Excellent video covering some of the most important elements for using JS8Call for EmComm. This is a terrific mode and I am finding it very useful. My station is limited to 100 watts at the moment and so I'm very pleased to use a mode that allows me to make solid contacts all over the place using on 30 watts. I like it for it's ability to chat as well as leaving messages. Aside from the utility and EmComm capabilities of JS8Call it's just plain fun.
I'm with you. I love JS8Call. Did you see the recent video on using JS8 to "see" propagation? ruclips.net/video/q3t8gEXzIP0/видео.html Just another way that we can use JS8 :-)
Great way to bring home what JS8 can do for EMCOM. Have gotten plenty experience with the different APRS capabilities but not so much on Relaying/Messaging. Will have to get that sorted out once I get my QTH antenna issue fixed. Keep 'em coming Jason ! de 73 KM6TRZ
Thanks Don. I really need to get a video done covering the relay function of JS8. I have covered messaging before but it might be worth revisiting. It's been a while back. 73, de KM4ACK
Thanks for this great JS8Call demonstration video. I'm completely on board. I'm also probably going to add JS8Call to the 2m EmCom solution that I'm implementing for our local EmCom net that was established for voice communications because the message features are so handy - unattended receiving, message storage, message forwarding, etc.
IMHO, it's one of the greatest features for emcomm. It will work on FM but it works much better on SSB if you have 2M radio capable of SSB. ruclips.net/video/DMbjZKXRXRk/видео.html 73, de KM4ACK
My friends and I have been using this mode. You're right it helps that you don't have to be on the exact waterfall spot. We figure if more people would leave their stations running as auto relays all the time, we'd have a real network of stations providing a path reliably to anywhere!
Absolutely. We just need to get the word out. I’m trying to share such knowledge with videos like the one that released today. My station runs about 19 hours a day. Mostly on 40M but a little 80M early in the morning and later in the evening. 73, de KM4ACK
Great video. JS8 is a great emcomm mode. In an emergency situation, the affected station will probably be working off batteries and maybe qrp power and a compromised antenna. The ability to relay messages is an absolute multiplier in communication. Now my 5w and random wire can be as affective in receiving a message or getting a message through as my QRO home station as larger stations can hear and pass on the info. To me, that outweighs the speed at which my message sends. Keep up the good work 73 de KF7VUT.
You are right, it is a multiplier. Just hope you don't need it this weekend. 😳 Lower power and therefore lower power consumption is also a huge advantage during an emergency. 73, de KM4ACK
I FIRMLY agree with your logic as it is the same reason why JS8 is the hard times mode for my son and I (He lives WELL out of state). Thank you for these very informative vids!
Indeed. You will find my station on JS8 for the majority of each day. Not often at the keyboard but always listening for incoming messages. I usually get 1 or 2 a day. 73, de KM4ACK
Agreed JS8 call may be slow but as you said it will work even in horrible band or high noise conditions. Slow comm is way better than no comm. The various pieces of functionality in JS8 like the relay and APRS messaging you mentioned are great for E-Comm
With the ability to reach deep into the noise and all of the built in features, I expect more and more people to start looking at JS8Call for both ragchew and emcomm. 73, de KM4ACK
I agree, the only thing I don't like about JS8Call is the fact is requires such precise timing and if the internet is down or a GPS satellite is down (or you don't have a GPS receiver) you're screwed. Otherwise I love it.
Maybe you haven't seen this video. Accurate timing is easy peasy with JS8Call even with no internet or GPS. ruclips.net/video/Uik6S_J8ZoE/видео.html Not as easy as having the GPS but still easy. 73, de KM4ACK
Devin: The JT modes can easily be time hacked manually using WWV, time from a cell phone, or simply by listening to the commencement of transmissions by other stations on the band.
@@KB4QAA OK, the last option sounds more viable than the rest. If stuff really goes down I don't expect any of those other resources to be available, if they are I doubt it will be for long. I love JS8Call, but I think the timing issue is still a big issue. But it's good to know you can work off other transmissions to get the time synced.
I have an idea for the equivalent of an email gateway for JS8 . Its a little complex and I had written out a post but it got a little too long. Part of it would involve the so called message box in JS8 and the whole thing would be handled with a separate application. Mind you, its a conceptual idea and I do not write code. It allows emails both ways, not just one way like the "email bash". It would require internet at the "gateway" station. (of course)
Also, I've been hearing about a Pi OS which would not only have a working linux system but also, was described as having ham software included ? Too bad that same system couldn't have aprs and js8 as part of the includes. I do now know the name of it or how to look it up.
@@KM4ACK I'm not a programmer either. That said, its an easy routine. Just finding where the js8call message box is located is first. Then, getting some sort of routine going that would look at it and pull certain messages out. The routine could ask for permission to send them maybe. Shall see if I can get a programmer interested. The message box gives programmers a lot of latitude. Who knows, Jordan Sherer ?
@@californiakayaker Everyone needs to be careful about going too far down the road of an "Automatic-Relaying-Mailbox". This simply turns into the nightmare of the Packet Networks we had in the 90's that became useless due to being uncontrolled and filled with spam.
@@KB4QAA I realize that. I was actually going to add it to my next Halloween movie. The mailbox will open with a scream. Actually, the method for elimination of spam happens with the relay. The only address which can reply is the one which is sent the email and the "go between" makes it impossible for spam to be sent. Now, that is the same as what is being done with APRS to Cell Text. The qualified stations are called "gateways". The only cell that can reply is the one the text was sent to. So, no spam unless the reply qualifies as spam. The cell reply must be being told there is a limit of characters ? I haven't tried the cell version , so don't know. The Email set up would be similar. The reply characters would be limited, and put in the mailbox, with an alert from JS8 to the user. The APRS version is safe and legal because of the go between. The go betweens with JS8 would also need to filter. It would be part of the program making this possible. The email function of the mail box would need to be qualified for each user, and the specific user would have a way to tell they've been qualified in the "status" message possibly. Or some other method, would need to figure that out. Some are adding things to their calls /m for mobile, ect. This type of thing could be done for email. /e
I need to get back on JS8Call. It is a bit slow but the relay aspect made a lot of sense to me. There seemed to be low activity, but maybe it's improving.
40M seems to be the most active. On any given day, I will hear 40+ different stations throughout the day and I have a terribly high noise level living in a cul-de-sac. 73, de KM4ACK
Another edifying video, Jason. I'd like to address a common misconception about JS8/FT8 SNRs: the signals are not, in fact, in the noise. The reported SNR is based on a receiver bandwidth of 2500Hz, so the reported SNR is the signal power in relation to the noise power across a 2500Hz-wide passband. The actual FSK symbol detection bandwidth is a mere 6.25Hz, so the SNR across that slice of noise is 26dB _higher_ than the reported SNR. See KC5RUO's fascinating presentation on the topic by looking up his 2018 TAPR DCC presentation "The Real FT8, JT65, and JT9 Signal-to-Noise Ratio Revealed." 73 de AB3ZI
Thanks for the clarification John! Didn't know that. I'll have to look up that presentation. I assume it's here on RUclips? If not, do you have a link? 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK, correct. It's at Ham Radio 2.0. I didn't think I could post a link in the comments, just attempted it, and it failed, but that's the channel.
Another great video. I'm curious to know your thoughts on FSQ since it has many of the same features as JS8 Call (message relay, heard station list, store and forward, etc) but it uses a much faster modulation and the modulation speed can be automatically adjusted to suit band conditions. It's biggest disadvantage I see it having when compared to JS8 Call is it can't dig as deeply into the noise as JS8 can. The modulation scheme of FSQ is ideally suited to NVIS where FT8/JS8 works real well for DX. In emergencies though, we are more likely to be needing NVIS comms than DX so FSQ might be a good (faster) mode that gives you the features of JS8 Call with the speed of PSK31. Oh yeah, and it uses predefined frequencies and a fixed spot on the waterfall so you can easily find and hear everyone on the band. Have you played with it much? What are your impressions of the two when you compare them?
I have heard of it but have experimented with it. If I remember correctly it is Windows only. Since I run the pi's I wouldn't be able to install. Another plus for JS8 since you can run on most OS's. If you know of a version of FSQ that will run on the pi, please send a link and I'll be sure to check it out. Maybe even a video at some point in the future. 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK Actually, it's a supported mode in Fldigi so you can probably play with it right now. Fldigi's interface is slightly different than FSQ Call but I think most of the features are still there.
@@KM4ACK Not yet. I have watched a few js8 videos but I haven't used it at all yet. I'm using an at-d878uv. I saw that js8 functions on 2M. I thought it only functioned on HF. Interesting. Maybe once I get an amp and audio cable I will see how it does. Or is that a bad idea using a HT due to the duty cycle? :)
It will work on 2M FM but SSB is preferred. Either run the HT on a low power setting or use a cheap HT. hihi. Here's a vid I did a while back using a baofeng. ruclips.net/video/Y_teUXOdBS0/видео.html Just wanted to see if it would work. 73, de KM4ACK
It may but I have only used the one. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NWEEWW8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=pjoleham-20&linkId=a97ee3012f6b317d3d89a1b728b03ffb&language=en_US 73, de KM4ACK
Cliff, here is the main website js8call.com/ and the forums can be found at groups.io/g/js8call/topics I also have a playlist with many JS8Call videos including a video that covers the basics ruclips.net/video/xuMjf-YXQu0/видео.html 73, de KM4ACK
Excellent video covering some of the most important elements for using JS8Call for EmComm. This is a terrific mode and I am finding it very useful. My station is limited to 100 watts at the moment and so I'm very pleased to use a mode that allows me to make solid contacts all over the place using on 30 watts. I like it for it's ability to chat as well as leaving messages. Aside from the utility and EmComm capabilities of JS8Call it's just plain fun.
I'm with you. I love JS8Call. Did you see the recent video on using JS8 to "see" propagation? ruclips.net/video/q3t8gEXzIP0/видео.html Just another way that we can use JS8 :-)
Great way to bring home what JS8 can do for EMCOM. Have gotten plenty experience with the different APRS capabilities but not so much on Relaying/Messaging. Will have to get that sorted out once I get my QTH antenna issue fixed. Keep 'em coming Jason ! de 73 KM6TRZ
Thanks Don. I really need to get a video done covering the relay function of JS8. I have covered messaging before but it might be worth revisiting. It's been a while back. 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK Yes, make a video on this! I'd be very interested.
Thanks for this great JS8Call demonstration video. I'm completely on board. I'm also probably going to add JS8Call to the 2m EmCom solution that I'm implementing for our local EmCom net that was established for voice communications because the message features are so handy - unattended receiving, message storage, message forwarding, etc.
IMHO, it's one of the greatest features for emcomm. It will work on FM but it works much better on SSB if you have 2M radio capable of SSB. ruclips.net/video/DMbjZKXRXRk/видео.html 73, de KM4ACK
My friends and I have been using this mode. You're right it helps that you don't have to be on the exact waterfall spot. We figure if more people would leave their stations running as auto relays all the time, we'd have a real network of stations providing a path reliably to anywhere!
Absolutely. We just need to get the word out. I’m trying to share such knowledge with videos like the one that released today. My station runs about 19 hours a day. Mostly on 40M but a little 80M early in the morning and later in the evening. 73, de KM4ACK
Great video. JS8 is a great emcomm mode. In an emergency situation, the affected station will probably be working off batteries and maybe qrp power and a compromised antenna. The ability to relay messages is an absolute multiplier in communication. Now my 5w and random wire can be as affective in receiving a message or getting a message through as my QRO home station as larger stations can hear and pass on the info. To me, that outweighs the speed at which my message sends. Keep up the good work 73 de KF7VUT.
You are right, it is a multiplier. Just hope you don't need it this weekend. 😳 Lower power and therefore lower power consumption is also a huge advantage during an emergency. 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK the emcomm plan might be put to the test! Hopefully the wx people are wrong like always. 73 de KF7VUT
@@timk7749 I just saw your part of the nation on the national news. WX doesn't look good up there. 73, de KM4ACK
I FIRMLY agree with your logic as it is the same reason why JS8 is the hard times mode for my son and I (He lives WELL out of state). Thank you for these very informative vids!
Glad to hear you guys have a plan! Thanks for watching. 73, de KM4ACK
yep its amazing with the poor propagation we have had lately the signal can still get thru. Works amazingly.
Indeed. You will find my station on JS8 for the majority of each day. Not often at the keyboard but always listening for incoming messages. I usually get 1 or 2 a day. 73, de KM4ACK
Agreed JS8 call may be slow but as you said it will work even
in horrible band or high noise conditions. Slow comm is way better than no
comm. The various pieces of functionality in JS8 like the relay and APRS messaging you mentioned are great for E-Comm
With the ability to reach deep into the noise and all of the built in features, I expect more and more people to start looking at JS8Call for both ragchew and emcomm. 73, de KM4ACK
I agree, the only thing I don't like about JS8Call is the fact is requires such precise timing and if the internet is down or a GPS satellite is down (or you don't have a GPS receiver) you're screwed. Otherwise I love it.
Maybe you haven't seen this video. Accurate timing is easy peasy with JS8Call even with no internet or GPS. ruclips.net/video/Uik6S_J8ZoE/видео.html Not as easy as having the GPS but still easy. 73, de KM4ACK
Devin: The JT modes can easily be time hacked manually using WWV, time from a cell phone, or simply by listening to the commencement of transmissions by other stations on the band.
@@KB4QAA Indeed. You are correct. 73, de KM4ACK
@@KB4QAA OK, the last option sounds more viable than the rest. If stuff really goes down I don't expect any of those other resources to be available, if they are I doubt it will be for long. I love JS8Call, but I think the timing issue is still a big issue. But it's good to know you can work off other transmissions to get the time synced.
Excellent video!
Thanks Lloyd. 73, de KM4ACK
I have an idea for the equivalent of an email gateway for JS8 . Its a little complex and I had written out a post but it got a little too long. Part of it would involve the so called message box in JS8 and the whole thing would be handled with a separate application. Mind you, its a conceptual idea and I do not write code. It allows emails both ways, not just one way like the "email bash". It would require internet at the "gateway" station. (of course)
I’m not a programmer but keep us informed if you make progress. 73, de KM4ACK
Also, I've been hearing about a Pi OS which would not only have a working linux system but also, was described as having ham software included ? Too bad that same system couldn't have aprs and js8 as part of the includes. I do now know the name of it or how to look it up.
@@KM4ACK I'm not a programmer either. That said, its an easy routine. Just finding where the js8call message box is located is first. Then, getting some sort of routine going that would look at it and pull certain messages out. The routine could ask for permission to send them maybe. Shall see if I can get a programmer interested. The message box gives programmers a lot of latitude. Who knows, Jordan Sherer ?
@@californiakayaker Everyone needs to be careful about going too far down the road of an "Automatic-Relaying-Mailbox". This simply turns into the nightmare of the Packet Networks we had in the 90's that became useless due to being uncontrolled and filled with spam.
@@KB4QAA I realize that. I was actually going to add it to my next Halloween movie. The mailbox will open with a scream. Actually, the method for elimination of spam happens with the relay. The only address which can reply is the one which is sent the email and the "go between" makes it impossible for spam to be sent. Now, that is the same as what is being done with APRS to Cell Text. The qualified stations are called "gateways". The only cell that can reply is the one the text was sent to. So, no spam unless the reply qualifies as spam. The cell reply must be being told there is a limit of characters ? I haven't tried the cell version , so don't know. The Email set up would be similar. The reply characters would be limited, and put in the mailbox, with an alert from JS8 to the user. The APRS version is safe and legal because of the go between. The go betweens with JS8 would also need to filter. It would be part of the program making this possible. The email function of the mail box would need to be qualified for each user, and the specific user would have a way to tell they've been qualified in the "status" message possibly. Or some other method, would need to figure that out. Some are adding things to their calls /m for mobile, ect. This type of thing could be done for email. /e
I need to get back on JS8Call. It is a bit slow but the relay aspect made a lot of sense to me. There seemed to be low activity, but maybe it's improving.
40M seems to be the most active. On any given day, I will hear 40+ different stations throughout the day and I have a terribly high noise level living in a cul-de-sac. 73, de KM4ACK
Another edifying video, Jason. I'd like to address a common misconception about JS8/FT8 SNRs: the signals are not, in fact, in the noise. The reported SNR is based on a receiver bandwidth of 2500Hz, so the reported SNR is the signal power in relation to the noise power across a 2500Hz-wide passband. The actual FSK symbol detection bandwidth is a mere 6.25Hz, so the SNR across that slice of noise is 26dB _higher_ than the reported SNR. See KC5RUO's fascinating presentation on the topic by looking up his 2018 TAPR DCC presentation "The Real FT8, JT65, and JT9 Signal-to-Noise Ratio Revealed." 73 de AB3ZI
Thanks for the clarification John! Didn't know that. I'll have to look up that presentation. I assume it's here on RUclips? If not, do you have a link? 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK, correct. It's at Ham Radio 2.0. I didn't think I could post a link in the comments, just attempted it, and it failed, but that's the channel.
Another great video. I'm curious to know your thoughts on FSQ since it has many of the same features as JS8 Call (message relay, heard station list, store and forward, etc) but it uses a much faster modulation and the modulation speed can be automatically adjusted to suit band conditions. It's biggest disadvantage I see it having when compared to JS8 Call is it can't dig as deeply into the noise as JS8 can. The modulation scheme of FSQ is ideally suited to NVIS where FT8/JS8 works real well for DX. In emergencies though, we are more likely to be needing NVIS comms than DX so FSQ might be a good (faster) mode that gives you the features of JS8 Call with the speed of PSK31. Oh yeah, and it uses predefined frequencies and a fixed spot on the waterfall so you can easily find and hear everyone on the band. Have you played with it much? What are your impressions of the two when you compare them?
I have heard of it but have experimented with it. If I remember correctly it is Windows only. Since I run the pi's I wouldn't be able to install. Another plus for JS8 since you can run on most OS's. If you know of a version of FSQ that will run on the pi, please send a link and I'll be sure to check it out. Maybe even a video at some point in the future. 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK Actually, it's a supported mode in Fldigi so you can probably play with it right now. Fldigi's interface is slightly different than FSQ Call but I think most of the features are still there.
Cool. I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up. A few years back, I lived in FLDIGI. Don't play with it much any more. 73, de KM4ACK
Is it legal on GMRS?
Leep up the great teaching.
Thank and take care
73
I don't believe JS8 is legal on GMRS
Super the blooper. we are HUMAN not machine. 73 VA2SOB Claude
Thanks Claude! Glad you enjoy the bloopers. 73, de KM4ACK
Hi Jason, is it possible to download HRD to the Raspberry Pi from the HRD website?
I don't think HRD is possible on the pi.
It is becoming a religious attending to follow your channel. 73-VA2SOB Claude
🤣
Great video. Thank you. 73, AE0HF
Thanks Phil! Have you tried the messages feature in JS8? 73, de KM4ACK
@@KM4ACK Not yet. I have watched a few js8 videos but I haven't used it at all yet. I'm using an at-d878uv. I saw that js8 functions on 2M. I thought it only functioned on HF. Interesting. Maybe once I get an amp and audio cable I will see how it does. Or is that a bad idea using a HT due to the duty cycle? :)
It will work on 2M FM but SSB is preferred. Either run the HT on a low power setting or use a cheap HT. hihi. Here's a vid I did a while back using a baofeng. ruclips.net/video/Y_teUXOdBS0/видео.html Just wanted to see if it would work. 73, de KM4ACK
Another super informative video Jason. Thank you. 73 de 2E0IEH
Thanks Tim & thanks for watching! 73, de KM4ACK
sounds like fsq mode , can you send photo's like fsq ?
No. JS8Call is text only. 73, de KM4ACK
Dose it operate with other GNSS systems?
It may but I have only used the one. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NWEEWW8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=pjoleham-20&linkId=a97ee3012f6b317d3d89a1b728b03ffb&language=en_US 73, de KM4ACK
Hello this is Cliff ka8gov this is the first time I've ever heard of this day js8 mode how can I find more information about this
Cliff, here is the main website js8call.com/ and the forums can be found at groups.io/g/js8call/topics I also have a playlist with many JS8Call videos including a video that covers the basics ruclips.net/video/xuMjf-YXQu0/видео.html 73, de KM4ACK