FT-0

When all else fails: nothing.
0 baud
0 Hz bandwidth
0 W output
−∞ dB min SNR
decode depth
WSJT-0 v0.0.0 — Wide Graph — 14.073 MHz (and all other frequencies simultaneously)
UTC dB DT Freq Message
--:--:-- TX: idle
Technical Specifications

The numbers speak for themselves. Quietly.

FT-0 builds on the FT8 and FT4 heritage by removing the one component responsible for every problem in digital modes: the transmission.

ParameterValueNotes
Symbol rate0 baudFinally, a mode your CPU can keep up with
Occupied bandwidth0 HzInfinite stations per passband, zero QRM
ModulationNonePatent pending
T/R cycle15 s15 seconds of silence, then 15 seconds of silence
Duty cycle100% @ 0 WSafe for all finals, including your Baofeng
Minimum SNR−∞ dBEvery decode is a new weak-signal record
Bit error rate0.000000%You cannot corrupt a transmission that does not exist
FECUnnecessaryThe LDPC guys are seething
Multipath toleranceTotalAll paths arrive simultaneously, because nothing is arriving
Suggested calling frequencyAll of themCurrently in use worldwide. You just can't tell.
Mode Comparison

FT8 vs FT4 vs FT-0

Independent lab testing conducted in a room with the radio unplugged.

MetricFT8FT4FT-0
T/R cycle15 s7.5 s15 s of pure serenity
Bandwidth50 Hz90 Hz0 Hz
Min SNR−21 dB−17.5 dB−∞ dB
Busted callsSomeMoreMathematically impossible
Works during blackoutNoNoYes
Works with no antennaNoNoYes
Works with no radioNoNoYes
Electric bill impactSomeSomeNegative (probably)
Protocol Exchange

Anatomy of a perfect QSO

A complete FT-0 contact, annotated. Total airtime: none. Total information exchanged: none. Confirmation rate: 100%.

000000K9PC (silence — CQ implied)
000015DX (silence — response, grid square optional; you are not going anywhere anyway)
000030K9PC (silence — signal report, −∞ dB implied)
000045DX (silence — R−∞)
000100K9PC (silence — RR73, but slightly more sincere)
000115BOTH (logged. LoTW confirmation pending since before the QSO began)
Capabilities

Everything works, because nothing happens

FT-0 is the only mode with a 100% success rate across every band, every solar cycle, and every budget.

PROPAGATION-PROOF

Silence propagates equally well on all bands, at all times, under all solar conditions. Gray line: irrelevant. Sporadic E: does not care. Fully operational during total ionospheric blackout, making FT-0 the only truly reliable EmComm mode.

EME READY

Silence bounces off the moon at exactly the frequency it left. Zero Doppler correction required. Libration fading has no effect on nothing.

INSTANT DXCC

You have already worked every entity. North Korea is on the air in FT-0 right now. So is Bouvet. Silence emanates from all 340 entities continuously. Submit a blank ADIF to LoTW and wait for your wallpaper.

CONTEST DOMINANT

The FT-0 Field Day category is most contacts not made. Everyone ties at zero. Everyone wins. The robot accepts your empty log instantly with no busted calls.

QRP RECORDS

Miles per watt is division by zero. Mathematicians hate this one trick. Every FT-0 operator holds the all-time weak signal record simultaneously.

ZERO STATION COST

Radio: optional. Antenna: optional. Computer: optional. Coffee: required. The most accessible mode in the history of amateur radio.

Operator Reports

What the community is saying

Reviews collected from operators who could not confirm the mode was working. This is a feature.

"I made 400 contacts on my first night. At least, I have no evidence that I didn't."
K0NIL, Extra class, 47 years of nothing to prove
"Finally worked P5 on 160m from my HOA condo with no antenna. The mode just works."
N0DE, DXCC Honor Roll (FT-0 endorsement)
"My noise floor is S9+20 and FT-0 decodes right through it. Actually, my noise floor might BE FT-0."
W0RSE, urban operator
"Activated 12 parks before lunch without leaving the truck, or the driveway, or turning anything on. POTA spotted me at all of them and none of them. Hunters couldn't work me — which, if I'm honest, is exactly how my activations went before FT-0 too. Got the certificate anyway."
W4ETA, Extra class, 5 years of being a lid
"Ran FT-0 unattended for six months. The neighbors never complained once."
KD0ZZZ, remote station enthusiast
Explore

Get on the air with nothing

Or don't. The site works the same either way. Everything below is fully interactive and completely silent.

QSO SIMULATOR

Press one button and work a full six-step contact in real time. It logs itself. Make a contact →

LIVE SPOTS

A DX cluster and POTA feed updating constantly with nobody. Watch the spots →

BAND CONDITIONS

Solar flux 0, every band DEAD (optimal). Conditions are perfect. Check propagation →

SCOREBOARD

The Field Day standings where everyone ties for first at zero. See the standings →

CALLBOOK

Look up any FT-0 operator. No photo on file — they never keyed up. Search the callbook →

STORE

0-byte QSL cards, silent t-shirts, empty mugs. Everything $0.00. Buy nothing →

Get the software

WSJT-0 v0.0.0

Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and devices that are powered off.

Release date: never · Installed base: everyone, arguably · License: GPL-∅
SHA-256: e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855
(the actual hash of empty input — verify it yourself, this part is real)

New here? Read the Operating Manual, then check Live Spots to see who's not on the air right now.

Roadmap

The future of nothing

v1.1Fox & Hound mode — the fox transmits nothing to up to 5 hounds simultaneously. DXpedition pileups reduced to a respectful hush.
v1.2SuperFox authentication — silence is cryptographically signed. Pirates can transmit nothing, but not YOUR nothing.
v2.0FT-(−1) — receives before you transmit. Currently blocked on causality. Patches welcome.
v3.0AI integration — a neural network trained on 10 million hours of dead air. It has achieved enlightenment and refuses to key up.