@SITREP JS8Spotter Settings

JS8Spotter is a very powerful tool, and much of that power comes from its flexibility. That flexibility means that in order for people to freely communicate using JS8Spotter, they need to have some settings and MCForm files in common. This is an effort to set some standards that will enable that.
★ Our focus here is on Emergency Communications use.

First, some key points:

• This is not a net – this is a collection of settings and files that enable anyone who includes them in their JS8Spotter to easily share information.
• This is not a membership group. There is no roster or check-ins or controlling authority. Everyone who will, is encouraged to include them in their JS8Spotter settings.
• @SITREP is a generic Group Name for anyone to use to connect with other JS8Spotter users. Including @SITREP in the “Allowed” field lets people connect without having to know the call signs of other users.
• While the SitRepNet project is focused on JS8Call and JS8Spotter, JS8 is not the only tool in our kit. Use FLDIGI modes (such as MFSK32) for passing text-heavy reports.
• This is an independent project; it has no connection with any other group or net.

Primary Frequency Selection

Set Waterfall to 2300
• 7.078 – JS8Call Primary
• 7.107 – Used by @GHOSTNET (a decentralized network)
Rationale: 7.078 is the most widely-used JS8 frequency and is the standard JS8 Calling Frequency. 7.107 is used by GhostNet, which is also based on a decentralization model, providing some overlap between SitRepNet and GhostNet. Are there other frequencies that are logical choices? Yes, but more than 1 or 2 frequencies quickly defeats the purpose of knowing where to reach other SitRepNet stations.

Expect Subsystem

MCForms included in the Expect Subsystem will vary depending on the situation. A disaster or crisis situation would call for adding some (or all) of the more specialized MCForms to the list. Along with the “*” be sure to include any groups you are associated with in the Allowed column, separated by a comma. This allows others in your group to retrieve text without having to know the call sign of everyone in the group. Use @SITREP as a generic group – similar to “AllCall”.

Expect System Descriptions

Expect System Examples

What it Means

This is a very basic list – adding other MCForms to your Expect list is always a good idea. The URL expect is optional, but helpful.
Other Expect commands, such as WX are also commonly used.
❒ Copy sample Expect statements to import into JS8Spotter. After importing, be sure to open each and modify as needed to your situation; that will also update the date code. Delete any items that you don’t want included.

MCForms

Download all MCForms and add them – even if you don’t expect to use them yourself. You want to be able to receive anything that someone else sends.
★ If MCForms are needed at a time when the internet is unavailable, they can be sent using FLAMP.

❒ Download selected MCForms or download all MCForms with supporting docs in .ZIP compressed file.
❒ MCForms Descriptions and Uses
❒ SitRepNet Macros for FLDIGI (.mdf file) – Use MCForm F!106 to schedule an impromptu net and let others know about it. Use this full set of macros for NCS of an impromptu SitRepNet using FLDIGI modes.

MCForm Updates

When new MCForms are added or other updates are needed, they will be announced through JS8Call using the @SITREP callsign group, and as traffic on FLDIGI nets.

JS8Call Settings

Settings > General > Station > Callsign Groups – add @SITREP as well as any groups you participate in.

Following is copied directly from the JS8Spotter Manual:
• In JS8Call, load the settings by pressing “F2”, or by using the “File>Settings” menu item
• Visit the “Reporting” tab
• Make sure the “Allow setting station information…” check box is enabled
• Make sure the “Enable TCP Server API” check box is enabled
• Make sure the “Accept TCP Requests” check box is enabled
• Take note of the “TCP Server Hostname” and “TCP Server Port” values

Profiles

You can add any number of Profiles for JS8Spotter to track. One suggestion is to set up one for alerts and another for groups. Example:

❒ Copy sample Alert profile search terms to import into JS8Spotter
❒ Copy sample Groups profile search terms to import into JS8Spotter
⚑ Other Alert search terms to consider: TORNADO, HURRICANE, FIRE, STORM, WARNING, EMERG, HELP, (2-letter abbreviation for your state). Use the Contact page to let us know about other search terms for folks to consider.

Installing JS8Spotter

The JS8Spotter installation files and installation instructions are available here – https://kf7mix.com/js8spotter.html

Installation Notes for Raspberry Pi and Linux

If you get the following error message – ImportError: cannot import name ‘ImageTk’ from ‘PIL’ (/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/PIL/__init__.py)
Run this command – sudo apt-get install python3-pil python3-pil.imagetk

Quick Reference Guides

These Quick Reference Guides are formatted to use as a half-sheet. They work well when laminated.
❏ JS8Spotter Quick Reference, Version 1.0 – Stephen, KN4AM
❏ JS8Spotter MCForms list – Updated MAR 08, 2025. You may want to print this on the two sides of a half-sheet and then laminate it. Stephen, KN4AM
❏ JS8Call Quick Reference, Version 1.2 – Stephen, KN4AM

Tips for using JS8Spotter

• Set View > Highlight Range to a time appropriate for your usage. This will highlight new search terms received.
• Check the Background Scan check box on each profile unless you have a specific reason not to.
• Be sure to watch the Introduction and Training videos on the KF7MIX site.