Mike, KY4LV here. I am far from an expert on JS8Call as a program or JS8 as a mode. However, I am the intersection of WFD and JS8. So here's my attempt at showing you how to go from zero to hero at JS8Call during Winter Field Day. If there's a better resource for this information, just tell me, and I'll incorporate it here.
What this guide isn't:
- A JS8Call installation guide (that's here https://js8call.groups.io/g/main)
- A JS8Call new users guide (again, that's here https://js8call.groups.io/g/main)
- A Winter Field Day new participant guide (that's
here https://winterfieldday.org/)
- A new amateur radio operator guide (that's so many
places)
Let's start with a little background. You can skip
this if you don't like having situational awareness.
JS8 is a keyboard to keyboard chat mode based on FT8.
It and the JS8Call software was conceived by Jordan
Sherer, KN4CRD. The JS8 mode and JS8Call software take
the weak signal performance of FT8 and give it
practical applications outside simple signal/grid
reports in difficult conditions. At some point,
JS8Call was forked into JS8Call-improved, then Jordan
was made a member of the JS8Call-improved team.
WSJT modes like FT8 are not allowed for Winter Field
Day, and no
FT8 advocates to date have come close to presenting
a convincing reason to include such modes. As
a result, JS8Call is a leading alternative, especially
for those already familiar with WSJT-X and FT8. It
also competes well with PSK31, Olivia, and other
proven data modes.
Okay, enough of that. Let's talk about actually getting JS8Call and making it work. I'm linking the best and newest version of JS8Call as of December 2025. Go to https://js8call.groups.io/g/main for updated information.
Download JS8Call here: https://github.com/JS8Call-improved/JS8Call-improved/releases/tag/release%2F2.4.0
This is a placeholder for a potential future installation guide. I do not believe it is my job to teach adults how to install this software on their own computers. I'm sure someone out there will prove me wrong eventually 🙂
I will be showing you what this looks like on a Debian-based computer. Nothing I'm showing you will depend on the operating system.
This is the first thing you'll see when you start JS8Call for the first time. You will need to enter the callsign you plan to use for WFD and the maidenhead grid locator from which you plan to operate. Pay very close attention to the CQ Message and Reply Message blocks here. Put your Class/Category and Section in both as shown below. This is where you make most of your money during WFD. If everyone did this, we could reverse global warming and cure world hunger. Or we could give guns and measles to all the kids. Whatever you think utopia looks like, that's what happens when you do this.
I'm skipping rig and audio setup for what I hope are obvious reasons. Go look at literally any WSJT-X setup post/video and that will almost certainly work on JS8Call.
Head over to the Reporting tab. Uncheck both "Enable spotting..." blocks. You are not allowed to spot directly to the Internet for WFD.
If you're running N3FJP or N1MM, use the settings at the bottom of the Reporting tab to configure those.
For N3FJP, you have to click "TCP API Enabled" as you see below. I don't use N1MM and don't have any further advice for N1MM integration other than good luck.
You have to capture the WFD exchange in the JS8Call log somehow. This is easier than you think.
You'll have to exit the settings window to do this. Don't worry, you can get back to it by going to the File>Settings menu or hitting F2. Go to Log>Add Log Entry. A new log entry window will pop up. You may have to scroll to the bottom to see "Add New Field".
Click it. On the left, you can use the drop-down menu or start typing CLASS. Then do the same again except type or select ARRL_SECT. Once those two are added, you can cancel out of the log entry window and those fields will remain for future log entries. You can select the class/category and section in the received messages area and click the corresponding fields on the log form to add them (thanks to Ben for reminding me of that feature). You can also just type them in.
Now, go back to the settings window and head over to the Saved Messages tab. You can store a few quick replies to minimize the typing you have to do for WFD. One should be your exchange. Another should be some kind of 73 message. The other, and this is very important, should be a request for the other station's exchange. I promise you, you'll wish you had this after the millionth station tries to contact you and doesn't send the exchange. You can add all kinds of other stuff as you see fit. I like to keep it simple for WFD.
One last thing, and this is just a general JS8Call user thing, but it's really important. PLEASE select the station you're trying to work before sending your message. If you don't, there's no way for that station to know you're talking to them.
Let me know what you'd like to see changed. Use the contact links as needed.
72!
Mike, KY4LV