ON8NT - OP8NT - OO8NT
Having fun with hamradio using low power and simple antennas!
JS8CALL: The mode with a difference!
JS8CALL by Jordan KN4CRD is not yet formally released, but now DX stations are embracing and it is fun!
“The idea with JS8Call is to take the robustness of FT8 mode and layer on a messaging and network protocol for weak signal communication on HF with a keyboard-to-keyboard interface. JS8Call is heavily inspired by WSJT-X, Fldigi, and FSQCall and would not exist without the hard work and dedication of the many developers in the amateur radio community.”
(source: http://js8call.com/ )
I had a 20 metre QSO (Yes QSO) on 18 October 2018 with 4e1adw, Klaus in the Philipines, with my hamstick on the balcony and 30W! Here is how it looks like:
08:29:29 - (1543) - 4E1ADW: ON8NT SNR -10 ~
08:29:40 - (1540) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW SNR -11 ~
08:30:44 - (1534) - 4E1ADW: ON8NT AGN ~
08:30:53 - (1530) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW SNR -14 ~
08:31:44 - (1534) - R OP KLAUS QTH TAGAYTAY ~
08:32:06 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW OP JEF QTH AALTER JO11RC ~
08:33:14 - (1533) - R JEF RIG IC718 DK II MAC 3EL 25W ~
08:33:57 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW OK KLAUS IC_7300 ANT IS MOBILE WHIP 30W ~
08:35:44 - (1533) - THEN FASTER. BEAMING VIA LP ~
08:36:23 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW AMAZING! I ONLY VERT ~
08:37:29 - (1533) - MY HOME CALL 9V1KG - JS8 WORKING FINE ~
08:38:22 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW VERY GOOD MODE FOR ME LITTLE PISTOL... ~
08:39:45 - (1538) - FOR ME TOO IN 9SHORT BALCONY ANT ~
08:40:42 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW ANT IS ON BALCONY OF APPARTEMENT ALSO ~
08:42:14 - (1538) - FB! HVE IC7300 IN 9V1. WILL TRY FROM THERE ~
08:43:29 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW EXCELLENT RIG, HOPE TO WORK YOU FROM 9V WHAT IS YOUR LOCATOR ~
08:45:29 - (1538) - I ~
08:45:49 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW AGN? ~
08:46:59 - (1538) - OK JEF, TNX CUAGN 73 ~
08:47:41 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW R KLAUS TNX 73 GL CUAGN ~
08:48:59 - (1538) - TNX 73 GL ~
08:49:31 - (1539) - ON8NT: 4E1ADW ALL THE BEST! ~
08:51:01 - (800) - ON8NT: SV1WE BEACON ACK -14 ~
JS8CALL has the same specifications as FT8 (-24db / 50 HZ) the difference is that you can have a QSO at 20WPM.
It is nice to see global (QRP) communication is possible although the software is not intended for DX. It is all about the coverage of your portable or emergency station.
The DX stations are catching on, and it is very easy to work DX but with a QSO!
You can send your position to the APRS network, I tested that and here is the proof that it actually work:
You can even send an e-mail through the APRS network, but not receive...
The manual sync option is the best invention of them all. In a worst case scenario where there is no internet or GPS for time sync, the manual sync will overcome that. It doesn't matter if the opposite station is not in sync as well as long as both of your stations are synchronized.
If you love or hate FT8, but want a QSO, try JS8CALL!
The software is still in beta-versions with regular updates, but this will take off, especially when it is officially released!
More information:
JS8Call: The official site for JS8Call
http://js8call.com/
Guides and tutorials on JS8Call operating and best practice:
http://js8call.com/guides/
Official JSCall Group for development of the JS8Call application (you have to register):
https://groups.io/g/js8call