My First Contact with JS8Call and the QDX - No Random Contacts

[@ke8mattj]

That scenic view of the Grand Canyon was wonderful.

[@TheTechPrepper]

The Grand Canyon is magical, especially if you're up before the sun comes up.

[@REXOB9]

Great episode, exciting to see this working in the field.

[@dougbas3980]

Nice! Just setting up a man-pack with FT857d for our summer RV trip to Arizona. Going to be in Phoenix and Sedona. Hope to catch you. I am just setting up JS8CALL, VARAC, VARA, and FL suite with DigiRig and FT857d. Lots to learn. Schedule in Arizona unknown with meetings and conferences in Phoenix and Sedona. When time permits I will work from our RV. Glad to be a supporter. 73 Doug N8VY👍

[@RazorCityDen]

Nice rim activation! I take my FT 897d (internal bats and flex panel) on our private party CO river trips (Lees to Peirce) and ping my bros resonate NVIS on a sked from camp, voice and data. Your doing good work, it's nice to see a practical Amateur channel and think you'd be pleasantly surprised how many purpose driven groups are out there :-) I'm full time off-grid in the Show Low'ish area if you need an on sked bounce or just want to test antenna/propagation etc. We're not into rando ragchewing.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I'll like your style. If you have Winlink capabilities, shoot me a message. I'm also on JS8CALL during the day on 40m, so feel free to leave message for me on a local station or store one in my inbox if my station is up. Otherwise, look me up QRZ. 73 de KT7RUN

[@RazorCityDen]

I’m new to js8call but getting it sorted out. I haven’t spent much time messing with winlink, the gate keeping nature of it has been a turn off, more ignore to it than apposed. I mostly operate dig/NVIS and SSB FM dig with a yagi.

[@bradl2636]

The NORTH RIM is one of my favourite places on Earth. The drive in to the lodge through the meadows and spruce-fir-aspen-ash forest 🌳 during spring and late-fall is AMAZING. Not as crowded as the South Rim. Higher elevation too. I think due to heavy snow load the North Rim won’t open again for the season until early June this year.

[@TheTechPrepper]

We're doing the rim-to-rim hike next year over 2 nights and 3 days. Can't wait to see it. I found that the South Rim is pretty quiet the farther you leave the visit or center. At 0600, you only need to move about out about 400m and you're essentially solo.

[@dougbas3980]

@@TheTechPrepper We will take a tour to South rim this summer, probably no radio because it is a tour (my wife has never been to the Grand Canyon and we will take a tour out of Sedaona). I have been to the South rim by car several times and rafted thru the canyon (WOW!). North rim is on the bucket list.😎

[@chrisherd991]

Hi Gaston the best way to learn how to get your whole solution is to go into the field and give it a go. Great video.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Failure has been my preferred teacher. The trick is learning from those mistakes. I can't wait to share the success and failures in the AAR with you and the community in part II. Cheers!

[@dougbas3980]

@@TheTechPrepper Amazing how often our planned successes turn into lessons learned🤔 Even more so now that age takes its toll😮‍💨

[@Sean-AI7EQ]

That's a great set up. I like the design of your N9SAB antenna. That radio is very intriguing too! As always love the videos. 73

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, Sean. This setup is not for everyone, but boy, does this new station configuration have potential. Have a good weekend.

[@kc8owl]

This was a great exercise with a great ending. The ability to store a message so.ewhere for later retrieval has many really good use cases. I can't get over the ease of use and effectiveness of the qdx.

[@TheTechPrepper]

The "store and forward" feature is the most powerful feature of this mode and the network, in my opinion. The relays are a nice, too. Thanks for the assist. More JS8CALL content coming.

[@timjames9567]

Wow, Gaston. This is such a motivational video! I had my radios stored in my Faraday bags for about a month but now that I've seen this video, I'm EXCITED/MOTIVATED again. Thanks.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Glad to hear it. Get that gear out and start practicing. I actually am monitoring solar events via NOAA and working on plan to reports via radio.

[@timjames9567]

@@TheTechPrepper That (solar activity) could be useful. A couple of my other YT favs monitor that all the time, and I've heard reports of Southern Hemisph radio blackouts lately. As well as record hot ocean temps all around the world - heating from below, not from above. Cheers!

[@DK5ONV]

Wohooo...Time for some Panorama. YFUG loves that good Santiago😍🙋‍♂

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yeah, the views were amazing. The videos and pictures are OK, but they don't do it justice.

[@jimcoulter5877]

Now that looks like a good antenna for EMCOMM! Probably great for Winlink VARA, NVIS where you start on 80 meters and up through 40 then 20 during the day.

[@TheFremenChick]

Soooo cooooool!!!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks! I appreciate the view.

[@vinniec5286]

Great video. I just made my first JS8Call contact tonight. 12/02/2023.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Congrats! That's exciting.

[@vinniec5286]

@@TheTechPrepper Thank you. I watched several of your videos today. I am trying to prepare for EmComms. Still haven't done APRS. That is next on my list. :)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good stuff! The QDX has a lot of utility in a simple platform.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Like you said, it's a one trick pony, but sometimes that's all you need. The APRS-IS integration with EMAIL-2 and SMSGTE open up world-wide communication to non-hams over HF. The "store-and-forward" and "message relays" in JS8Call are game changers for emcomm, too. It's hard to beat this simple little device for about ~$135.00 USD. Thanks for the view and comment, Josh. I hope you enjoy your QDX when it arrives. I highly recommend pairing it with the TalentCell 300mAh battery back that I have in the description. 73's

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Majestic view!

[@KenReynolds]

Awesome stuff, Gaston! So yeah, a portable QDX setup for JS8 is definitely next on my list of gear to buy and learn. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thank, Kenny. When you're setup, ping me. My station runs 12 hours a day on 40m.

[@KenReynolds]

@@TheTechPrepper Will do!

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!

[@TheTechPrepper]

You bet! Thanks for the support. More content and resources coming your way on this topic.

[@TheBoris0175]

Outstanding stuff as always!

[@OnRappel]

Hey, I live down in Sierra Vista. I've been a ham for several years and occasionally use UHF/VHF repeater networks, etc. I have kind of switch over to GMRS more since the GMRS repeater network here in AZ is pretty robust now. I have never really considered HF that interesting until I saw how you use it. Might have to get me an HF radio soon! Great channel and lots of good info!

[@gaptastic]

Hell no! I got the willies just watching you go that for on the south rim. While in college my geology group hiked in and out in one day at the Grand Canyon. One of my best experiences and man was it rough. My legs hurt for the next two days.

[@texasprepperprojects]

I'm a big fan of JS8, coming from watching a lot of OH8STN. I use a venus DR4020 with a 4ah SLA, which is a 5w 20/40 radio that runs on VOX so there is no serial control. I used to use a fiberglass 20ft 'fishing pole' from ali express with a QRPguys vertical rig that closed down to 18" for situations where you have zero trees (I have a video of the setup) It works great on a cheap, low powered laptop. I've seen the QDX and I'm interested, I just don't want to build it. You can get the Dr4020 assembled or in a kit. Great content, keep it coming!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Nice setup!

[@texasprepperprojects]

@@TheTechPrepper Thanks!!

[@vironpayne3405]

Keep playing, having fun, and making GREAT videos! Ignore the static of the media overlords. Or revell in it knowing the source.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Will do. This exercise was chalk full of fun and lessons. I plan to record the AAR this week.

[@lmcalhoun]

Love the setup. Also love that you tried again after thinking you had failed and got success! What keyboard are you using? I just bought thr. FZ-M1 and would like to emulate your setup.

[@TheTechPrepper]

It's called the iKey, but the prices have jumped since I started talking about it with some of the members. I picked mine up for $325. This was our source: toughruggedlaptops.com/accessories/acc-tab/panasonic-toughpad-fzm1-fz-m1-accessories/panasonic-toughpad-fzm1-fz-m1-keyboard/ikey-magnesium-folding-detachable-keyboard-for-fz-m1-with-back-lighting-usb-port-ik-pan-fzm1-c1.html

[@thebnbaldwin]

I was speaking with an engineer today and head of a ham that could not tune his antenna using a carbon fiber mast. Carbon fiber is conductive. There is a galvanic reaction where it is attached to aluminum that has to be considered as well.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yes, they can de-tune an antenna. If you deploy it at a slight angle with the antenna not making contact to the carbon fiber, it's not a big deal, in my experience. I have a field VSWR meter to check.

[@bernini05]

Love it!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks. Cheers.!

[@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783]

Awesome!!! 🌲🧑‍💻🌲🦅❤️🌳🦉

[@jakep5121]

Nice work!

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, Jake. I appreciate the support. Happy Monday!

[@dustinmeier9753]

Need to get Notch Gear to sponsor your channel. I need to remember to order a couple hats. When I started wearing glasses, I stopped wearing hats because they interfere with the brim.

[@TheTechPrepper]

These are great. It was given to me as gift at an air soft event last year. I love it. They're even better with ear pro and eye pro if you're a shooter.

[@ferrysengun1692]

Woow, very nice Video.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Oops...I owe you an email. Received. The mail bag is quite full. Sorry, I was busy with the antenna launch. We sold out in 3 hours. Take care!

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Stellar🎉

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks, Dick. There were a lot of great lessons out of this first experience with JS8CALL in the field.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Yes, I have had several QSOS and with a guy on the east coast running a uBitx and a Pi.

[@thebnbaldwin]

That was a great watch. What is the battery pack for the QDX?

[@TheTechPrepper]

It's in the description. It's the 3,000mAh TalentCell. I've used in the past with the 818 and X6100. They're great batteries.

[@thebnbaldwin]

@@TheTechPrepper Thanks Gaston. I was hearing "talon cell". I didn't see it in the comments before on my iPad.

[@notsure7874]

I dig that hat with the notches - where did you get it?

[@TheTechPrepper]

It's called the "Notch". It was given to me as a gift, buy I'm sure a Google search will turn it up. These are great while wearing wrap around sound glasses and ear pro.

[@bt1959]

Long hike, You must need more coffee.

[@TheTechPrepper]

I just enjoy the taste of black coffee. The energy level is bright high all the time. Cheers!

[@willian.direction6740]

Great contacts with a great mode. I use JS8 all the time FT 817 is my portable rig. Sing out if you see me and want a contact. Regards Ian vk5cz ..

[@TheTechPrepper]

Ditto. I run my station on 40m daily from 1200 to 2300 UTC. Leave me a message as the station is mostly running unattended.

[@stewartrv]

I think you can get JS8Call to run inside the X6100 and then all you need is a wireless Kbd/mouse...

[@TheTechPrepper]

No necessary. I'm working on a model where I can run a wireless access point in the X6100 and connect to the JS8Call TCP server via a phone with a slim down UI interface.

[@jeremybratton5490]

Are you going to be maki g another production run of this antenna?

[@TheTechPrepper]

Yes. Contact Tim N9SAB. He is selling these on his eBay store.

[@medicmike4906]

Yo, I'm not sure if it's a glitch on your end or mine, I can only dislike your video, it will not allow me to like it. FWI

[@dougbas3980]

Very strange!

[@Liberty4Ever]

Welcome to JS8. It's by far my favorite mode because it's so great for EmComm. I just wish it was gaining popularity more quickly. Hopefully your videos will help. I settled on the QDX a couple of years ago because it's such a great little portable EmComm package, even though there aren't many people using it so there aren't many people to reach in the larger ham world. I'm a big fan of No Random Contacts, but I don't have many friends who are hams, which pretty much leaves me with random contacts on HF. I've gotten a few like minded friends to get a Technician license for VHF/UHF. I've thought about a simple and inexpensive setup that would allow us to JS8 message using 10m, but I think we'll need NVIS for reliable comms, even with JS8's ability to dig a weak signal out of noise. My setup is currently in revision. It'll soon be a 20/40/80 linked end fed dipole with the QDX and a small lithium battery, with the ability to use this ultralight setup hiking, in my truck or from my adventure motorcycle (a more travel oriented version of a dual sport motorcycle). One of my goals is JS8 SOTA/POTA while motorcycle camping. I took your advice and ordered a QDX kit tonight. I like to build. Two is one and one is none. Several days ago, I 3D printed a QDX enclosure that I found on Thingiverse, using thermal polyurethane. It looks like it'll work and it's even smaller than the aluminum enclosure from QRP Labs, although it may not dissipate enough heat in hot weather. I may use the resin 3D printer to make a much more crush resistant version of the enclosure. I may also print an enclosure that incorporates the QDX with three series 18650 lithium batteries and a battery management system to charge them from 12-15 VDC for minimal setup hassle and minimal footprint. I was very happy you decided to support JS8Call and the QDX in EmComm Tools. Having an EmComm Tools wrapper for JS8Call to integrate it and make it easier to use on portable computers as part of a field portable EmComm package sounds like a great idea.

[@TheTechPrepper]

Thanks. I am setting up a persistent station that should run most of the day during daylight hours on 40m (1200Z to 2300Z). Glad to hear that you were an early adopter of the QDX. I really like simple tools like this. Honestly, I think people need to stop comparing it to the (tr)uSDX. The QDX is perfect for persistent nets and EDC when size and weight are an issue. Hit me up on JS8Call. Like I said, I will be on 40m daily.

[@notsure7874]

I am licensed general, also LOVE Gastons "no random contacts" thing. His operational parameters are very close to my own. I've had general for a couple of years, but just now getting my first HF rig (other than a 10 meter only SSB rig). I would like to experiment with some digi modes like JS8 too. I'm in south florida - if you want to try some targeted contact drills, I'm game! I'm in the same boat as you are. None of my friends have over a tech license.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@notsure7874 - You could get your Tech friends interested in digital modes with 10 m on a QDX. With the flat land in Florida, you should get pretty local good range with ground wave propagation.

[@notsure7874]

@@Liberty4Ever Techs are limited to a small portion, SSB only - no digi modes for them. Techs also don't generally invest in gear when they have such limited privileges. Idk about ground wave, I think it's mostly atmospheric refraction that gets me out beyond the horizon. Ground wave is more for very very low frequencies if I understand correctly. I can pretty reliably get out about 40+ miles on SSB 10 meter SSB on a vertically polarized mobile antenna (Stryker A-10MM), I've got about 25-30 on AM 15w. These were random contacts, and there may have been more fars to be had. My plan involves 80(75) / 40 for NVIS regional, 10 meter for local simplex, vhf/uhf for repeaters (I have a GMRS repeater at home too) - and probably a multiband hex beam for long range targeted comms on 20/17/12/10 - the buddihex has all those and 6m, not sure how useful 6 would be. I'd do a permanent hex beam but you sort of need a tower and rotator for those, and I don't want one up in a hurricane.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@notsure7874 - "Techs are limited to a small portion, SSB only - no digi modes for them." - Check the ARRL chart or other online sources. Technician class operators are permitted to transmit CW, RTTY and data on 28.000 - 28.300 MHz, 200 watts maximum, although there is a "gentleman's agreement" to use 28.070 - 28.120 MHz for data. "Techs also don't generally invest in gear when they have such limited privileges." - True enough, but a QDX kit is under $100 and is a great kit for a Technician to build. It's mostly winding some transformers. The fully assembled QDX is around $150 delivered. All that's needed to run JS8Call or other single frequency shift digital modes is a computer, which most Techs will already have. It's the gateway drug to HF and digital modes that might get some Technicians to upgrade to General. "Idk about ground wave, I think it's mostly atmospheric refraction that gets me out beyond the horizon. Ground wave is more for very very low frequencies if I understand correctly." - Ground wave can reliably get you 40-50 miles on 10 meters, which is pretty good for local communications. Local friends and family are usually within 40 miles, and ground wave propagation is 24/7. It's not dependent on the sun ionizing the atmosphere. 73 de NI4B

[@noellasure4063]

Just found your channel, lots of cool info. I'd like to connect with you to discuss a few things. Is there a way to contact you?

[@TheTechPrepper]

See the About section of my channel page. Please note that the inboxes is flooded. Responses make take up to a couple of weeks. Cheers.

[@rexweatherford8386]

Glad to see you embracing JS8CALL. I used to have my station up 24x7 but currently have it on WSPR. JS8CALL is still my favorite emcom for Linux. I've been playing a bit more with VARAC lately but still feel JS8CALL is the most versatile due to multiple decode speeds and multi-station decodes concurrently. Vara has some strong points also, but JS8CALL has a strong case. de KE0MHJ

[@TheTechPrepper]

VARA is fast, but I'm waiting for a future where it run natively without emulation on Linux.