Instructions for obtaining help:
Help on Basic Commands:
To find out how to enter the required information about yourself,
enter H N
To LIST messages that have been received by the MailBox since you last
checked in, enter: L
To LIST recent messages, enter: LL xx (xx = the number of messages
you want to list.) Example: LL 15 will list the last 15 messages.
To READ a message, enter: R, a space, and the message number.
Example: to read message 4350, enter: R 4350
To SEND a message to another ham who uses this MailBox, enter:
SP , a space, and the station callsign.
Example: SP W0RLI
To SEND a message to a station who uses another MailBox, enter:
SP, the callsign of the receiving station, @, the callsign of the
ham's MailBox, a period, and the 2 letter state abbreviation.
Example: SP N2XYZ @ W2ABC.NY (Note the spacing!)
To KILL (erase) a message, enter K and the message number.
Example: to erase message 6112, enter: K 6112
To log off the MailBox (to say goodbye), enter: B (or just disconnect).
H (Help) - Provides information on how to use each of the MailBox commands.
H - (Entered by itself) - Gives you information and instructions on
how to use the various help commands.
H x - Gives a detailed explanation of the command designated by x.
H * - Gives the complete HELP document (it runs 12 pages) with a
detailed explanation of all commands on this MailBox.
Use the command H SERV for information on extended MailBox services.
B - BYE ------ Disconnect from the MailBox.
C - COPY MSG - Make a copy of a message for another station.
D - DOWNLOAD - Download files. (Read files that are in the MailBox.)
E - EDIT TFC - Edit the message header (TO, FROM, etc.) of an NTS message.
H - HELP ----- Help in using the commands available on this MailBox.
I - INFO ----- Information on the computer, software and hardware.
I -(with call) Information from the user database for that callsign.
K - KILL ----- Kill (erase) messages.
L - LIST ----- List messages. (Several variations available.)
N - NAME ----- Enter your Name, QTH, Zip, Home MailBox into WP database.
R - READ ----- Read messages.
S - SEND ----- Send messages, and STATUS --- Show System Status.
T - TALK ----- Talk to the sysop.
U - UPLOAD --- Upload files. (Put files into the MailBox.)
V - VERSION -- Find out what version of the W0RLI MailBox program is on line.
W - WHAT ----- List file directories and file names.
Some commands require added information after the command letter.
For detailed information on a specific command, enter H x, where x is the command letter. Example: H L will give you information for LIST.
Use the command H SERV for information on extended MailBox services.
B - Log off the MailBox. This will return you to the node, if the system is configured to do so. Disconnecting from the MailBox will also log you out.
C - Gets a Cookie!
CB # CALL - Copy bulletin # to another CALL.
CC # CALL - Carbon Copy message number to a CALL or Series of CALLS
Example - CC 123 N6MPW W0RLI N6QRM.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NOAM KD6EUK
CP # CALL - Copy message # to CALL. Same syntax as S command.
Example - CP 123 kb6dui.
CR CALL - "Check Routes" to CALL. Checks against WP and FWD.MB to show what forwarding route will be taken.
D (Download) - Use for downloading (reading) files. Each file in the MailBox is placed in one of the MailBox's several file areas. Each file area is identified by a letter or number, called the directory ID. The D command must be used with a directory ID and filename using the following form: Dx filename. x is the directory ID and the filename must be entered exactly as listed in the directory.
Example: DG FCCEXAMS.90 will get you a file in the G directory named FCCEXAMS.90. Under "help" for the W command (H W) you will find information on listing the directories and the contents of each.
I - Gives a paragraph on the hardware, software, and rf facilities of this MailBox station.
I CALL - Query the local WP database for all info on call. Example: I N1HAM.
I@ BBS - List users at home MailBox BBS or Hierarchical location. Wildcards may be used.
Examples: I@ N6IYA, I@ CA, I@ HB9*
IZ ZIP - List users at ZIP code. Wildcards may be used. Example: IZ 950*
NOTE: For a detailed explanation of data displayed by the various I commands, enter: H IMORE.
The information you receive with the various I commands is part of the MailBox "White Pages", and is gathered from three sources: by users of this MailBox entering information with the N, NH, NQ and NZ commands, from "WP" messages originated by other systems, and from the routing headers of messages that pass through this system.
Call - the callsign of the station.
First - the date the software first heard about the station. If it's shown as 800101, the station was already a user of this MailBox
before this feature was developed and no date is available.
Last - the day the station logged in last, if a local user, or the last day any information was received on the station.
Login - the last day the station logged into this MailBox. If the date 800101 is shown, the station has never logged in to this MailBox.
Seen - the total number of times the information has been updated either by check-in or by message.
Hm BBS - the "Home MailBox" used by the station.
BEGLISX - B = a station that can use the "MailBox only" ports of this MailBox. Entered by sysop.
E = Expert User. Turned on or off with the NE command.
G = Guess as to home bbs of callsign.
L = Local BBS
I = a MailBox, as received from routing header of a message.
S = station has remote sysop privileges.
X = an excluded user of this system.
? = none of the above.
The other items are self-explanatory.
The J command shows the calls of stations that have recently logged in to the MailBox.
K n1 n2 n3 ... - Kills messages numbered n1 n2 n3 ... Example: K 327 Kills message # 327.
Example: K 327 389 623 Kills messages 327, 389, 623
KM - Kills all messages addressed to you, that you have read.
Lists messages newest to oldest. "Personal" messages not to or from you will not be listed.
L - List all new messages since your last log-in.
LC - List Categories of new Bulletins.
LC ; - List all Categories of Bulletins.
LC XXX - List new Bulletins in Category XXX.
LC XXX ; - List all Bulletins in Category XXX.
LL # - List the newest # messages. Example: LL 10. Lists newest 10 messages.
LM - "List Mine". Lists all messages TO you.
LT - List all NTS traffic.
L> call - List all messages to this callsign. Example: L> WA6OCV. Lists all messages to WA6OCV.
L< call - List all messages from this callsign. Example: L< N7EQN. Lists all messages from N7EQN.
L@ call - List all messages addressed at this MailBox callsign.
Example: L@ AMSAT. Lists all messages at AMSAT.
Example: L@ CA. Lists all messages destined for California.
Use "H LX" for information on other L commands.
L # - List all messages back to message #. Example: L 325. Lists all messages to # 325.
L # # - List all messages between the two message numbers.
Example: L 325 335. Lists all messages between 325 and 335.
LA # - List the oldest # messages. Example: LA 10. Lists oldest 10 messages.
LB - List all bulletins.
LF - List all messages that have been forwarded.
LI BID - List messages by BID.
LO - List all "old" messages.
LP - List all personal messages.
LS KEY - List messages with KEY in their subject. Wildcards allowed.
LY - List all messages that have been read.
An additional field at the end of the command gives optional list style:
Semi-colon means list ALL information about the messages.
Example: "LL 10 ;" Will also list the BID and cc: list.
Example: "LC ;" Will list all Bulletin Catagories on the system.
The N commands are used to enter your personal information into the user database ("White Pages").
N - Displays your current settings.
N xxxx - Enter your first name into user data base.
NC - Toggle "Cookie at Login".
NH xxxx - Enter your "Home MailBox'. (Aids in routing mesages to you.)
NK xxxx - Change number of days messages you have read are retained.
NM - Toggle "See Message of the Day at Login".
NN - Toggle "Check for New Messages at Login".
NP - Toggle short / long prompts.
NQ xxxx - Enter your QTH.
NZ xxxx - Enter your ZIP or postal code. (Aids in routing mesages to you.)
NL nn - Number of lines on your screen.
R n1 n2 n3 ... - Read messages numbered n1, n2, n3 ...
Example: R 325. Reads message 325
Example: R 12 132 475. Reads messages 12, 132, 475.
RH n1 n2 n3 ... - Read messages numbered n1, n2, n3 ..., showing all routing headers.
Example: See R above.
RM - "Read Mine". Read all your unread messages.
S (System Status) - An S sent by itself will give you the status of the MailBox tasks, ports and forwarding. The status report shows what tasks and ports are in use and callsigns of stations using them. Also shown is a list of callsigns and designators for all messages awaiting delivery.
SB, SP, SR and ST - SEND (Send Bulletin, Send Personal, Send Reply and Send Traffic). The SEND command must be used in one of the following forms:
SB - Send a bulletin intended to be read by anyone interested.
SP - Send a personal message to another ham.
SR - Send a reply message to the message you just read.
ST - Send NTS traffic.
For detailed help on these commands, enter as appropriate:
H SB H SP H SR or H ST
SB - The SB command is used to send to send a general bulletin that can be read by anyone. You specify two things when you send a bulletin:
The CATAGORY of information, and the DISTRIBUTION for the bulletin.
SB CAT @ DIST
SB IBMPC @ USA - A bulletin of interest to IBM PC users everywhere.
SB EXAMS @ PNW - A bulletin about exams in the Pacific NortWest.
SB HELP @ PDX - A reqest for help sent to the Portland area.
SB WANT @ ALLUSW - Sent everywhere in the Western USA.
Note: If you are entering an ARRL bulletin, AMSAT bulletin, "W5YI Report", or a similar message that has a Bulletin ID (BID) assigned to it, please enter that BID as part of the SEND command line.
The BID is entered immediately after the forwarding designator, preceded by a dollar sign ($). Example: If you are entering an ARRL Bulletin that has a BID of ARLB0512 assigned to it, you would enter the message as follows: SB ARRL @ USA $ARLB0512.
SP xxxx - Send a "personal" message to station xxxx at this MailBox. Example: SP WB6HAM
A personal message can be read only by you, the sysop and the addressee.
SP xxxx @ yyy.st - send message to station xxxx at MailBox yyy in state st. Example: SP KC3XC @ N4QQ.MD
SP xxxx @ yyy.#region.st.country.continent - send a message to station xxxx at MailBox yyy in the state, country and continent indicated. This last format is the full "packet address" or "hierarchial location."
Example: SP WB9LOZ @ W6PW.CA.USA.NA
NOTES:
SR is used to send a reply message to the originator of a message you have just read. It will automatically include the callsign, home MailBox and subject. This command can only be used as the first command after you have just read a message. Simply enter SR after you read a message if you wish to reply to it.
SR nnn can be used to reply to message number nnn.
ST ZZZZZ @ NTSxx - Send a message through the National Traffic System.
ZZZZZ = Zip code of destination city.
NTSxx = xx is the two letter state or province abbreviation.
Example: ST 60625 @ NTSIL
NOTES:
NTS
There is exactly ONE way to address an NTS message so that it will travel through the packet MailBox system correctly:
ST ZIP @ LOC
ZIP is the zip code of the addressee. LOC is the standard NTS designator for the addressee's state. These designators are usually NTSxx where xx is the two letter state abbreviation.
There MUST be only one NTS message per packet message. i.e. "book traffic" is not supported.
If you place some further useful information in the message subject, it will help the delivering station as well as the relay stations. A town name, telephone area code and exchange, etc. are all useful.
T - Chat with the Sysop.
Any command or Return before the request times out will return you to the normal MailBox prompt.
Ux (Upload) - Use for uploading (sending) a file to the MailBox. x is the ID of the directory you want to upload the file to. (Use the W command for a list of directories and their IDs.) Enter Ux followed by the filename you're assigning to the file.
Example: UG FLEAMKT.INF would upload a file named FLEAMKT.INF into the G directory area.
NOTES:
V - Show what version of the MailBox is running.
W (What) - Gives you a list of the file directories and a description of the topic that is found in each. Each directory is identified by a single character called the directory ID.
Wx - Gives you a list of the files in the directory with identifier x. Example: WS will list the files in the S Directory.
Wx ffffffff.fff - Lists all files in directory x that are described by ffffffff.fff. This command accepts traditional DOS global commands, such as the asterisk, as a wildcard, and is only useful used that way.
Example: WI *DX*.* will list all files in the I directory with DX somewhere in the name before the dot. (WI *.* is the same as just WI)
NOTES:
Special characters in the pattern are:
* -- Matches 0 or more characters of any type.
@ -- Matches any alpha character (a..z, A..Z).
! -- Matches any digit (0..9).
+ -- Matches any alphanumeric character (A..z, A..Z, 0..9).
? -- Matches any single character.
" -- Escape. The next character in the pattern must match the character in the target exactly. Wild cards will not be interpreted.
Examples:
97* -- Will match anything starting with 97 such as 97068,
97123, 97ABC, and 97.
97??? -- Will match anything that starts with 97 and is 5 characters
long. 97068 will match but 9706 will not.
97!!! -- Will match anything that starts with 97 and has 5 digits.
97068 will match but 97ABC will not.
@!@@@ -- Will match a 5 character US callsign such as W0RLI, N6IYA, etc.
VE!@@@ -- Will match standard Canadian callsigns.
"!"* -- Will match *!
!* -- Will match anything that starts with a digit.
WP - WP (white pages) - See I command for local queries.
For WP server Query enter message to WP. Example:
sp wp @ N6IYA <enter>
query <enter>
callsign ? <enter>
cntrl Z <enter>
There is help information for some of the existing servers.
Use the following commands to obtain that information:
H FILEX - Remote File Exchange services.
H REQDIR - Remote directory listings.
H REQFIL - Remote file download via message.
H REQQTH - Request callbook information.
H REQWP - Request White Pages information.
H HB - Request callbook information.
H SAM - Request callbook information.
FILEX is a general purpose Remote File Exchange server. It supplies remote directory listings, downloads files to you via return message, and uploads files you send via message. Directory listing and file download are handled using the familiar REQDIR / REQFIL protocols. Any number of directory and download requests can be made in a single message. Example:
SP FILEX @ W0RLI
wa
do or.net
/EX
Files are uploaded one file per message. The message subject must be the appropriate MailBox upload command. The file you wish to upload is placed in the message text. Example:
SP FILEX @ W0RLI
uo ntsnets.or
The following is an up-to-date listing of all NTS nets in Oregon.
Please send updates to W7QRN @ N7QRM.
<lots more text>
/EX
See H REQDIR, H REQFIL, H D, H U, and H W for further information.
To get a return message containing a list of all available directory areas:
SP REQDIR @ W0RLI
w
/EX
To get a listing of files in specific directory areas, you put the "W" commands in the message Subject and/or the message text. Example:
SP REQDIR @ W0RLI
wg
wp
/EX
See H FILEX for more information on remote file services.
See H W for more information on directory commands.
SP REQFIL @ BBS will generate return messages containing the files you request. The files are specified in the message Subject and/or the message text. Use the standard download format.
Example:
SP REQFIL @ W0RLI
ds reqdir.c
do oregon.net
dp ditdah.c
/EX
See H FILEX for more information on remote file services.
See H D for more information on the download commands.
Thanks to Buckmaster Publishing's new HAM CD, the WA4ONG REQQTH server can provide information on any US callsign.
Here is the format for requests:
SP REQQTH @ WA4ONG.VA.USA.NA
Enter message subject:
call,call,call,call,call@myhomeMailBox
enter message text
/EX
Calls can be seperated by commas or blank spaces. Any request not comforming to this format will probably go into that great bit bucket in the sky!
Enjoy!
Jim WA4ONG
HB accesses callbook information provided by the J-Com HamBase database.
Here is the format for requests:
SP HB @ W0RLI.OR.USA.NA
Any message subject will do.
The message text is any number of callsigns per line, separated by spaces.
/EX
SAM accesses callbook information provided by the RT Systems SAM database.
Here is the format for requests:
SP SAM @ W0RLI.OR.USA.NA
Any message subject will do.
The message text is any number of callsigns per line, separated by spaces.
/EX
Sending a message to REQWP @ BBS will query the WP database at BBS, and return a message to you with the results of that query. The message you send should have the "I" commands for the queries you would like to do. The commands I, I@, IH, and IZ are supported in this way. See "H I" for details of the I commands.
An example message would look like this:
SP REQWP @ N6IYA
<any old subject will do>
I@ W0RLI
IZ 97*
/EX
Note that each sysop limits the size of the response message, so you may not get all the information you requested. For example, if you requested IZ *, you would get only the first 50-100 calls that matched, instead of the entire 47,000 callsigns in the database.