On CW/FT8 operations, you can send from a selection of standard messages with a single press of a button. This allows for ease of operation without having to carry any extra equipment such as a keyboard or paddles.
Each set of macros is stored as a text file in the directory /home/Pi/sbitx/web with the filename extension “.mc”.
They are easy to understand and the user can create a new macros file with any text editor. The macro files are text files written in the N1MM format.
The * is a shortcut for MYCALL (your own callsign). The ! is a shortcut for CALL (the callsign of the station you are working). The # is used to send the serial number for the current QSO. {SENTRSTCUT} will send numbers in cut format (5NN, instead of 599).
Please look at the N1MM help file on https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/setup/function-keys/#macros for a list of commands supported by the zBitx.
For example,
F7 Exch, * {SENTRST} # 73 would assign F7 for the macro button named “Exch”and would send the callsign of the station you are working, their RST report followed by the contest serial number followed by a 73 when pressed.
# Sample macro file for regular dxing
F1 CQ, cq cq cq de {MYCALL} {MYCALL} {MYCALL} ar k
F2 RST, {CALL} ur rst {SENTRST} {SENTRST} kn
F3 End,! de {MYCALL} . tnx fer rpt . 73 es cu agn kn sk
F4 Call, *
F5 QRZ, qrz?
F6 Chkin, ! de {MYCALL} ur rst {SENTRST} es tnx fer call . hw cpy? AR K
F7 Exch,! de * ur rst {SENTRSTCUT} {EXCH} K
F8 Agn?,agn?
F9 Zone?,zn?
F10 About, ! de * . my name is farhan qth hyderabad . rig is zbitx es dipole . hw cpi? ! de * k
F11 QRZ,qrz?
F12 -,-
The macros are mapped to the function keys of any attached keyboard and can also be sent by tapping the macro button. A maximum of 12 macros can be defined by the user.
● In the web mode, all the macro files available are listed in the dropbox next to the macro button. The user can choose a different macro file depending upon the kind of operation they prefer. CW1 macro file is a good option to begin with.
● The macros will substitute the user’s callsign, grid, the contact’s filled callsign, report from the fields on the logger.