JS8Call 0.10.0 Released - A new ACTIVE / IDLE flag for Hearbeats, CQ repeats on an interval, and ADIF mode update!

“Hey Folks!

Version 0.10.0 of JS8Call has been released. Upgrade to the latest and greatest here: https://groups.io/g/js8call/wiki/Download-Links

The most prominent update…the ADIF group has approved the JS8 mode to be added to the ADIF specification as a submode under MFSK. This means that soon logging programs and verification services (LoTW, eQSL, etc) will accept your JS8Call QSOs. Version 0.10 of the app will log all new QSOs under the new spec. If you’re looking to verify old QSOs, you’ll likely have to modify your log file. Ask the email list if you need help with that.

We have some nice new features in this version:

You can now mark your station as active/idle manually. This controls what your station sends as a result of “STATUS?” direct messages.
When you are heartbeating, your station will send either “HB ACTIVE” or “HB IDLE” based on that toggle. This should help with determining station status without having to send “STATUS?” command all the time.
The heartbeat button has moved next to the CQ button. It includes an inline countdown to the next heartbeat. Right click (or use the Control->Heartbeat) menu for heartbeat options.
The CQ button now also has that same menu…meaning you can automatically repeat CQ messages on an interval.
The best part? When you receive a message (as well as transmit) the HB timer is reset, and CQ repeat is stopped. This should help avoid heartbeats in the middle of a QSO.
You also have to be actively heartbeating and have auto enabled to respond to heartbeats with ACKs. So, keep that in mind!
You can now add or remove a group callsign directly from the heard list.
There’s now a full-screen toggle (with a keyboard shortcut of F11) to make it easier to use JS8Call on small monitors.

Overall, I’m really pleased with how the application is maturing. We’re getting closer to where I’d like to be with a 1.0 general release. In the meantime, if you run into any issues or have any ideas for future enhancements, please feel free to reach out!

Best,
Jordan / KN4CRD

Here’s the full changelog:

Fix SELCALL and HB menu items toggle vs click

Removed clear menu item icons

Added add/remove group from callsign list and it propagate to the settings

Removed printing of ALLCALL messages that were not freetext in the RX window

Added deselect callsign after logging as an option instead of forced

Reordering varicode commands to make it easier to spot which numbers are available

Added fullscreen toggle

Added active/inactive flag and restructuring heartbeat

Proper active/inactive flags for HB

HB and CQ repeat logic

Hide configuration for heartbeat.

Hide heartbeat and acks if we have HB turned off

Rename do not repeat

Fixed padding of configuration behavior panel

Countdown for HB and CQ. Escape key stops CQ and resets HB timer

SELCALL checked should disable repeat transmissions

Keep configuration option for heartbeat channelization

Added option for displaying/hiding heartbeats and acks

Added heartbeat and CQ to control menu

Bump version and EOL

Added a compatiblity display for old heartbeat acks

Don’t turn off the repeat buttons on stop button clicked, just reset them

Fixed bug in HB auto-reply when HB was not active

Added MFSK/JS8 for logging modes

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