The WSJT software should be considered a pioneer, originally developed by Joe Taylor（K1JT）(Released an early version in 2001, initially supporting basic digital modes such as JT65 and JT9, with relatively simple functionality.)
JT65 and JT9 are older than the FT8 mode, which was only introduced in 2017. Both modes were released around 2003, with a cycle of 60 seconds, using FSK modulation (a narrowband mode). They are primarily used for EME (Earth-based Mode) and low-power HF communication.
It's worth noting that Joe Taylor was one of the developers of FT8, and the name "FT8" itself is derived from K9AN (Steve). FRanke) and K1JT (Joe) TThe first letter of the surname "Taylor".
The "Tayloe" mixer from Tayloe is N7VE (Dan Tayloe), and has nothing to do with Joe Taylor.
In 2017, WSJT first introduced FT8 with a cycle of 15 seconds, and in 2019, they introduced FT4 (with a cycle of 7.5 seconds) for rapid contests.
Joe Taylor: I'm curious about why you all seem to be using FT8 during contests, when FT4 would probably be more effective... Even though it has a 3 dB lower sensitivity.
Subsequently, WSJT released its successor version, WSJT-X.https://wsjt.sourceforge.io/ ), which is currently the most widely used "official" version, supports more modes (such as FT8, FT4, Q65, MSK144, etc.), and has stronger decoding capabilities and a user interface. In addition to K9AN and K1JT, the maintainers include Bill Somerville. （G4WJS）And so on.
The Polish amateur radio operator SQ9FVE has developed a second version of WSJT-X, creating WSJT-Z. https://sourceforge.net/projects/wsjt-z/ Discussion group https://groups.io/g/WSJT-Z/topics ), which focuses on automated receiving and transmitting, initially named "WSJT-X SQ9FVE Full-Auto Mod".
Additionally, there is an improved version of WSJT-X, which is based on WSJT-X and maintained by Uwe Risse.（DG2YCB）It includes a wide range of advanced features, including full duplex mode (available in WSJT-Z), automatic filtering, voice alerts, DX tracking, contest assistance, blacklists/whitelists, and "Wait-and-Pounce" mode, making it suitable for experienced users and contest use.
Then there's JTDX ( https://sourceforge.net/projects/jtdx/ , source code repository https://github.com/jtdx-project/jtdx ), JTDX was also an early version of a WSJT-X patch, created by Russian enthusiast Igor Gladkov. (UA3DJY) Maintenance, which gradually evolved into parallel branches, starting around WSJT-X 1.7.x (around early 2017?), JTDX simply packaged the patches directly as JTDX (version numbers start from 17.x), and subsequently continued to incorporate new modes/correction algorithms introduced by WSJT-X, but with its own interface and call logic.
Compared to WSJT-X, JTDX has a more intuitive interface (making it easier for beginners), but some amateur radio operators believe that JTDX's fully automated mode (which allows for automatic transmission and reception) undermines the human element in amateur radio operation. This is a matter of opinion.
JTDX also has an improved version. https://jtdx-improved.sourceforge.io/ ), the maintainer is still Uwe Risse (DG2YCB). The added features include: the ability to switch between the "WSJT-X-Improved" interface, band scanning, DXCC/grid highlighting, individual alarm sounds, and a dark theme.
Additionally, there are some JTDX mods that were not developed as standalone forks, such as the "New-One" high-brightness version made by ES1JA and the JT65 four-times decoding optimization version created by LY3BG. However, these versions appear to have been discontinued after their initial release.
WSJT-X and JTDX are open-source programs, and there are also some derivative versions circulating in China, such as the WSJT-X, WSJT-Z, and JTDX maintained by the "Shijiazhuang Amateur Radio Club" (BD3OOX), as well as "JTDX-improved". The derivative versions created by BD3OOX have features such as a fully Chinese interface, built-in frequency tables for commonly used FT8/FT4/JT65 in China, and the ability to specify call prefixes down to the province level. They also maintain relatively active synchronization with upstream versions.
Besides the well-known FT8 and FT4 modes that everyone is familiar with, WSJT-X and JTDX also offer a variety of other modes, some of which are less widely known (but still used by enthusiasts), such as:
In 2016, the MSK144 (designed for rapid-decaying paths like meteor debris scattering) and QRA64 were also introduced. The QRA64 was also developed for scattering or EME communication purposes.
In 2021, the Q65 mode was introduced, making it the best choice for Earth-Moon-Earth communication.
Additionally, there are FST4/FST4W, designed for long-wave and medium-wave low-level signals with long periods (FST4W is intended for beacon use, and some sub-modes have been derived from it, with a period length of up to 30 seconds/120 seconds/300 seconds).
And two beacon modes: the Echo mode, designed for EME (single-tone CW pulse, to determine antenna direction and gain/link budget), and WSPR (110-second digital message, which is transmitted to other stations worldwide upon reception, allowing you to know where your signal can reach and whether the path is clear). This is also known as "Weak Signal Propagation Report" in Chinese.
I hope everyone explores and has fun!
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