Differences

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--- js8 [2023/06/27 18:24] – Added information for messaging. m7tws
+++ js8 [2023/06/27 18:53] (current) – m7tws
@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 From the same menu, the **Decoder Sensitivity** option determines how many passes the decoder uses to detect JS8 signals. The higher the value, the more processing power required, lower power systems such as the Raspberry Pi 2 may require a lower number of passes. As a reference point, a Raspberry Pi 400 is capable of processing on **(4x) Four Decode Passes** mode with ease.
+==== Frequencies ====
+JS8 has a list of builtin frequencies, you can select this from the main window by clicking on the frequency readout in the top left of your screen. If you cannot see this, click **View > Show Frequency & Clock**. This will be what you use to change bands, it is also the frequency which will be uploaded to PSKReporter and put in your logbook.
+JS8 splits the frequency band into 3 (three) section
+^ Frequency range (Hz) ^ Usage ^
+| 500 - 1000 | This section is used for HEARTBEAT messaging |
+| 1000 - 2500 | This section is used for regular JS8 operating - HEATBEATs may be sent in this region if configured in the settings menu |
+| 2500 - 2700 | This section is also used for HEARTBEAT messaging |
+The frequency you're transmitting on can be seen in the spectrogram view as a pair of parallel red lines or under the frequency readout described above. Ensure you have your offset set within the green section of the band (1000-2500Hz).
+When sending a HB, the associated HB regions will be used automatically unless configured otherwise. Once sent the transmit frequency will automatically change back to the frequency you set.
+Most JS8 activity is seen on 20m and 40m. There is also plenty of JS8 activity on 11m CB.
+When operating in the amateurs bands, 20m is most commonly used during the day, and 40m for the evening and night. You may be able to get messages to stations you cannot here by utilising a station on 20m during the day who can relay a message on 40m at night.
 ==== Autoreply (AUTO) ====
-JS8 has a set of standard Query Messages which an operator may send to your station, enabling Autoreply will allow your station to reply to these message automatically.
+JS8 has a set of standard Query Messages which an operator may send to your station, enabling Autoreply will allow your station to reply to these message automatically. Auto mode can be enabled and disabled under the **Mode** menu.
 ^ Query message ^ Purpose ^ Response ^
@@ Line 72: / Line 91: @@
 ==== HEARTBEAT (HB) ====
-Heartbeats are a "Networking" mode for JS8, a station sends a HB and any station configured to Autoreply with Heartbeats enabled will respond with a signal report. Heartbeats can be sent manually or automatically every N minutes. Heartbeats are opt-in so you may see that stations on PSKReporter (and similar) are reporting they can hear you, but they may not be setup to respond to a HB.
+Heartbeats are a "Networking" mode for JS8, a station sends a HB and any station configured to Autoreply with Heartbeats enabled will respond with a signal report. Heartbeats can be sent manually or automatically every N minutes. Heartbeats are opt-in so you may see that stations on PSKReporter (and similar) are reporting they can hear you, but they may not be setup to respond to a HB. Hearbeats can be enabled/disabled under the **Mode** menu.
 Stations that respond to HB requests may be suitable for other Autoreply messages such as those listed above.
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 Similar to the store and forward mailbox feature, stations can also act as relays, where a message is sent immediately to the destination as opposed to stored and sent on request. This would allow a QSO to take place using a middle man station, note that this method of communication would be very slow.
+A relay message will look like this
+  M7ABC: 2E0XYZ>M0XXX Hello M0XXX I am talking to you VIA 2E0XYZ
 ==== Sending messages ====
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 ==== Common Acronyms and Shorthand ====
-Due to the slow nature of JS8, many operators will use a variety of acronyms in addition to QCodes to help pack more information into their messages with minimal impact to the time taken to send a message.
+Due to the slow nature of JS8, many operators will use a variety of acronyms in addition to QCodes to help pack more information into their messages with minimal impact to the time taken to send a message. Many of these will also be utilised in Morse Code (CW) operation.
 ^ Acronym ^ Meaning        ^
@@ Line 119: / Line 142: @@
 | PWR     | Power |
 | NR      | Near  |
+| WX      | Weather |
+| Q??     | This is a standard Q Code [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_code#Amateur_radio|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_code#Amateur_radio]] |
+----
+===== Troubleshooting =====
+==== Empty spectrum ====
+If your spectrum is showing up completely black or with a constant stream of fixed vertical lines try the following:
+  - Ensure your sound card settings are correct in the **Settings > Audio** section
+  - Try restarting JS8, sometimes it glitches if something has gone wrong
+  - Check that you are in the correct Sideband, you should be using USB
+  - Ensure you're plugged into the radio and have the audio levels set appropriately
+==== I can see activity but it won't decode ====
+  - One common issue is accidentally moving to the wrong frequency, JS8 looks very similar to FT8 and FT4, check you're in a JS8 frequency band.
+  - If you're in band and the activity is above 2500Hz, it may be FT4 activity, there is some over lap with the common frequencies used.
+  - Check you're in USB mode
+  - Is the signal starting before/after the horizontal lines that get drawn every N seconds? If so your stations clock is out of alignment, JS8 is dependent on the system clock similar to FT8. Try fixing your system clock using NTP or using the offset control in the **View > Waterfall Time Drift controls** menu.
+==== I can't find my issue or none of the above have resolved my issue ====
+Hop into Discord, I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction.