Below is a complete list of commands available from the cluster prompt. Most maintenance tasks are automatic but there are some commands that are useful for a sysop. These are listed below in alphabetical order. The number in brackets following the command name is the permissions level needed to use the command.
accept/announce [0-9] <pattern> 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...
accept/announce <call> [input] [0-9]<pattern> Announce filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
accept/ann by G,M,2
accept/ann input node_default by G,M,2
accept/ann user_default by G,M,2
accept/route <call> [0-9] <pattern> Set an 'accept' filter line for routing
Create an 'accept this routing PC Protocol' line for a filter.
An accept filter line means that if a PC16/17/19/21/24/41/50 matches this filter it is passed thru that interface. See HELP FILTERING 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:-
call <prefixes> the callsign of the thingy
call_dxcc <numbers> eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
call_itu <numbers>
call_zone <numbers>
origin <prefixes> really the interface it came in on
origin_dxcc <numbers> eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
origin_itu <numbers>
origin_zone <numbers>
some examples:-
acc/route gb7djk call_dxcc 61,38 (send only UK+EIRE nodes)
acc/route gb7djk call gb7djk (equiv to SET/ISOLATE)
You can use the tag 'all' to accept everything eg:
acc/route all
accept/announce [0-9] <pattern> 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...
accept/spots <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern> Spot filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
accept/spot db0sue-7 1 by_zone 14,15,16
accept/spot node_default all
set/hops node_default 10
accept/spot user_default by G,M,2
accept/wcy [0-9] <pattern> 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.
accept/wcy <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern>
WCY filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
accept/wcy node_default all
set/hops node_default 10
accept/wwv [0-9] <pattern> 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.
accept/wwv <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern>
WWV filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
accept/wwv db0sue-7 1 by_zone 4
accept/wwv node_default all
set/hops node_default 10
accept/wwv user_default by W,K
announce <text> 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. If you do not wish to receive announces, use the set/noannounce command. Any announces made by a sysop will override set/noannounce.
announce full <text> Send an announcement cluster wide
This command will send your announcement across the whole cluster network.
announce sysop <text>
Send an announcement to Sysops only
apropos <string> 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.
bye Exit from the cluster
This will disconnect you from the cluster
catchup <node_call> All|[<msgno> ...] Mark a message as sent
When you send messages the fact that you have forwarded it to another node is remembered so that it isn't sent again. When you have a new partner node and you add their callsign to your /spider/msg/forward.pl file, all outstanding non-private messages will be forwarded to them. This may well be ALL the non-private messages. You can prevent this by using these commmands:-
catchup GB7DJK all
catchup GB7DJK 300 301 302 303 500-510
and to undo what you have just done:-
uncatchup GB7DJK all
uncatchup GB7DJK 300 301 302 303 500-510
which will arrange for them to be forward candidates again.
Order is not important.
clear/spots [1|all] 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.
connect <callsign> Start a connection to another DX Cluster
Start a connection process that will culminate in a new connection to the DX cluster <callsign>. This process creates a new 'client' process which will use the script in /spider/connect/<callsign> to effect the 'chat' exchange necessary to traverse the network(s) to logon to the cluster <callsign>.
dbavail 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.
dbcreate <name> Create a database entry
dbcreate <name> chain <name> [<name>..] Create a chained database entry
dbcreate <name> remote <node> Create a remote database
entry
DBCREATE allows you to define a database in the system. It doesn't actually create anything, just defines it.
The databases that are created are simple DB_File hash databases, they are therefore already 'indexed'.
You can define a local database with the first form of the command eg:
DBCREATE oblast
You can also chain databases with the addition of the 'chain' keyword. This will search each database one after the other. A typical example is:
DBCREATE sdx_qsl chain sql_ad
No checking is done to see if the any of the chained databases exist, in fact it is usually better to do the above statement first then do each of the chained databases.
Databases can exist offsite. To define a database that lives on another node do:
DBCREATE buckmaster remote gb7dxc
Remote databases cannot be chained; however, the last database in a a chain can be a remote database eg:
DBCREATE qsl chain gb7dxc
To see what databases have been defined do:
DBAVAIL (or it will have been aliased to SHOW/COMMAND)
It would be normal for you to add an entry into your local Aliases file to allow people to use the 'SHOW/<dbname>' style syntax. So you would need to add a line like:-
's' => [
..
..
'^sh\w*/buc', 'dbshow buckmaster', 'dbshow',
..
..
],
to allow
SH/BUCK g1tlh
to work as they may be used to.
See DBIMPORT for the importing of existing AK1A format data to databases. See DBSHOW for generic database enquiry
dbimport <dbname> Import AK1A data into a database
If you want to import or update data in bulk to a database you can use this command. It will either create or update entries into an existing database. For example:-
DBIMPORT oblast /tmp/OBLAST.FUL
will import the standard OBLAST database that comes with AK1A into the oblast database held locally.
dbremove <dbname> Delete a database
DBREMOVE will completely remove a database entry and also delete any data file that is associated with it.
There is no warning, no comeback, no safety net.
For example:
DBREMOVE oblast
will remove the oblast database from the system and it will also remove the associated datafile.
I repeat:
There is no warning, no comeback, no safety net.
You have been warned.
dbshow <dbname> <key> 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
debug Set the cluster program into debug mode
Executing this command will only have an effect if you are running the cluster in debug mode i.e.
perl -d cluster.pl
It will interrupt the cluster just after the debug command has finished.
directory List messages
directory all List all messages
directory own List your own messages
directory new List all new messages
directory to <call> List all messages to <call>
directory from <call> List all messages from <call>
directory subject <string> List all messages with <string> in subject
directory <nn> List last <nn> messages
directory <from>-<to> 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 'p' then this indicates that the message has been read.
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
Works just like the user command except that sysops can see ALL messages.
disconnect <call> [<call> ...] Disconnect a user or node
Disconnect any <call> connected locally
dx [by <call>] <freq> <call> <remarks> 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.
export <msgno> <filename> Export a message to a file
Export a message to a file. This command can only be executed on a local console with a fully privileged user. The file produced will be in a form ready to be imported back into the cluster by placing it in the import directory (/spider/msg/import).
This command cannot overwrite an existing file. This is to provide some measure of security. Any files written will owned by the same user as the main cluster, otherwise you can put the new files anywhere the cluster can access. For example:-
EXPORT 2345 /tmp/a
export_users [<filename>] Export the users database to ascii
Export the users database to a file in ascii format. If no filename is given then it will export the file to /spider/data/user_asc.
If the file already exists it will be renamed to <filename>.o. In fact up to 5 generations of the file can be kept each one with an extra 'o' on the suffix.
BE WARNED: this will write to any file you have write access to. No check is made on the filename (if any) that you specify.
forward/latlong <node_call> Send latitude and longitude information to another cluster
This command sends all the latitude and longitude information that your cluster is holding against callsigns. One advantage of recieving this information is that more locator information is held by you. This means that more locators are given on the DX line assuming you have set/dxgrid enabled. This could be a LOT of information though, so it is not recommended on slow links.
forward/opername <call> Send out information on this <call> to all clusters
This command sends out any information held in the user file which can be broadcast in PC41 protocol packets. This information is Name, QTH, Location and Homenode. PC41s are only sent for the information that is available.
help <cmd> 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.
init <node call> Re-initialise a link to an AK1A compatible node
This command attempts to re-initialise a link to a (usually) AK1A node that has got confused, usually by a protocol loop of some kind. It may work - but you usually will be better off simply disconnecting it (or better, if it is a real AK1A node, doing an RCMD <node> DISC/F <your node>).
Best of luck - you will need it.
kill <msgno> [<msgno> ..] 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).
kill <msgno> [<msgno> ...] Remove or erase a message from the system
kill from <call> Remove all messages from a callsign
kill to <call> Remove all messages to a callsign
You can get rid of any message to or originating from your callsign using this command. You can remove more than one message at a time.
As a sysop you can kill any message on the system.
kill full <msgno> [<msgno>] Delete a message from the whole cluster
Delete a message (usually a 'bulletin') from the whole cluster system.
This uses the subject field, so any messages that have exactly the same subject will be deleted. Beware!
links 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.
load/aliases Reload the command alias table
Reload the /spider/cmd/Aliases file after you have editted it. You will need to do this if you change this file whilst the cluster is running in order for the changes to take effect.
load/baddx Reload the bad DX table
Reload the /spider/data/baddx.pl file if you have changed it manually whilst the cluster is running. This table contains the DX Calls that, if spotted, will not be passed on. FR0G and TEST are classic examples.
load/badmsg Reload the bad message table
Reload the /spider/msg/badmsg.pl file if you have changed it manually whilst the cluster is running. This table contains a number of perl regular expressions which are searched for in the fields targetted of each message. If any of them match then that message is immediately deleted on receipt.
load/badwords Reload the badwords file
Reload the /spider/data/badwords file if you have changed it manually whilst the cluster is running. This file contains a list of words which, if found on certain text portions of PC protocol, will cause those protocol frames to be rejected. It will all put out a message if any of these words are used on the announce, dx and talk commands. The words can be one or more on a line, lines starting with '#' are ignored.
load/bands Reload the band limits table
Reload the /spider/data/bands.pl file if you have changed it manually whilst the cluster is running.
load/cmd_cache Reload the automatic command cache
Normally, if you change a command file in the cmd or local_cmd tree it will automatially be picked up by the cluster program. Sometimes it can get confused if you are doing a lot of moving commands about or delete a command in the local_cmd tree and want to use the normal one again. Execute this command to reset everything back to the state it was just after a cluster restart.
load/forward Reload the msg forwarding routing table
Reload the /spider/msg/forward.pl file if you have changed it manually whilst the cluster is running.
load/messages Reload the system messages file
If you change the /spider/perl/Messages file (usually whilst fiddling/writing ne commands) you can have them take effect during a cluster session by executing this command. You need to do this if get something like :-
unknown message 'xxxx' in lang 'en'
load/prefixes Reload the prefix table
Reload the /spider/data/prefix_data.pl file if you have changed it manually whilst the cluster is running.
merge <node> [<no spots>/<no wwv>] Ask for the latest spots and WWV
MERGE allows you to bring your spot and wwv database up to date. By default it will request the last 10 spots and 5 WWVs from the node you select. The node must be connected locally.
You can request any number of spots or wwv and although they will be appended to your databases they will not duplicate any that have recently been added (the last 2 days for spots and last month for WWV data).
msg <cmd> <msgno> [data ...] Alter various message parameters
Alter message parameters like To, From, Subject, whether private or bulletin or return receipt (RR) is required or whether to keep this message from timing out.
MSG TO <msgno> <call> - change TO callsign to <call>
MSG FRom <msgno> <call> - change FROM callsign to <call>
MSG PRrivate <msgno> - set private flag
MSG NOPRrivate <msgno> - unset private flag
MSG RR <msgno> - set RR flag
MSG NORR <msgno> - unset RR flag
MSG KEep <msgno> - set the keep flag (message won't be deleted ever)
MSG NOKEep <msgno> - unset the keep flag
MSG SUbject <msgno> <new> - change the subject to <new>
MSG WAittime <msgno> - remove any waitting time for this message
MSG NOREad <msgno> - mark message as unread
MSG REad <msgno> - mark message as read
MSG QUeue - queue any outstanding bulletins
MSG QUeue 1 - queue any outstanding private messages
You can look at the status of a message by using:-
STAT/MSG <msgno>
This will display more information on the message than DIR does.
pc <call> <text> Send text (eg PC Protocol) to <call>
Send some arbitrary text to a locally connected callsign. No processing is done on the text. This command allows you to send PC Protocol to unstick things if problems arise (messages get stuck etc). eg:-
pc gb7djk PC33^GB7TLH^GB7DJK^400^
You can also use in the same way as a talk command to a connected user but without any processing, added of "from <blah> to <blah>" or whatever.
pc G1TLH Try doing that properly!!!
ping <node> Check the link quality between nodes
his command allows you to send a frame to another cluster node on the network and get a return frame. The time it takes to do this is a good indication of the quality of the link. The actual time it takes is output to the console in seconds. Any visible cluster node can be PINGed.
rcmd <node call> <cmd> Send a command to another DX cluster
This command allows you to send nearly any command to another DX Cluster node that is connected to the system.
Whether you get any output is dependant on a) whether the other system knows that the node callsign of this cluster is in fact a node b) whether the other system is allowing RCMDs from this node and c) whether you have permission to send this command at all.
read Read the next unread personal message addressed to you
read <msgno> 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.
read <msgno> Read a message on the system
As a sysop you may read any message on the system
reject/announce [0-9] <pattern> 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...
reject/announce <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern> Announce filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
reject/ann by G,M,2
reject/ann input node_default by G,M,2
reject/ann user_default by G,M,2
reject/route <call> [0-9] <pattern> Set an 'reject' filter line for routing
Create an 'reject this routing PC Protocol' line for a filter.
An reject filter line means that if a PC16/17/19/21/24/41/50 matches this filter it is NOT passed thru that interface. See HELP FILTERING 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:-
call <prefixes> the callsign of the thingy
call_dxcc <numbers> eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
call_itu <numbers>
call_zone <numbers>
origin <prefixes> really the interface it came in on
origin_dxcc <numbers> eg: 61,62 (from eg: sh/pre G)
origin_itu <numbers>
origin_zone <numbers>
some examples:-
rej/route gb7djk call_dxcc 61,38 (everything except UK+EIRE nodes)
You can use the tag 'all' to reject everything eg:
rej/route all (equiv to [very] restricted mode)
reject/spots [0-9] <pattern> 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...
reject/spots <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern>
Reject spot filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
reject/spot db0sue-7 1 by_zone 14,15,16
reject/spot node_default all
set/hops node_default 10
reject/spot user_default by G,M,2
reject/wcy [0-9] <pattern> 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.
reject/wcy <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern>
WCY reject filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
reject/wcy gb7djk all
reject/wwv [0-9] <pattern> 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.
reject/wwv <call> [input] [0-9] <pattern>
WWV reject filter sysop version
This version allows a sysop to set a filter for a callsign as well as the default for nodes and users eg:-
reject/wwv db0sue-7 1 by_zone 4
reject/wwv node_default all
reject/wwv user_default by W
reply Reply (privately) to the last message that you have read
reply <msgno> Reply (privately) to the specified message
reply B <msgno> Reply as a Bulletin to the specified message
reply NOPrivate <msgno> Reply as a Bulletin to the specified
message
reply RR <msgno> 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)
send <call> [<call> ...] Send a message to one or more callsigns
send RR <call> Send a message and ask for a read receipt
send COPY <msgno> <call> Send a copy of a message to someone
send PRIVATE <call> Send a personal message
send NOPRIVATE <call> 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
set/address <your_address> Record your postal address
Literally, record your address details on the cluster.
set/announce Allow announce messages
Allow announce messages to arrive at your terminal.
set/arcluster <node_call> [<node_call> ...] Make
the node_call an AR-Cluster type node
Set the node_call as an AR-Cluster type node
set/baddx <call> Stop words we do not wish to see in the callsign field
of a dx spot being propagated
Setting a word as 'baddx' will prevent spots with that word in the callsign field of a DX spot from going any further. They will not be displayed and they will not be sent onto other nodes.
The word must be wriiten in full, no wild cards are allowed eg:-
set/baddx FORSALE VIDEO FR0G
To allow a word again, use the following command ...
unset/baddx VIDEO
set/badnode <node_call> Stop spots from this node_call
being propagated
Setting a callsign as a 'badnode' will prevent spots from that node going any further. They will not be displayed and they will not be sent onto other nodes.
The call can be a full or partial call (or a prefix), eg:-
set/badnode K1TTT
will stop anything from K1TTT (including any SSID's)
unset/badnode K1TTT
will allow spots from him again.
Use with extreme care. This command may well be superceded by FILTERing.
set/badspotter <call> Stop spots from this callsign being propagated
Setting a callsign as a 'badspotter' will prevent spots from this callsign going any further. They will not be displayed and they will not be sent onto other nodes.
The call must be written in full, no wild cards are allowed eg:-
set/badspotter VE2STN
will stop anything from VE2STN. If you want SSIDs as well then you must enter them specifically.
unset/badspotter VE2STN
will allow spots from him again.
Use with extreme care. This command may well be superceded by FILTERing.
set/beep Add beeps to terminal messages
Add a beep to DX and other terminal messages.
set/bbs <call> [<call>..]Make <call> a BBS
set/clx <node_call> [<node_call> ...] Make
the node_call a CLX type node
Set the node_call as a CLX type node
set/debug <name> Add a debug level to the debug set
You can choose to log several different levels. The levels are
chan state msg cron connect
You can show what levels you are logging with the show/debug command.
You can remove a debug level with unset/debug <name>
set/dxAllow DX messages to arrive at your terminal
You can stop DX messages with the unset/dx command
set/dxgridAllow 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 unset/dxgrid command to remove the grid squares.
set/dxnet <node_call> [<node_call> ...] Make
the node_call a DXNet type node
Set the node_call as a DXNet type node
set/echo 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 unset/echo command
The setting is stored in your user profile.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO USE THIS COMMAND IF YOU ARE CONNECTED VIA AX25.
set/here 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 unset/here command to let people know you are away. This simply puts brackets around your callsign to indicate you are not available.
set/homenode <node_call> 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
set/hops <node_call> ann|spots|wwv|wcy <n>
Set hop count
Set the hop count for a particular type of broadcast for a node.
This command allows you to set up special hop counts for a node for currently: announce, spots, wwv and wcy broadcasts.
eg:
set/hops gb7djk ann 10
set/hops gb7mbc spots 20
Set SHOW/HOPS for information on what is already set. This command creates a filter and works in conjunction with the filter system.
set/isolate <node call> Isolate a node from the rest of the network
Connect a node to your system in such a way that you are a full protocol member of its network and can see all spots on it, but nothing either leaks out from it nor goes back into from the rest of the nodes connected to you.
You can potentially connect several nodes in this way.
You can see which nodes are isolated with the show/isolate (1) command.
You can remove the isolation with the command unset/isolate.
set/language <language> Set the language you wish to use
You can select the language that you want the cluster to use. Currently the languages available are en (English) and nl (Dutch).
set/location <lat and long> Set your latitude and longitude
You can set your latitude and longitude manually or alternatively use the set/qra command which will do the conversion for you.
set/location 54 04 N 2 02 E
set/sys_location <lat & long> Set your cluster latitude and longitude
In order to get accurate headings and such like you must tell the system what your latitude and longitude is. If you have not yet done a SET/QRA then this command will set your QRA locator for you. For example:-
SET/LOCATION 52 22 N 0 57 E
set/logininfo 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 unset/logininfo command.
set/lockout <call> Stop a callsign connecting to the cluster
You can show who is locked out with the show/lockout command. To allow the user to connect again, use the unset/lockout command.
set/name <your_name> Set your name
Tell the cluster what your name is, eg:-
set/name Dirk
set/node <call> [<call> ...] Make the callsign an AK1A cluster
Tell the system that the call(s) are to be treated as AK1A cluster and fed PC Protocol rather normal user commands.
From version 1.41 you can also set the following types of cluster
set/spider
set/dxnet
set/clx
set/arcluster
To see what your nodes are set to, use the show/nodes command.
set/obscount <count> <node call> Set the 'pump-up' obsolescence counter
From version 1.35 onwards neighbouring nodes are pinged at regular intervals (see SET/PINGINTERVAL), usually 300 seconds or 5 minutes. There is a 'pump-up' counter which is decremented on every outgoing ping and then reset to the 'obscount' value on every incoming ping. The default value of this parameter is 2.
What this means is that a neighbouring node will be pinged twice at (default) 300 second intervals and if no reply has been heard just before what would be the third attempt, that node is disconnected.
If a ping is heard then the obscount is reset to the full value. Using default values, if a node has not responded to a ping within 15 minutes, it is disconnected.
set/page <n> 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.
set/password <callsign> <string> Set a users password
The password for a user can only be set by a full sysop. The string can contain any characters but any spaces are removed (you can type in spaces - but they won't appear in the password). You can see the result with STAT/USER. The password is the usual 30 character baycom type password.
set/pinginterval <time> <node call> Set the ping time to neighbouring nodes
As from version 1.35 all neighbouring nodes are pinged at regular intervals in order to determine the rolling quality of the link and, in future, to affect routing decisions. The default interval is 300 secs or 5 minutes.
You can use this command to set a different interval. Please don't.
But if you do the value you enter is treated as minutes up 60 and seconds for numbers greater than that.
This is used also to help determine when a link is down at the far end (as certain cluster software doesn't always notice), see SET/OBSCOUNT for more information.
set/privilege <n> <call> [<call> ...] Set the privilege level on a call
Set the privilege level on a callsign. The privilege levels that pertain to commands are as default:-
0 - normal user
1 - allow remote nodes normal user RCMDs
5 - various privileged commands (including shutdown, but not disc-
connect), the normal level for another node.
8 - more privileged commands (including disconnect)
9 - local sysop privilege. DO NOT SET ANY REMOTE USER OR NODE TO THIS
LEVEL.
If you are a sysop and you come in as a normal user on a remote connection your privilege will automatically be set to 0.
set/spider <node_call> [<node_call> ...] Make
the node_call a DXSpider type node
Set the node_call as a DXSpider type node
set/sys_qra <locator> Set your cluster QRA locator
set/qra <locator> 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
set/qth <your QTH> Set your QTH
Tell the system where your are. For example:-
set/qth East Dereham, Norfolk
set/talk Allow talk messages to be seen at your console
Allow talk messages to arrive at your console. You can switch off talks with the unset/talk command.
set/wcy 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 unset/wcy command.
set/wwv 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 unset/wwv command.
set/wx 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 unset/wx command.
show/baddxShow all the bad dx calls in the system
Display all the bad dx callsigns in the system, see SET/BADDX for more information.
show/badnode Show all the bad nodes in the system
Display all the bad node callsigns in the system, see SET/BADNODE for more information.
show/badspotter Show all the bad spotters in the system
Display all the bad spotter's callsigns in the system, see SET/BADSPOTTER for more information.
show/configuration [<node>] Show all visible nodes and their users
This command allows you to see all the users that can be seen and the nodes to which they are connected. With the optional node, you can specify a particular node to look at.
This command is normally abbreviated to: sh/c
BE WARNED: the list that is returned can be VERY long
show/configuration/node Show all the nodes connected
Show all the nodes connected locally and the nodes they have connected.
show/connect Show all the active connections
This command shows information on all the active connections known to the node. This command gives slightly more information than WHO.
show/date [<prefix>|<callsign>] 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.
show/debug Show what levels of debug you are logging
The levels can be set with set/debug
show/dx [options] 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
show/dxcc <prefix> 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
show/files [<filearea> [<string>]] 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.
show/filter 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.
show/filter <callsign> Show the filters set by <callsign>
A sysop can look at any filters that have been set.
show/hops <node_call> [ann|spots|wcy|wwv|] Show the hop counts for a node
This command shows the hop counts set up for a node. You can specify which category you want to see. If you leave the category out then all the categories will be listed.
show/isolate Show a list of isolated nodes
Show which nodes are currently set to be isolated.
show/lockout Show a list of excluded callsigns
Show a list of callsigns that have been excluded (locked out) of the cluster locally with the set/lockout command
show/log [<callsign>] Show excerpts from the system log
This command outputs a short section of the system log. On its own it will output a general logfile. With the optional callsign it will show output from the log associated with that callsign.
show/moon [<prefix>|<callsign>] 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
show/muf <prefix> [<hours>][long] 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.
show/node [<node_call> ...] Show the type and version
number of nodes
Show the type and version (if connected) of the nodes specified on the command line. If no callsigns are specified then a sorted list of all the non-user callsigns known to the system will be displayed.
show/prefix <callsign> 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
show/program Show the locations of all the included program modules
Show the name and location where every program module was load from. This is useful for checking where you think you have loaded a .pm file from.
show/qra <locator> [<locator>] Show the distance
between locators
show/qra <lat> <long> 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
show/qrz <callsign> 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
show/route <callsign> 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
show/satellite <name> [<hours> <interval>]
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
show/sun [<prefix>|<callsign>] 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
show/time [<prefix>|<callsign>] 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.
show/wcy Show the last 10 WCY broadcasts
show/wcy <n> Show the last <n> WCY broadcasts
Display the most recent WCY information that has been received by the system
show/wwv Show the last 10 WWV broadcasts
show/wwv <n> Show the last <n> WWV broadcasts
Display the most recent WWV information that has been received by the system
shutdown Shutdown the cluster
Shutdown the cluster and disconnect all the users. If you have Spider set to respawn in /etc/inittab it will of course restart.
spoof <callsign> <command> Run commands as another user
This is a very simple yet powerful command for the sysop. It allows you to issue commands as if you were a different user. This is very useful for the kind of things that users seem to always get wrong.. like home_node for example.
stat/db <dbname> Show the status of a database
Show the internal status of a database descriptor.
Depending on your privilege level you will see more or less information. This command is unlikely to be of much use to anyone other than a sysop.
stat/channel <callsign> Show the status of a channel on the cluster
Show the internal status of the channel object either for the channel that you are on or else for the callsign that you asked for.
Only the fields that are defined (in perl term) will be displayed.
stat/msg <msgno> Show the status of a message
This command shows the internal status of a message and includes information such as to whom it has been forwarded, its size, origin etc etc.
If no message number is given then the status of the message system is displayed.
stat/route_node <callsign> Show the data in a Route::Node object
stat/route_user <callsign> Show the data in a Route::User object
stat/user <callsign> Show the full status of a user
Shows the full contents of a user record including all the secret flags and stuff.
Only the fields that are defined (in perl term) will be displayed.
sysop 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.
talk <callsign> Enter talk mode with <callsign>
talk <callsign> <text> Send a text message to <callsign>
talk <callsign> > <node_call> [<text>]
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
type <filearea>/<name> 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.
who Show who is physically connected locally
This is a quick listing that shows which callsigns are connected and what sort of connection they have
wx <text> Send a weather message to local users
wx full <text> 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
wx sysop <text> Send a weather message to other clusters only
Send a weather message only to other cluster nodes and not to general users.