Keyboard and messaging modes

FT8 is built for one thing: a fast, minimal exchange of call signs, grids and signal reports. It's great for making contacts and useless for saying anything. The programs on this page let you type real messages over the air, store and forward them, or send email by radio. They're popular for emergency communications, off-grid trips and plain conversation.

Independent guide, not affiliated with JS8Call, VarAC, VARA, Winlink, ARSFI or POTA. Versions and terms change. Check each project's site before you install.

Keyboard modes v1.0 · written 2026-10-08 · versions and project pages checked as of Oct 2026

At a glance

JS8Call

JS8Call takes the weak-signal performance of FT8-style signaling and lets you type free text. You can send a directed message to one station, a message to a group, or ask another station to relay a message to someone you can't hear. Heartbeats show who's on the air and who can hear whom.

• Which version? Development continues as JS8Call-improved, a community project that stays compatible with the original JS8Call. As of Oct 8, 2026, the latest full release on its GitHub releases page is v3.0.3 (July 13, 2026 UTC). Newer pre-releases exist. Project home: js8call.com.
• Setup is the same as WSJT-X: USB audio or an interface, CAT control, and an accurate clock. If FT8 already works, JS8Call will too. See WSJT-X for the audio and clock basics.
• It's slow. Long messages take minutes. Write short.
• Automatic replies and relays are part of the design. Know what your station will transmit when you're not watching it. (The automatic-control rules are below.)

VarAC on VARA

VarAC is a chat and messaging program that runs on top of the VARA modem. VarAC handles the conversation, and VARA handles the radio link. Per VarAC's site, it's free to licensed amateur radio operators and is used by more than 90,000 hams in over 100 countries.

• VARA is a separate program by EA5HVK, from the VARA site. VARA HF is designed to work within an SSB bandwidth of 2400 Hz. As of Oct 2026, the VARA page lists VARA HF v4.9.0 and VARA FM v4.4.0. Without a registration key it runs at reduced speed. A paid key unlocks full speed.
• Calling frequencies are published on VarAC's site. Listen before you transmit, as the site itself reminds users.
• It's a real two-way contact. Both operators are at the keyboard.

Winlink

Winlink is radio email. It's run by volunteers under the Amateur Radio Safety Foundation (ARSFI), and it works where the internet doesn't. Per winlink.org:

• How it works: a client program (the site suggests Winlink Express for Windows) connects by radio to a gateway station, called an RMS, which passes the mail to the Winlink system. Peer-to-peer (P2P) connections between two stations also work, with no gateway.
• Modems: VARA HF and VARA FM, ARDOP, packet on VHF/UHF, and PACTOR. Other clients include Pat, which runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. A native macOS client, MacWinlink, entered public beta on Sept 21, 2026.
• Accounts: you need an amateur license, or authorization from a participating government service. GMRS, marine and other licenses don't qualify. Your address is YOURCALL@winlink.org.
• Use it or lose it: accounts with no radio or telnet connection for 400 days are purged. Webmail doesn't count.
• Openness: in keeping with Part 97, Winlink says all messages sent by radio through licensed US amateur stations are readable by other licensed amateurs.

Winlink is a core tool for emergency communications. See Emergency communications for how ARES and RACES use it.

Part 97 rules that apply

• No encryption. §97.113(a)(4) prohibits messages encoded to obscure their meaning. Compression with a published method isn't encryption. Don't add any of your own.
• No business traffic. §97.113(a)(3) prohibits communications in which you have a financial interest, including messages for your employer. There are narrow exceptions, such as limited emergency drills. Radio email makes this easy to break by accident: don't use Winlink to send work messages.
• Automatic control has limits. §97.221 allows automatically controlled data stations on 6 m and shorter bands and in specific HF segments. Elsewhere, an automatic station may only respond to a station under local or remote control, with a bandwidth of 500 Hz or less. Winlink gateways operate under these rules. If your JS8Call or VarAC station auto-replies while you're away, it's under automatic control too.
• Identify as usual (§97.119). The programs send your call sign, but you're responsible for it.
• Stay in your privileges. Technicians have data privileges on HF only on 10 m (28.000–28.300 MHz), plus everything from 50 MHz up. See Technician HF.

Does it count for POTA?

POTA's rules allow all bands and modes your license permits, but each contact must include direct action by both operators. Fully automated contacts are prohibited, and contacts through land repeaters don't count.

• JS8Call or VarAC contact with both operators typing: a real two-way QSO. It can count if the log has what POTA requires.
• JS8Call relays and automatic replies: don't count. A relayed contact isn't direct, and an auto-reply isn't direct action.
• Winlink to a gateway: not a QSO. It's a message delivered to a server. (Some spotting gateways accept Winlink or APRS messages to post your spot. See Dead cell.)

In ADIF, JS8Call contacts are mode MFSK with submode JS8. Check that your logger exports them that way before you upload. See ADIF fields.

Habits / gotchas / checklist

• Clock synced (JS8Call). Audio level just moving the ALC, the same as FT8.
• Listen first on published calling frequencies.
• No business messages, no encryption, no messages for pay.
• Know whether your station will auto-reply or relay while you're away, and whether that's allowed where you're transmitting.
• Winlink account used by radio at least once every 400 days.
• POTA: only direct, operator-to-operator contacts go in the activation log.

Sources (checked Oct 2026)

• JS8Call-improved: js8call.com and GitHub releases.
• VarAC: varac-hamradio.com. VARA modem: rosmodem.wordpress.com.
• Winlink: winlink.org, Winlink Express, Pat.
• 47 CFR §97.113, §97.119 and §97.221 via eCFR.
• POTA rules.