Steve Franke, K9AN
Steve Franke, known as K9AN in the amateur radio community, is an electrical engineer and radio amateur known for his contributions to digital communication modes for amateur radio. While less publicly visible than Joe Taylor, K1JT, Franke has been a key collaborator with Taylor in the development of digital communication protocols, particularly in the creation of the FT8 mode. Alongside Taylor, Franke contributed to the design and implementation of the FT8 protocol as part of the WSJT-X software suite. FT8, which stands for “Franke-Taylor design, 8-FSK modulation,” has become widely popular among amateur radio operators for its efficiency and reliability in weak-signal communication. Franke's work has played a significant role in advancing digital modes in amateur radio, enabling communication under challenging propagation conditions and expanding the capabilities of radio amateurs worldwide. While less recognized outside of the amateur radio community, Franke's contributions are highly valued among radio enthusiasts.