Amateur radio operators have long praised FT8 for its ability to punch through weak-signal conditions with minimal bandwidth, but critics have always noted one major limitation: it’s not conversational. Short exchanges of callsigns, grid squares, and signal reports don’t exactly replace a good ragchew.
That changes today with the surprise release of Med8, a revolutionary new digital mode developed by a collaborative team from the ARRL Digital Modes Working Group and select volunteers at the FCC’s Experimental Services branch.
Med8 builds directly on the proven WSJT-X platform but adds full conversational capability while operating exclusively on the 80-meter band (3.500–3.650 MHz segment, with a recommended calling frequency at 3.573 MHz to avoid clashing with existing FT8 activity).
How Med8 Works
Like FT8, Med8 uses a 15-second transmit/receive cycle and maintains excellent weak-signal performance (down to –24 dB SNR). The big upgrade? It supports free-form text up to 120 characters per cycle — enough for actual sentences, weather reports, antenna stories, or even light contest banter.
But here’s the game-changing feature: integrated health telemetry.
With user permission, Med8 can optionally interface with popular electronic health record (EHR) APIs (such as those from Epic, Cerner, or MyChart) and your smartphone’s calendar app. During a QSO, the software can automatically append a brief, encoded medical status packet:
- “BP 128/82, HR 68, slept 7.5 hrs – feeling great!”
- “Next doctor appointment: April 15, 10:30 AM – cardiology follow-up”
- “Reminder: Take meds at 20:00 UTC”
These packets are transmitted in a separate sub-channel using a highly compressed, forward-error-corrected format that occupies less than 50 Hz of bandwidth. The receiving station sees them only if they’ve enabled the optional “Health Link” decoder in the software.
Developers say this could transform 80 meters into the ultimate “check-in net” for older hams or those in rural areas with limited broadband.
“80 meters has always been the band for heartfelt nighttime ragchews,” said Dr. Elena Vargas, KI5MED, a physician and Extra-class operator who consulted on the project. “Now you can tell your old buddy in the next state how you’re really doing. It’s like having a personal health net on HF.”
Technical Specs
- Modulation: Enhanced 8-FSK with adaptive health-packet overlay
- Bandwidth: ~100 Hz total (compatible with existing 80m FT8 filters)
- Software: Free beta available now at med8.radio (Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi builds)
- Power: Works well at 5–50 watts — perfect for QRP enthusiasts monitoring their vitals during portable operations
- Privacy: All medical data is end-to-end encrypted and requires explicit opt-in. No data is stored on the radio or transmitted without consent.
Early testers report surprisingly good results even during marginal nighttime propagation on 80 meters.
“I worked a station in Maine last night,” said veteran contester Bob Johnson, N3ABC. “We had a 10-minute chat about our antennas, and I got a polite note that his blood sugar was stable after dinner. Felt more human than any FT8 pileup I’ve ever been in.”
Getting Started
- Download the Med8 plugin for WSJT-X from the official site.
- Tune to 3.573 MHz USB.
- Enable “Health Link” in settings and connect your preferred medical app (instructions included).
- Call CQ “Med8” and see who answers — you might even get a free blood pressure reminder!
The mode is currently restricted to 80 meters only due to regulatory testing focused on lower HF bands where longer wavelengths provide more stable local-to-regional coverage suitable for health-related check-ins.
Download Med8 Beta Now [Get Med8 v1.0 – 100% Free]
(Note: Requires WSJT-X 2.7+ and a valid amateur radio license. Medical integration works with most major U.S. healthcare providers.)
What Operators Are Saying
“Finally, a mode that cares about my ticker as much as my signal report!” — VE3HEART
“This is going to save our 80m nets.” — W6DOC (a retired EMT)
Example Exchange
In Summary
Med8 represents an exciting fusion of modern digital communications and personal health awareness, tailored specifically for the reliable nighttime propagation and conversational nature of the 80-meter band. Whether you’re a seasoned ragchewer looking to add a new layer of meaningful connection to your QSOs or simply interested in how emerging technologies can support the ham community, this mode offers a fresh perspective on what HF digital operation can become.
We encourage all licensed operators to download the beta, give it a try on 3.573 MHz, and share your experiences in the comments below. As always, prioritize safety, respect privacy settings, and enjoy the unique friendships that only amateur radio can foster.
April Fools!
Gotcha! 😄
There is no such thing as Med8. This was a light-hearted April Fools’ prank imagining what happens when we mix the explosion of digital modes with the very real trend of health-tracking gadgets. FT8 and its cousins are amazing tools, but they’ll probably stay focused on making contacts rather than checking your pulse.
80 meters remains one of the best bands for real conversations the old-fashioned way — with your voice, CW key, or good old keyboard in JS8Call.
Stay safe, monitor your own health the conventional way, and keep those 80m frequencies warm for actual ragchews.
73 and Happy April 1st from Cam, W4XXV!