For WSJT-x AND JTDX

Terms of Service

Last updated: June 13, 2026

Welcome, and thank you for using Auto FT8. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website at autoft8.com (the “Site”), the desktop software we distribute — including Hamilton Auto FT8 and the Hamilton Radio Programmer (“Programming Tool”) (collectively, the “Software”) — and any memberships, licenses, or related services we offer (together with the Site and Software, the “Services”).

The Services are operated under the name QSL World by KO4ZHL, a licensed individual amateur radio operator based in Louisiana, United States (“we,” “us,” or “our”). QSL World is an independent, non-commercial project maintained on a volunteer basis for the amateur radio community. There is no company behind it; it is run by one operator. Membership fees fund the ongoing costs of building and maintaining the Services.

By accessing the Site, downloading or using the Software, or purchasing a license, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

1. Who may use the Services

You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, to purchase a license or enter into these Terms. You may use the Services only in compliance with these Terms and all applicable laws, including amateur radio regulations in your country. You are solely responsible for operating any radio equipment lawfully and within the privileges of your license.

2. Accounts

Some features require an account. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity under your account. Provide accurate information and keep it current. Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

3. Free and paid tiers

We offer the Services through free and paid tiers.

Free tier. Certain features are available at no cost. We may change, limit, or discontinue free features at any time.

Paid tier / memberships. Paid features, including the full Programming Tool experience and any bundled QSL World access, require an active paid license or license. Pricing, features, and tier names are described at the point of purchase and may change for future purchases. Changes do not retroactively affect a license term you have already paid for.

4. Billing, renewals, and cancellation

Cancellation. You may cancel at any time through your account page or by contacting us at support@autoft8.com. Cancellation stops future renewals; it does not retroactively refund the current period unless required by law or stated in our refund policy below.

Payment processing. Payments are handled by third-party processors (for example, PayPal). We do not store your full payment card details. Your use of a processor is subject to that processor’s own terms.

Price changes. We may change subscription prices. We will give reasonable notice before a price change takes effect, and the new price applies to renewals after that notice.

5. Refunds

Because the Services are digital and access is granted immediately, all sales are final and payments are non-refundable, except where a refund is required by applicable law. Membership fees support a volunteer, non-commercial community project rather than a commercial enterprise. If you believe you were charged in error, contact us at support@autoft8.com and we will review your situation in good faith.

6. License to use the Software

Subject to these Terms and your active tier, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to install and use the Software for your personal, non-commercial amateur radio use. License keys are issued per the activation limits shown in your account (for example, a set number of computers). You may not:

We may revoke a license used in violation of these Terms.

7. Open-source components

The Software includes open-source components, including the CHIRP engine, which are licensed under their own terms (such as the GNU General Public License). Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under those open-source licenses, and where there is a conflict regarding a given component, the open-source license governs that component. Source code we are obligated to provide is available at https://github.com/qslworld.

8. Acceptable use

You agree not to misuse the Services. This includes not: violating any law or radio regulation; infringing others’ rights; uploading malware; attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users’ accounts; scraping or overloading the Site; or using the Services to harass others. We may suspend access for conduct that, in our reasonable judgment, harms the Services or other users.

9. User content

If the Services let you submit content (such as logs, profile information, or messages), you retain ownership of your content. You grant us a non-exclusive license to host, store, and display that content as needed to operate the Services. You are responsible for your content and confirm you have the right to submit it.

10. Intellectual property

Except for open-source components and your content, the Services — including the Software’s proprietary front-end, the Site, branding, and design — are owned by us and protected by intellectual property laws. These Terms do not transfer any ownership to you.

11. Third-party services and data

The Services may rely on or link to third-party data and services (for example, repeater databases such as RepeaterBook, mapping providers, and payment processors). We do not control and are not responsible for third-party services, their availability, or their accuracy. Repeater, frequency, and related data are provided “as is” and may be incomplete or out of date; you are responsible for verifying that any configuration you write to your radio is correct and lawful.

12. Disclaimers

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. We do not warrant that the Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that data (including repeater or frequency data) will be accurate. You use the Software to program radio equipment at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with applicable regulations.

13. Limitation of liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM RELATED TO THE SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR USD $50 IF YOU PAID NOTHING. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims, damages, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your misuse of the Services, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any law or third-party right.

15. Termination

You may stop using the Services at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms. On termination, your right to use the Software and any paid features ends, though sections that by their nature should survive (such as ownership, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and governing law) will survive.

16. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect means you accept the revised Terms.

17. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana and applicable United States federal law, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. You agree that the state and federal courts located in Louisiana will have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from these Terms or the Services, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts, except where applicable law gives you the right to bring a claim elsewhere.

18. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at support@autoft8.com.

These Terms are a general template and not legal advice. Consider having a qualified attorney review them before relying on them.