minor changes to user manual

[spider.git] / txt / usermanual.txt

  The DXSpider User Manual
  Ian Maude, G0VGS, (ianmaude@btinternet.com)
  Version 1.0, March 2001

  A complete reference for users of the DXSpider DXCluster program.
  ______________________________________________________________________

  Table of Contents


























































  1. Introduction

     1.1 What is a DX Cluster?
     1.2 So what is DXSpider?

  2. Logins and logouts.

     2.1 AX25 logins.
     2.2 Netrom logins.
     2.3 Telnet logins.
     2.4 Logouts.

  3. Setting your personal details.

  4. Getting and posting DX.

     4.1 Receiving DX.
     4.2 Posting DX.

  5. Headings and propagation

     5.1 Sun
     5.2 Moon
     5.3 Heading

  6. Announcements.

     6.1 Making announcements.
     6.2 Listing announcements.

  7. Nodes and users.

  8. Talk mode.

  9. Mail.

     9.1 The "directory" command.
     9.2 Reading mail.
     9.3 Sending mail.
     9.4 Replying to mail.
     9.5 Deleting mail

  10. Filtering (From version 1.45)

     10.1 General filter rules
     10.2 Types of filter
     10.3 Filter options
     10.4 Advanced filtering

  11. Hints, tips and common questions.

  12. The DXSpider command reference

     12.1 accept/announce
     12.2 accept/spots
     12.3 accept/wcy
     12.4 accept/wwv
     12.5 announce
     12.6 announce full
     12.7 apropos
     12.8 bye
     12.9 clear/spots
     12.10 dbavail
     12.11 dbshow
     12.12 directory
     12.13 dx
     12.14 help
     12.15 kill
     12.16 links
     12.17 read
     12.18 reject/announce
     12.19 reject/spots
     12.20 reject/wcy
     12.21 reject/wwv
     12.22 reply
     12.23 send
     12.24 set/address
     12.25 set/announce
     12.26 set/beep
     12.27 set/dx
     12.28 set/dxgrid
     12.29 set/echo
     12.30 set/here
     12.31 set/homenode
     12.32 set/language
     12.33 set/location
     12.34 set/logininfo
     12.35 set/name
     12.36 set/page
     12.37 set/qra
     12.38 set/qth
     12.39 set/talk
     12.40 set/wcy
     12.41 set/wwv
     12.42 set/wx
     12.43 show/date
     12.44 show/dx
     12.45 show/dxcc
     12.46 show/files
     12.47 show/filter
     12.48 show/moon
     12.49 show/muf
     12.50 show/prefix
     12.51 show/qra
     12.52 show/qrz
     12.53 show/route
     12.54 show/satellite
     12.55 show/sun
     12.56 show/time
     12.57 show/wcy
     12.58 show/wwv
     12.59 sysop
     12.60 talk
     12.61 type
     12.62 who
     12.63 wx


  ______________________________________________________________________

  1\b1.\b.  I\bIn\bnt\btr\bro\bod\bdu\buc\bct\bti\bio\bon\bn

  1\b1.\b.1\b1.\b.  W\bWh\bha\bat\bt i\bis\bs a\ba D\bDX\bX C\bCl\blu\bus\bst\bte\ber\br?\b?

  A DX Cluster is a packet node where DX chasers on any band or mode can
  post rare or interesting stations that they have worked or heard.  Of
  course other people are doing the same thing too, so you can find new
  DX as well as telling others about the stations you have worked.
  Clusters tend to be linked to each other so that the amount of people
  using them is increased, thereby increasing the amount of posted DX.
  Other information can be found on clusters such as on-line call books,
  mail etc.  You can talk to other stations connected to the cluster
  network too, in real time, whether at the node you are logged into or
  on another node connected to the network.  You can also use converse
  mode, where several stations can talk to each other in the same way.
  Of course, the DX is still posted to you all the while!


  1\b1.\b.2\b2.\b.  S\bSo\bo w\bwh\bha\bat\bt i\bis\bs D\bDX\bXS\bSp\bpi\bid\bde\ber\br?\b?

  PacketCluster nodes have been around since roughly 1985. The original
  PacketCluster idea came from Dick Newell, AK1A, and ran under DOS.  In
  about 1992 Dick stopped the development of the PacketCluster software
  for amateur radio. Many systems are still using this relatively old
  DOS software today.

  There are several new compatible cluster programs around now,
  including DXSpider.  DXSpider is a clone of PacketCluster software
  that runs under the Linux operating system.  Linux is fast becoming
  the choice for amateur radio stations because of it's flexibility,
  reliability and the lack of the memory limitations of DOS.  Linux
  supports multitasking and is also multiuser. It has support for AX25,
  ROSE, NetROM and TCPIP built in, making it the ideal choice for
  amateur radio.  It is also totally free!

  DXSpider was conceived and begun in 1998 by Dirk Koopman, G1TLH as an
  exercise in perl programming.  It has developed rapidly and today is a
  very powerful cluster program.  It was designed to be totally
  compatible with the AK1A program, although several commands have been
  extended to try and improve functionality.

  This manual is designed to help you become familiar with the commands
  that DXSpider supports and to help you get the best from the program
  so you can enjoy working that rare DX!  As DXSpider is being improved
  all the time, commands will be added as time goes by, so make sure you
  have the most upto date version of this manual.  The latest version
  will always be included with the cluster program so if you are unsure,
  simply ask your sysop.  The manual will also be available on the
  wesite.



  2\b2.\b.  L\bLo\bog\bgi\bin\bns\bs a\ban\bnd\bd l\blo\bog\bgo\bou\but\bts\bs.\b.

  You might not think that there is a lot of point of including a
  section on how to log in and out of DXSpider.  However, you would be
  suprised at the difficulties some people have in simply getting in and
  out of the cluster!

  There are several ways a login might be achieved, dependant on how the
  sysop has DXSpider configured.  It is impossible for me to cover all
  variations but here are the basic ones.


  2\b2.\b.1\b1.\b.  A\bAX\bX2\b25\b5 l\blo\bog\bgi\bin\bns\bs.\b.

  Simplicity itself.  The usual C\bCO\bON\bNN\bNE\bEC\bCT\bT command will log you straight
  into the cluster and you will not have to do anything else.
  Obviously, you will have to connect to the correct callsign.  Some
  nodes use an SSID with their call so you would have to add that.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:



       connect GB7MBC
       connect GB7MBC-1

  2\b2.\b.2\b2.\b.  N\bNe\bet\btr\bro\bom\bm l\blo\bog\bgi\bin\bns\bs.\b.

  There are several possibilities here, dependant on how the sysop has
  configured his system.  If you are connecting via netrom then you are
  most probably connecting from another station.  Listing the nodes in
  that station with the N\bNO\bOD\bDE\bES\bS command will tell you what callsign or
  netrom alias to connect to. Then just issue the connect command from
  there.  It is possible that the netrom alias may connect you to a node
  with an alias for the cluster, such as DXC.  Just type this and you
  will be connected.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:


       connect MBCDX





  2\b2.\b.3\b3.\b.  T\bTe\bel\bln\bne\bet\bt l\blo\bog\bgi\bin\bns\bs.\b.

  Because DXSpider runs under the Linux operating system, it is possible
  to make a direct telnet connection into the cluster.  With telnet
  connections, the source callsign is not seen by DXSpider, so you will
  be asked to login with your callsign.  To telnet to DXSpider, you
  would connect to a specific port.  There is no standard at the moment
  for a cluster telnet port but ask the sysop if you are unsure.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       telnet gb7mbc 8000




  All the above are possible ways of connecting to a DXSpider cluster.
  You may have some or all of these available to you.  There may be one
  or two additional ways to connect dependant on the network local to
  you.  However I am sure you get the idea.


  2\b2.\b.4\b4.\b.  L\bLo\bog\bgo\bou\but\bts\bs.\b.

  Logging out can be done by simply issuing the standard B\bBY\bYE\bE command.

  You could also send a disconnect if you are using AX25, or a C\bCL\bLO\bOS\bSE\bE
  command if you are connected via telnet.  If you do not log out
  gracefully using one of the above commands, you may find you are
  unable to get a full connect next time.  This may also happen if a
  NETRom connection drops.  You may get connected, but nothing else will
  happen because the program thinks you are still connected and will not
  let you connect twice under the same call.  However you could
  reconnect by adding a number to the end of your call, for example
  G0YLM2.  This can be done by either altering your MYCALL setting in
  the TNC or by altering your program configuration.



  3\b3.\b.  S\bSe\bet\btt\bti\bin\bng\bg y\byo\bou\bur\br p\bpe\ber\brs\bso\bon\bna\bal\bl d\bde\bet\bta\bai\bil\bls\bs.\b.

  Once logged in to the cluster, you should set your details so that
  anybody who wishes to contact you can find out who and where you are.
  There are four items to set, your name, qth, location and home node.
  Setting these details also allows the use of the SHOW/HEADING and
  SHOW/SUN commands from within the cluster.  Unless you set your QTH
  and location, these commands cannot function.  Once you have set your
  name, DXSpider will greet you with it next time you login.  Your QTH
  setting is where you live and it is a good idea to add your locator to
  this as the location setting is converted to latitude and longitude
  once inputted.  You can actually set your location in
  latitude/longitude or as a locator.  Setting your home node will tell
  the program where you wish mail to be sent to you.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:



       set/name Ian
       set/qth Morecambe, Lancashire IO84NB
       set/location 48 34 n 12 12 e
       set/qra IO84NB
       set/home gb7mbc





  4\b4.\b.  G\bGe\bet\btt\bti\bin\bng\bg a\ban\bnd\bd p\bpo\bos\bst\bti\bin\bng\bg D\bDX\bX.\b.

  When all is said and done, this is the main function of a DX cluster.
  In its simplest form you can just connect to the node and you will
  start to receive DX spots almost immediately!  You can check on recent
  postings in either a general manner or on a particular band or mode.
  You can even check DX by callsign or a fragment of a callsign.  Of
  course, once you get the hang of things, it is expected that you start
  posting some yourself!  After all, there would be no clusters if
  people did not post DX and you get the added thrill of the hunt!


  4\b4.\b.1\b1.\b.  R\bRe\bec\bce\bei\biv\bvi\bin\bng\bg D\bDX\bX.\b.

  As we have already said, it is possible just to connect to the cluster
  and you will receive spots automatically.  However, you may wish to
  check on spots just posted.  Maybe you wish to see if a particular
  band is open or if a certain callsign is active, perhaps a DXpedition.
  The command to do this is S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/D\bDX\bX.  Without any other arguments, this
  command will output the last 10 spots posted.  It is possible to look
  at more than this, for example the last 20 or 50 spots, by adding the
  number to the command.  You can make it even more specific by adding a
  band in either wavelength or frequency, and/or any additional
  information such as QSL details.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:



       show/dx
       show/dx 5
       show/dx 20




  will show the last 10, 5 and 20 spots received by the cluster
  respectively.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs


       show/dx on 20m
       show/dx 10 on 20m
       show/dx 20 on 20m




  will show the last 5, 10 or 20 spots on 20 metres only.

  It is also possible to check for certain callsigns, or fragments of
  callsigns in the same way.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:



       show/dx g0vgs
       show/dx 10 g0vgs




  would show the last 5 or 10 dx spots containing the callsign g0vgs.


  You can check for DX by offset and also by specifying a comment to
  search for.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:



       show/dx 30-40
       show/dx 14000-14033
       show/dx iota




  would show the spots that arrived between 30 and 40 spots ago and any
  spots with the word _\bi_\bo_\bt_\ba in the comment field.  The case of the
  comment is not important.

  Checking DX posted on a certain day is possible too.  All you have to
  do here is to specify how many days ago it was like this ...

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       show/dx day 30




  It is of course possible to specify multiple arguments.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       show/dx 20 prefix 9a on vhf day 30




  This would show the last 20 spots posted by or about calls with the
  prefix 9a on vhf 30 days ago.

  As you can see the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/D\bDX\bX command is very flexible, so if you are not
  sure whether something will work or not, try it and see!  More
  information can be found in the Command Set section.


  4\b4.\b.2\b2.\b.  P\bPo\bos\bst\bti\bin\bng\bg D\bDX\bX.\b.

  To post DX you use the D\bDX\bX command.  The syntax is shown below.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       dx (frequency) (callsign) (remarks)




  Where frequency is in kilohertz and the callsign is the callsign of
  the station you have worked or heard, (ie not your own callsign!).
  The remarks section allows you to add information like the operators
  name or perhaps a location.  Actually DXSpider will allow the
  frequency and callsign fields to be entered in any order.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       dx 14004 pa3ezl OP Aurelio 599




  In fact, all the following will give the same result...



       dx 14004 pa3ezl OP Aurelio 599
       dx pa3ezl 14004 OP Aurelio 599
       dx pa3ezl 14.004 OP Aurelio 599




  This posting, or callout as it is known, will be forwarded to all
  other connected stations both at the cluster you are connected to and
  other active clusters in the network.  The callout will also be sent
  to you as proof of receipt.


  5\b5.\b.  H\bHe\bea\bad\bdi\bin\bng\bgs\bs a\ban\bnd\bd p\bpr\bro\bop\bpa\bag\bga\bat\bti\bio\bon\bn

  There are three commands in DXSpider to help you get the best DX
  possible.  These are S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/S\bSU\bUN\bN, S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/M\bMO\bOO\bON\bN and S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/H\bHE\bEA\bAD\bDI\bIN\bNG\bG.  These
  commands will only work for you if you have entered your personal
  details.  They use your entered location as a reference, so if you
  have not entered it or have entered it incorrectly they will not
  return the correct information.





  5\b5.\b.1\b1.\b.  S\bSu\bun\bn

  The S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/S\bSU\bUN\bN command can be used in three different ways.  It can be
  used to show sunrise and sunset times for your own station, a
  particular callsign or a prefix.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       show/sun




  The output from this would look something like this ..



       sh/sun                                                                          Location                              Rise   Set      Azim   Elev
       G0VGS  Morecambe, Lancashire          07:08Z 17:39Z  205.3   24.1






       sh/sun 5b4




  would look like this ...



       sh/sun 5b4                                                                      Location                              Rise   Set      Azim   Elev               5B     Cyprus-5B                      04:23Z 15:40Z  244.0   18.8




  You can also specify multiple arguments like this ...



       sh/sun gw4veq 5b4ab zs




  and then the output would look like this ...



       sh/sun gw4veq 5b4ab zs
       Location                              Rise   Set      Azim   Elev
       GW4VEQ Brungwran, Isle of Anglesey IO 07:14Z 17:48Z  204.9   24.9               5B     Cyprus-5B                      04:23Z 15:40Z  244.5   18.3
       ZS     So-Africa-ZS1-ZS               04:31Z 17:28Z  289.9   41.3
       ZS     So-Africa-ZS5-ZS               03:44Z 16:34Z  278.5   32.0
       ZS     So-Africa-ZS6-ZS               03:59Z 16:42Z  277.6   35.0






  5\b5.\b.2\b2.\b.  M\bMo\boo\bon\bn

  The S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/M\bMO\bOO\bON\bN command works in the same way as the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/S\bSU\bUN\bN command.
  This program however, calculates the rise and set times of the moon
  for a prefix or callsign, together with the current azimuth and
  elevation of the sun at these locations.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       show/moon ea




  The output from this command would look like this ..



       sh/moon ea
       Location                              Rise   Set      Azim   Elev RGain dB
       EA     Spain-EA                       08:15Z 20:09Z  257.2    9.5      -0.6




  You can see that the output is similar to the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/S\bSU\bUN\bN command, with
  slightly different fields.


  5\b5.\b.3\b3.\b.  H\bHe\bea\bad\bdi\bin\bng\bg

  The S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/H\bHE\bEA\bAD\bDI\bIN\bNG\bG command works in the same way as the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/S\bSU\bUN\bN and
  S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/M\bMO\bOO\bON\bN commands but outputs beam headings for a specified callsign
  or prefix.  Reciprocal beam headings are also calculated.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be



       show/heading zl




  The output from this command would look like this ..



       sh/heading zl
       ZL New-Zealand-ZL1-ZL: 7 degs - dist: 11238 mi, 18087 km Reciprocal heading: 355 degs
       ZL New-Zealand-ZL2-ZL: 9 degs - dist: 11540 mi, 18574 km Reciprocal heading: 353 degs
       ZL New-Zealand-ZL3-ZL: 19 degs - dist: 11634 mi, 18724 km Reciprocal heading: 345 degs
       ZL New-Zealand-ZL4-ZL: 34 degs - dist: 11783 mi, 18963 km Reciprocal heading: 332 degs





  6\b6.\b.  A\bAn\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\bem\bme\ben\bnt\bts\bs.\b.

  6\b6.\b.1\b1.\b.  M\bMa\bak\bki\bin\bng\bg a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\bem\bme\ben\bnt\bts\bs.\b.

  Occasionally, you may wish to post something that does not fall into
  the normal parameters for a DX callout.  You may wish to tell
  everybody connected that 10 FM is open for example, or ask if anyone
  knows the QSL manager for a certain callsign etc.  You can do this
  using the A\bAN\bNN\bNO\bOU\bUN\bNC\bCE\bE command.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       announce 10 FM is open in IO84NB to europe.




  That would let everyone know locally that this was the case, however
  it would not be forwarded to other nodes connected.  To send
  announcements to other connected nodes as well, you would use the F\bFU\bUL\bLL\bL
  extension.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       announce full Anyone seen EA7WA today?




  Be cautious in your use of announce full.  There are many other tools
  available to get the information you require and the judicious use of
  this command is frowned upon as it creates a great deal of traffic
  across the network.


  6\b6.\b.2\b2.\b.  L\bLi\bis\bst\bti\bin\bng\bg a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\bem\bme\ben\bnt\bts\bs.\b.

  You can list previous announcements in the standard format with the
  S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW command.  As before you can list just the last 5 or as many as
  you wish.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       show/announcements
       show/announcements 10





  7\b7.\b.  N\bNo\bod\bde\bes\bs a\ban\bnd\bd u\bus\bse\ber\brs\bs.\b.

  You can check which nodes are connected in the network, who is logged
  on locally, who is logged on at all the nodes or even just one node in
  particular. This is handy if you wish to see whether a friend is
  connected at the node they use.  To see who is connected to the nodes,
  the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/C\bCO\bON\bNF\bFI\bIG\bGU\bUR\bRA\bAT\bTI\bIO\bON\bN command is used.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:







  show/configuration
  show/configuration/nodes
  show/configuration (node_call)
  show/configuration (prefix)




  The first of our three examples would output something like this,


  sh/c
  Node         Callsigns
  EI5TCR       (7 users)
  GB7ADX
  GB7BAA       G4FPV        G8TIC
  GB7BIG       (GD0TEP)     GD3UMW
  GB7BPQ       (G0INA)      G0RCI        G3AKU        G3OCA
  (GB7CDX)     G3JNB        G4ALR
  GB7DJK       G0FYD        G0REK        G1TLH        G4PEL        G4SOZ
               G4TVR        G7SQW        K8AZ         M0CTQ-1      MM1CXE-10
               ON7WP
  GB7DXA       G0RDI        G8SJP
  GB7DXC       (G0HDB)      G0WFK        (G1FYC)      G3KWK        G3LME
               G3OIL        G4BGW        G4FUJ        (G4PDQ)      GW7SMV
  GB7DXE       G1NNB
  (GB7DXG)     GU6EFB       GU7DHI
  GB7DXK       G1NTW        G3IBI        G3NSM        G3XAQ        G4CUS
               G4XQY        G7GAN
  GB7DXM       G1EUC        G3GAF        G3LAS        G4ZTR        G8WXU
               M0BCT        M1EMF



  You will notice that EI5TCR is showing only that it has 7 users and
  not giving the actual callsigns.  This means that this node is on a
  limited protocol of some kind, probably because of a contest situation
  where slow radio links can block up and fail if too much information
  is sent between nodes.

  The second example would just show the nodes connected in the network,
  like this,


  sh/c/n
  Node         Callsigns
  GB7BAA       GB7BAA       GB7BPQ       (GB7CDX)     GB7DJK       GB7DXA
               GB7DXC       GB7DXE       (GB7DXG)     GB7DXK       GB7DXL
               GB7DXM       GB7DXS       GB7IPT       GB7MRS       GB7UJS
               GB7YDX       KL7G         N2TLY        (ON0DXK)
  GB7BIG       EI5TCR       GB7ADX       GB7BIG       GB7UDX
  GB7MBC
  PA4AB-14     PA4AB-14
  PI4TUE-8     PI4TUE-8



  If we insert the node_call pi4tue-8 into the third example, then this
  would be the output,







  Node         Callsigns
  PI4TUE-8     9A1CMA-6     DF6PW        DL4FAY       DL4KAK       DL4WF-2
               F5NOD-2      F5PAC        IZ0CSR       N6CR         OH2BLD
               ON1LVL-13    ON4CBT       ON4CJP       ON5DXL-14    ON7NQ
               PA0RCT       PA3DYS       PA3FDO       PA5KW-4      PI4TUE-9
               YT1XX



  As you can see, only the users of the requested node are shown.

  You can also use a prefix to show only a group of nodes.  For example
  you may only wish to see who is connected to the nodes in the UK.  To
  do this simply use a prefix like this ...


  show/configuration gb7



  To show the locally connected users, the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/U\bUS\bSE\bER\bRS\bS command is used

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       show/users




  The output of this command would look like this,


  Callsigns connected to GB7MBC
  G0JHC        G0NEI        G0VGS        G0VGS-2      G0YLM
  G3JAG        G3OWO        G3UEU




  8\b8.\b.  T\bTa\bal\blk\bk m\bmo\bod\bde\be.\b.

  You can send a single comment or start a dedicated talk session to
  another user by using the T\bTA\bAL\bLK\bK command.


  Talk mode is used to send a one line comment or greeting to a specific
  user connected either at your node or another in the network.  You can
  also enter into a dedicated talk session with another user.  Talks
  will be automatically forwarded to other nodes if the station you are
  talking to is not connected locally.  You can find out who is
  connected by using the S\bSH\bHO\bOW\bW/\b/C\bCO\bON\bNF\bFI\bIG\bGU\bUR\bRA\bAT\bTI\bIO\bON\bN command, (described
  earlier).

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:




       talk g0rdi Having a good day Iain?





  This example would send the line "Having a good day Iain?" to the user
  g0rdi but would leave you in normal mode.



       talk g0rdi
       Entering Talkmode, /EX to end, /<cmd> to run a command
       Talk (G0RDI)>




  As you can see, you can still run commands whilst in talk mode.
  Simply prefix the command with a / like /sh/dx and you will get the
  expected output.  If the user is connected to another node, you may
  have to use a slightly extended version of the T\bTA\bAL\bLK\bK command.



       talk g0rdi > gb7djk




  To exit talk mode, you issue the command /\b/e\bex\bx.

  Whilst in talk mode you will still receive DX spots.  This means that
  you can chat to a friend whilst working DX.


  9\b9.\b.  M\bMa\bai\bil\bl.\b.

  You can send and receive both personal mail and bulletins with
  DXSpider quite easily.


  9\b9.\b.1\b1.\b.  T\bTh\bhe\be "\b"d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by"\b" c\bco\bom\bmm\bma\ban\bnd\bd.\b.

  To list mail you would use the D\bDI\bIR\bRE\bEC\bCT\bTO\bOR\bRY\bY command.  On its own, this
  command will output the last ten messages received by the node, either
  to or from yourself or bulletins such as "DX" and "ALL".  As with
  other commands you can display more by specifying a number with the
  command.  You should be aware that Spider will accept these commands
  by separating with either a slash or a space, so _\bd_\bi_\br _\bn_\be_\bw and _\bd_\bi_\br_\b/_\bn_\be_\bw
  work in the same way.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       directory
       directory/20
       directory 20




  Of course most of the time you will only want to list new mail sent to
  you personally since your last login.  However you might also like to
  check for general mail received by the node.  In fact if there is new
  mail for you, the cluster will tell you when you login. You will also
  be informed if new mail arrives for you during the time you are logged
  in.  Mail is not only sent to callsigns though.  Mail can also be sent
  to subjects like "all" or "local" or "dx" etc.  You can treat these
  bulletins in the same way as personal mail with the directory command.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\bes\bs:\b:



       directory/new
       directory/own
       directory/own/10
       directory/all
       directory/from <call>





  The last option will only show mail from a callsign if it was sent to
  you personally or was sent as a bulletin.  There are some additional
  commands and these can be found in the DXSpider Command Reference
  section.


  9\b9.\b.2\b2.\b.  R\bRe\bea\bad\bdi\bin\bng\bg m\bma\bai\bil\bl.\b.

  The output of the D\bDI\bIR\bRE\bEC\bCT\bTO\bOR\bRY\bY command could be something like this.



       dir
        20735      2      ALL   GW7SMV 21-Feb 1204Z REC 9E1S QSL TDY 50Mhz....
        20823    308       UK    G0HDB 22-Feb 2334Z Help - which district code?
        20824    105      ALL     W9AE 23-Feb 0349Z S0NY QSL address?
        20825      2       UK    G0LRJ 23-Feb 0806Z QSL REC LZ2CJ/1.CARD NO-750.
        20858      2      ALL   GW7SMV 24-Feb 0905Z REC S92DX QSL CARD TDY 50Mhz
        20921    200      ALL   GM4FDM 27-Feb 2203Z Trip to VP8
        20949    375      ALL     K0MN 27-Feb 0428Z ST0P cards are gd @ ARRL
        20950      2       UK    G0LRJ 28-Feb 0835Z QSL REC SV9/IZ0CKJ/P EU-187.
        20987    569      ALL   GD0TEP  1-Mar 1733Z Portable contests
        21076      2      ALL    G4AFJ  3-Mar 1743Z kh6nd/kh5 qsl received
        21184-p  599   GW4HAT    G0VGS  4-Mar 1518Z Re: Time




  The first column is the actual message number.  If the message is a
  personal one to you, you will see a letter 'p' after this number.  If
  the message has been read, there will be a '-' between the message
  number and the 'p'.  This only works for personal messages.  The next
  column shows the file size of the message.  The third column shows the
  address the message was sent to and the next column shows who sent it.
  The rest is fairly self-explanatory.

  Reading a message is as simple as typing read, followed by the message
  number that you wish to read.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       read 25




  will read message number 25.  However the mail will be displayed in
  it's entirety unless you specify a page length. You can set your page
  length to any number you like and when the message reaches that number
  of lines you will get a prompt giving you options.
  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       set/page 20






  9\b9.\b.3\b3.\b.  S\bSe\ben\bnd\bdi\bin\bng\bg m\bma\bai\bil\bl.\b.

  Sending mail is done in the time honoured way.  First you specify a
  recipient for the message, then you will be prompted for a subject.
  Once you have done this you will be asked to type your message.
  Please remember that there is no automatic word wrap, so unless you
  are using a client that wraps lines automatically, remember to hit
  return at the end of each line.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       send m0azm
       Enter Subject (30 characters):
       See you Thursday
       Enter Message /EX to send or /ABORT to exit
       Hi Ian,
       Just a quick note to say that I can make Thursday after all.  The
       appointment I had has cancelled so we are go!
       Cheers
       Ian




  At this point you can either hit return and enter /ex to send the
  message or use /abort at any time to abort it.  You can now display
  the message in the normal way.  There are several send options and
  these are listed in the Command Set section.  These include sending
  mail to several recipients and asking for a return receipt.



  9\b9.\b.4\b4.\b.  R\bRe\bep\bpl\bly\byi\bin\bng\bg t\bto\bo m\bma\bai\bil\bl.\b.

  If mail is addressed to you or to a bulletin address, you can use the
  R\bRE\bEP\bPL\bLY\bY command to reply to it.  Using this command, the subject will be
  automatically set for you as "Re: subject", whatever the subject was.

  E\bEx\bxa\bam\bmp\bpl\ble\be:\b:



       reply 2500





  9\b9.\b.5\b5.\b.  D\bDe\bel\ble\bet\bti\bin\bng\bg m\bma\bai\bil\bl

  To delete a message, you use the _\bd_\be_\bl_\be_\bt_\be command.  You can only delete
  messages sent to or received by yourself.  Bulletins are dealt with
  automatically or by the sysop.
  1\b10\b0.\b.  F\bFi\bil\blt\bte\ber\bri\bin\bng\bg (\b(F\bFr\bro\bom\bm v\bve\ber\brs\bsi\bio\bon\bn 1\b1.\b.4\b45\b5)\b)

  1\b10\b0.\b.1\b1.\b.  G\bGe\ben\bne\ber\bra\bal\bl f\bfi\bil\blt\bte\ber\br r\bru\bul\ble\bes\bs

  Upto v1.44 it was not possible for the user to set their own filters.
  From v1.45 though that has all changed.  It is now possible to set
  filters for just about anything you wish.  If you have just updated
  from an older version of DXSpider you will need to update your new
  filters.  You do not need to do anything with your old filters, they
  will be renamed as you update.


  There are 3 basic commands involved in setting and manipulating
  filters.  These are _\ba_\bc_\bc_\be_\bp_\bt, _\br_\be_\bj_\be_\bc_\bt and _\bc_\bl_\be_\ba_\br.  First we will look
  generally at filtering. There are a number of things you can filter in
  the DXSpider system. They all use the same general mechanism.


  In general terms you can create a 'reject' or an 'accept' filter which
  can have up to 10 lines in it. You do this using, for example ...




       accept/spots .....
       reject/spots .....




  where ..... are the specific commands for that type of filter. There
  are filters for spots, wwv, announce, wcy and (for sysops) connects.
  See each different accept or reject command reference for more
  details.

  There is also a command to clear out one or more lines in a filter.
  They are ...



       clear/spots 1
       clear/spots all




  There is clear/xxxx command for each type of filter.


  and you can check that your filters have worked by the command ...




       show/filter





  For now we are going to use spots for the examples, but you can apply
  the same principles to all types of filter.




  1\b10\b0.\b.2\b2.\b.  T\bTy\byp\bpe\bes\bs o\bof\bf f\bfi\bil\blt\bte\ber\br

  There are two main types of filter, _\ba_\bc_\bc_\be_\bp_\bt or _\br_\be_\bj_\be_\bc_\bt.  You can use
  either to achieve the result you want dependent on your own preference
  and which is more simple to do.  It is pointless writing 8 lines of
  reject filters when 1 accept filter would do the same thing!  Each
  filter has 10 lines (of any length) which are tried in order.  If a
  line matches then the action you have specified is taken (ie reject
  means ignore it and accept means take it)


  If you specify reject filters, then any lines that arrive that match
  the filter will be dumped but all else will be accepted.  If you use
  an accept filter, then ONLY the lines in the filter will be accepted
  and all else will be dumped.  For example if you have a single line
  _\ba_\bc_\bc_\be_\bp_\bt filter ...



       accept/spots on vhf and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  then you will _\bO_\bN_\bL_\bY get VHF spots _\bf_\br_\bo_\bm or _\bt_\bo CQ zones 14, 15 and 16.


  If you set a reject filter like this ...



       reject/spots on hf/cw




  Then you will get everything _\bE_\bX_\bC_\bE_\bP_\bT HF CW spots.  You could make this
  single filter even more flexible.  For example, if you are interested
  in IOTA and will work it even on CW even though normally you are not
  interested in CW, then you could say ...



       reject/spots on hf/cw and not info iota




  But in that case you might only be interested in iota and say:-



       accept/spots not on hf/cw or info iota




  which achieves exactly the same thing. You should choose one or the
  other until you are comfortable with the way it works. You can mix
  them if you wish (actually you can have an accept AND a reject on the
  same line) but don't attempt this until you are sure you know what you
  are doing!


  You can arrange your filter lines into logical units, either for your
  own understanding or simply convenience. Here is an example ...
       reject/spots 1 on hf/cw
       reject/spots 2 on 50000/1400000 not (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  What this does is to ignore all HF CW spots and also rejects any spots
  on VHF which don't either originate or spot someone in Europe.


  This is an example where you would use a line number (1 and 2 in this
  case), if you leave the digit out, the system assumes '1'. Digits
  '0'-'9' are available.  This make it easier to see just what filters
  you have set.  It also makes it more simple to remove individual
  filters, during a contest for example.


  You will notice in the above example that the second line has
  brackets.  Look at the line logically.  You can see there are 2
  separate sections to it.  We are saying reject spots that are VHF or
  above _\bA_\bP_\bA_\bR_\bT from those in zones 14, 15 and 16 (either spotted there or
  originated there).  If you did not have the brackets to separate the 2
  sections, then Spider would read it logically from the front and see a
  different expression entirely ...



       (on 50000/1400000 and by_zone 14,15,16) or call_zone 14,15,16




  The simple way to remember this is, if you use OR - use brackets.
  Whilst we are here CASE is not important. 'And BY_Zone' is just the
  same as 'and by_zone'.

  As mentioned earlier, setting several filters can be more flexible
  than simply setting one complex one.  Doing it in this way means that
  if you want to alter your filter you can just redefine or remove one
  or more lines of it or one line. For example ...



       reject/spots 1 on hf/ssb




  would redefine our earlier example, or



       clear/spots 1




  To remove all the filter lines in the spot filter ...



       clear/spots all




  1\b10\b0.\b.3\b3.\b.  F\bFi\bil\blt\bte\ber\br o\bop\bpt\bti\bio\bon\bns\bs

  You can filter in several different ways.  The options are listed in
  the various helpfiles for accept, reject and filter.


  1\b10\b0.\b.4\b4.\b.  A\bAd\bdv\bva\ban\bnc\bce\bed\bd f\bfi\bil\blt\bte\ber\bri\bin\bng\bg

  Once you are happy with the results you get, you may like to
  experiment.


  The previous example that filters hf/cw spots and accepts vhf/uhf
  spots from EU can be written with a mixed filter, for example ...



       rej/spot on hf/cw
       acc/spot on 0/30000
       acc/spot 2 on 50000/1400000 and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  Note that the first filter has not been specified with a number.  This
  will automatically be assumed to be number 1.  In this case, we have
  said _\br_\be_\bj_\be_\bc_\bt _\ba_\bl_\bl _\bH_\bF _\bs_\bp_\bo_\bt_\bs _\bi_\bn _\bt_\bh_\be _\bC_\bW _\bs_\be_\bc_\bt_\bi_\bo_\bn _\bo_\bf _\bt_\bh_\be _\bb_\ba_\bn_\bd_\bs _\bb_\bu_\bt _\ba_\bc_\bc_\be_\bp_\bt _\ba_\bl_\bl
  _\bo_\bt_\bh_\be_\br_\bs _\ba_\bt _\bH_\bF_\b.  _\bA_\bl_\bs_\bo _\ba_\bc_\bc_\be_\bp_\bt _\ba_\bn_\by_\bt_\bh_\bi_\bn_\bg _\bi_\bn _\bV_\bH_\bF _\ba_\bn_\bd _\ba_\bb_\bo_\bv_\be _\bs_\bp_\bo_\bt_\bt_\be_\bd _\bi_\bn _\bo_\br _\bb_\by
  _\bo_\bp_\be_\br_\ba_\bt_\bo_\br_\bs _\bi_\bn _\bt_\bh_\be _\bz_\bo_\bn_\be_\bs _\b1_\b4_\b, _\b1_\b5 _\ba_\bn_\bd _\b1_\b6.  Each filter slot actually has a
  'reject' slot and an 'accept' slot. The reject slot is executed BEFORE
  the accept slot.


  It was mentioned earlier that after a reject test that doesn't match,
  the default for following tests is 'accept', the reverse is true for
  'accept'.  In the example what happens is that the reject is executed
  first, any non hf/cw spot is passed to the accept line, which lets
  through everything else on HF.  The next filter line lets through just
  VHF/UHF spots from EU.



  1\b11\b1.\b.  H\bHi\bin\bnt\bts\bs,\b, t\bti\bip\bps\bs a\ban\bnd\bd c\bco\bom\bmm\bmo\bon\bn q\bqu\bue\bes\bst\bti\bio\bon\bns\bs.\b.

  Q\bQ.\b.These commands seem very long!  Can I shorten them?

  A\bA.\b.Of course you can and the usual abbreviations work.  If you are
  unsure, try it.

  Q\bQ.\b.I am not sure if this command is correct.  Can I cause any harm if I
  try it?

  A\bA.\b.Do not be afraid to try a command to see if it will work, at the
  worst you will get an error message.  If you require any help on a
  command, just type help followed by the command you want help on.
  Look at the "DXSpider Command Reference" section to see what help can
  be found.

  Q\bQ.\b.How should I use the announce command?

  A\bA.\b.With respect.  Use the command by all means, but please only use the
  "full" extension if absolutely necessary.  It can create a LOT of
  messages passing between clusters.

  Q\bQ.\b.I like to be working in the shack while logged into the cluster but
  I can't be looking at the screen all the time. How can I be alerted
  when anything happens?

  A\bA.\b.Use the S\bSE\bET\bT/\b/B\bBE\bEE\bEP\bP command.  You can find information on this in the
  "DXSpider Command Reference" section.

  Q\bQ.\b.I keep getting disconnected from the cluster, what is happening and
  how can I stop it?

  Q\bQ.\b.I got disconnected from the cluster and now I can't log back in
  again.  What is wrong?

  A\bA.\b.Probably the cluster thinks you are still logged on and will not let
  you reconnect using the same call to prevent loops.  Try logging on
  again adding an ssid to your callsign as DXSpider treats G0YLM and
  G0YLM-1 as different users.

  Q\bQ.\b.I notice that all the commands are shown in lower case in the main
  section of this manual, but in upper case in the "DXSpider Command
  Reference" section.  Why is that?

  Q\bQ.\b.How do I know if I have got the latest version of this user manual?

  A\bA.\b.The latest and greatest will always be on the Website.  It will also
  be included with every release of DXSpider.  As always, if unsure, ask
  your sysop what version number is the latest.


  1\b12\b2.\b.  T\bTh\bhe\be D\bDX\bXS\bSp\bpi\bid\bde\ber\br c\bco\bom\bmm\bma\ban\bnd\bd r\bre\bef\bfe\ber\bre\ben\bnc\bce\be

  Below is a complete list of commands available from the cluster
  prompt.  These are listed below in alphabetical order.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b1.\b.  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be

  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set an accept filter line for announce


  Create an 'accept this announce' line for a filter.

  An accept filter line means that if the announce matches this filter
  it is passed onto the user. See HELP FILTERS for more info. Please
  read this to understand how filters work - it will save a lot of grief
  later on.

  You can use any of the following things in this line:-



         info <string>            eg: iota or qsl
         by <prefixes>            eg: G,M,2
         origin <prefixes>
         origin_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         origin_itu <numbers>
         origin_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         channel <prefixes>
         wx 1                     filter WX announces
         dest <prefixes>          eg: 6MUK,WDX      (distros)





  some examples:-



         acc/ann dest 6MUK
         acc/ann 2 by_zone 14,15,16
         (this could be all on one line: acc/ann dest 6MUK or by_zone 14,15,16)




  or



         acc/ann by G,M,2




  This filter would only allow announces that were posted buy UK
  stations.  You can use the tag 'all' to accept everything eg:



         acc/ann all




  but this probably for advanced users...


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b2.\b.  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/s\bsp\bpo\bot\bts\bs

  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set an accept filter line for spots


  Create an 'accept this spot' line for a filter.


  An accept filter line means that if the spot matches this filter it is
  passed onto the user. See HELP FILTERS for more info. Please read this
  to understand how filters work - it will save a lot of grief later on.

  You can use any of the following things in this line:-



         freq <range>           eg: 0/30000 or hf or hf/cw or 6m,4m,2m
         on <range>             same as 'freq'
         call <prefixes>        eg: G,PA,HB9
         info <string>          eg: iota or qsl
         by <prefixes>
         call_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         call_itu <numbers>
         call_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         origin <prefixes>
         channel <prefixes>




  For frequencies, you can use any of the band names defined in
  SHOW/BANDS and you can use a subband name like: cw, rtty, data, ssb -
  thus: hf/ssb. You can also just have a simple range like: 0/30000 -
  this is more efficient than saying simply: freq HF (but don't get too
  hung up about that)

  some examples:-



         acc/spot 1 on hf/cw
         acc/spot 2 on vhf and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  You can use the tag 'all' to accept everything, eg:



         acc/spot 3 all




  but this probably for advanced users...


  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b3.\b.  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by

  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> set an accept WCY filter


  It is unlikely that you will want to do this, but if you do then you
  can filter on the following fields:-



         by <prefixes>            eg: G,M,2
         origin <prefixes>
         origin_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         origin_itu <numbers>
         origin_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         channel <prefixes>





  There are no examples because WCY Broadcasts only come from one place
  and you either want them or not (see UNSET/WCY if you don't want
  them).

  This command is really provided for future use.

  See HELP FILTER for information.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b4.\b.  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv

  a\bac\bcc\bce\bep\bpt\bt/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set an accept WWV filter


  It is unlikely that you will want to do this, but if you do then you
  can filter on the following fields:-



         by <prefixes>            eg: G,M,2
         origin <prefixes>
         origin_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         origin_itu <numbers>
         origin_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         channel <prefixes>




  for example



         accept/wwv by_zone 4




  is probably the only useful thing to do (which will only show WWV
  broadcasts by stations in the US).

  See HELP FILTER for information.


  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b5.\b.  a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be

  a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be <\b<t\bte\bex\bxt\bt>\b> Send an announcement to local users


  Send an announcement to LOCAL users only, where <text> is the text of
  the announcement you wish to broadcast


  1\b12\b2.\b.6\b6.\b.  a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be f\bfu\bul\bll\bl

  a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be f\bfu\bul\bll\bl <\b<t\bte\bex\bxt\bt>\b> Send an announcement cluster wide


  This command will send your announcement across the whole cluster
  network.


  1\b12\b2.\b.7\b7.\b.  a\bap\bpr\bro\bop\bpo\bos\bs

  a\bap\bpr\bro\bop\bpo\bos\bs <\b<s\bst\btr\bri\bin\bng\bg>\b> Search the help database


  Search the help database for <string> (it isn't case sensitive), and
  print the names of all the commands that may be relevant.


  1\b12\b2.\b.8\b8.\b.  b\bby\bye\be

  b\bby\bye\be Exit from the cluster



  This will disconnect you from the cluster


  1\b12\b2.\b.9\b9.\b.  c\bcl\ble\bea\bar\br/\b/s\bsp\bpo\bot\bts\bs

  c\bcl\ble\bea\bar\br/\b/s\bsp\bpo\bot\bts\bs [\b[1\b1|\b|a\bal\bll\bl]\b] Clear a spot filter line


  This command allows you to clear (remove) a line in a spot filter or
  to remove the whole filter.

  If you have a filter:-



         acc/spot 1 on hf/cw
         acc/spot 2 on vhf and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  and you say:-



         clear/spot 1




  you will be left with:-



         acc/spot 2 on vhf and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  If you do:



         clear/spot all




  the filter will be completely removed.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b10\b0.\b.  d\bdb\bba\bav\bva\bai\bil\bl

  d\bdb\bba\bav\bva\bai\bil\bl Show a list of all the databases in the system


  The title says it all really, this command lists all the databases
  defined in the system. It is also aliased to SHOW/COMMAND.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b11\b1.\b.  d\bdb\bbs\bsh\bho\bow\bw

  d\bdb\bbs\bsh\bho\bow\bw <\b<d\bdb\bbn\bna\bam\bme\be>\b> <\b<k\bke\bey\by>\b> Display an entry, if it exists, in a database



  This is the generic user interface to the database to the database
  system.  It is expected that the sysop will add an entry to the local
  Aliases file so that users can use the more familiar AK1A style of
  enquiry such as:



         SH/BUCK G1TLH




  but if he hasn't and the database really does exist (use DBAVAIL or
  SHOW/COMMAND to find out) you can do the same thing with:



         DBSHOW buck G1TLH





  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b12\b2.\b.  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by

  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by List messages
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by o\bow\bwn\bn List your own messages
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by n\bne\bew\bw List all new messages
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by t\bto\bo <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> List all messages to <call>
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by f\bfr\bro\bom\bm <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> List all messages from <call>
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by s\bsu\bub\bbj\bje\bec\bct\bt <\b<s\bst\btr\bri\bin\bng\bg>\b> List all messages with <string> in subject
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by <\b<n\bnn\bn>\b> List last <nn> messages
  d\bdi\bir\bre\bec\bct\bto\bor\bry\by <\b<f\bfr\bro\bom\bm>\b>-\b-<\b<t\bto\bo>\b> List messages <from> message <to> message


  List the messages in the messages directory.

  If there is a 'p' one space after the message number then it is a
  personal message. If there is a '-' between the message number and the

  You can use shell escape characters such as '*' and '?' in the <call>
  fields.

  You can combine some of the various directory commands together eg:-



          DIR TO G1TLH 5
       or
          DIR SUBJECT IOTA 200-250




  You can abbreviate all the commands to one letter and use ak1a
  syntax:-



          DIR/T G1* 10
          DIR/S QSL 10-100 5





  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b13\b3.\b.  d\bdx\bx

  d\bdx\bx [\b[b\bby\by <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b>]\b] <\b<f\bfr\bre\beq\bq>\b> <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> <\b<r\bre\bem\bma\bar\brk\bks\bs>\b> Send a DX spot


  This is how you send a DX Spot to other users. You can, in fact, now
  enter the <freq> and the <call> either way round.



          DX FR0G 144.600
          DX 144.600 FR0G
          DX 144600 FR0G




  will all give the same result. You can add some remarks to the end of
  the command and they will be added to the spot.



          DX FR0G 144600 this is a test




  You can credit someone else by saying:-



          DX by G1TLH FR0G 144.600 he isn't on the cluster




  The <freq> is compared against the available bands set up in the
  cluster.  See SHOW/BANDS for more information.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b14\b4.\b.  h\bhe\bel\blp\bp

  h\bhe\bel\blp\bp <\b<c\bcm\bmd\bd>\b> Get help on a command


  All commands can be abbreviated, so SHOW/DX can be abbreviated to
  SH/DX, ANNOUNCE can be shortened to AN and so on.

  Look at the APROPOS <string> command which will search the help
  database for the <string> you specify and give you a list of likely
  commands to look at with HELP.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b15\b5.\b.  k\bki\bil\bll\bl

  k\bki\bil\bll\bl <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> [\b[<\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> .\b..\b.]\b] Delete a message from the local system


  Delete a message from the local system. You will only be able to
  delete messages that you have originated or been sent (unless you are
  the sysop).





  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b16\b6.\b.  l\bli\bin\bnk\bks\bs

  l\bli\bin\bnk\bks\bs Show which nodes are physically connected


  This is a quick listing that shows which links are connected and some
  information about them. See WHO for a list of all connections.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b17\b7.\b.  r\bre\bea\bad\bd

  r\bre\bea\bad\bd Read the next unread personal message addressed to you
  r\bre\bea\bad\bd <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> Read the specified message


  You can read any messages that are sent as 'non-personal' and also any
  message either sent by or sent to your callsign.


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b18\b8.\b.  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be

  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set a reject filter for announce


  Create an 'reject this announce' line for a filter.

  An reject filter line means that if the announce matches this filter
  it is passed onto the user. See HELP FILTERS for more info. Please
  read this to understand how filters work - it will save a lot of grief
  later on.

  You can use any of the following things in this line:-



         info <string>            eg: iota or qsl
         by <prefixes>            eg: G,M,2
         origin <prefixes>
         origin_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         origin_itu <numbers>
         origin_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         channel <prefixes>
         wx 1                     filter WX announces
         dest <prefixes>          eg: 6MUK,WDX      (distros)




  some examples:-



         rej/ann by_zone 14,15,16 and not by G,M,2




  You can use the tag 'all' to reject everything eg:



         rej/ann all

  but this probably for advanced users...


  1\b12\b2.\b.1\b19\b9.\b.  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/s\bsp\bpo\bot\bts\bs

  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/s\bsp\bpo\bot\bts\bs [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set a reject filter line for spots


  Create a 'reject this spot' line for a filter.

  A reject filter line means that if the spot matches this filter it is
  dumped (not passed on). See HELP FILTERS for more info. Please read
  this to understand how filters work - it will save a lot of grief
  later on.

  You can use any of the following things in this line:-



         freq <range>           eg: 0/30000 or hf or hf/cw or 6m,4m,2m
         on <range>             same as 'freq'
         call <prefixes>        eg: G,PA,HB9
         info <string>          eg: iota or qsl
         by <prefixes>
         call_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         call_itu <numbers>
         call_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         origin <prefixes>
         channel <prefixes>




  For frequencies, you can use any of the band names defined in
  SHOW/BANDS and you can use a subband name like: cw, rtty, data, ssb -
  thus: hf/ssb. You can also just have a simple range like: 0/30000 -
  this is more efficient than saying simply: on HF (but don't get too
  hung up about that)

  some examples:-



         rej/spot 1 on hf
         rej/spot 2 on vhf and not (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16)




  You can use the tag 'all' to reject everything eg:



         rej/spot 3 all




  but this probably for advanced users...




  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b20\b0.\b.  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by

  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set a reject WCY filter


  It is unlikely that you will want to do this, but if you do then you
  can filter on the following fields:-



         by <prefixes>            eg: G,M,2
         origin <prefixes>
         origin_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         origin_itu <numbers>
         origin_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         channel <prefixes>




  There are no examples because WCY Broadcasts only come from one place
  and you either want them or not (see UNSET/WCY if you don't want
  them).

  This command is really provided for future use.

  See HELP FILTER for information.


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b21\b1.\b.  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv

  r\bre\bej\bje\bec\bct\bt/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv [\b[0\b0-\b-9\b9]\b] <\b<p\bpa\bat\btt\bte\ber\brn\bn>\b> Set a reject WWV filter


  It is unlikely that you will want to do this, but if you do then you
  can filter on the following fields:-



         by <prefixes>            eg: G,M,2
         origin <prefixes>
         origin_dxcc <numbers>    eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
         origin_itu <numbers>
         origin_zone <numbers>
         by_dxcc <numbers>
         by_itu <numbers>
         by_zone <numbers>
         channel <prefixes>




  for example



         reject/wwv by_zone 14,15,16




  is probably the only useful thing to do (which will only show WWV
  broadcasts by stations in the US).
  See HELP FILTER for information.


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b22\b2.\b.  r\bre\bep\bpl\bly\by

  r\bre\bep\bpl\bly\by Reply (privately) to the last message that you have read
  r\bre\bep\bpl\bly\by <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> Reply (privately) to the specified message
  r\bre\bep\bpl\bly\by B\bB <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> Reply as a Bulletin to the specified message
  r\bre\bep\bpl\bly\by N\bNO\bOP\bPr\bri\biv\bva\bat\bte\be <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> Reply as a Bulletin to the specified message
  r\bre\bep\bpl\bly\by R\bRR\bR <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> Reply to the specified message with read receipt


  You can reply to a message and the subject will automatically have
  "Re:" inserted in front of it, if it isn't already present.

  You can also use all the extra qualifiers such as RR, PRIVATE,
  NOPRIVATE, B that you can use with the SEND command (see SEND for
  further details)


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b23\b3.\b.  s\bse\ben\bnd\bd

  s\bse\ben\bnd\bd <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> [\b[<\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> .\b..\b..\b.]\b] Send a message to one or more callsigns
  s\bse\ben\bnd\bd R\bRR\bR <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> Send a message and ask for a read receipt
  s\bse\ben\bnd\bd C\bCO\bOP\bPY\bY <\b<m\bms\bsg\bgn\bno\bo>\b> <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> Send a copy of a  message to someone
  s\bse\ben\bnd\bd P\bPR\bRI\bIV\bVA\bAT\bTE\bE <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> Send a personal message
  s\bse\ben\bnd\bd N\bNO\bOP\bPR\bRI\bIV\bVA\bAT\bTE\bE <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> Send a message to all stations


  All the SEND commands will create a message which will be sent either
  to an individual callsign or to one of the 'bulletin' addresses.

  SEND <call> on its own acts as though you had typed SEND PRIVATE, that
  is it will mark the message as personal and send it to the cluster
  node that that callsign is connected to.

  You can have more than one callsign in all of the SEND commands.

  You can have multiple qualifiers so that you can have for example:-



         SEND RR COPY 123 PRIVATE G1TLH G0RDI




  which should send a copy of message 123 to G1TLH and G0RDI and you
  will receive a read receipt when they have read the message.

  SB is an alias for SEND NOPRIVATE (or send a bulletin in BBS speak) SP
  is an alias for SEND PRIVATE


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b24\b4.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/a\bad\bdd\bdr\bre\bes\bss\bs

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/a\bad\bdd\bdr\bre\bes\bss\bs <\b<y\byo\bou\bur\br_\b_a\bad\bdd\bdr\bre\bes\bss\bs>\b> Record your postal address


  Literally, record your address details on the cluster.


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b25\b5.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/a\ban\bnn\bno\bou\bun\bnc\bce\be Allow announce messages

  Allow announce messages to arrive at your terminal.


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b26\b6.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/b\bbe\bee\bep\bp

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/b\bbe\bee\bep\bp Add beeps to terminal messages


  Add a beep to DX and other terminal messages.


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b27\b7.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/d\bdx\bx

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/d\bdx\bxAllow DX messages to arrive at your terminal


  You can stop DX messages with the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bd_\bx command


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b28\b8.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/d\bdx\bxg\bgr\bri\bid\bd

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/d\bdx\bxg\bgr\bri\bid\bdAllow grid squares on the end of DX messages


  Some logging programs do not like the additional information at the
  end of a DX spot.  If this is the case, use the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bd_\bx_\bg_\br_\bi_\bd command
  to remove the grid squares.


  1\b12\b2.\b.2\b29\b9.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/e\bec\bch\bho\bo

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/e\bec\bch\bho\bo Make the cluster echo your input


  If you are connected via a telnet session, different implimentations
  of telnet handle echo differently depending on whether you are
  connected via port 23 or some other port. You can use this command to
  change the setting appropriately.

  You can remove the echo with the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\be_\bc_\bh_\bo command

  The setting is stored in your user profile.

  YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE THIS COMMAND IF YOU ARE CONNECTED VIA AX25.


  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b30\b0.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/h\bhe\ber\bre\be

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/h\bhe\ber\bre\be Set the here flag


  Let others on the cluster know you are here by only displaying your
  callsign.  If you are away from your terminal you can use the
  _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bh_\be_\br_\be command to let people know you are away.  This simply puts
  brackets around your callsign to indicate you are not available.


  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b31\b1.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/h\bho\bom\bme\ben\bno\bod\bde\be

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/h\bho\bom\bme\ben\bno\bod\bde\be <\b<n\bno\bod\bde\be_\b_c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> Set your home cluster


  Tell the cluster system where you normally connect to. Any Messages
  sent to you will normally find their way there should you not be
  connected.  eg:-

         SET/HOMENODE gb7djk





  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b32\b2.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/l\bla\ban\bng\bgu\bua\bag\bge\be

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/l\bla\ban\bng\bgu\bua\bag\bge\be <\b<l\bla\ban\bng\bgu\bua\bag\bge\be>\b> Set the language you wish to use


  You can select the language that you want the cluster to use.
  Currently the languages available are _\be_\bn (English) _\bs_\bp (Spanish) and _\bn_\bl
  (Dutch).


  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b33\b3.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/l\blo\boc\bca\bat\bti\bio\bon\bn

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/l\blo\boc\bca\bat\bti\bio\bon\bn <\b<l\bla\bat\bt a\ban\bnd\bd l\blo\bon\bng\bg>\b> Set your latitude and longitude


  You can set your latitude and longitude manually or alternatively use
  the _\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bq_\br_\ba command which will do the conversion for you.



         set/location 54 04 N 2 02 E





  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b34\b4.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/l\blo\bog\bgi\bin\bni\bin\bnf\bfo\bo

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/l\blo\bog\bgi\bin\bni\bin\bnf\bfo\bo Show logins and logouts of nodes and users


  Show users and nodes when they log in and out of the local cluster.
  You can stop these messages by using the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bl_\bo_\bg_\bi_\bn_\bi_\bn_\bf_\bo command.


  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b35\b5.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/n\bna\bam\bme\be

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/n\bna\bam\bme\be <\b<y\byo\bou\bur\br_\b_n\bna\bam\bme\be>\b> Set your name


  Tell the cluster what your name is, eg:-



         set/name Dirk





  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b36\b6.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/p\bpa\bag\bge\be

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/p\bpa\bag\bge\be <\b<n\bn>\b> Set the number of lines per page


  Tell the system how many lines you wish on a page when the number of
  lines of output from a command is more than this. The default is 20.
  Setting it explicitly to 0 will disable paging.


         SET/PAGE 30
         SET/PAGE 0




  The setting is stored in your user profile.


  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b37\b7.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/q\bqr\bra\ba

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/q\bqr\bra\ba <\b<l\blo\boc\bca\bat\bto\bor\br>\b> Set your QRA locator


  Tell the system what your QRA (or Maidenhead) locator is. If you have
  not done a SET/LOCATION then your latitude and longitude will be set
  roughly correctly (assuming your locator is correct ;-). For example:-



         SET/QRA JO02LQ





  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b38\b8.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/q\bqt\bth\bh

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/q\bqt\bth\bh <\b<y\byo\bou\bur\br Q\bQT\bTH\bH>\b> Set your QTH


  Tell the system where your are.  For example:-



         set/qth East Dereham, Norfolk





  1\b12\b2.\b.3\b39\b9.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/t\bta\bal\blk\bk

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/t\bta\bal\blk\bk Allow talk messages to be seen at your console


  Allow talk messages to arrive at your console.  You can switch off
  talks with the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bt_\ba_\bl_\bk command.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b40\b0.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by Allow WCY messages to be seen at your console


  Allow WCY information to be seen at your console.  You can switch off
  WCY messages with the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bw_\bc_\by command.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b41\b1.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv Allow WWV messages to be seen at your console


  Allow WWV information to be seen at your console.  You can switch off
  WWV messages with the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bw_\bw_\bv command.
  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b42\b2.\b.  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/w\bwx\bx

  s\bse\bet\bt/\b/w\bwx\bx Allow WX messages to be seen at your console


  Allow WX information to be seen at your console.  You can switch off
  WX messages with the _\bu_\bn_\bs_\be_\bt_\b/_\bw_\bx command.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b43\b3.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/d\bda\bat\bte\be

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/d\bda\bat\bte\be [\b[<\b<p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx>\b>|\b|<\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b>]\b] Show the local time


  This is very nearly the same as SHOW/TIME, the only difference the
  format of the date string if no arguments are given.

  If no prefixes or callsigns are given then this command returns the
  local time and UTC as the computer has it right now. If you give some
  prefixes then it will show UTC and UTC + the local offset (not
  including DST) at the prefixes or callsigns that you specify.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b44\b4.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/d\bdx\bx

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/d\bdx\bx [\b[o\bop\bpt\bti\bio\bon\bns\bs]\b] interrogate the spot database


  If you just type SHOW/DX you will get the last so many spots (sysop
  configurable, but usually 10).

  In addition you can add any number of these options in very nearly any
  order to the basic SHOW/DX command, they are:-

































  on <band>       - eg 160m 20m 2m 23cm 6mm
  on <region>     - eg hf vhf uhf shf      (see SHOW/BANDS)

  <number>        - the number of spots you want
  <from>-<to>     - <from> spot no <to> spot no in
                    the selected list

  <prefix>        - for a spotted callsign beginning with <prefix>
  *<suffix>       - for a spotted callsign ending in <suffix>
  *<string>*      - for a spotted callsign containing <string>

  day <number>    - starting <number> days ago
  day <from>-<to> - <from> days <to> days ago

  info <text>     - any spots containing <text> in the info or remarks

  by <call>       - any spots spotted by <call> (spotter <call>
                          is the same).

  qsl             - this automatically looks for any qsl info on the call
                    held in the spot database.

  iota [<iota>]   - If the iota island number is missing it will
                    look for the string iota and anything which looks like
                    an iota island number. If you specify then it will look
                    for that island.

  qra [<locator>] - this will look for the specific locator if
                    you specify one or else anything that looks like a locator.




  e.g.




          SH/DX 9m0
          SH/DX on 20m info iota
          SH/DX 9a on vhf day 30
          SH/DX rf1p qsl
          SH/DX iota
          SH/DX iota eu-064
          SH/DX qra jn86





  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b45\b5.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/d\bdx\bxc\bcc\bc

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/d\bdx\bxc\bcc\bc <\b<p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx>\b> Interrogate the spot database by country


  This command takes the <prefix> (which can be a full or partial
  callsign if desired), looks up which internal country number it is and
  then displays all the spots as per SH/DX for that country.

  The options for SHOW/DX also apply to this command.  e.g.






     SH/DXCC G
     SH/DXCC W on 20m info iota





  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b46\b6.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/f\bfi\bil\ble\bes\bs

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/f\bfi\bil\ble\bes\bs [\b[<\b<f\bfi\bil\ble\bea\bar\bre\bea\ba>\b> [\b[<\b<s\bst\btr\bri\bin\bng\bg>\b>]\b]]\b] List the contents of a filearea


  SHOW/FILES on its own will show you a list of the various fileareas
  available on the system. To see the contents of a particular file area
  type:-



          SH/FILES <filearea>




  where <filearea> is the name of the filearea you want to see the
  contents of.

  You can also use shell globbing characters like '*' and '?' in a
  string to see a selection of files in a filearea eg:-



          SH/FILES bulletins arld*




  See also TYPE - to see the contents of a file.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b47\b7.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/f\bfi\bil\blt\bte\ber\br

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/f\bfi\bil\blt\bte\ber\br Show the filters you have set


  Show the contents of all the filters that are set by you. This command
  displays all the filters set - for all the various categories.


  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b48\b8.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/m\bmo\boo\bon\bn

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/m\bmo\boo\bon\bn [\b[<\b<p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx>\b>|\b|<\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b>]\b] Show moon rise and set times


  Show the Moon rise and set times for a (list of) prefixes or
  callsigns, together with the azimuth and elevation of the sun
  currently at those locations.

  If you don't specify any prefixes or callsigns, it will show the times
  for your QTH (assuming you have set it with either SET/LOCATION or
  SET/QRA), together with the current azimuth and elevation.

  In addition, it will show the gain or loss dB relative to the nominal
  distance of 385,000Km due to the ellipsoidal nature of the orbit.

  If all else fails it will show the Moonrise and set times for the node
  that you are connected to.
  For example:-



         SH/MOON
         SH/MOON G1TLH W5UN





  1\b12\b2.\b.4\b49\b9.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/m\bmu\buf\bf

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/m\bmu\buf\bf <\b<p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx>\b> [\b[<\b<h\bho\bou\bur\brs\bs>\b>]\b][\b[l\blo\bon\bng\bg]\b] Show the likely propagation to
  <prefix>


  This command allow you to estimate the likelihood of you contacting a
  station with the prefix you have specified. The output assumes a
  modest power of 20dBW and receiver sensitivity of -123dBm (about
  0.15muV/10dB SINAD)

  The result predicts the most likely operating frequencies and signal
  levels for high frequency (shortwave) radio propagation paths on
  specified days of the year and hours of the day. It is most useful for
  paths between 250 km and 6000 km, but can be used with reduced
  accuracy for paths shorter or longer than this.

  The command uses a routine MINIMUF 3.5 developed by the U.S. Navy and
  used to predict the MUF given the predicted flux, day of the year,
  hour of the day and geographic coordinates of the transmitter and
  receiver. This routine is reasonably accurate for the purposes here,
  with a claimed RMS error of 3.8 MHz, but much smaller and less complex
  than the programs used by major shortwave broadcasting organizations,
  such as the Voice of America.

  The command will display some header information detailing its
  assumptions, together with the locations, latitude and longitudes and
  bearings. It will then show UTC (UT), local time at the other end
  (LT), calculate the MUFs, Sun zenith angle at the midpoint of the path
  (Zen) and the likely signal strengths. Then for each frequency for
  which the system thinks there is a likelihood of a circuit it prints a
  value.

  The value is currently a likely S meter reading based on the
  conventional 6dB / S point scale. If the value has a '+' appended it
  means that it is 1/2 an S point stronger. If the value is preceeded by
  an 'm' it means that there is likely to be much fading and by an 's'
  that the signal is likely to be noisy.

  By default SHOW/MUF will show the next two hours worth of data. You
  can specify anything up to 24 hours worth of data by appending the no
  of hours required after the prefix. For example:-



         SH/MUF W




  produces:




    RxSens: -123 dBM SFI: 159   R: 193   Month: 10   Day: 21
    Power :   20 dBW    Distance:  6283 km    Delay: 22.4 ms
    Location                       Lat / Long           Azim
    East Dereham, Norfolk          52 41 N 0 57 E         47
    United-States-W                43 0 N 87 54 W        299
    UT LT  MUF Zen  1.8  3.5  7.0 10.1 14.0 18.1 21.0 24.9 28.0 50.0
    18 23 11.5 -35  mS0+ mS2   S3
    19  0 11.2 -41  mS0+ mS2   S3




  indicating that you will have weak, fading circuits on top band and
  80m but usable signals on 40m (about S3).

  inputing:-



         SH/MUF W 24




  will get you the above display, but with the next 24 hours worth of
  propagation data.



         SH/MUF W L 24
         SH/MUF W 24 Long




  Gives you an estimate of the long path propagation characterics. It
  should be noted that the figures will probably not be very useful, nor
  terrible accurate, but it is included for completeness.


  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b50\b0.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b> Interrogate the prefix database


  This command takes the <callsign> (which can be a full or partial
  callsign or a prefix), looks up which internal country number it is
  and then displays all the relevant prefixes for that country together
  with the internal country no, the CQ and ITU regions.

  See also SHOW/DXCC


  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b51\b1.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/q\bqr\bra\ba

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/q\bqr\bra\ba <\b<l\blo\boc\bca\bat\bto\bor\br>\b> [\b[<\b<l\blo\boc\bca\bat\bto\bor\br>\b>]\b] Show the distance between locators
  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/q\bqr\bra\ba <\b<l\bla\bat\bt>\b> <\b<l\blo\bon\bng\bg>\b> Convert latitude and longitude to a locator


  This is a multipurpose command that allows you either to calculate the
  distance and bearing between two locators or (if only one locator is
  given on the command line) the distance and beraing from your station
  to the locator. For example:-



  SH/QRA IO92QL
  SH/QRA JN06 IN73




  The first example will show the distance and bearing to the locator
  from yourself, the second example will calculate the distance and
  bearing from the first locator to the second. You can use 4 or 6
  character locators.

  It is also possible to convert a latitude and longitude to a locator
  by using this command with a latitude and longitude as an argument,
  for example:-



       SH/QRA 52 41 N 0 58 E





  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b52\b2.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/q\bqr\brz\bz

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/q\bqr\brz\bz <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b> Show any callbook details on a callsign


  This command queries the QRZ callbook server on the internet and
  returns any information available for that callsign. This service is
  provided for users of this software by http://www.qrz.com


  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b53\b3.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/r\bro\bou\but\bte\be

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/r\bro\bou\but\bte\be <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b> Show the route to <callsign>


  This command allows you to see to which node the callsigns specified
  are connected. It is a sort of inverse sh/config.



         sh/route n2tly





  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b54\b4.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/s\bsa\bat\bte\bel\bll\bli\bit\bte\be

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/s\bsa\bat\bte\bel\bll\bli\bit\bte\be <\b<n\bna\bam\bme\be>\b> [\b[<\b<h\bho\bou\bur\brs\bs>\b> <\b<i\bin\bnt\bte\ber\brv\bva\bal\bl>\b>]\b] Show satellite tracking
  data


  Show the tracking data from your location to the satellite of your
  choice from now on for the next few hours.

  If you use this command without a satellite name it will display a
  list of all the satellites known currently to the system.

  If you give a name then you can obtain tracking data of all the passes
  that start and finish 5 degrees below the horizon. As default it will
  give information for the next three hours for every five minute
  period.

  You can alter the number of hours and the step size, within certain
  limits.

  Each pass in a period is separated with a row of '-----' characters

  So for example:-



       SH/SAT AO-10
       SH/SAT FENGYUN1 12 2





  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b55\b5.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/s\bsu\bun\bn

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/s\bsu\bun\bn [\b[<\b<p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx>\b>|\b|<\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b>]\b] Show sun rise and set times


  Show the sun rise and set times for a (list of) prefixes or callsigns,
  together with the azimuth and elevation of the sun currently at those
  locations.

  If you don't specify any prefixes or callsigns, it will show the times
  for your QTH (assuming you have set it with either SET/LOCATION or
  SET/QRA), together with the current azimuth and elevation.

  If all else fails it will show the sunrise and set times for the node
  that you are connected to.

  For example:-



         SH/SUN
         SH/SUN G1TLH K9CW ZS





  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b56\b6.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/t\bti\bim\bme\be

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/t\bti\bim\bme\be [\b[<\b<p\bpr\bre\bef\bfi\bix\bx>\b>|\b|<\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b>]\b] Show the local time


  If no prefixes or callsigns are given then this command returns the
  local time and UTC as the computer has it right now. If you give some
  prefixes then it will show UTC and UTC + the local offset (not
  including DST) at the prefixes or callsigns that you specify.


  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b57\b7.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by Show the last 10 WCY broadcasts
  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/w\bwc\bcy\by <\b<n\bn>\b> Show the last <n> WCY broadcasts


  Display the most recent WCY information that has been received by the
  system




  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b58\b8.\b.  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv

  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv Show the last 10 WWV broadcasts
  s\bsh\bho\bow\bw/\b/w\bww\bwv\bv <\b<n\bn>\b> Show the last <n> WWV broadcasts


  Display the most recent WWV information that has been received by the
  system


  1\b12\b2.\b.5\b59\b9.\b.  s\bsy\bys\bso\bop\bp

  s\bsy\bys\bso\bop\bp Regain your privileges if you login remotely


  The system automatically reduces your privilege level to that of a
  normal user if you login in remotely. This command allows you to
  regain your normal privilege level. It uses the normal system: five
  numbers are returned that are indexes into the character array that is
  your assigned password (see SET/PASSWORD). The indexes start from
  zero.

  You are expected to return a string which contains the characters
  required in the correct order. You may intersperse those characters
  with others to obscure your reply for any watchers. For example (and
  these values are for explanation :-):



         password = 012345678901234567890123456789
         > sysop
         22 10 15 17 3




  you type:-



        aa2bbbb0ccc5ddd7xxx3n
        or 2 0 5 7 3
        or 20573




  They will all match. If there is no password you will still be offered
  numbers but nothing will happen when you input a string. Any match is
  case sensitive.


  1\b12\b2.\b.6\b60\b0.\b.  t\bta\bal\blk\bk

  t\bta\bal\blk\bk <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b> Enter talk mode with <callsign>
  t\bta\bal\blk\bk <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b> <\b<t\bte\bex\bxt\bt>\b> Send a text message to <callsign>
  t\bta\bal\blk\bk <\b<c\bca\bal\bll\bls\bsi\big\bgn\bn>\b> >\b> <\b<n\bno\bod\bde\be_\b_c\bca\bal\bll\bl>\b> [\b[<\b<t\bte\bex\bxt\bt>\b>]\b] Send a text message to
  <callsign> via <node_call>


  Send a short message to any other station that is visible on the
  cluster system. You can send it to anyone you can see with a
  SHOW/CONFIGURATION command, they don't have to be connected locally.

  The second form of TALK is used when other cluster nodes are connected
  with restricted information. This usually means that they don't send
  the user information usually associated with logging on and off the
  cluster.

  If you know that G3JNB is likely to be present on GB7TLH, but you can
  only see GB7TLH in the SH/C list but with no users, then you would use
  the second form of the talk message.

  If you want to have a ragchew with someone you can leave the text
  message out and the system will go into 'Talk' mode. What this means
  is that a short message is sent to the recipient telling them that you
  are in a 'Talking' frame of mind and then you just type - everything
  you send will go to the station that you asked for.

  All the usual announcements, spots and so on will still come out on
  your terminal.

  If you want to do something (such as send a spot) you precede the
  normal command with a '/' character, eg:-



          /DX 14001 G1TLH What's a B class licensee doing on 20m CW?
          /HELP talk




  To leave talk mode type:



          /EX





  1\b12\b2.\b.6\b61\b1.\b.  t\bty\byp\bpe\be

  t\bty\byp\bpe\be <\b<f\bfi\bil\ble\bea\bar\bre\bea\ba>\b>/\b/<\b<n\bna\bam\bme\be>\b> Look at a file in one of the fileareas


  Type out the contents of a file in a filearea. So, for example, in
  filearea 'bulletins' you want to look at file 'arld051' you would
  enter:-



          TYPE bulletins/arld051




  See also SHOW/FILES to see what fileareas are available and a list of
  content.


  1\b12\b2.\b.6\b62\b2.\b.  w\bwh\bho\bo

  w\bwh\bho\bo Show who is physically connected locally


  This is a quick listing that shows which callsigns are connected and
  what sort of connection they have


  1\b12\b2.\b.6\b63\b3.\b.  w\bwx\bx

  w\bwx\bx <\b<t\bte\bex\bxt\bt>\b> Send a weather message to local users
  w\bwx\bx f\bfu\bul\bll\bl <\b<t\bte\bex\bxt\bt>\b>  Send a weather message to all cluster users


  Weather messages can sometimes be useful if you are experiencing an
  extreme that may indicate enhanced conditions