FT2 Frequencies and Reasons for Lack of Use

[Clark L. Stewart]

Here is some interesting info on the FT2 mode of WSJT-X.  Looks to me to be something that was created "just because I could."  I have not used it and most likely will not as I can't see a purpose for it.  It is being used just 0.044% as much as FT8.

73, Clark, W8TN

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	Re: [wsjtgroup] FT2 Frequencies???
Date:	Wed, 6 May 2026 08:43:55 -0500
From:	Hasan Schiers N0AN via groups.io
To:	wsjt...@groups.io

There is very little FT2 activity, even on 20 meters. The mode use is plummeting after people using it realized that it is inefficient at best. 

Latest PSKReporter data:

Last 2 hours: Reports of all bands.

FT8 2731049

FT4     42008

FT2       1214

That's down from 10,000 4 weeks ago.

At best, FT2 is a strong signal mode, but has the following limitations:

1. Requires very good clock accuracy for consistent decoding.

2. Requires very good response latency in the program itself.

3. Does not decode consistently with SDRs because of latency.

4. Does not tolerate passband interference (like FT8).

5. Reduced sensitivity.

All in all, it is a mode in search of a purpose.

That is why K1JT has said FT2 will never be a part of WSJT-X. He and the team evaluated it early on and dismissed it as a mode without a purpose.

Uwe, resurrected and improved the FT2 mode, as a response to someone violating the GPL license. That mode is supported in WSJT-X Improved Plus.

I have tested it thoroughly. It is at best, a strong signal mode with severe compromises. 

If you are running WSJT-X Improved Plus, the frequency table for FT2 is accurate.

The reason you don't find FT2  on any other bands except 20m, is that no one is using it, or very infrequently. That's because of the above mentioned shortcomings.

73, N0AN

Hasan

On Wed, May 6, 2026 at 7:29 AM David AD4TJ via groups.io <ad4tj=yaho...@groups.io> wrote:

   I downloaded a listing of supposedly good FT2 frequencies; however,

   I have only seen activity on 14.084. 

  Here are the frequencies:

  1.843

  3.578

  7.052

 10.144

 14.084

 18.108

 21.144

 24.923

 28.184

Does anyone have better frequencies to use??

 David AD4TJ

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[Larry Fravel]

I agree Clark.  What's next FT.033?  Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Larry K8YYY

 Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away. 
–Elvis Presley

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