Start here

One message.
One signal report.

Make your first test a short, direct exchange with another OpenJSQ station. Start with familiar FSQ on HF or AX1200 on FM; explore other profiles after it works.

Preparing for your first exchange? Check the public release status and meet other operators in the community.

OpenJSQ checks www.openjsq.com for a newer version when it starts, at most once a day. The request reveals your IP address and app version, but sends no callsign or messages. We count these existing checks by app version to understand release adoption, without storing IP addresses or installation identifiers in our statistics database. It downloads and installs nothing. Turn the check off in Settings › About & storage › Updates. Privacy details →

01 · Prepare

Agree on the test.

A 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 computer, an OpenJSQ build, and any licence it requires.
Your radio, audio interface or AX1200 KISS TNC, and working keying.
A partner with a compatible OpenJSQ build; exchange the exact station names shown on Radio.
Agree on a suitable clear frequency, radio mode, and a time to meet.

You choose the frequency with your partner, within your privileges and local band plan. Agree the details with your partner before transmitting.

02 · Radio path

Start with one familiar signal.

HF · SSB audio

FSQ-3

Use USB or USB data, classic FSQ-3, and the conventional 1500 Hz audio position. Both stations should use the same center for this first test.

Set FSQ drive with Tune into a dummy load, keeping ALC barely moving. Stop tuning before the exchange.

HF setup and levels →

VHF / UHF · FM

AX1200

Use standard 1200-bit/s packet on an agreed simplex channel. Choose Built-in audio for an audio interface, or your external KISS TNC.

Select Dedicated OpenJSQ channel for this test. APRS coexistence suppresses automatic signal reports, so it does not suit this exercise.

FM setup and levels →

These starting choices follow the OpenJSQ 1.0.9 operator guide. They are starting settings, not a guarantee of reception.

03 · Connect

Set up, then listen.

Your stationEnter the callsign licensed for this copy.
Radio connectionChoose FSQ audio, AX1200 audio, or AX1200 through a KISS TNC; configure the devices and keying.
Station styleA new install starts on Community: it answers questions, carries and repeats for other stations, and holds mail for stations that are off the air, within an airtime budget. Pick Careful if you want it only to answer, or Performance for larger allowances; Settings changes it later. The receiving partner must allow a signal-report reply.
Listen, then finishCheck incoming audio. On Radio, check the displayed station identity, transmit level, and Live status before sending.

Optional CAT control: connect through flrig or Hamlib rigctld for frequency and mode control, live radio readouts, and optional CAT PTT. Start the backend and connect it to your radio first, then choose it under Radio → Rig control. CAT setup guide →

See the Radio page and full setup guide

Example OpenJSQ Radio page showing audio and waveform controls — Example controls after setup; no real audio device is selected in this image.

Wizard and equipment guide →

04 · First exchange

Send a greeting.
Get a report back.

Finish steps 1–3 above at both stations. Keep this test direct, with one short message and no relay.

Press Start radio, and check Channel for received traffic.
In Chats, open a conversation with the partner’s exact station name, and send a short greeting.
Have the partner confirm the greeting and send a short reply.
Choose Actions → Ask for a signal report in that conversation.
Look for the partner’s report in Chats, and check the waveform and signal details on the incoming reply.

No reply? Check these first ↓

05 · Next

Try one useful task.

With the same partner, leave a letter for later or send a small file. Check the reported result before changing profiles.

Other modes and receive behavior

JG25 is experimental. Establish audio and keying with AX1200 first, then use the JG25 quick start with a compatible build at both ends.

You need not select the same transmit mode when both stations have the appropriate receivers enabled. Receive and reply behavior → · All modem choices →

For experienced digital operators

Coming from JS8Call or FSQ?

Try OpenJSQ for a shared chat, mail, and file workflow across its supported modems. Your existing software remains the way to reach peers using a waveform or service OpenJSQ does not support.

On a narrow screen, scroll the comparison sideways. With a keyboard, focus it and use the arrow keys.

What carries over, and what changes
Question	From JS8Call	From fldigi / FSQCall
My equipment?	An SSB radio and audio interface can be reused for FSQ, with OpenJSQ’s own device, keying, and level setup.	The FSQ radio/audio path carries over; configure it in OpenJSQ.
My contacts?	OpenJSQ does not decode JS8. Arrange a compatible station for a JSQ exchange.	Use classic FSQ at the conventional 1500-Hz audio center with fldigi/FSQCall for text and supported legacy actions. Fast profiles need Fast decoding support; full JSQ services require a peer application that implements them.
Timing?	JS8Call uses aligned transmission windows and offers clock-drift tools. OpenJSQ’s supported modems acquire each transmission without those intervals.	FSQ keeps its arrival-based reception; no synchronized transmission intervals are added.
Delivery?	Check the evidence for each OpenJSQ service: Sent, acknowledged delivery, and mail custody mean different things.	FSQ chat remains best effort. Whole-file verification and mailbox custody are separate services between capable stations.

This is a workflow and compatibility guide, not a sensitivity ranking. Compatibility details · Delivery evidence · JS8Call user guide

Troubleshooting

Five quick checks.

Find what you’re seeing.
Get back to the conversation.

Open a check for the next thing to try.

ReceptionNothing appears in Channel?

Confirm the partner is transmitting on your agreed frequency and radio mode. Check squelch, input device, receive level, and the FSQ center or AX1200 link.

Audio connectionAX1200 shows no audio devices?

In Radio → AX1200 → Radio link, select Built-in audio for an audio interface. An external KISS TNC handles the audio itself.

TransmissionThe radio receives but does not transmit?

Check the callsign licence, keying, audio output, and Radio → Live status.

Automatic repliesThe greeting arrives but no signal report returns?

Check the exact recipient name and the partner’s automatic-answer policy. On AX1200, check that you are using Dedicated OpenJSQ channel, not APRS coexistence.

Receive modesTraffic is on another modem?

Check that the receiver has the sender’s waveform and speed enabled. Audio multi-receive does not require matching transmit selections. Manual replies use the selected transmit waveform; a KISS-only link receives AX1200 only.

Still need a hand?Equipment checklist →Ask the community →