JS8Call

JS8Call is a digital communication application designed for amateur radio operators to exchange keyboard-to-keyboard text messages under weak-signal conditions. Derived from the FT8 protocol, it utilizes structured tones and forward error correction to transmit messages across noisy HF and VHF channels. The software operates alongside an external station transceiver and a computer sound card interface to modulate and demodulate radio frequency signals.

The program includes features for station monitoring, directed messaging, heartbeat beacons, and store-and-forward relay networking. It runs on Linux distributions and provides a graphical terminal interface for composing text, viewing decoded activity on the waterfall display, and managing automated responses. The application is intended for operators seeking reliable text communication when standard voice or high-bandwidth data modes are impractical.