About

February 8th, 2012

About ODQMail

| how it works | connecting | sending mail | reading mail | callbook | weather | help |

How it Works

ODQMail functions just like a PBBS, menu driven with online Help. A user simply connects and is given a menu with the ability to get callbook lookups via QRZ, request access to the gateway to access their email, and even check traffic conditions provided by CALTrans. (For those outside of California, I am working on a way to get coverage throughout the continental United States).

With a KPC-3 and your PC you can host an internet email* and callbook gateway to allow others access such as

  • Going Mobile or Portable
  • During Events
  • Demo the hobby to others

New with version 1.4.0 is the ability to connect to your TNC via the internet using a telnet client or the specially designed ODQMailClient (graphical interface, uses colors for incoming/outgoing text)

Click here for Screenshots

* requires internet connection.  For email, requires a POP & SMTP account with a service provider.

All it takes is a radio, KPC-3 and a computer with Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Win7.

Connecting

To connect, the remote user simply issues a direct connect to your station with their TNC and they are presented with

[ 1.4.0 ODQMail ]
Callbook and Email Gateway
Use H or ? for Help
Menu – A, B, C, D, H, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, W, +/-, ?>

 

Sending Email

User issues the S command (Send) followed by the email address they are sending to, then follows the prompts.

S wa6odq@odqmail.com
Send Email to wa6odq@odqmail.com
Subject: Hello Test
Type your message, end with /EX to send
Hello world from ODQMail!
/ex
Message sent

Reading Email

Just like reading messages from a BBS, issue the List command for your messages (Note: In an effort to prevent SPAM, only messages from safe senders are shown in the list.  Safe senders are described later in this page)

WA6ODQ - A, B, C, D, H, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, W, +/-, ?>/i> L
Msg Date From Subject Size
===================================================================================
1 18 Dec 2007 21:43:28 Ian (WA6ODQ) Hello Test 663
End of messages
WA6ODQ - A, B, C, D, H, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, W, +/-, ?> R 1 
Date: 18 Dec 2007 21:43:28 -0800
From: Ian (WA6ODQ)
SUBJECT: Hello Test
Hello world from ODQMail! 
WA6ODQ - A, B, C, D, H, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, W, +/-, ?>

Callbook Functions

Issue the C command followed by the callsign you wish to lookup.

SysOp configurable to use either QRZ, or Callinfo.info (courtesy of Joshua Dick, KB1QAB)

QRZ Version

C W1AW  W1AW ARRL HQ OPERATORS CLUB 225 MAIN ST NEWINGTON CT 06111 USA

Callook.info Version

C W1AW 
Callsign: W1AW
Type: CLUB
Trustee: SUMNER, DAVID G [K1ZZ]
Name: ARRL HQ OPERATORS CLUB
Address: 225 MAIN ST NEWINGTON, CT 06111
Effective: 01/10/2001
Expires: 02/26/2011
Last Action: 01/10/2001
FRN: 0004511143
Estimated Latitude: 41.686950
Estimated Longitude: -72.731313
Grid Square: FN31pq

Weather Report

ODQMail connects to Weather.com to retrieve a five day forecast for any valid U.S. Zip Code

Reported Location: Vallejo, CA (94591)
Last Reported    : 12/14/08 10:25 PM PST
Current Sunrise  : 7:18 AM
Current Sunset   : 4:50 PM
Current Temp     : 57
Skies            : Cloudy
Observed at      : Vallejo, CA

5 Day Forecast
==============
Thursday      Friday        Saturday      Sunday        Monday
Dec 14        Dec 15        Dec 16        Dec 17        Dec 18
Hi: N/A       Hi: 56        Hi: 53        Hi: 55        Hi: 56
Lo: 50        Lo: 37        Lo: 37        Lo: 33        Lo: 36
SR: 7:18 AM   SR: 7:18 AM   SR: 7:19 AM   SR: 7:20 AM   SR: 7:20 AM
SS: 4:50 PM   SS: 4:50 PM   SS: 4:50 PM   SS: 4:51 PM   SS: 4:51 PM
N/A           PM Showers    Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Sunny         Day
Showers       Showers Early Partly Cloudy Clear         Clear         Night

Help Menu

The online help menu is pretty comprehensive.  Just issue the H or ? command and you are displayed with a nice set of options.

ODQMail by Ian Thurston WA6ODQ
Registered to: WA6ODQ
============================== A : Access Request Form B : Bye (Logoff) C <call> : QRZ Lookup on <call> D : Email Directory H or ? : This Help K # : Kill (msg #) L : List Messages on POP Server M : My Info N : Name/Info. Use ? N for more details. R # : Read (msg #) S <email> : Send email to <email> (ie: S test@test.com) T <hwy> : Traffic conditions as reported by CALTRANS (ie: T 101) W <zip> : Weather conditions by U.S. Zip Code (ie: W 94591) +<email> : Add to safe sender list -<email> : Remove from safe sender list +LIST : Show safe sender list You can use ? combined with one of the above commands for a detailed description of that command. ie: ? W WA6ODQ - A, B, C, D, H, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, W, +/-, ?> ? W  Command W - Weather Conditions ============================== If enabled, allows you to get the latest 5-day forecast as reported by Weather.com. ie: W 94591 You must enter a valid five digit United States zip code. WA6ODQ - A, B, C, D, H, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, W, +/-, ?>

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to use the contact form.ODQMail is dedicated to former WA6ODQ, Walter D. Davis (SK)* KaGold is a registered trademark of InterFlex Systems Design

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