Installing JS8CALL On The Raspberry Pi.

Advertisements

JS8Call is an Amateur Radio program very similar to WSJT-X. The mode JS8 is a variation of FT8 that gives you the capability of keyboard to keyboard communication. It is not supported by or endorsed by the WSJT-X development team. With JS8Call, you are capable of extended conversations or rag chews. Since the communication is much more free form, JS8 is also accepted in more contests. In this post JS8Call will be installed on a Raspberry Pi 4 B.

Advertisements

First download the installation file from the JS8Call website.

Advertisements

Once the file is finished downloading, navigate to the directory you downloaded JS8Call to in the command line interface. In my case the file is in the download folder.

Advertisements

After navigating to the directory that contains the install file, type “sudo dpkg -i js8call_2.1.1_armhf.deb”. JS8Call will unpack itself and install.

Advertisements

If you have installed Flrig JS8Call will be added to the Hamradio menu. Flrig is a free and easy to use CAT Control program. Check out my post on Flrig for more information.

Advertisements

The first time JS8Call opens the settings screen will automatically open. On the General tab, enter your callsign and station information.

Advertisements

Cat control of my radio is handled by Flrig. Select Flrig from the drop down menu next to Rig. In most cases the network server is left blank. Click the Test CAT button to test the connection the Flrig.

Advertisements

On the Rig Options tab change PTT Method to CAT and the mode to USB. If you transmitter is capable of split operation select Rig.

Advertisements

After the radio options have been changed, the audio options must be set. Select the sound card being used to transmit and receive audio. If you opt to use sound notifications, make sure to use a second sound card so notifications do not get transmitted.

Advertisements