@SOTA added! JS8Call 2.2 is now available: A new decoder, automatic time synchronization, and more

From the developer!!! Not me! :slight_smile: @SOTA added!!! nice!!

Hi Folks, 

I just released JS8Call 2.2 in preparation for ARRL Field Day this weekend. Go grab it here: http://files.js8call.com/latest.html

What's new? Below are a few highlights. You can also read through the extensive changelog here: http://files.js8call.com/changelog.txt

* A new decoder that is more sensitive, more accurate, and more stable. Most frames that were dropped after minor QSB in 2.1 will be correctly decoded in 2.2. Most frames will be able to be decoded up to 2-4dB lower than the 2.1 decoder. I've been running this decoder 24/7 for about a month without any crashes. Overall...a big win in my opinion!
* An option to enable automatic time synchronization with stations in the passband. The decoder will try to decode once every second and automatically drift your time to match any decodes. The intent here is to run this to synchronize your time and then disable it (it's CPU intensive).
* An option to require confirmation for any automatic replies sent from your station. This is helpful for if/when rules of our licenses change related to automatic stations. 
* Some new built-in group callsigns for sending messages/commands to groups efficiently: "@CQ, @HB, @QSO, @QSOPARTY, @CONTEST, @FIELDDAY, @SOTA, @IOTA, @POTA, @QRP, @QRO". (The full list of built-in groups is in the JS8Call Guide)
* A new JS8Call API that is easier to use and which includes more real-time information coming out of the app. This should be useful for folks integrating with JS8Call for mapping, grid tracking, and other types of software extensions. 
* A new display format for heartbeats. They will now be sent to an @HB group with the HEARTBEAT command, ala KN4CRD: @HB HEARTBEAT EM73. Don't worry, it's backwards compatible with older versions of JS8Call.
* Related, responses to heartbeats will be sent using a new SNR command instead of the old ACK command. The new response will look like: HEARTBEAT SNR -5
* You can now easily disable the transmitter (just like the receiver) using the menu or by clicking the TX button.
* The dropped frame indicator is now configurable (... by default)
* The waterfall can now visually display when the decoder attempts to decode a signal. Useful for seeing where all of your CPU is going.
* And many many many bugfixes and usability improvements.
* Note: If you caught my YouTube presentation, you might have seen the "Ultra" mode mentioned. That unfortunately did _not_ make the cut for the 2.2 decoder improvements. You may see that in the near future after some more testing.

Hope y'all enjoy the new release and I hope to see you on the air with it this weekend! Cheers!

Best,
Jordan / KN4CRD

Help me understand this.
I am interested in using HF APRS to send spots from remote places where there is no VHF digipeter access.
I know that the previous versions of JS8call would support sending APRS position reports.
Does the addition of @SOTA group callsign mean that it will be possible to send an APRS message to APRS2SOTA to post spots?

Ian
VE6IXD

the APRS is a different feature. If you google it you will see the trick to send APRS (Ive seen a youtube video about it).

SOTA is a CQ tag lets say that sends a notification (sound?) to people โ€˜listeningโ€™ to SOTA calls.
Plus SNR decoding is amazing like FT8 but you can chat like normal.

T

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