These are brief descriptions and suggested uses for the MCForms available for use in JS8Spotter. Some of this, of course, is subjective opinion, but we hope you’ll find this helpful – especially as the number of available MCForms increases.
★ Indicates recently updated MCForm – check release date, and update if needed.
100 – 199 Informational, Informal, Non-Emergency
F!100
Amateur Operator Information F!100
10 Items covering your ham radio interests and activities.
This is a standard MCForm to include in your Expect System options to let others know about you. [JS8Spotter]
F!101
Amateur Station & Equipment Details F!101
9 items describing your radio, antenna, power, modes, and grid-down capabilities.
Used as an Expect System option to let others know details of your station. [JS8Spotter]
F!102
JS8Call Operation Details F!102
6 items about how you use JS8, experience and comfort level, and bands. [JS8Spotter]
F!103
Net Checkin F!103
4 items for a basic, standard net check-in. Use this for JS8 nets unless your net has a custom report. [JS8Spotter]
F!104
@SITREP Basic Check-in F!104 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
6 items for basic check-in and independent information sharing. Designed as a Top Level form that points to any relevant current reports. [KN4AM]
⚑ The @SITREP group tag is used to indicate independent, non-affiliated traffic, as well as use by groups. Including @SITREP in your Expect System Allowed Callsign/Groups (“*,@SITREP” plus any other groups you want, separated by a comma) allows others to “find” you by sending “@SITREP E? CMDS”. This is key to building an effective decentralized information sharing network.
F!105
Information Exchange Planning F!105 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
5 text entry and 6 MC items to initiate information exchange during both normal times and in times of crisis. The focus here is on creating decentralized, independent connections. [KN4AM]
F!106
Impromptu Net Notice F!106 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
1 text entry and 9 MC items to announce details of an impromptu net to address a specific event. It is not for routine scheduled nets. [KN4AM]
• F!106A – Additional information
• F!106F – Frequency for voice or a non-standard digital frequency
300 – 399 Emergency & Emergency Exercise, Situation Reports
F!300
Situation Report F!300
12 items reporting on post-disaster conditions. This is designed for use with a group, rather than individual reporting. Supporting docs (TXT) available for this form. Be sure to read the supporting doc before using this form; it describes multi-part answers which can greatly increase the capabilities of MCForms. Use F!304 or F!301 if reporting as an individual station. [JS8Spotter]
F!301
Field Situation Report F!301
9 items. This covers all the basics in a quick, easy-to-use format. Same as F!304, but includes “Operator reporting for” item. Use F!304 if the “Operator reporting for” item is not needed. [JS8Spotter]
F!302
Hospital Bed Report F!302
8 items reporting available hospital beds by specialty (emergency, pediatrics, burn, etc.). Use this when working with hospitals during a disaster. Typically paired with F!303. [JS8Spotter]
F!303
Hospital Status Report F!303
10 items reporting on the infrastructure required to keep a hospital operational. Includes evacuation and casualty stats. Typically paired with F!302. [JS8Spotter]
F!304
Individual Situation Report F!304
8 items reporting on current infrastructure conditions at your location. This is the primary SitRep for individual reporting, and covers all the basics in a quick, easy-to-use format. Same as F!301, but without “Operator reporting for” item. [JS8Spotter]
➤ If in doubt when reporting on your local conditions, this is the one to use.
F!305
Early Warning Awareness/Alert Report F!305 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
7 items and 4 optional sub-forms. Early Warning Awareness/Alert for an anticipated event in which net activation, further communications, or preparedness actions may be called for, along with net and other followup information. Utilizes the Source and Information Reliability Matrix found in FM 2-22.3 Human Intelligence Collector Operations, Appendix B. [KN4AM]
• F!305A – Description of anticipated event
• F!305B – Anticipated location
F!306
Power Stability Report F!306 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
1 item reporting on electrical power stability at your location over the last 48 hours, plus 1 item on your station backup power capability. [KN4AM]
F!307
Wildfire Status Report – PENDING F!306 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
1 text entry and 6 MC items to report the status of a wildfire. [KE7FST]
500 – 599 Surveys of general conditions, such as supply availability, weather, etc.
F!500
Local Supply Survey F!500 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
15 items used to gauge availability of supplies and level of consumer anxiety. Designed for use during a supply chain disruption, the lead-up to a disaster (hurricane) or crisis (possibility of war or other major disruption). [KN4AM]
F!501
Weather Report, Basic F!501 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
10 items, plus location fields, for reporting on weather conditions. Uses less-precise measurements, but same basic format as F!502. Supporting docs (PDF) provide guidance for visual observation. [KN4AM]
F!502
Weather Report, Detailed F!502 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
10 items, plus location fields, for a more detailed report on weather conditions. This is intended for weather forecasting by WX hobbyists or a “crowd sourced” weather service. Focus is on basic instruments (thermometer, rain gauge, and barometer) and visual observation to make it usable by the largest number of observers. Supporting docs (PDF) provide guidance for visual observation. [KN4AM]
F!505
Area Assessment F!505 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
32 items for a very detailed assessment of an area. Based on the Area Assessment Matrix that was posted on the Forward Observer site. More of a specialty report than general usage due to the level of detail. [KN4AM]
700 – 799 Group and Net forms used by specific groups, not for general use
F!700
4SQRP Net Checkin F!700
6 items used for low power JS8 nets. Learn more and join 4SQRP at https://www.4sqrp.com/
F!701
MAGNET Information & Observation Report F!701 ➤ Use with Ver. 1.15 or higher
6 items and 3 optional sub-forms to report observations and information. Revised 02/27/2025. [MAGNET] – for more information https://magnethf.com/
F!702
SEEN Operator Station & Equipment Details F!702
9 items to report station and equipment details. Used to assess capabilities in both grid-down and “normal” operating environments. [SEEN] – for more information https://www.senetwork.us/
