I have been wanting to try FT8 on my ICOM IC-706 for quite some time. Recently my brother finally got his ticket and is a General Class. He also purchased a Yeasu FT-450 as his first HF rig.

In the past I have done a few digital modes such as PSK31, SSTV, and some RTTY! But for the life of me I could not get FT8 to work with my ICOM IC-706. My brother did not seem to have any real problem setting up his rig to do FT8. My brother and I texted back and forth and found out that I was trying to set my rig ICOM IC-706 under the radio section to read CAT control. He suggested that I try setting the rig to NONE and PTT method to VOX. HEY, IT WORKS NOW! I have been working FT8 stations from South America to Canada to Eastern Europe.

While I was at it I also played around with some FT4. It is fast!!! I can barely keep up with FT8. Hope to work ya on the air!!! 73 de N0RVS ..