WSQCall Operating Rules

Maximising the benefits of WSQCall

V1.00, 17.11.2017

WSQCall Operating Rules

  1. In Directed mode (SELCAL ON), you must use a Direction (target) callsign in the message body of every sentence for the other station to see a message. The primary recipient callsign must be the first thing placed in the sentence.
  2. All users should set their callsign (Menu/Options/Callsign) in lower case. The command parser is case sensitive, so using upper case or mixed case callsigns leads to confusion. The callsign thus set becomes the station's Direction (target) callsign, and must not include any forbidden characters (the trigger characters and reserved characters etc). There can be unexpected results if you use "/" or "\" or "-" as callsign extension separators (e.g. zl1xyz/2) for various reasons to do with parsers and file naming. The only universally safe separator is underscore "_".
  3. The Direction (target) callsign used in commands will only work if it matches the case used by the intended recipient. Some stations may not be following Rule B. Check the callsign in your Heard List, or call it from there with the mouse.
  4. The Direction (target) callsign MUST be followed immediately by a specified trigger character, or the command will be ignored. Space is considered the trigger only for chat sentences and may not be used before, or in conjunction with, other command triggers.
  5. All stations within a network must have unique callsigns. Calls such zl1ee_1 and zl1ee_p are permitted, and are treated as different to zl1ee.
  6. You should not give two commands to the same station within the same sentence. Only one will be actioned. This also applies to allcall, which is also considered its own callsign by the receiving station.
  7. You should not include your own callsign, or another callsign, more than once, in a relay message (! or ~ command).
  8. You should always wait until the channel is clear before transmitting.
  9. WSQCall commands will not work unless both originating station and recipient (and any relay station) are in Active mode. If you are not confident you can abide by the rules, and follow the appropriate syntax (if for example you are a beginner), change to 'vanilla WSQ' mode, by releasing the SELCAL button. You don't really need Directed mode to chat, but in doing so you lose a lot of features, and Directed messages will not occur unless originating and recipient stations are in Directed mode (SELCAL ON).
  10. Sounding should be kept to a minimum on calling channels. A 30 minute period is plenty. Smart Sounding and extended Sounding messages should not be used on busy channels.
  11. Don't request or send files larger than just a few words, as this would tie up the transmitter and channel for long periods. Some transmitters may get very hot after even a few minutes operation.

Non-Directed Chat

WSQCall transmit and receive behaviour depends on two settings, the SELCAL button and the Options/Suppress callsign in non-directed mode setting.

1. Directed Mode (SELCALL pressed, default)

  • Transmission starts with callsign and checksum preamble (e.g. zl1ee:fc any text or command)
  • Reception is screened by SELCALL and only placed on receive screen (in blue) if message is for recipient.
  • Heard Log and WSQPlot report incoming stations.
2. Non-Directed Mode (SELCALL released), Suppress callsign ON (default)
  • Transmission starts with no preamble at all (e.g. any text)
  • Everything received is placed on receive screen (in green).
  • Heard Log and WSQPlot are ineffective.
3. Non-Directed Mode (SELCALL released), Suppress callsign OFF
  • Transmission starts with originator callsign and colon (e.g. zl1ee: any text)
  • Everything received is placed on receive screen (in green).
  • Heard Log and WSQPlot are ineffective.
Use Mode (1) whenever practical, and always return to it when the station is unattended.

The purpose of modes (2) and (3) is to reduce the overhead in quick exchanges. If you use the second of these modes (SELCALL released, Suppress callsign ON), transmissions need to be manually identified by other means as often as legally required. Preferably don't use this mode with more than two stations on the channel. The Heard Log and WSQplot do not work with stations in modes (2) and (3).

Suppressed callsign option has no effect in Directed mode.

Calling Frequencies

Region 1
630m     To be advised
2200m   To be advised
Region 2
630m     To be advised
2200m   To be advised
Region 3
630m     472.500 kHz
2200m   To be advised

Calling frequencies quoted are 'dial' frequencies for 1500 Hz centred tones. Note that all operation is on USB.

It is suggested that working frequencies (where needed) be 100 Hz above or below the calling frequencies. Local arrangements can be made for all LF/MF bands.


Copyright © Murray Greenman and Con Wassilieff 2013-2017. All rights reserved.