Macros

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.