There's a brand new mode that just hit the airwaves. It's based on FT8 and FT4. It's about four times as fast as FT8 with three times the bandwidth. It's called FT2, and it's being developed by Martino Merola, IU8LMC.
It runs on a modified version of WSJT-X, so there really are no surprises in store for FT8 users. If FT4 is the contest mode, FT2 is the sprint mode. Its lower sensitivity makes it less ideal for weak signal work, though it still competes with many other data modes. Its bandwidth is 150Hz, which is not particularly wide, but looks it compared to FT8 or JT9. What's really impressive is its 11 second QSO time. It's an absolute speed demon. Imagine a DXpedition working FT2 in Superfox mode, burning through contacts like crazy. I look forward to what the future holds for this mode.
However, that future doesn't include Winter Field Day. There's nothing about FT2 that makes it effective at passing emergency traffic. FT2 is not allowed for Winter Field Day, and we'll make that part of our rules for 2027 and beyond.
Want something similar for WFD? Try JS8Call in Turbo mode.