Finally, a rag-chew version of FT-8!!! JS8Call

Finally, a rag-chew version of FT-8!
The mode JS8 began as a derivative of the WSJT-X group of modes that was restructured to allow message passing using a form of the FT8 mode, modified by Jordan Sherer and was named JS8.
Initially, the s/w program was named FT8Call, and later renamed to JS8Call. In clarification, JS8 is the mode and JS8Call - for JS8 Directed Calling, is the Software program that uses the JS8 digital mode to provide weak signal messaging to Hams.
This program is experimental and still under development. Using open-source code, you can be part of the development and submit your changes to the JS8Call group for potential inclusion in future iterations of the software.
The purpose of the experiment is to test a digital mode with the potency of FT8, along with being messaging capable with a communications protocol for low power comms. It has no other purposes other than connecting hams, operating with low power systems, keyboard to keyboard.
Thus, the primary benefit to ham communications is being able to pass pre-defined messages and rag-chews by directed calling.
JS8 Frequency Chart:
160 M 1.842 MHz
80 M 3.578 MHz
40 M 7.078 MHz
30 M 10.130 MHz
20 M 14.078 MHz
17 M 18.104 MHz
15 M 21.078 MHz
12 M 24.922 MHz
10 M 28.078 MHz
6 M 50.318 MHz
Chapters:
00:17 Introduction
02:16 A brief History of JS8
04:38 JS8Call Download
07:11 FT-991A Menu and Function Settings
10:31 Computer Settings (Device Manager)
12:51 JS8Call Settings
18:03 JS8 HeartBeat demo
20:18 JS8 QSO Demo
27:04 End-Notes
Hope you enjoyed - don’t forget to like, share, comment, and subscribe.
73 de Tom, ND3N

[@billrenick4455]

Thanks for a nice video. Got my FT991 working with js8 call!

[@jethrobrowne2942]

After watching this and setting up js8 call I was lucky enough to have breif Qso with Tom. :)

[@MAUROLO71]

TOP TOP TOP!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ND3N]

Thank you

[@Leonards_life]

I see on 6 meters the js8 is using the same one of two in FT8. PS your last video on FT8 with the 991a was spot on, thank you so much. And yes I share your videos even with some that do not have 991a as your demos and comments regarding terms in usage.

[@ND3N]

Thanks for sharing

[@ernietech-101]

As a new 991A owner, this is pretty helpful

[@ND3N]

I'm glad it was helpful and hope you enjoy the new mode... 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@chrisclement8200]

Great video!

[@ND3N]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@albert7ii]

Tom. Thank you, as always. A comment if I may. I note you start JS8CALL with the transmitter setting to ON. I advise against that for a simple reason: Many of us might share one antenna between various radios. It is sooo very easy to forget to switch the antenna to the 991A. While yr green audio slider would be dead give away... It can happen and it did happen to me. Therefore... my suggestion to all is start JS8 in NON transmit mode and enable it by hand.. Might save yr finals one day. Thanks for the video. JS8CALL is much misunderstood and many of its advanced functions re msg forwarding are (sadly) never used. It is an absolutely wonderful mode and I urge our fellow hams to give it a try ! Albert. EI7II.

[@ND3N]

Thanks for the advise. I do have multiple rigs feeding my HF antenna, so your comment would certainly apply to me. Future JS8Call videos will include this. 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@MikeG-js1jt]

Thanks Tom, Looks like something I would like....

[@ND3N]

Hope you enjoy

[@BretChilcott]

Tom, thank you for your dedication to help move jab radio forward. 73 Bret/AC0AE

[@albert7ii]

Tom, forgive me. Another comment if you allow me. I am running the 991A and JS8CAll via the XCCCOMMS DIGI-4 interface. The minute you deviate from the standard USB A to USB B cable... the menu settings ARE NO LONGER VALID. Folks... please beat this in mind ! The reason I am running over the DIGI-4 is that while WJTX or JSCALL or Whisper is running in the background... Windows will KILL the audio from KZbin. With the DIGI-4 ( and other similar interfaces that use their own sound driver chips.) . that problem goes away ! The only time i revert back to the standard A to B interface cable is when I want to run my RT Systems radio (991A) programming S/W. Thanks for you great videos Tom.. they are much APPRECIATED !!!. Albert EI7II.

[@ND3N]

Great comment. I'll have to take a closer look at DIGI-4! 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@NomadicLiving]

Nice music choice!

[@ND3N]

It was either that or the "Clown Car" theme... hihi - 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@butch3715]

Thanks for video! I tried FT8 but quickly grew bored of it's mind numbing and repetitive operation, as well as its non-personal nature. JSCall seems to be exactly what I was looking for.

[@ND3N]

Well said!

[@srqutube]

Tom - really enjoy your videos, both for general content but especially for setup on my 991a. You've successfully helped me get going with WSJTX and JS8. So, I took the knowledge I though I had and launched into FLDIGI to try those modes....BUT to no avail. It seems I got stuck on getting PTT enabled. Now, to be fair, I use MacOS so I did not use flrig as I use MacLoggerDx for logging and rig control. Any help you can be would be appreciated. I can usually use your Windows instructions and get them to work on Mac as Yaesu drivers and Mac Codecs work without issue. Thanks in advance. 73's. N4TDT Randy

[@ND3N]

I'll have to do a bit of research, but I think I can put something together. Are you planning on using it for PSK? 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@srqutube]

@@ND3N I'm new enuf licensed and with the 991a that I'm interested in all digital modes. Initially I was looking at RTTY but understand the fldigi does many more so maybe an Intro to fldigi and then details on hooking up the 991a to those you find most popular. also interested in CW on the 991a. Really appreciate your efforts on your channel. the easiest to understand for me. 73's N4TDT Randy

[@js1657]

Tom, a recommendation is to also go to menu items #64 and #65 and set those both to 1500 Hz to get the offsets to zero to the display.

[@ND3N]

Thanks, I’m getting ready to re-do this video and will be sure to include this.

[@consciousness1237]

Did you know that JS8CALL has been out for about 3 years now. I have gone through several versions with my FT991A And it uses the same settings as FT8 does and works good you will have better luck with USB DIGITAL mode instead of USB my stop bits are 2 on my rig. And the procedure for setting ALC is critical so use the alc meter and the Dt gain setting and not the power slider , thats what you use when you don't have a way to set dt gain on older rigs. Mine works best when the white line of alc meter just barely shows on the meter. Also every power or band change requires readjustment. Have fun AA4CP Chuck Fort Pierce FL

[@ND3N]

Thanks Chuck. Good recommendations.

[@spuddyspud8178]

Yes chuck I use digital gain for the alc,I have power bar on the software full and use digital gain,run 10watts and no alc ,works great.

[@magpack9]

Gret video Tom! Hey what was the song you were playing in the background - I like it! Thanks again!

[@ND3N]

I have several hundred songs that are built into my editing software. This one was called "Senorita Senorita." 73 de ND3N

[@magpack9]

@@ND3N Thanks Tom!

[@ScottyD]

Thanks. By far the best step by step for JS8CALL with the 991A. Do you have one like this for FT8?

[@ND3N]

Try this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXSpioKvnq5pg7c

[@ScottyD]

@@ND3N Thanks! By the way do the 991A settings for FT8 work for JS8CALL or vice-versa if you get what I am trying to say? Trying not to have to reconfigure my entire rig in the menu settings when I want to switch between the two modes. I finally have FT-8 working but not JS8Call... I would also like to go between the two modes easily.

[@ScottyD]

I tried your settings between FT8 and JS8Call and they have to be different on my 991A in order for FT8 to work vs JS8Call to work. At least from what I can tell... I'll look you up on QRZ and email my settings so you can see.

[@steveschoenecker624]

Very interesting... thanks for the great video!! I have been enjoying FT8. Maybe they will let us use JS8 Call for field day??? Thanks Steve WO5G

[@ND3N]

I suspect it might be allowed under the general digital modes. but I'm not sure its popular enough to make it worth very many points, but it might be a nice demo station to get people to see what ham radio can do. 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@2wrdr]

Very interesting, after seeing several of your videos I have not liked and subscribed. BTW, what was that Spanish style music during your conversation with other Ham? I love this style music, very upbeat!

[@ND3N]

That is included with my editing s/w. I think it is called Senorita-Senorita

[@2wrdr]

@@ND3N Thanks, BTW I meant to say....after seeing several of your videos I just liked and subscribed.👍

[@MrJcknight007]

Tom thanks for the video. You got me going, at least partially. Maybe you can help me with this. Every time JS8CALL transmits my 991a switches modes from DATA USB to USB. I’m seeing conversations but I’ve yet to get a response.

[@ND3N]

I generally don't use Data USB - Normal USB with a flat responce from 100-3000 Hz should work just fine. This is the same setting I use for FT8/FT4. 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@Leonards_life]

Great video. But have one question...is it the RETURN key or what that keys the tx? I normally would use the return key at the end of each sentence so am wondering how to get the tx and rx timing.

[@ND3N]

Just like FT-8, it sends messages in 15 second increments…. However, it will continuously send those 15 seconds packets until whatever your sending is completed. It’s been awhile since I’ve used it, but it is pretty easy to use. Just get on and play and you’ll see what I mean

[@paulhastings3109]

I have a 991a and FTDX-10 will that work on both KQ4CD Paul ⚓️

[@jps99]

What was all the music just when I needed to learn what you were doing? Video was great until that point. I'm all setup but don't know what to do after calling CQ.

[@darrellcollins877]

i see you typing text, reminds me of PSK31 , which i enjoy, so how would JS8 be better/different ?

[@ND3N]

Great question. I’m also a fan of PSK, but the JS8 waveform has much better forward error correction, giving you a much cleaner exchange. On the flip side, it takes a lot longer to make those exchanges. It is also meant for much lower power levels. I’ve worked stations in Europe who were running 5 watts with 100% copy. Both PSK andJS8 have their pros and cons, and having the choice between the two just increases your ability to get messages across keyboard to keyboard. 73 de Tom, ND3N

[@darrellcollins877]

@@ND3N I may give it a try then I like PSK much more than FT8, its more personal when you can have a real qso with someone. For me, that is what Ham Radio is about, a radio contact should be more than just a signal report IMHO.

[@ND3N]

It's free and not too hard to set-up. Give it a shot - you have nothing to lose and possibly will gain another mode to play with.

[@dougstrong696]

Use win 11 "voice access" to dictate text directly into the transmission panel. It's treated as though you just typed it in. It's a godsend for slow and no typing skills hams, also those whose hands tremble now. KJ5CLX

[@CliffFoxKU4GW]

What do you mean around the 27 minute mark in the video after calling CQ when you say, "I'm gonna just zap this"? What is zap and what are you zapping? Define zap!

[@ND3N]

Zapping to me means that I'm cutting out some of the non-useful content. In this case, I got rid of all of the unanswered CQ's before someone actually came back to me by editing (zapping) it out in post process.

[@CliffFoxKU4GW]

@@ND3N Thanks Tom and very 73 from Cliff, KU4GW!

[@peterbaker7963]

Great on the setup info. But it would have been a bloody big help if you could have should how a conversation took place rather than fast forwarding. I've no idea what happens after the CQ call, like how you go back to them and what are all the buttons in aid off. Rather disappointed, seem like to much left out.

[@ND3N]

Next time

[@AvocaSingleTrack]

Hi Tom. I guess you saw my request last week for JS8call FT991 . Thanks ! 73... N3YY

[@ND3N]

Thanks for the suggestion - Took me a couple of days of research and figuring out how to make it work, and wanted to spend at least a few hours getting familiar with the program. but finally finished it up today. 73 de Tom, ND3N