[NLRS] The New Normal?

Tue Jun 2 15:58:27 EDT 2020

Just a suggestion ..... some of you might be interested in adding JS8 to
your bag of tricks. Check out js8call.com

JS8Call is software using the JS8 Digital Mode providing weak signal
keyboard to keyboard messaging to Amateur Radio Operators.JS8Call is an
*experiment* to test the feasibility of a digital mode with the robustness
of FT8, combined with a messaging and network protocol layer for weak
signal *communication* on HF, using a keyboard messaging style interface.
It is not designed for any specific purpose other than connecting amateur
radio operators who are operating under weak signal conditions. JS8Call is
heavily inspired by WSJT-X
<https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html>, Fldigi
<http://www.w1hkj.com/>, and FSQCall
<http://www.qsl.net/zl1bpu/MFSK/FSQweb.htm> and would not exist without the
hard work and dedication of the many developers in the amateur radio
community.
FT8 is good for logging "Contacts" and for revealing and studying
propagation. JS8 goes one step further and provides "Communications". He
uses a dictionary compression scheme so that  you can get "reasonable"
speeds for messages. Approx 16 wpm is normal (15 sec frame), but there are
24 wpm (10 sec frame) and 40 wpm (6 sec frame) modes as well.

This is not for everyone of course, but if you enjoyed PSK31 but were
frustrated with the frequent errors, you might like JS8. Use pskreporter to
check out activity on JS8.

I have made several QSOs on JS8 and enjoy working that mode on HF. It's
fast enough to exchange meaningful messages, but slow enough so you can
easily do something else on the PC  while you are in a QSO.

Good Luck,
Rob  K0XL

On Tue, Jun 2, 2020 at 9:03 AM Rich Westerberg <richn0hjz at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi All -
>
> I didn't mean to stir up controversy about FT8.  My question was more about
> activity (or lack of it).  It was also me looking at the fun (for me) of
> amateur radio.
>
> Some have said that FT8 makes it easier to work stations and I understand
> that.  For me, the fun is in the challenge.  I've got 41 states now on 2M
> via AU, Es, tropo, meteor scatter, etc.  For me the fun was listening for
> the raspy tones of AU, trying to catch the right time for Es or getting a
> blue wizzer and hearing a 30 second S9 burn on 2M.  Hearing the weak CW
> come across for a new state or the loud Es for a new one.  It seems that
> now I would need to stare at my screen and wait to see a station pop on my
> screen.  No signal, no using my brain to decode anything or my voice (or
> fist) to call.  I'm still hoping there are seven guys in seven states who
> want to work, so I can get my lower 48 via me and my rig.
>
> I'm sure I'll get on FT8 as it looks like it's a requirement for
> contesting.  My post was just asking about VHF activity and how it has
> changed int he ten years I've been off.
>
> See you in a few weeks in the June Contest.
>
> Rich N0HJZ
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 2, 2020 at 8:17 AM Fast Eddie <eddie at tbaytel.net> wrote:
>
> > Hi All !....   I have the exact same comments as Charlie did.... Go
> > where the activity is.. if you don't use it, you will lose it... it's
> > starting to happen...
> >
> > 73 Fast Eddie VE3KRP
> >
> > On 6/1/2020 5:43 PM, Charlie Betz wrote:
> > > Hey Rich,
> > >
> > > I guess I must be the oddball guy in the group.  I really like FT8 -
> > > in fact I prefer it to the other modes.  Granted, when it comes to
> > > contesting it's too slow for most guys, but I've been able to work
> > > grids out in what I call the "intermediate range" on 6m (too far for
> > > groundwave / too close for Es)  that I've never been able to work
> > > before.  I've even gotten back into HF again because of FT8 - I has
> > > pretty much lost all interest in it and had not been on those bands in
> > > years.
> > >
> > > Maybe my interest in FT8 is due to the fact that I've been running
> > > JT65 on EME for so many years now.  There are a lot of EU stations
> > > that lament the lack of CW on EME anymore, but I don't.  After
> > > struggling trying to make contacts that way I'd never want to go back
> > > to CW again on EME - it's too darn hard to make Qs that way.
> > >
> > > Charlie N0AKC
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 5/31/2020 09:05 AM, Rich Westerberg wrote:
> > >> Hi All -
> > >>
> > >> I'm working on getting my station built up at the new QTH.  I've been
> > >> monitoring 6M a lot and watching some of the spots too.
> > >>
> > >> The past few days 6M has been open quite a bit and I've called on SSB
> > >> and
> > >> worked a few guys.  Lots of times my call goes unanswered.  I'll flip
> > >> over
> > >> to 50.313 and hear signals there.  When I do catch someone on SSB, we
> > >> are
> > >> both loud.  It's not for lack of propagation, it seems like it's lack
> of
> > >> people.
> > >>
> > >> Does anyone do SSB and CW anymore or is it all on FT8 now?  I'm
> > >> looking to
> > >> invest money into antennas and amps to get me on several bands. If
> > >> everything is all on FT8 and it's all about letting your computers
> talk
> > >> now, I might reconsider.  Maybe I'm Old School but the thought of
> > >> sitting
> > >> back and letting my computer talk for me just isn't appealing.
> > >>
> > >> Is there more to VHF than FT8?
> > >>
> > >> Rich N0HJZ
> > >> ______________________________________________________________
> > >> NLRS mailing list
> > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/nlrs
> > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > >> Post: mailto:NLRS at mailman.qth.net
> > >>
> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > >
> > > ______________________________________________________________
> > > NLRS mailing list
> > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/nlrs
> > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > > Post: mailto:NLRS at mailman.qth.net
> > >
> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > NLRS mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/nlrs
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:NLRS at mailman.qth.net
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ______________________________________________________________
> NLRS mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/nlrs
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:NLRS at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>