“Hi Folks!
A number of you have participated in the beta testing of the pre-release versions of JS8Call for some time now. Well, good news…JS8Call is finally out of it’s initial development and version 1.0 has been publicly released: http://js8call.com/news/
What is JS8Call & JS8?
JS8Call is an experiment to test the feasibility of a digital mode with the robustness of FT8, combined with a messaging and network protocol layer for weak signal communication on HF, using a keyboard messaging style interface. It is designed to connect amateur radio operators who are operating under weak signal conditions.
JS8 is a mode with the freedom to transmit arbitrary length free-text messages using an adaptive text compression scheme (15-18 wpm average, > 20+ wpm on some messages).
The software also includes:
- Callsign list that shows which callsigns you can hear and which can hear you.
- Directed message structure to allow messages to you to be received anywhere in the passband.
- Directed commands to request specific information from other stations (like their GRID).
- Message relays (use a series of intermediate stations to relay a message to a destination)
- Store-and-forward message inbox that allows messages to be left at intermediate stations to be retrieved later.
- Band hopping based on a schedule.
- Time drift controls for synchronizing to other stations when no other time source is available.
- Macros with text replacement for SNR, GRID, and other information.
- An API for other applications to integrate dynamic message sending (think, Chess, ARQ, Forms, Geolocation, etc)
- Spotting of station locators to PSKReporter, HamSpots, APRS-IS, and JS8NET.
- And is open-source (GPL) and free to use and/or modify.
If you’ve been interested in trying JS8Call, but didn’t want to have to sign up for the groups.io or upgrade frequently while in development, now is your time. The 1.0 release is a solid foundation for weak signal communication and I hope that you enjoy using it.
If there’s anything you need, feel free to email me kn4crd@gmail.com. Happy to answer any questions you might have in the meantime.
Cheers!
Best,
Jordan / KN4CRD”
Antenna
A New Way to compare HF antennas
Michael G0POT reviews WSPRlite with DXplorer Wondering how well your antenna works? WSPRlite with DXplorer will tell you… The WSPRlite is a spe... Read more
XR3 on prototype new Force 12 ToT (Tilt Over Tower)
3D animation by Jeremy Cleaveland, KE0CGU Read more
Attic Mounted HF Loop Antenna In HOA, Does It Work?
“I went to my friends house to check out his setup and get him up and running on some HF digital modes. A lot of hams are struggling in an HOA w... Read more
Resonant Antennas, HF Mobile, MFJ-1668 Screwdriver
HF Mobile Antenna Covers 80-6 Meters with 4 1/2 foot mobile or 10 foot fixed operation telescoping whip. Continuously adjustable loading coil is 36 in... Read more
Equipment
Works with Flex Radio
Applications that work seamlessly with your Flex Radio. Any comments can be sent to the Flex Community FlexRadio Mestro Flexradio Power Amp. 1.5KW Read more
Watkins Johnson HF-1000 DSP Receiver
Specifications Dimensions ............ 19.0W x 5.25H x 20.0D inches Weight ................ 15 Lbs. (19 Lbs. ship) Frequency Range ........ 5 - 30000... Read more
PPG100 Portable Power Generator
Midland Radio has been a show participant at the Consumer Electronics Show for several decades. Long an industry leader in two-way radio technology in... Read more
Newly released receiver Icom IC-R 8600 compatible with digital wave
IC-R 8600 Broad band of 10 kHz to 3 GHz Product name / type name Communication receiver / IC – R 8600 Suggested retail price 228,000 yen + tax... Read more
100KHz-1.7GHz Full Band UV HF RTL-SDR USB Tuner Receiver/ R820T+8232
Description: WHAT IS SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR)? In traditional hardware radios, the mathematical operations required to decode and proces... Read more
News
National Science Foundation Funds Creation of Research Lab at Alaska’s HAARP
A 5-year, $9.3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant will allow the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute to establish... Read more
St. Vincent Radio Amateurs on Alert During Volcano Emergency
Donald de Riggs, J88CD, on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, says that on April 13, the 42nd anniversary of the 1979 eruption of the La Soufriere v... Read more
Can You Cook A Hotdog With Ham Radio?
“I’ve always been facinated by the physical affects of RF. Today, a light experiment testing if can cook hotdogs with RF. The test incorpo... Read more
Updated Radio Frequency Exposure Rules Become Effective on May 3
The FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019 Report and Order governing RF exposure standards go into effect on May 3, 2021. The... Read more
March 2021 Volunteer Monitor Program Report
The Volunteer Monitor (VM) Program is a joint initiative between ARRL and the FCC to enhance compliance in the Amateur Radio Service. This is the Marc... Read more