Every setting in one place, and a live dashboard to operate from.

J-Hub is the first thing you see, and it does two jobs. It is a live operating dashboard, and it is the single home for every setting in the suite. There are no per-module config files to keep in step.

The dashboard

The dashboard is enough for a casual operating session on its own. It has J-Log-Quick, a compact QSO entry form with the F1 to F8 macro keys, next to a live DX cluster list you can filter by band, mode and whether you need the station. Saved QSOs sit below, and a right-hand column carries rig and rotor control, amplifier status, propagation and solar and space weather. The space weather card also shows where the sun is: the sub-solar point, its azimuth and elevation, and sunrise and sunset at your station. When you want the full logger, one click opens J-Log.

The ID timer

A small ID button sits at the top right of every module and counts down ten minutes. It turns amber in the last minute and shows ID NOW when time is up. Click it after you identify and the count starts again.

Station and hardware

The Station page holds your callsign, operator name, grid, latitude and longitude, elevation, ITU and CQ zones, IARU region and default power. These details drive band-plan captions and every bearing, gray line and satellite pass in the suite. The same page switches the whole app between metric and US units.

Rig, rotor and amplifier pages all follow the same pattern: choose the model, Hamlib number, interface and port, then decide who runs the daemon. Turn on the “Start rigctld for me” style switch and the suite starts it with your settings. Leave it off and the suite connects to a daemon you run yourself, and never touches it. The Antenna switch page records your switch’s model, connection and port names for reference; J-Hub does not control the switch.

Data in and out

The Data page collects everything that moves information in or out of the station:

  • Log databases: see exactly which database J-Log is using, and archive or restore contest logs.
  • Backup and import: ADIF and CSV export, plus ADIF import that skips QSOs already in the log.
  • Online logs: upload to LoTW through TrustedQSL, eQSL.cc, QRZ Logbook and Club Log.
  • Callsign lookup: Callook.info, HamQTH, QRZ.com XML, QRZCQ, HamCall and a local CSV callbook, tried in order.
  • Feeds: DX cluster pick list and filters, Reverse Beacon Network, and WSJT-X settings.
  • Station macros: the F1 to F8 keys shared across the suite.

Choosing a DX cluster

A drop-down lists seven public clusters: VE7CC, W3LPL, NC7J, K1TTT, W1NR, W1DX and HamQTH. Pick one, or type your own host and port. Only one runs at a time, and if you are connected, the suite moves the connection to the new server. Your choice is remembered for next time.

Macros that know your station

Macros are templates built from your station data, with about 40 tags such as {MYCALL}, {CALL} and {NAME}. CW goes to the rig’s keyer through Hamlib, voice macros key PTT and play an audio file, and RTTY and PSK31 go to the J-Digi modem. A flashing TRANSMITTING light appears in the top bar, and pressing Esc stops sending and drops PTT.

Macro keying has been tested in software, but not yet across a wide range of real radios. Try it on a dummy load first, with your hand near Esc.