.
In controlled tests, the results have been eye-opening: regularly reporting decodes down to -35 dB.
Designed for 24/7 Operation
Unlike FT2, FT1 is fully automated by default. It can run unattended around the clock, dynamically adjusting loop depth and decoder thresholds according to band conditions. Researchers report extremely stable medium-duration operation too.
During March’s WWDigi-Xtreme contest, one experimental FT1 station reportedly logged over 480,000 contacts, easily securing first place. A significant proportion were completed at signal levels all existing decoders would simply consider unrecoverable.
Whether that represents a fundamental shift in weak-signal capability - or simply the triumph of computational muscle - is still being debated.
The Hardware Reality
There is, of course, a cost.
FT1’s recursive and AI-assisted architecture is computationally intensive. The suggested minimum compute specification includes:
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256 GB RAM
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2 * 128-bit Nvidia GPUs
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Dedicated multi-core CPU resources
FT1 maintains layered probability maps across multiple loop generations, preserving statistical states rather than discarding them. However, if the system cannot sustain real-time recursion, the processing chain destabilises.
Developers refer to this rather delicately as Frail Loops - a condition in which insufficient memory bandwidth or GPU throughput causes recursion cycles to collapse, confidence weighting to drift, and performance to fall sharply back toward familiar limits.
Stable loops are essential. Frail ones, less so.
One Outstanding Limitation
There remains a practical constraint. After approximately six weeks of continuous 24/7 operation, accumulated state data begins to saturate storage and memory structures. Fragmentation increases, loop latency rises, and a controlled restart becomes necessary.
It’s not a fundamental flaw, merely an engineering refinement still in progress.
Whether FT1 proves to be the next accepted milestone in the FT8-FT4-FT2 lineage, or simply an ambitious exploration of what happens when AI meets recursive DSP, it certainly captures the imagination.
After all, progress in digital modes has always been about squeezing a little more signal from a little less noise.
Especially at this time of year.
Berni M0XYF
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Mills On The Air - Saturday 9th May 2026
This year, my Mills On The Air Special Event Station will be at Chailey Windmill.
At the moment, this is an 'unofficial' event as far as MSARS is concerned, but the committee is soon to discuss adopting it as a recognised club event. I do now have full event insurance regardless, so please feel free to come along and trip over whatever you like.
I'll be operating SES callsign GB6DGK in honour of our SK friend Gavin Keegan. It may not be registered on QRZ.com, as I'll be taking the callsign 'on tour' for the rest of the year to several locations, and it could get confusing.
Chailey Windmill was last activated in 2023 (see https://midsussexars.org.uk/news/350-drg-are-at-chailey-heritage-windmill-on-saturday) when I had the pleasure of spending the day with members of the Downland Radio Group, including Gavin, who made me feel very welcome. I shall be doing the same this year, so all are cordially invited to join me either to operate or just spend some quality time out. If any members of the DRG are reading this, please come along for the nostalgia and a cup of tea. It would be lovely to see you. Likewise anyone from the Worthing club that knew Gavin.
The Windmill
If you have never been to Chailey Windmill, it's a beautiful Grade II listed smock mill originally built in 1830. It's no longer functional, after having its internal workings removed, so there is plenty of room inside to operate comfortably (bring your own camping chair). Oh, and by the way, it's set in a stunning location on Chailey Red House Common (https://chaileycommons.org.uk/), so also a POTA site (GB-3219). I have full access to the windmill (with mains power, hopefully).
When
I'll probably be there from 10:00am 'till 4:00pm on Saturday, but I'm not committing to an exact schedule. It's just for fun, as always. Main operating band/mode will be 40m SSB, but also 30m FT8 and FT4, 17m SSB and FT8, maybe 20m, 15m and 10m. Conditions and time will ultimately dictate. I may even return on the Sunday morning for an encore.
Come and join me, or work me from home if you can't afford the petrol come May.
Huge thanks to Stefan and the crew at Nunsfield House ARG for making this event possible.
Location
Maidenhead Locator: IO90xx
WAB Square: TQ32
CQGMA Windmill Number: X91880
Lat: 50.975092, Long: -0.025218
What3Words: ///heads.glows.gentle
Google Maps: Mill Ln, North Chailey, Lewes BN8 4EG
Additional Info
More information on the windmill can be found here: https://chaileyparishcouncil.gov.uk/amenities/chailey-windmill-museum-of-local-artefacts
Full information on the current mills registration list can be found at the Nunsfield House ARG website here: https://www.nharg.org.uk/content/active-mota-stations-2026
Berni M0XYF
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Hi all.
A very quick update from this years Annual General Meeting last night (Friday 27th March 2026).
Firstly, apologies if anyone thought I was a bit too vocal. I just felt that there were a few things that needed either highlighting or moving along, but I realise that could come across as annoying.
For those not in attendance, a couple of points of note. Alan, Merv and Stella were all re-appointed unopposed in their respective committee positions (Hon. Secretary, General Committee and Hon. Program Secretary). We thank you all for your continued service.
Much discussion was had about finances, and it didn't really seem to be going anywhere, so I proposed a vote on raising the annual membership fee by £5 to £40 from 1st Jan 2027, and this was agreed by the vast majority of those present.
The committee took away several points for discussion, including the possible recognition and ratification of the various outdoor radio events that I have planned for this year as official MSARS events. That would formalise these and additionally allow them to be covered under the club's RSGB third party insurance.
Next, a couple of takeaways that I had from the meeting. Firstly, regarding filling in the Jotform membership form. I offered to complete the form on behalf of any member struggling to perform this themselves. You can request my help by simply confirming in writing that your information has not changed since the previous year (or by providing updated information) via the much simpler webmaster contact form here: https://form.jotform.com/252163376930357
However, if you ARE able to complete the membership form yourself, THEN PLEASE DO!
The membership form currently requires that you enter both the first and second line of your home address. It was noted that some addresses, particularly those in Wales, only have one 'street' line. I've checked this, and I cannot alter the individual validation of these lines, as they are paired in the widget logic in Jotform, and cannot be validated independently. Sorry Wales! Just enter a space or a dot or something in the second street line.
I'll look into the CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) issue too.
Finally, I said that I would remind everybody that all members are invited to book a slot with Phil G4UDU to put the famous G5RV callsign on the air again this year. You can see what other bookings have been made at the bottom of our calendar page here: https://midsussexars.org.uk/calendar
Tony M0WND has it booked for both days this weekend, so hunt him down amongst all the contest stations, and give him a call
Thanks and regards,
Berni M0XYF
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- Written by: Chris G4ZCS
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The month got off to a good start, with a change of band and mode. I had decided to try FT4 and 24 MHz for a change. This seemed to be a good move with some serious DX appearing. My impression is that this band is populated by some serious and sensible operators. This month was also the one with all Brazil activity, celebrating the 92nd anniversary of the national club. By the 9th I had worked 14 of their 29 stations, and by the end of the month all but 5.
Bob Mcloud, VP8LP, popped up as did JS6RRR from Okinawa, ZD7DF, ZB2MD, and Steve GJ6WRI from Jersey.
For some strange reason Africa has been really active this month with ZS6, TJ1, CN8, TT1, V51, TZ1, TL8, TY5, D2, 5Z4, 7X2KF, TU5MZ, TJ1GD, J51A, all in my log.
There has been lots of activity from South America and the West Indies and even better, some Oceania. My best DX this month included FK8HA from French Polynesia and DU2W from the Philippines. To finish off the month I managed KL5EX in Fairbanks Alaska, HP1RY in Panama, and HC5RF in Equador.
Our old friend RI0SP is still floating about near the North Pole, this time in grid HR97.
Thanks to Berni's encouragement I am trying to get a new mode to work. FT2. This is twice as quick as FT4 and 8 times faster than FT8. The developers are issuing new variants faster than I can download them! More of this next month!
And as if there isn't enough going on, I have attached a diploma celebrating the 46th anniversary of the Andalucia hams.
Cheers & Good DX,
Chris, G4ZCS
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Quick note from Dick:
The station formerly known as G1CWP and/or G0LFF is now G1AFU. This is in homage to my late kid brother, Pete, who held the call originally.
73 Dick G1AFU
