April 16th 2026 Frequency Measuring Test
Bart Jahnke, W9JJ
Radiosport & Regulatory Information Manager
The April Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) will have
two transmitting stations: Connie Marshall, K5CM,
in Oklahoma, and Michael Suhar, W8RKO, in Ohio.
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.
two transmitting stations: Connie Marshall, K5CM,
in Oklahoma, and Michael Suhar, W8RKO, in Ohio.
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 www.k5cm.com.
<<Read More click click>>
Measurement Software
The free software tools are quite advanced. If you’re
already using the WSJT-X suite of FT8 or WSPR, you
can use its frequency calibration mode as a sophisticated
frequency measurement tool. Joe Taylor, K1JT,
explains how to use WSJT-X for frequency measurement
in “Accurate Frequency Measurements with
your WSPR Setup” at https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/FMT_User.pdf.
already using the WSJT-X suite of FT8 or WSPR, you
can use its frequency calibration mode as a sophisticated
frequency measurement tool. Joe Taylor, K1JT,
explains how to use WSJT-X for frequency measurement
in “Accurate Frequency Measurements with
your WSPR Setup” at https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/FMT_User.pdf.
FMT Schedule and Format
The FMT “runs” will start with a call up by K5CM at
0230 UTC on April 17 (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.
0230 UTC on April 17 (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. Please include
your notes and observations, including equipment
and any special techniques used. Results must be
submitted by 0200 UTC on April 20, 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.
your results at https://fmt.arrl.org. Please include
your notes and observations, including equipment
and any special techniques used. Results must be
submitted by 0200 UTC on April 20, 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: April 17 at 02:29 UTC
(Thursday evening in North America)
Results: Submit measurements online until April 20
Start: April 17 at 02:29 UTC
(Thursday evening in North America)
Results: Submit measurements online until April 20
40 Meters: K5CM
near 7064 kHz
02:30 Call up
02:34 Key down
02:35 End 40-meter run
near 7064 kHz
02:30 Call up
02:34 Key down
02:35 End 40-meter run
40 Meters: W8RKO
near 7065 kHz
02:45 Call up
02:49 Key down
02:50 End 40-meter run
near 7065 kHz
02:45 Call up
02:49 Key down
02:50 End 40-meter run
80 Meters: K5CM
near 3598 kHz
03:00 Call up
03:04 Key down
03:05 End 80-meter run
near 3598 kHz
03:00 Call up
03:04 Key down
03:05 End 80-meter run
80 Meters: W8RKO
near 3599 kHz
03:15 Call up
03:19 Key down
03:20 End 80-meter run
near 3599 kHz
03:15 Call up
03:19 Key down
03:20 End 80-meter run
If there’s interference on the published frequency, tune around
to find the FMT transmissions.
to find the FMT transmissions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------