JS8CALL ? > Ham Radios

Posted: 2/27/2020 12:36:29 AM EDT

I just heard about this tonight on the ARFCOM 40m Olivia net

Got it installed, and configured to my TS-590, rig control, RX/TX and waterfall... yippeeee.

Added @ARFCOM and sent a few SNR and Station info on 7.078 ( I have no clue WTF I'm doing LOL)

also called CQ and worked a guy, told him it was my first JS8CALL QSO, and he replied it was his 3rd

guess I'm not the only one late to the party.

starting a new thread here so I don't hijack the Olivia thread.

I'll read up on this more tommorow, but thought I'd ask here.

please tell me about JS8CALL

Posted: 2/27/2020 1:32:59 AM EDT

[#1]

Damn, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Posted: 2/27/2020 8:59:05 AM EDT

[#2]

JS8Call combines the best of (one of my favorite modes) FSQ with the speed(s) and ease of use of FT8!

Think FT8 with a convo option that allows multi stations on the same freq at the same time. It's a Great mode that could serve us well here.

Should have my station back online tomorrow, at least in HB/ACK mode.

Julian (OH8STN) has some of the best videos online regarding the mode.

Posted: 2/27/2020 12:59:38 PM EDT

[#3]

Some other threads talking about JS8 and general JS8 information. Hope it helps and glad you got it setup and going.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/Digital-Guard-Mode/22-695987/

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/js8-call-help-please/22-696012/

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Outdoors/JS8Call-Users-andlt-ALETandgt-/22-695810/

Posted: 2/27/2020 6:16:35 PM EDT

[#4]

After using JS8call a few weeks I have a few observations:

Leaving your station monitoring, but not set to autoreply or relay is not doing anybody much good. One of the key features of JS8call is the networking capabilities and this doesn't work without autoreply and relay enabled. There have been multiple times I could have had the ability to relay a message to a specific station, but there is usually one key station in the middle that has relay turned off.
Heartbeat & Acknowledge are well and good for generally establishing an impromptu network, but if you try sending someone a message or relay and they are sending ACK's halfway through your message it doesn't work. I have started turning off heartbeat networking so that my station will still respond to directed personal or @ARFCOM messages, but will not try to send some random station an ACK while someone else is trying to send me a directed message.
VOACAP Online HF predicition website has had a makeover and is much easier to use now. For statewide and regional comms, 80 meters is predicted to be the best band for low power and low antennas pretty much 24/7 during this period of low solar activity. Having nationwide comms on 40m & 20m are great, but for most people and in emergency situations those relatively short hops are going to be your money makers.
Having the ability to network and relay really stresses the need to have a solid comms plan and like minded folks willing to play along. Having pre-designated abbreviations to keep messages short, band plans and alternate frequencies based on time of day, comms windows, designated relays, a system for leaving messages and who to leave messages with (i.e. if I can't contact you, I will always leave messages with station XYZ, so be sure to query that station for messages) etc.
If you have a specific group you need to communicate with, designate a center frequency and tell everyone to keep all their messages within a relatively narrow passband (+-100hz or whatever) so that stations can use narrow filters on that frequency. Using a narrow 250hz filter on the IC-7300 I have been able to pull a marginal -18db signal up to like a solid +4db signal. This helps a ton in a high RFI environment like I have in my neighborhood.
Organize a simple system with your preferred contacts to validate numbers of frames sent, and be able to manually request a missed frame to be resent.
I haven't figured out what is happening but somewhat frequently I'll see a signal that visually looks strong, and correctly timed, but I will not get a decode. I know it's a JS8 signal because it will be in reply to a heartbeat request or whatever, but some signals are not decoding for some reason?

Posted: 2/27/2020 6:23:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:
After using JS8call a few weeks I have a few observations:

Leaving your station monitoring, but not set to autoreply or relay is not doing anybody much good. One of the key features of JS8call is the networking capabilities and this doesn't work without autoreply and relay enabled. There have been multiple times I could have had the ability to relay a message to a specific station, but there is usually one key station in the middle that has relay turned off.
Heartbeat & Acknowledge are well and good for generally establishing an impromptu network, but if you try sending someone a message or relay and they are sending ACK's halfway through your message it doesn't work. I have started turning off heartbeat networking so that my station will still respond to directed personal or @ARFCOM messages, but will not try to send some random station an ACK while someone else is trying to send me a directed message.
VOACAP Online HF predicition website has had a makeover and is much easier to use now. For statewide and regional comms, 80 meters is predicted to be the best band for low power and low antennas pretty much 24/7 during this period of low solar activity. Having nationwide comms on 40m & 20m are great, but for most people and in emergency situations those relatively short hops are going to be your money makers.
Having the ability to network and relay really stresses the need to have a solid comms plan and like minded folks willing to play along. Having pre-designated abbreviations to keep messages short, band plans and alternate frequencies based on time of day, comms windows, designated relays, a system for leaving messages and who to leave messages with (i.e. if I can't contact you, I will always leave messages with station XYZ, so be sure to query that station for messages) etc.
If you have a specific group you need to communicate with, designate a center frequency and tell everyone to keep all their messages within a relatively narrow passband (+-100hz or whatever) so that stations can use narrow filters on that frequency. Using a narrow 250hz filter on the IC-7300 I have been able to pull a marginal -18db signal up to like a solid +4db signal. This helps a ton in a high RFI environment like I have in my neighborhood.
Organize a simple system with your preferred contacts to validate numbers of frames sent, and be able to manually request a missed frame to be resent.
I haven't figured out what is happening but somewhat frequently I'll see a signal that visually looks strong, and correctly timed, but I will not get a decode. I know it's a JS8 signal because it will be in reply to a heartbeat request or whatever, but some signals are not decoding for some reason?

View Quote

Right on my good man!

I too have noticed that if I send a @arfcom SNR? I will get 4-5 (at times) stations reply but only decode 2-3 of them. And most look like like the same strength.

Also think we may have a station that is set up with @arfcom that is not a member. "Could be wrong" but if someone can confirm a WE station in Mississippi that would be great.

Posted: 2/27/2020 7:19:52 PM EDT

[#6]

@swampfoxoutdoors

your station just answered my "SNR" and "INFO"

also a Mississippi station ?

Posted: 2/27/2020 7:41:58 PM EDT

[#7]

I'm really geeking out with the new propogation prediction tools on VOACAP:

Posted: 2/27/2020 8:52:32 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm really geeking out with the new propogation prediction tools on VOACAP:

https://i.ibb.co/850sBgW/Capture.jpg

View Quote

What does the disc on the left tell you? I understand the time concept but what other information is it giving?

Posted: 2/27/2020 8:54:06 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
@swampfoxoutdoors

your station just answered my "SNR" and "INFO"

also a Mississippi station ?

View Quote

I maybe wrong but think the Mississippi station is a interloper.

If not Mississippi station IM me with screen name so I can add you to my arfcoms contacts in JS8.

Posted: 2/27/2020 9:48:49 PM EDT

[#10]

Walked up to barn, station should be up in a few. Walking back down to house, it's cold!

Posted: 2/27/2020 9:52:24 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

I maybe wrong but think the Mississippi station is a interloper.

If not Mississippi station IM me with screen name so I can add you to my arfcoms contacts in JS8.

View Quote

I emailed him off his QRZ page

told him I've been a ham for years, but brand new to JS8CALL

also asked his arfcom screen name

[shrug]

Posted: 2/27/2020 9:55:45 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

I emailed him off his QRZ page

told him I've been a ham for years, but brand new to JS8CALL

also asked his arfcom screen name

[shrug]

View Quote

We will see I guess if not maybe he will join in on the silent legion.

Posted: 2/27/2020 10:04:08 PM EDT

[#13]

there's a guy on the ARFCOM DMR channel, that jumped in, and wasn't an ARFCOM'er but I think he eventually signed up.

IIRC, he's a truck driver from Va. who likes russian motorcycles.

. . . .or maybe I'm thinking of another guy ?

[shrug]

Posted: 2/27/2020 10:31:36 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:

there's a guy on the ARFCOM DMR channel, that jumped in, and wasn't an ARFCOM'er but I think he eventually signed up.

IIRC, he's a truck driver from Va. who likes russian motorcycles.

. . . .or maybe I'm thinking of another guy ?

[shrug]

View Quote

Yeah I remember that guy. He was good dude. I typed up the information portion of the arfcoms TG description on TGIF. I did it as high brow as I possibly could without turning folks away. I think we have a pretty good ham section and it’s definitely geared towards the survivalist, prepper, off-road outdoorsman type.

Posted: 2/27/2020 10:51:44 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:

What does the disc on the left tell you? I understand the time concept but what other information is it giving?

View Quote

Relates the time of day (rotation around disc) to band used (rings moving out as frequency increases) and potential for making contact (color of cell).

Posted: 2/27/2020 10:59:25 PM EDT

[#16]

That propagation prediction is for a 5w FT8 (close enough to JS8call for all intents and purposes) signal, from a theoretical 5m high dipole. You can see that 80m, followed by 60m are the best bands for statewide/regional comms.

Posted: 2/28/2020 8:55:18 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

I maybe wrong but think the Mississippi station is a interloper.

If not Mississippi station IM me with screen name so I can add you to my arfcoms contacts in JS8.

View Quote

that's "mareokuma"

he's a member here

Posted: 2/28/2020 12:33:45 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
After using JS8call a few weeks I have a few observations:

...autoreply and relay enabled.....

View Quote

ok, have autoreply enabled, is there a relay "switch" to throw to enable?

I have dc'd the HB and HB-ACK for now to see what happens

ETA: station still on air

Posted: 2/28/2020 1:15:09 PM EDT

[#19]

Under "Networking & Autoreply" there is an option for "Disable message relay (>) when autoreply is enabled". Just make sure that box is unchecked.

ETA. My antenna partially came down in the wind last week, so my station will not be performing at full capacity until I fix it. I have a new antenna arriving next week that should allow me full coverage from 80m-10m.

Posted: 2/28/2020 1:16:55 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Under "Networking & Autoreply" there is an option for "Disable message relay (>) when autoreply is enabled". Just make sure that box is unchecked.

View Quote

Thanks, saw that and left it unchecked. Couldn't believe it would be that easy ??

Posted: 2/29/2020 10:33:18 PM EDT

[#21]

It's a work in progress but here's my tiny JS8call

Posted: 3/1/2020 2:08:38 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's a work in progress but here's my tiny JS8call

https://i.ibb.co/vPHvf7X/20200229-142508.jpg

View Quote

Tell me about your little pc/screen....

Posted: 3/1/2020 3:56:50 PM EDT

[#23]

It's the 4" Pimoroni HyperPixel Touch - bought it from Adafruit. It connects directly to the RasPi header and has low current draw. Initially tried it with a RasPi Zero W, but that board is pretty gutless and it doesn't play well with the screen and JS8call or WSJT-X. No problems when I put it on the RasPi 3B+.

ETA: At this point it's not much more than a novelty. The goal is an ultralight, ultracompact portable digital solution, but if I put much more time and money into this project a small Windows based tablet will soon be more the more cost effectivete and elegant solution.

Posted: 3/1/2020 7:33:04 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's the 4" Pimoroni HyperPixel Touch - bought it from Adafruit. It connects directly to the RasPi header and has low current draw. Initially tried it with a RasPi Zero W, but that board is pretty gutless and it doesn't play well with the screen and JS8call or WSJT-X. No problems when I put it on the RasPi 3B+.

ETA: At this point it's not much more than a novelty. The goal is an ultralight, ultracompact portable digital solution, but if I put much more time and money into this project a small Windows based tablet will soon be more the more cost effectivete and elegant solution.

View Quote

Very interesting. Compact, ultra portable digital has always fascinated me. I want a phablet /keyboard size setup I can run with a qrp radio with the barest minimum amount of cables and parts. I'm still mastering digital though on a regular radio so it going to be a while.

In many ways this is where cw shines. It really is the ultimate in simple low power simplicity.

Posted: 3/1/2020 8:23:43 PM EDT

[#25]

I was in Columbus OH a few years back (will be again in April) and bought a $65 Windows 10 Tablet from MicroCenter. I've used it before with my IC7100 and FLDigi. I should pull it down and load JS8call on it. It's a nice small solution for not toting a laptop around and for the $ not much (maybe less) than a Pi with a display?

YMMV

Posted: 3/2/2020 9:47:55 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:

there's a guy on the ARFCOM DMR channel, that jumped in, and wasn't an ARFCOM'er but I think he eventually signed up.

IIRC, he's a truck driver from Va. who likes russian motorcycles.

. . . .or maybe I'm thinking of another guy ?

[shrug]

View Quote

Not me but he is local. Dont want to put his call out. Lol

Posted: 3/2/2020 10:29:50 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was in Columbus OH a few years back (will be again in April) and bought a $65 Windows 10 Tablet from MicroCenter. I've used it before with my IC7100 and FLDigi. I should pull it down and load JS8call on it. It's a nice small solution for not toting a laptop around and for the $ not much (maybe less) than a Pi with a display?

YMMV

View Quote

Yep, I'm pretty sure I bought the same tablet from MicroCenter, but I eventually got rid of it because I couldn't get it to work with my FT-817 (it didn't have a combo mic/headphone jack IIRC). With radios like the IC-7100, 7300, etc. it would work great because all you need is the single USB port. I have about $80 into the RaspberryPi and 4" display. Only advantage it has right now over a tablet is I can put into a small OtterBox for protection.

Posted: 3/8/2020 10:23:47 PM EDT

[#28]

Y'all might see me on JS8 from time to time. I read here a lot, but never post.

Posted: 3/9/2020 7:01:24 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Y'all might see me on JS8 from time to time. I read here a lot, but never post.

View Quote

Glad to see you in here. Don’t think I have picked up another GA j8 station.

Posted: 3/9/2020 6:44:19 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Also think we may have a station that is set up with @arfcom that is not a member. "Could be wrong" but if someone can confirm a WE station in Mississippi that would be great.

View Quote

\o mississippi mystery solved. i'm here-ish.

Posted: 3/9/2020 9:04:12 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

\o mississippi mystery solved. i'm here-ish.

View Quote

Glad to have you on and confirmed that your a member.

I know I had one station send me a msg inquiring what is “arfcoms” wanted to right back a state of mind.

Posted: 3/9/2020 9:12:51 PM EDT

[#32]

I think i actually asked that first time i saw it. was having a migraine induced case of the dumb at the moment.

Posted: 3/9/2020 9:31:35 PM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think i actually asked that first time i saw it. was having a migraine induced case of the dumb at the moment.

View Quote

I want to say it was a ATV station in Louisiana YT could be wrong.

Been running mine the last few days but had to grab the laptop to do some 878 programming at home and powered everything down. Should be back up and running tomorrow.

Posted: 3/10/2020 9:27:30 AM EDT

[#34]

Had another great JS8call QSO with my buddy on the other side of the state last night on 80m. We were both using 25 watts, and had 100% copy over 90 minutes.

Posted: 3/10/2020 12:23:48 PM EDT

[#35]

I can't get anyone to answer my js8call CQs are you guys able to get regular QSOs?

Posted: 3/10/2020 1:09:13 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
I can't get anyone to answer my js8call CQs are you guys able to get regular QSOs?

View Quote

Kinda comes in spurts for me.

Posted: 3/11/2020 8:31:09 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
Glad to see you in here. Don’t think I have picked up another GA j8 station.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Y'all might see me on JS8 from time to time. I read here a lot, but never post.

Glad to see you in here. Don’t think I have picked up another GA j8 station.

We can try to set up a sked for 80M.

Posted: 3/11/2020 9:40:11 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

We can try to set up a sked for 80M.

View Quote

Sounds good to me.

My HF station is at work and I use a tuner that requires me to push a button to get it to tube so tell me a night/day you want to try and I will configure everything and can remote in.

Any other time M-F 8-4 I can usually play radio.

Posted: 3/11/2020 9:57:41 PM EDT

[#39]

How's tomorrow at noon work? I live close enough to the office that I come home for lunch.

Posted: 3/11/2020 10:03:17 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
How's tomorrow at noon work? I live close enough to the office that I come home for lunch.

View Quote

Sounds good sent you a IM.

Posted: 3/12/2020 10:44:50 PM EDT

[#41]

How did your guys' sked on 80m work out?

A feature I just implemented this week is the automatic band change by time of day. Works like a charm. I'm currently monitoring 80m during the night and 40m during the day. I might add in 20m during the summer months.

Posted: 3/21/2020 12:13:08 PM EDT

[#42]

40m seems to be open.

25watts

Attached File

Posted: 3/21/2020 12:35:14 PM EDT

[#43]

Might double check that callsign in Antarctica...I was spotted by it last night and it came back as erroneous.

Posted: 3/22/2020 12:53:03 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Might double check that callsign in Antarctica...I was spotted by it last night and it came back as erroneous.

View Quote

noticed someone in indiana with a mistyped grid, EC## instead of EN## shown on his qrz page. Unless he really is sailing from Chile to Antarctica. sent messages, no email available.

Posted: 3/22/2020 1:00:21 PM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
How did your guys' sked on 80m work out?

A feature I just implemented this week is the automatic band change by time of day. Works like a charm. I'm currently monitoring 80m during the night and 40m during the day. I might add in 20m during the summer months.

View Quote

It worked marginally, but I think that was mostly proximity and antenna orientation. We were able to reliably exchange messages by relaying through another station.

Posted: 3/22/2020 3:20:18 PM EDT

[#46]

I started this thread, and between work, family, reloading, shooting, DX,

setting up my wife's work from home station, I've had no time to learn about it.
.
.
.
.

Posted: 3/22/2020 3:25:14 PM EDT

[#47]

it's easy enough for me to figure it out, you're gold.

Posted: 4/6/2020 4:03:38 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
Might double check that callsign in Antarctica...I was spotted by it last night and it came back as erroneous.

View Quote

@SimpleScout
Just tried sending you a MSG on 20m. Hope you got it. For some reason I was TX around 3000Hz I usually stay around 1500.

Either way 40M sucks today and 20 is where its at.

Posted: 4/6/2020 6:21:21 PM EDT

[#49]

Nope, didn't get it. I have my station set to automatically QSY to 40m at 21:00 UTC

My station is on:

80m from 00:00-12:00 UTC
40m from 12:00-18:00 UTC
20m from 18:00-21:00 UTC
40m from 21:00-00:00 UTC

Posted: 4/6/2020 7:46:38 PM EDT

[#50]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nope, didn't get it. I have my station set to automatically QSY to 40m at 21:00 UTC

My station is on:

80m from 00:00-12:00 UTC
40m from 12:00-18:00 UTC
20m from 18:00-21:00 UTC
40m from 21:00-00:00 UTC

View Quote

How did you set that up? Did not know that was possible. You was on when I did a HB bc I received a ack from you.

Edit: was able to figure it out but no traffic on 80 so went back to 40 and parked it for the night. Is that a list you came up with or something that was coordinated by a group?

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