Study on application of communication in JS8 mode in the amateur radio high frequency band for telemedicine in the event of a major disaster

Abstract

This study examined the possibility of using a new digital mode, JS8 data transmission method on the 7 MHz band of amateur radio, for telemedicine in the event of a major disaster. JS8 mode allows free exchange of text data simply by installing dedicated software on a PC and connecting it to a commercially available amateur radio. We have been experimenting with this communication method for about a year to see how it could be used in disaster medicine. As a result, we have found that this mode of communication can be used even with poor HF(high-frequency) band communication facilities and in a harsh signal-to-noise environment. Although the data transmission rate is as low as 6.25 bps, the results suggest that it can be applied to telemedicine during disasters if the information to be transmitted is carefully examined.