SimpleFT8

Free is a complete manual FT8/FT4 station: receive and transmit, use microphone or USB audio, work and log contacts, search and edit the local log, import or export the complete log as ADIF, and make or restore native backups.

SimpleFT8 Pro is a one-time lifetime unlock for workflow automation: automatic replies, custom-message looping, CAT/PTT rig control, macOS System Audio capture, autonomous band hopping, advanced export scopes, direct QRZ Logbook transfer, and private iCloud log sync.

Customers who bought SimpleFT8 before the app became Free receive Pro automatically. Purchases can be restored from the Pro screen.

SimpleFT8 needs the audio output of your radio (or SDR) reaching the app. Three common paths:

USB audio interface

A SignaLink, Digirig, RIM-Lite, or built-in USB audio on the radio. The cleanest option. Pick the device in Settings → Audio (macOS).

Headphone-to-mic cable (with attenuation)

Old-school but works. Pad down the level so you don't blow the mic input.

Acoustic coupling

Hold the radio speaker near the iPhone mic. Surprisingly good when the signal is strong.

macOS only — System Audio capture Pro

In Settings → Audio set "Input source" to "System Audio". The app captures whatever your Mac is playing via ScreenCaptureKit — perfect for SDR software (SDR++, CubicSDR) or WebSDR pages in a browser. No virtual audio cable required. Microphone and USB audio remain Free.

1. Set your operator callsign and Maidenhead grid in Settings.
2. Set your dial frequency (default 14.074 MHz on 20m, the global FT8 calling channel).
3. Tap Call CQ. The app queues a "CQ <your call> <grid>" for the next slot of your TX parity and transmits.
4. If someone replies, tap their decode row to accept — the QSO state machine handles the rest.
5. After "73", tap Log QSO to save the contact.

1. Watch the RX list. Any decode that starts with "CQ" is someone calling.
2. Tap the row. The app flips slot parity, queues "<them> <you> <your grid>", and enables TX.
3. The state machine sends each subsequent step (R-XX, RR73, 73) automatically when their reply lands.

Both opt-in toggles in Settings → Operating:

Both default OFF — the app stays in full operator-driven mode until you opt in.

FT8 stations alternate slots: one transmits on :00 and :30, the other on :15 and :45. SimpleFT8 auto-flips parity when you accept or reply to a call so you naturally land on the opposite parity.

If you're CQing alone for > 3–6 minutes and Randomly flip slot parity is on, the app will randomly flip parity to break a potential cold-start deadlock with another solo CQer on the wrong side.

The waterfall above the decode list shows audio activity in real time. Tap any point on the waterfall to set your TX audio frequency — 1500 Hz (the WSJT-X default) sits in the middle of the SSB passband; other frequencies dodge co-channel QRM.

Every completed QSO lands in the Log tab. Searching, editing, single-record copying, full ADIF import/export, and complete native backup/restore are Free. Your full portable log is never locked behind Pro.

Pro adds current-filter, date-range, and new-or-changed export shortcuts; direct manual or automatic QRZ Logbook transfer; and optional private iCloud sync across your Apple devices. QRZ and iCloud are independently configured and off by default.

Decodes upload via our backend at simpleft8.strangeloop.nl, which rate-limits and forwards as IPFIX UDP to PSK Reporter on your behalf. This stops a misconfigured client from accidentally hammering the upstream service.

Off by default. Requires you set a contact email (PSK Reporter wants one for misbehaving-client outreach).

Off by default. Separate from PSK Reporter — you can enable either, both, or neither.

Maidenhead pins for every layer you've enabled:

amber — stations you decoded

green — stations who heard you (PSK Reporter, opt-in)

cyan — SimpleFT8 ops online right now (opt-in)

Below the map: stats (best SNR, furthest, unique grids) and a text list per layer.

Do I need a ham license?

To transmit, yes. Receiving is unrestricted in most places. Check your local rules.

Will it interop with WSJT-X / JTDX?

Yes — bit-exact encode + WAV regression decode tests pass. Same FT8 messages, same audio frequencies.

I see −20 dB reports — is that bad?

No, that's normal. FT8 decodes down to roughly −24 dB.

My TX clock seems off.

SimpleFT8 syncs to NTP every 30 minutes. The Station card on the RX tab shows your offset.

Why is iOS audio so limited?

iOS receives through the microphone or a connected USB audio device. It cannot capture another app's system audio. Use the macOS app's System Audio input for SDR-software capture.

How does the app handle my radio and logbook data?

Decode and logbook data stays on your device unless you export it or enable an external service. PSK Reporter and the presence map use the community data described in the Privacy Policy. QRZ transfer sends selected QSO records directly to QRZ; private iCloud sync stores logbook records in your CloudKit private database.

No analytics, no ads, and no advertising SDKs. Radio operation and the local logbook work without an account; community and logbook integrations are opt-in.

Full Privacy Policy →

Email: simpleft8@strangeloop.nl