5 thoughts on “JS8CALL From A to Z”

  1. Apologies, this sounds like a rant – it’s more like banging my head in frustration.

    I’ve said it here before, but I feel like I should say it again: If we have a true grid down how are you going to time sync?

    Yes you can rely on a sync from another JS8Call user – but what if they don’t have NTP/GPS time either? What if there isn’t any NTP/GPS time?

    Then JS8Call will not work when you need it most. (Unless something in the protocol has changed recently I’m not aware of.)

    I’ve tried mentioning this to S2’s new Ghost Net.
    I’ve tried pointing this out to OH8STN

    I feel like I’m pointing out the emperors new clothes.

    Why is everybody who is supposed to know better building their SHTF Emcomm plan based some of the most precision engineered, high-tech, military-controlled aspects of the grid!?!?!

    I am not a shill for VaraAC, but at least it does not have this problem.

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      1. It is not as efficient for low power or bandwidth, but VarAC is the only mode I’ve found that has:

        -Software that is somewhat approachable for newer hams (by ham standards, which is still terrible)
        -Allows all of the away-from-radio away-from-computer mesh forwarding and routing and targetted messaging that we need – just like JS8Call
        -Does not rely on time-sync or other internet grid tools.

        Bonus – offers high-bandwidth things like images.

        Downside is that is requires the Vara modem instead of just one piece of software, and the higher-bandwidth modem is paid software.

        But development is going at an insane pace and true off-grid Emcomm is one of the project’s explicit goals.

        This has become my personal soapbox for the Off-Grid Comms discussions in our little corner of the internet.

        Thank you for coming to my TED Talk and tolerating my ranting

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