November 2025 Frequency Measuring Test

Paul Bourque, N1SFE, ARRL Contest Program Manager

The November Frequency Measuring Test (FMT)
will have two transmitting stations: Michael Suhar,
W8RKO, in Ohio, and Connie Marshall, K5CM, in
Oklahoma. Transmissions will be made on 40 and
80 meters, in that order. This should give stations
throughout North America an opportunity to receive
and measure a strong signal.

If you’ve never entered an FMT before, information on
how to measure the frequency of a carrier is available
at https://fmt.arrl.org.

Click on "Read More" below to see full Article.

Measurement Software
If you’re using WSJT-X, you have what you need to
effectively participate in the FMTs. The software suite
includes tools for accurate frequency calibration.
Detailed instructions are provided in the WSJT-X User
Guide at https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/wsjtx-doc/
wsjtx-main-2.7.0.html#_frequency_calibration.

FMT Schedule and Format
The FMT “runs” will start with a call up by W8RKO at
0230 UTC on November 7 (Thursday evening in North
America). The call-up frequency may not be the same
exact frequency as during the key-down period (it may
shift as much as 10 Hz). Although the call up is scheduled
to start at a specific time, both stations will try to
start earlier to establish a clear frequency. Every effort
will be made to start key down at the published time in
Table 1. The key-down period will be 1 minute.
Measure the transmitted frequency and report your
results at https://fmt.arrl.org/fmtentry.php. Please
include notes and observations about making your
measurement, including the equipment used and
any special techniques. Results must be submitted
by 0200 UTC on November 10, at which time they’ll
be published on the website. Stations submitting
measurements within 1 Hz for all transmissions from
W8RKO and K5CM will be listed in the “Green Box” of
the results, as shown in Figure 1.

Table 1
Frequency Measuring Test Schedule

Start: November 7 at 02:30 UTC
(Thursday evening in North America)
Results: Submit measurements online until November 10 at
02:00 UTC (Sunday evening in North America)

If there’s interference on the published frequency, tune around
to find the FMT transmissions.