Off Grid Ham Radio Micro Blogging with JS8Call & VARAC 

Thanks for watching and joining me in the premiere. For more context, please have a read oh8stn.org/blog/2023/01/13/decentralized-ota-micro-blogging/ 73 Julian oh8stn

Free speech, the bedrock of liberty and freedom. Keep up the good work. Really like your innovative thoughts.

Fascinating concept. For those of us who are also extremely part time operators, this kind of functionality would be great to make QSOs and contact our friends without needing to be on the air at the same time.

As a former Vietnam era submarine radioman, I am very pleased to help you promote your important message. As a famous Rabbi (Hillel) said over two millennia ago: "If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, then when?"

Could not agree more that this is exactly what ham radio is all about. You have my support!

I agree! This is the highest and best use of amateur radio in this time of uncertainty.

Very cool stuff. Looking forward to seeing more and seeing what I can do.

Great stuff! Amateur radio has _always_ been about exploring communications. Decentralized social media is sorely needed, and we should be developing it and building those networks. Much improved edit on an important topic!

What a great idea. This is like the packet BBS features with messages. A very efficient way to help in a disaster. I agree this needs to happen.

I reviewed this video earlier in the wee hours before work, and like so much content of yours? After I've had time to absorb the material? I take away much more than initially had gleaned on the first pass. That said, one year removed? This presentation hit harder than usual for present relevancy, given the current state of events. I find your exploration on the cutting edge. Always have, Sir. So this time, I want to send a personal thanks for pushing the envelope, and for the car consistent encouragement to the amateur community to operate more efficiently. To do more with less alt power, and minimal cable mess. Thank you.

Excellent Julian. Great time indeed. 1984/2023

Very, Tactically done Julian ! I'm afraid that many of the SHEEPLE are still sleeping 😴

I've always thought about winlink or js8 call like this but didn't think about keeping it small and put a link in said communication . that's was the big deal not over loading said network. Julian great way to think out of the box and yes ham radio has always adapted to changing times over the years. Keep up the great content from across the pond de W9US

Best idea I've heard in a long time!

I love the idea, and this might be an extremely important tool and extension of HAM radio usage for scenarios without Internet.

Fantastic topic!! About to get re-licensed. This gets me excited. Digital rocks. Thanks brother

Great idea. Definitely worth developing the concept.

Can’t wait to try this out! Thanks Julian and Happy New Year.

You are spot on with your ideas about a useful tool of ham radio.

Great vid brother! I missed the live, but still caught it. Very in depth. I don't know what half this stuff means, but you explain it well enough for me to understand (well sort of hahaja) I had no idea any of this was possible 💥💥💥

Many of the hindrances are in developer's fear and understanding of automated stations. I'm of the opinion that developers need to incorporate features without regard for trying to micro-manage the use. It is up to individual licensees to follow their local regulations - or, in times of need, not. I would like to see VarAC incorporate the concept of micro-blogging and encryption. They spend too much time responding to whiners and worrying about micro-managing their users behavior - instead of a comprehensive suite of variable features. Regulations and behavior are legal and peer issues, not developer issues. This video is great - thanks.

Thank you for this excellent content! The concepts you discuss in this video can dramatically make amateur radio more valuable. Keep the content coming! 73 Bret C / AC0AE

Great video, thanks!

Thank you Julian. This concept is incredible. I really need to build a network of JS8call operators. What a great way to keep contact with others, disseminate information to people who actually want to be in touch and will make use of the message's content. And, it disconnects us from reliance on the internet as a medium which is what we really need. I realize that Winlink can be used this way but I feel like JS8 and such platforms require less bandwidth. Thank you again. 73 Eric, KI7WJP

There's a book called War Diaries by a Ukrainian Ham operating in the war zone. Haven't read it yet but the reviews are pretty good. I can't think of a better idea where information can be sent out from an area such as the Ukraine in a blog format. Fantastic idea.

Thank you for discussing this topic. We need more of this. I appreciate all you do for the ham radio community.

HF Micro blogging is an interesting descriptor of this communications concept.

After participating in emergency comms, I believe thar VarAC is nice for flooding and earthquaque events

Well said! You got me up and running on js8call!

I generally like the sound of it, and look forward to more content.

I am totally on board with this. The idea or this type of use has always been a primary objective of why I got into ham radio. I apologize if this has already been asked and answered, but it there a location I could go to find out more about existing nets or groups that me already be practicing this type of activity, besides groups like ARES for example? Thanks again for all the work you do.

Great topic!

keep up the great work this IS needed

Love the concept. Where I live, weather frequencies do not reach, and cellular is spotty at best. This could be very beneficial to my rural community.

Thanks!

Really found this informative. I like the direction you are taking this. One idea would to be allow the stations to forward the blogs to other host stations. Thanks for taking the time to produce this content.

Interesting topic! Please keep up doing this. I Learn a lot of this channel and....its gives pleasure. 73s

Julian, May I make a humble suggestion? I always look forward to your presentations, which are always 'polished' and right on point. We NEED a go to group or blog dedicated to WSJTX and other digital modes that users can identify with! Perhaps call it 'Julians Digital Forum' (or similar) - I would definately subscribe..

RADIO REBELDE Castro had always seen the importance of broadcasting, but Che Guevara was the main rebel proponent of a clandestine station. Guevara knew that a radio station was the only way to speak directly to the Cuban people. Guevara rounded up a technician, a former newspaper reporter, and two ex-announcers from Havana's popular Radio Mambi from among supporters. An old ham transmitter would do the broadcasting. A test broadcast was made in mid-February. The transmitter still needed work, so the 20 minute broadcast only reached a few hundred yards, with Fidel and a few guerillas around Che's radio and a peasant named Palencho who heard it in his house on the facing hillside as the only audience. But, Fidel was impressed. Work on the equipment continued. A few days later, on February 23, 1958, Radio Rebele was officially inaugurated in its first real transmission. Into the Cuban airwaves went the words that would soon become immortalized in Cuban broadcasting; "Aqui Radio Rebelde! Aqui Radio Rebelde! Transmitiendo desde la Sierra Maestra en territorio libre de Cuba." On April 9, 1958, anti-Batista forces in Havana tried to bring about his fall by calling for national strikes to paralyze the economy. Radio Rebelde joined in urging workers to strike. However, few Habaneros responded to their appeals. Urban revolutionaries attacked some power companies and radio stations, and set up two clandestine stations of their own. But, without a massive uprising, their rebellion was quickly crushed. The failure of the April rebellion convinced Castro that revolution could only be won on the battlefield, and that communications and propganda were a bulwark of any military operation. Contacts in Miami arranged a secret airlift of more advanced radio equipment. Carlos Franqui, former editor of several underground newspapers, was brought in to head Radio Rebelde. More staff was recruited and programming expanded. Gradually Radio Rebelde became the center of a vast clandestine revolutionary broadcasting network. Radio Rebelde established a regular schedule, on nightly at 7:00 and 9:00 P.M. on 20 meters and at 8:00 and 10:00 P.M. on 40 meters. Each broadcast began with the Cuban national anthem and the 26th of July hymn. Programming became more professional, and included "bulletins recounting guerilla military victories, speeches of rebel commanders, manifestos, anti-Batista diatribes, patriotic poems, music by its own 'Rebel Quintet', and personal messages to rebel families ('Mama, this is Pepito. Don't worry, I'm fine')" (Soley & Nichols). When revolutionaries in the cities were arrested, Radio Rebelde broadcast their names as soon as possible in hopes that Red Cross & Trade Union intervention would save their lives. Each guerilla column had radio equipment, and as columns were created, most were given a transceiver. Eventually there were 32 Rebelde stations scattered across Cuba. These satelite stations wrote material to feed to the main station. The headquarters staff put together daily broadcasts transmitted by the hub station and relayed by the others. When the main station was down, one of the larger sub- stations took over. It was a highly efficient and effective operation. The hub stations used either names relating to their locations, e.g. Radio Rebelde Llano (plains), or humorous nicknames such as Barbudos Feroces (ferocious bearded ones). Some, such as Ocho Chicos Malos (eight naughty boys), broadcast their own programs of news and fake soap operas spoofing the government. The Rebelde network also served as a radiotelephone link for the guerilla columns, using the call sign 7RR instead of the Radio Rebelde name. Coded messages from 7RR alerted the columns of enemy movements and directed guerilla maneuvers. At times Fidel left less-important instructions uncoded, so listeners would feel closer to the revolution. Tactical broadcasts were almost as popular as Radio Rebelde's nightly programs. Fidel also gave frequent speeches; sometimes walking two or three days to get back for a broadcast. The revolution was dependent on sympathizers and Cuban exiles for much of is funding and equipment. Castro-supporters outside Cuba set up the clandestine Cadena de la Libertad (Liberty Chain) to maintan day-to-day contact with the revolution and sometimes relay Rebelde broadcasts. The Cadena de la Libertad's four stations were Indio Azul & Dos Indios Verdes (Blue Indian and Two Green Indians) in Venezuela, Indio Apache in Mexico, and Un Muchacho Unido (A Together Guy) in Miami. In addition, commercial stations in at least ten Latin American countries relayed or played tapes of Radio Rebelde's programs. Venezuela's Radio Continente was especially important for its regular relays which were easily picked up in Cuba.

Great idea.

Thank you.

Interesting video. I enjoyed watching it. Hello

Great video. I think Winlink might be the best tool. The ability to send position reports and also query what are the closest stations to you shows winlink already has the ability to answer queries. That is your proof of concept.

Hi Julian. I've been out of the loop with JS8Call for a couple of years. I was disappointed to find that the main website is down, but relieved to find that the software download page is still available. This is such great software. I cannot understand why it has not been more widely accepted. What is your view of the future of JS8Call? Are you in touch with Jordan Sherer? I see that Paul Offord has written a server based on the micro blogging concept you present here. I'm now the president of my local amateur radio club. How can I help? What is the best way to get up to speed again with JS8Call; i.e., are there tutorials that you would recommend? I'd like to get this up and running for our presentation at a high school science fair in March.

I always love your content and this does look like a interesting idea, I did notice that win-link and VArAC is not available for the mac and that what I use. I'm not a fan of parallels or wine etc. hoping one day someone would port the code over. Thanks for the video!

For JS8CALL the functionality is already there in the form of an API. A developer could write a companion program to implement the features you are looking for, and that would interface with the JS8CALL program to handle the modem/RF end of it. Point is... We don't need to wait for the JS8CALL developers to put this in place... We just need someone who is effective at working with a JSON API to write companion software.

I agree with this. I think though, to work well, callsigns shouldn't be needed. I'm all about critical Comms and free speech. But broadcasting your callsign has to be considered problematic under certain circumstances.

Greetings. I’m hoping that you might share how you’ve configured your Surface Go. What software do you have loaded ? I see you’ve got Vara, but what else?

Have you (or any commenters) used JS8 on the 10 meter band? It's the only HF band I can transmit modes other than CW. I've sent many heartbeats but never heard any activity. Always like your videos, take care and 73

why didn't you use a toughpad? I've got a surface pro 4, it seems to fragile

I think you are talking about something like , when a storm is coming and most of Florida is down.The weather could post storm updates and I could ask for them when I want. Is that what you want?

The upside to my surface is that you can charge it with 12 volts, I'm looking for something with the same features but more heavy-duty, I'll let you know what I come up with, then run it by you! 73's

Use the old bbs software to interface with new digital modes. A response group or extenddd family can set up their own network.

Has anyone contacted said developers? Are they resistant or just unaware of the idea?

Do a video in making a faraday cage for equipment protection for the upcoming nuclear exchange among nations

Can VarAC work without CAT ? If portable, the fewer wires the better.

In a war situation there is a need for burst communications. If the enemy has even the basic EWP the transmitter could be located in seconds

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Hi, I'm Dean, CE4JDM, and I just upgraded from Novice (CA4JDM) to General (CE4JDM). I have JUST set up JS8 Call, and I'm on 14.078.00 but not hearing anything. Can someone help me try a QSO? It will be my first ever QSO in JS8Call.

I like this idea. But if it becomes popular, it may be cracked down on.

What's the difference between VARA and VARA AC?

I always thought the word "blog" was a truncation of the words "web log".

🤔, uhm yes. And no. This is a way in communicating ota that will be helpful in times of need. In places where there is no reach of phone internet ore tv. I’m going to take a look into this.

I'm interested to hear your justification of using government regulated radio bands that otherwise require licensing instead of social media platforms. The licensing itself keeps me from getting into the hobby, but I still enjoy your content otherwise.

I dislike your premise (centralization as news manipulations). I think I am unsubscribing. You shine when dealing with ham radio and not politics.

Great concept. Use both JS8Call and VarAc. Ideal for weather alerting etc. JS8Call is relatively popular here in VK. Will see if I can get some people interested in doing some field trials.

I am asking the Winlink team to view this and consider its implementation. Great idea and its valid for today and the future. Lloyd KO4L

communications intelligence-abbreviated to COMINT

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks!