FT8 FOR THE FIRST TIME: A Simple Guide to Digital Modes and POTA for Licensed Hams by Joe Leone (W4GGJ)

Your license is in your hand. Now what? FT8 is the most popular digital mode in amateur radio today — and for good reason. Five watts into a simple antenna can work the world. A quiet computer and a modest radio is all you need to start making contacts across continents. But getting from "I just got my license" to "I just worked Germany on 5 watts" takes more than most guides tell you. This book fills that gap. Written by an active ham radio operator and POTA activator, FT8 for the First Time walks you through every step of getting on the air with digital modes and taking your station into the field for Parks on the Air. No assumptions. No skipped steps. No wading through manuals written for engineers. What you'll learn: How digital modes actually work, explained in plain language What gear you need — and what to skip — for a working FT8 station Step-by-step WSJT-X configuration with real settings screenshots Read more