BARTG HF RTTY Messages

bartghf-selection

The exchange for the BARTG HF RTTY is a signal report (599), three-digit serial number starting with 001 & the time in UTC shown as a four-digit number. The rules are explicit that the serial number should be 3 digits, so we’ll make our messages reflect that by using %3 instead of %1. Remember to end all messages with a space between the last character of the message and %E. This separates the end of the message from noise characters.

Messages

messages-bartg

F2 – CQ Message.  You don’t have to use BARTG at the beginning of the message, you could use CQ or TEST.  Always put “CQ” at the end of the message followed by a space.

F3 – This is the report message you send when you are running (CQing).  It includes signal report 599, 3-digital serial number (%3) and time (%T). The serial number and time are sent twice. Send RST only once.

F4 – Confirmation when running.  Always send “TU” as the first thing in your confirmation message so the other stations knows right away you got his report OK. %O is a command that zeros the RIT if using radio control with a radio that accepts commands to clear RIT. Some Icom radios, such as the PRO series, do not accept this command.

F5 – Your callsign sent twice.  If you are calling a station and others are also calling, you may elect to hit F5 then F7. This chains the two messages together and sends your callsign three times.

F6 – This “AGN?” message can be used different ways. It can be used if you didn’t copy the callsign of someone answering your CQ or you can use it to have someone repeat their entire report. Or if you come across a signal and only see their “CQ” on the end, you can send AGN? as a request for them to send their CQ message again. Instead of AGN? you could send QRZ? It’s your choice.

F7 – Your callsign once.  Note this is a message that does not start with %R. This message is appended (chained) to other messages for clarity if you believe the other station does not have your call correctly.  It can be chained with F3, F5, F6, F8 or F9 by hitting F3 then F7.

F8 – This is a special message to use when you receive more than one callsign on your screen while running.  If you decode two (or more) callsigns, you work the first station and log him, then enter the callsign of the second station into the Entry Window either by clicking on it in Rttyrite or typing it is manually, then hit F8. This message confirms the contact with the first station and send a report to the second station. %P1 represents the callsign of the station you just logged. So if you work W1ZT, log him and then put K4GMH in the call field, pressing F8 sends W1ZT TU NOW K4GMH 599 001 001.

F9 – This is your S&P (search & pounce) report.  There is no reason to send the callsign of the station you are working.  There is no reason to send your callsign unless you are unsure the run station has your call correct.  If you are unsure, chain F9 with F7 by typing F9 then typing F7 in succession. Note this message includes %L. %L is optional. It is a special command which automatically logs the contact when the message is sent. This is useful if you are prone to forgetting to hit the ENTER key to log contacts when S&P. If the run stations asks for a repeat of the message, typing F9 again will send the contents of the message, including the same serial number and time originally sent, but will not log the QSO since there is no callsign in the Entry Window.

F10 – Sent to request the other station repeat their serial number.

F11 – Used to send a repeat of your serial number when requested.

Shifted Messages (Shift Key + F key)

messages-bartg-shifted

I use only 3 shifted messages which means there are plenty of spare slots for additional messages. I also have programmed F1 to send the Shift+F3 message using Keyboard Shortcuts. For information on how to do this, go here.

Shift+F3 – This sends only the other station’s callsign.  This is mainly useful when you have several stations answering your CQ and there may be others still calling when you come back to someone with a report.  If the station you are sending a report to does not see their callsign at the beginning of the message because of QRM, putting their call at the end allows them to know for sure the report is for them.  It comes out like:  W1ZT 599 001 001 2201 2201 W1ZT  This message is usually sent after the F3 message. I put this message as Shift+F3 so it is on the same key as F3 and easy to remember.  To use it with F3, press F3 then press Shift+F3. If you use Keyboard Shortcuts to program F1 to send Shift+F3, pressing F3 then F1 gets the same result.

Shift+F10 – Used to request a repeat of the time.

Shift+F11 – Used to send a repeat of the time when asked for a fill of the time.

Copy & paste these messages directly into WriteLog. Replace YOURCALL with your callsign. Use %1 in place of %3 if you want.

Messages
F2 %RBARTG YOURCALL YOURCALL CQ %E
F3 %R%C 599 %3 %3 %T %T %E
F4 %RTU YOURCALL CQ %E
F5 %RYOURCALL YOURCALL %E
F6 %RAGN? %E
F7 YOURCALL %E
F8 %R%P1 TU NOW %C 599 %3 %3 %T %E
F9 %R599 %3 %3 %T %T %E
F10 %RNR? NR? %E
F1&F11 %3 %3 %3 %E
Shifted Messages
F3 %C %E
F10 %RTIME? %E
F11 %R%T %T %T %E