Off Grid Receive-Only JS8Call

Here's the introduction to this topic: • Receive-Only JS8Call F...
Here are the links you need to get started:
SDRSharp - airspy.com/download/
JS8Call - js8call.com/
VBCable Driver - vb-audio.com/Cable/
BktTimeSync - www.maniaradio.it/en/bkttimes...
Zadig - zadig.akeo.ie/
Equipment Used in Video:
CCrane Skywave SSB (this newer model DOES have an external antenna jack) - ccrane.com/cc-skywave-ssb-2-w...
CountyComm GP7 SSB - countycomm.com/products/count...
*The GP7 is a virtually identical rebranding of the Tecsun PL-368.
Bluetooth Transmitter - www.amazon.com/GMCELL-Bluetoo...
USB Sound Card - www.amazon.com/dp/B0C246T1FB/...
Reel Antenna - www.amazon.com/Sangean-ANT-60...
00:00 - Introduction
01:37 - SWL Radio Option
08:47 - Getting Started with SDRs
11:31 - Zadig
12:42 - Time Sync
14:49 - SDRSharp Config
18:05 - JS8Call Config
20:05 - Automatic Time Drift
24:51 - Your Antenna
34:40 - The Human Factor
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DISCLAIMER: This content is purely educational and does not advocate for violating any laws. Do not violate any laws or regulations. This is not legal advice. Consult with your attorney.
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[@herrheerhairheryeah2310]

Wow todays seems to be my lucky day , first garand thumb and now you , two times great appreciated content in one day , thank you very much sir !

[@nudoge]

Using an sdr in your initial urban hide site?

[@A_barrel]

​@@7275vrt nice try fed boi

[@imsosticky5447]

​@@7275vrtFED!!!

[@nudoge]

​​@A_barrel first post by this id. Either plant or noob they look the same from 30,000 ft. Nothing is surprising to me. I'm sure there is at least one story of a fed that actually started to personally like the mark right? Right? 😢 😂

[@Stewart-HA5RV]

For home or group use you might also want to consider a Raspberry Pi & OpenWebRxPlus + RTL-SDR dongle (or other SDR). It has JS8Call & other decoders (ADS-B, AIS, D-Star/DMR etc) built in and once setup very easy to leave running as needs very little power. It's very convenient to access it from a browser on any device on your wifi or network then (or connect your laptop using a crossed Ethernet cable). It's is of course a bit more technical, but gives an independent WebSDR. Also since the RTL-SDR is more expensive now, it's getting very close in price to better options, SDRPlay's RSP1a is excellent for approx $100 and works in OpenWebRxPlus and direct on Windows.

[@rmp5s]

Here I stand...on the edge of another rabbit hole...staring into the void...🤣

[@reiisthebestgirl]

In field pretty much anything that is made of metal and is of sufficient size (fences and drying racks for example) can be used to receive. I've used daisy chained jumper cables for SW listening just for fun. Important topic and great explanation. I hope more people familiarize themselves with digital modes for their efficiency and dare I say convenience.

[@aaronhope8366]

Thank you for explaining radios for the rest of us. This defeats the barrier to entry quite a bit. I didn't want to drag a full electronics lab out into the woods . . . this thing I can do.

[@DazzleCamo]

I love these radio videos, keep em coming. This is the stuff that most folks don't have the know how to cover or even use, this is a strong suit for you

[@josephthomas8318]

Got my general license last week. Got my xiegu g90 and an efhw antenna set up on Friday and worked 27 countries on 20w and a wire antenna this weekend. Next step is a new laptop and a digi rig to run digital modes. It's taken a long time but it's finally all coming together

[@chichan4127]

Hey I just got my g90 recently too! Do you do portable or stationary? Been having bad noise problems, no space for an efhw in an apartment and magloops are expensive....

[@chrism5508]

The G90 is a great radio. If you haven't updated the firmware in a while, I highly recommend it, especially if you plan on doing JS8call with it. They added some "digital mode" settings for USB digital or U-D in the radio mode. I use the xeigu DE-19 for the digital interface and its been working well.

[@spudhut2246]

congrats - im working on mine now, I want to play in the JS8 spectrum and play with HF too....

[@ke8mattj]

For the random wire: place an alligator clip on the wire and put it on the antenna. This way, you can quickly take it off when you are on the go and you don't have to wrap it around the antenna constantly.

[@Francois_Dupont]

Merci pour votre aide mon ami! ❤

[@TheBoatPirate]

S2 kicks ass. you never know what yer gonna get. ❤

[@sandraherdman3783]

Dam Sam,, you've been working on this for over a month,,😇 That's a lot of work thanks I Get lot of knowledge from your content Thank you ❤😅

[@Liberty4Ever]

I've done a lot of transmit-only JS8. 🙂 I kid! I kid! I love JS8. It's my favorite mode. I wish Jordan would implement JS8 server software for a persistent JS8 backbone with automated message forwarding and storage at each person's local server. There are several ways this could be implemented but probably the easiest and most robust would be for users to manually register with their local server and designate it as their connection to the international JS8 network. The servers would give priority to immediate traffic and would forward packets when the server wasn't otherwise in use. The servers could update each other so they knew how to route messages. This would greatly improve the utility of JS8.

[@FaithyJo]

Heard of a van that's loaded with weapons Packed up and ready to go Heard of some gravesites, out by the highway A place where nobody knows The sound of gunfire, off in the distance I'm getting used to it now Lived in a brownstone, lived in a ghetto I've lived all over this town This ain't no party, this ain't no disco This ain't no fooling around No time for dancing, or lovey-dovey I ain't got time for that now

[@TheElliott47]

Back to radios! I almost could have held my breath!

[@surefire5717]

Keep up the great work. Working on my General ticket right now this definitely adds to the motivation

[@dadteaches]

In the Army, we would send and receive from some long wire and use that as an antenna. Now, I did cut them for generic frequency uses, though FH sort of makes that impossible. However, for listening, any long wire tossed in a tree will work just fine. Heck you can just spool it along the ground for 100' and it'll be a great receive antenna.

[@Francois_Dupont]

also if you are about to buy a 100$+ shortwave radio, you might be interested instead in buying a uSDX full mode HF transceiver for the same price.

[@AldoSchmedack]

This was *_FANTASTIC_* so TY!

[@tempinternetname]

perfect timing, thanks!

[@larryhorner9004]

Thanks for another great video. Would really like to see you do a video on the transmit side as well using your ICOM IC-705. Your style of explaining how all this stuff works makes it easy enough to understand so even I can do it. Thanks.

[@acinfla9615]

This video lets me know what I don’t know 👍

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

I got js8call running on my cheapo jankopotomus chromebook. Just figured I'd put it out there for folks that are on a budget. It's doable. It isn't far and you have to sideload linux but then you have the added benefit of having Linux on a chromebook that can be charged via usb c.

[@zerobow9413]

Great vid, Dont forget you can just plug the SDR into the tablet [use a short male-female USB cord] so you dont snap off the USB. Also I made up a cord to plug into the TV antenna for my SDR. TV antennas are up high and stealthy caus... everyone has one. [not great for HF of course] Ive been testing the new RTL-SDR V4 it great on HF [with the new DLL installed over the old one]

[@richardking2439]

and remember to re-run the install-rtlsdr.bat file again after moving the new .dll files over.

[@user-os5bm6ip6f]

I would add that only a shortwave listening radio that does single sideband will work. That excludes most of the

[@MrCarGuy]

You forgot to mention the importance of a good ground for the portable receivers. If you're holding it then your body is sufficient, but if you leave it far away make sure there is some type of counterpoise. Wire it to the negative battery terminal, the ground of the headphone jack, or anything for the specific model that's easy.

[@vjazz79]

Thx for this. I have a GP-7 & coil ant. I'll test it out to see how it works. Appreciate the explanation 👍

[@Andrew-pd7co]

I have been waiting for this

[@ericturner2477]

Great timing. I was just looking at shortwave radios. I think I'll go the SDR route instead.

[@ky_gearhead]

It's fun tool I'm also just getting into sdr and all you can do with them

[@TankJockey38]

Honestly, if I were head of the GOP, I'd barr party members from running at all, take all those rescources, and put them toward state level offices.

[@neonsigns6721]

This is very helpful. I have my ticket and I do enjoy some aspects of this hobby. but this method has never occurred to me. So, for what it's worth this info appealed to people who have their tickets as well!

[@spudhut2246]

excellent content. Having a back up to your setup is key. The simplicity of each should be achievable for anyone wanting to gear up. I appreciate how you go over the software and show how to correct issues that you have seen. I had the same problem with my V3 RTL-SDR and could not sync up the time appropriately, even while using separate timing software. Do you dabble with using the Nano VNA for antenna tuning? If so, I would really like to see some 'tutorials' on it and how to better use the device. Thank you for making the time to making these videos, its pushed me to pursue my General lIcense As for the "wonky" aspects of some of your suggestions. As a HAM, I know how the hobby can be "Painful" with most, because of it, Its forced me to stay out of clubs, and learn on my own. Videos like this have encouraged and increased my interest in pushing for more to learn more. With that said, If I can suggest, put out your content, make your suggestions. If you know it works, who cares what they would say. When SHTF, none of the 'protocols' matter at that point anyways, getting a working and usable device is going to be the priority. Just my 2 cents. Keep up the good work!

[@martinbowman1993]

Love the work. Thanks

[@allenshepard7992]

"Audio to Bluetooth" - wow. Not a bluetooth fan but will hit up Amazon. Options are good.

[@CHUCKYCHUCKYBOBUCY]

Word of caution: any kind of USB device (especially at $5) that you buy is a potential attack vector. A USB device can have a computer chip inside, which might A) act as a MItM or B) attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in your computer.

[@LaNoturna1115]

So....open it and look lmfao, literally freshman cybersec mindset

[@CHUCKYCHUCKYBOBUCY]

@@LaNoturna1115 so, A) buy cheap chinese devices (but pry them apart and look inside for microchips the size of a pencil lead break off), and B) don't warn people about risks, because that's freshman; ok, good talk.

[@kerbalairforce8802]

Basically, don't use a computer with anything important on it.

[@heitorvrb]

It's really a shame we don't have a JS8 decoder for mobile.

[@UNcommonSenseAUS]

Make one

[@spr00sem00se]

I cant believe no one has made an android js8 app yet. I ise android for ft8. Rtty weatherfax etc etc. The only reason to have a windows pc for ham for me at the moment is js8. I would gladly pay for the app......

[@drott150]

I wish there would be a brief intro into each of these radio videos where: (1) A simple and easy to understand introduction is provided for total newbies. Like "This video will cover a shortwave radio that can be used to transmit data, pictures, voice and other files over the airwaves instead of using an internet connection. This functionality allows the user to communicate and transmit information to other users in the event the internet goes down or is turned off by the government. This radio is capable of receiving messages from over 1000 miles away. Also, this radio is capable of transmitting messages to someone across the world under ideal conditions..." etc. Give us SOMETHING to understand what this thing is, why is it important and why we might want one. SOME BASIC INFO for boomers and new people not already steeped in what you're talking about. THEN go into the nitty gritty. A simple intro like that would take no longer than a minute or two.

[@Fish-ub3wn]

31:00 yes, no doubt, looking at dB loss of this setup makes me cry inside great thanks for the soft instructions, much appreciated :)

[@matteng2332]

Great video and 73

[@brentdennard6722]

I’m not sure how much, but a bluetooth transmitter strapped onto another radio will reduce the sensitivity (aka reception). I don’t recommend it. Or keep it 3 feet away. BT is usually only good for 30 feet anyway.

[@tdwebste]

What SDR software defined radio used or recommended?

[@spudhut2246]

I have noticed with SDRSharp v1919, if you have it working, listening, the spectrum will lag or freeze and it will shut down from time to time. Any suggestions?

[@Steven-cr8ju]

New to all this. What is the technical meaning of 70cm radio? Does it refer to the wave oscillation/frequency?

[@macgyver5108]

70cm\70centimeters is the RF band used, the "relative" physical size of the radio wavelength used in that radio band portion at around 440 megahertz. Those cheap little blister-pack 0.5 watt "FRS" radios with about 1/2 mile range use the 70cm band. (the reason they suck is they're only 1/2 a watt and have a short crappy antenna!) By comparison the FM radio in your car tunes from around 88-108 Mhz and is in the 2m\2 meter band portion and CB radio is at 27 Mhz or 11meters. That help?

[@spr00sem00se]

I just got a small tecsun pl-365 to try recieving weather fax on my phone. It kinda works with the stock whip, works better with a random wire though. I also used an rtlsdr on the phone. That seems to work quite well with the stock dipole. No luck for js8 on amdroid yet though. Someome needs to port it then android will be a total winner for hams.

[@backwardog1]

Just a note SDR sharp will not install without internet connection. Just spent two days trying. So if you want to keep the computer off the grid while program, that's a hiccup.

[@viceroyvic]

Might be good to add a link to buy the RTL-SDR V3 dongle? Great video!

[@jan_harald]

is there a reason for rtl-sdr version 3 instead of version 4? the latest advertised version is version 4, does that have any issues or flaws? I mean, older version would probably be cheaper and easier to get, but still

[@anonymous_friend]

.

[@tomdarco2223]

Right On

[@alberttheroa4164]

Can you show this for linux ? or is it available?

[@kevinc9416]

Ok big question. How do I start my own js8call band for family?

[@bruehlt]

Get a cheap $25 GPS dongle to help set your time. If you are using this in a go bag / box / whatever you won't have the internet to sync your time to.

[@sprky777]

I expect the government already has a military only encryption again and can shut everyone out at the flip of a bit.

[@heitorvrb]

Since the advent of GhostNet you might want to do a remake of the Antenna Considerations video. You dismissed a lot of antennas in that video for being monoband or monofrequency, but that is fine if all you're gonna do is park on a frequency and do some Js8call

[@robertrutherford1563]

I’ve have an sdr dongle that I use on an android s22 w/ rf analyzer. Have you tried setting up JS8Call on an android device?

[@BobBob-il2ku]

There isn’t a js8call app for android yet…

[@Davoda2]

If time sync is/can be an issue; could I record a transmission to decode it later? So let's say the isn't just a time shift but the sender's clock isn't accurate, if the signal could be recorded, it's in the worst case a basic algorithm to decode it.

[@anonymous_friend]

try it and let us know!

[@beardedobserver5947]

So if you’re using JS8CALL with a shortwave radio you’ll only be able to monitor the frequency you’re set to?

[@NDSMD]

Yes

[@dauby0913]

will I receive shortwave in a city, with the antenna inside an apartment ?

[@MrCarGuy]

If it's a noisy (in terms of interference) environment like a city, having a good counterpoise (ground) attached to the ground plane of the device really helps. Unless you hold it and your body is the counterpoise. Also if you use end-fed wire antenna like is in this video make sure it's as long as possible

[@dauby0913]

could the ground on an electric wall plug work as counterpoise ? thanks for the help by the way @@MrCarGuy

[@rezneps]

On Android I use a app called Hear Boost to turn my phone into a bluetooth dongle with a TRS to TRRS cable adapter. Might be better for those that don't need yet another electronic gadget kicking around.

[@hoonterofhoonters6588]

What if we use a network of laptops with REALLY long LAN cables? I'm sorry, your idea is better.

[@jefflomax9782]

wish I could understand this

[@AlrightWhoFarted_]

👍 👍

[@timmcclary5137]

MAHALOS.

[@Red-bf8jd]

I’m clueless about this a bought a sw radio but don’t crap about it

[@rm-gh1co]

I have a NavCom that I used when flying. If nothing else I can talk to the tower or ground control in emergencies lol.

[@kevinc9416]

I have the SDR, what antenna do I need? Love your channel? We have have crossed paths at some point. 😊

[@NDSMD]

Whip antenna

[@macgyver5108]

An SMA connector slim-Jim or roll up J-pole is really handy for portable use, they coil up easy to toss in a pack and have quite clear reception. For a base station install, a simple dipole antenna works well. They make simple SDR dipole 9:1 baluns with SMA connectors for about $9. Another $10-$20 of some SMA connector coax like RG-316 for less than 15' or RG-58 for longer runs from the SDR up to the ceiling or attic ECT to the balun and 5 or 10 equal feet of any sort of thin wire you might have handy to make the "rabbit ears" of the dipole. Even old telephone or ethernet wire scraps make great dipole ears.

[@UNcommonSenseAUS]

What anout loRa, loran & mesh networks ?

[@hardwired3640]

Js8call is for long distance. LORA, etc is for short range

[@J...1]

Fyi, There is past content on Meshtastic/Lora, go-tenna devices, and Atak considerations

[@user-nl4ir7cx5r]

Can I do this with a locked (no jailbreak/root) android? I can get SDR to USB to USB C cables but no clue if JS8Call has an app on the play store or FDroid Googled it to not be lazy and yup I can do that. Pocket size 😁 Edit 2: might need to mess with Termux for it to work oh no

[@chewdoobautomotivedetailtm2883]

❤

[@Francois_Dupont]

31:30 BNC to Banana connector, thats the name

[@zacharyruben1852]

What about using a hackrf one?

[@robertthomason8905]

Can't beat a encrypted smoke signal.

[@bstancel12]

HackRF One will work.

[@robertthomason8905]

😊

[@chewdoobautomotivedetailtm2883]

I do it the option 1 way...

[@MikeSheasheaDtree]

So if i want to send a text message from my computer, and have someone respond and answer me back with a text message, i can do this with this equipment because I THOUGHT you said receive only. What would i need to send AND RECEIVE I have the windows computer 😂

[@reiisthebestgirl]

You'd need suitable amature radio with license to operate it.

[@jimster1111]

whats the best SDR out there to buy?

[@anonymous_friend]

.

[@kellenhudson1324]

Do you live in the West?

[@Sommyie]

S2 uses Firefox? I use Firefox

[@AlexFlanner]

great video, please buy a lapel mic

[@robertthomason8905]

Mahkum

[@OwnD1]

Is this how S2 gets their sources for news?

[@OwnD1]

@user-zm7qz5fq2d it’s a valid question for his wire news series

[@brothertyler]

I was on JS8Call on 14.074 waiting for you bro but you never showed up. I don't have 40m yet.

[@KD2HJP]

Shhh

[@22leggedsasquatch]

Could have been a great video...but... for people with little or no knowledge of the topic, you still use language which make no sense, such as abbreviations.. It is clear that you're talking freely and not from any plan of presentation. This meant that you seem to confuse the listener by taking into a dead-end then tracking back. Keep it simple, keep it clear, and to the point. You said to use any radio, then proceed to refer to buttons which aren't seen on any radio regular radio

[@kerbalairforce8802]

He's speaking to an audience that has watched all his other radio videos. Don't skip to the end of the book and complain that you don't know the characters.

[@anonymous_friend]

This ones definitely a democrat 😂

[@YOU_CANT_BE_THAT_STUPID]

Interesting, I've recently acquired a FM, SW, MW, DSP receiver. Now I need to get my laptop working to get JS8.