ODQMail Internet Gateway

Email, Weather & TNC Remote Access over Amateur Packet Radio

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 Connecting to ODQMail with KaGold* on a Handheld PC

  • 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.

    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