The WSQCall Syntax is the 'glue' which holds together the automated and selective calling WSQ system. Each command has a one-character trigger, and a carefully specificed message format. The commands are a subset of those used with FSQcall (there are no image commands).
The Trigger Commands, described in detail below, are:
callsign text (Enable print)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print text. The trigger character used is the space following the callsign. You MUST use a space between callsign and message, or the message will not be recognised.
callsign? text (Is station hearing me?)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print text. When squelch closes, station responds: origin_callsign snr=xxdB
callsign* (Enable Directed mode)
Switches station to Directed mode if SELCAL is inactive. Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, station responds: callsign:<crc>, whether it was initially Active or not. Frequently used to check that you have contact with a station.
callsign!message (Repeat or relay my message)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, station responds: callsign:
callsign~ message (Repeat my message later)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, after a delay of about 15 seconds, station responds: callsign:
callsign#[filename.ext] (Send file to station)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. The originator opens the file
from the menu, and file name appended to message before file body text. Or, command, file name and file contents can be typed manually in TX pane. File will be saved at the recipient in, or appended to text file filename.ext in a dedicated message folder. When squelch closes, station responds callsign:
The file name[filename.ext] can be alpha, numeric or mixed, and can include any appropriate file suffix. The file content must be plain text (.txt, .csv, .html etc). File paths are not permitted. It is possible to send the message to all stations using allcall#[filename.ext], but be prepared for mayhem when many stations 'Ack' the message!
Note: If you use no filename suffix, or don't use a valid filename suffix, the recipient will not be able to open the message with the MSG RX button. Unless you know for certain the recipient has other file types registered with the operating system, use only file suffix .TXT.
Messages can be sent by remote telemetry devices using this mechanism, for example "target_callsign#[source_callsign.ext]timestamp,sequence_number,data,data,data...". Each subsequent message to the same filename will be appended to the same file (source_callsign.ext) at the target station. The remote source device should include a sequence number and, where possible, a time stamp in the payload. Again, data must be alphanumeric. The MSGRX light will illuminate when a message has been successfully stored, and the file may be read by clicking on the button. If no appropriate file-type association exists on the computer, the file will not open this way, so you will need to find it in the Shared folder.
callsign+[filename.ext] (Receive file from station)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station sends the requested text file, if found.
The file name must match an existing file (the file name format is the same as for sending a file). The file name [filename.ext] can be alpha, numeric or mixed, and can include any appropriate file suffix. The file content must be plain text (.txt, .csv, .html etc). File paths are not permitted. Only files in the dedicated message folder can be retrieved.
The requested file will be returned using the callsign#[filename.ext] mechanism (Send file to station) previously described. If the file is not found, a 'nak: file filename.ext doesn't exist' message will be returned. Use of allcall as a target for this command is ignored by all recipients
Stations running V0.34 or later will have two index files available: short.callsign and long.callsign. These list the files that are available for retrieving. Obviously the long.callsign contains more detail. You can retrieve these files the same as any other file, for example 'w1xyz+[short.w1xyz]' will retrieve the short file listing from station W1XYZ.
callsign$ (Request station heard list)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, station responds with the current list of stations heard.
callsign@ (Request station position or location information)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes,
station responds with a pre-recorded sentence, typically containing QTH information. This could be GPS position, locator, or physical address. This is the message stored and retrieved by the QTH button.
callsign& (Request station message)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, station responds with pre-recorded sentence, typically containing station information or an 'Out to Lunch' pre-recorded message. This is the message stored by the QTC button.
callsign_ (Request Squelch Setting)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, station responds with current SNR meter Squelch setting (where the yellow line is).
callsign^ (Request Software Version)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. When squelch closes, station responds with current WSQCall software version.
callsign|message (Send alert)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Addressee station starts to print. Alert pop-up box containing message is placed on the screen after the squelch closes. There is no immediate acknowledgement. When the operator closes this dialog, a response transmission is made: origin_callsign Alert ack
allcall text (All stations print)
Squelch opens. SELCAL light comes on. Following text prints at all stations.
callsign> or callsign< (Speed change)
> increases speed, < decreases speed at target station. Response is origin_callsign: 1 baud (or whatever the new speed is). If speed is already at the requested speed, the response is the same and there is no speed change.