PSK Reporter (also known as the Digimode Automatic Propagation Reporter) is a near real-time web-based platform that visualizes amateur radio propagation. It works by collecting reception reports from thousands of automated listening stations worldwide and plotting them on an interactive map. While the name comes from the PSK31 mode, it is now the primary tool for tracking FT8, FT4, WSPR, and other digital modes.
Why Use PSK Reporter?
For any amateur radio operator—especially those using digital modes—PSK Reporter is one of the most powerful diagnostic and discovery tools available:
- Confirm Your Reach: Ever wonder if your signal is actually “getting out”? After calling CQ, you can check the map to see exactly which stations around the world heard you and how strong your signal was (in dB).
- Antenna Testing: It provides objective data for comparing antennas. You can switch between two different antennas, send a few rounds of FT8, and see which one “lights up” more stations in a specific region.
- Monitor Band Openings: Even if you aren’t transmitting, you can use the map to see which bands are currently “open.” For example, you can filter to see who in your local area is hearing stations from Europe on 10 meters.
- Identify Receiver Issues: If the map shows stations in your city are hearing Japan but you aren’t, it’s a clear sign you might have a high local noise floor or a problem with your receive chain.
How to Get Started
PSK Reporter is entirely browser-based and free to use. Here is how to navigate the system:
1. Access the Map
Navigate to pskreporter.info/pskmap.html. You will see a world map covered in “balloons” or flags, each representing a station that has recently reported hearing a signal.
2. Configure Your Search
At the top of the map, you’ll find a set of dropdown menus that act as your control panel. To see your own performance, set them as follows:
- On: Select a specific band (e.g., 20m) or All Bands.
- Show: Select Signals.
- Sent/Rcvd by: Select Sent by.
- Who: Enter your Callsign.
- Using: Select FT8 (or All Modes).
- Over the last: Select a timeframe (e.g., 15 minutes or 1 hour).
- Click “Go” to refresh the data.
3. Interpret the Results
- Balloons: Each balloon is a station that heard you. Hover your mouse over a balloon to see the exact time and the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) they recorded for your transmission.
- Connecting Lines: These show the path your signal took from your location to the receiver.
- Colors: The colors of the balloons typically correspond to the frequency band being used (e.g., blue for 20m, yellow for 10m).
4. Automatic Reporting (Sending Data)
If you want to contribute to the community and show others that you are hearing them, you must enable reporting in your software:
- In WSJT-X: Go to File > Settings > Reporting and check the box that says “Enable PSK Reporter Spotting.”
- Your computer must be connected to the internet for this to work. Once enabled, every station your radio decodes will be automatically uploaded to the map for the world to see.
Note: PSK Reporter relies on “passive” reporting. You don’t need to actually have a conversation with someone for them to show up on your map; they just need to be transmitting while your station is listening.