Setting up Macros “MIXW”

The macro setup described below is for MIXW; I have cut my teeth on MIXW and still use it regularly, it is an excellent package.

Most contacts made via digital modes are done by using macros;  a macro is where you store the information that you want to send to the receiving station. Generally, keyboard to keyboard is not used. However, some stations like a rag chew and, on these occasions, the operator can use the keyboard as a typewriter and input text to be sent. More often than not macros are used for simplicity and quickness.

I have added the contents of my macros below, this will give you some idea how they are setup and what sort of information you might want to send. Generally most contacts require some basic info about you, this might include how long licensed, your age etc and the area where you live, your station setup and so on, just like we would do in a voice contact.

You can change the contents of each macro, change the macro label, and add more macros if you need them.  More information on the finer points of using the software will follow later.

Put your mouse pointer over the macro and left click the mouse button.  This will open the macro editor window.

The Macro Editor will look like the below image.

My Macros look like this:-

Macro Labelled CQ

<TX>

CQ CQ  CQ  de <MYCALL>   <MYCALL>   <MYCALL>

CQ CQ  CQ  de <MYCALL>   <MYCALL>  <MYCALL>

pse K

<RXANDCLEAR>

Macro labelled Ans CQ

<TX>

 <CALL> <CALL> de <MYCALL>  <MYCALL>  <MYCALL>   PSE K

<RXANDCLEAR>

Macro Labelled rst etc

<TX>

<CALL> <CALL> de  <MYCALL> <MYCALL>

Many thanks for the contact

Your RST is  599 599

My name is  <MYNAME> <MYNAME>

Age 54 years

My QTH is <MYQTH>

Locator:  <MYWWLOC>

BTU dear friend <NAME>

<CALL> <CALL> DE <MYCALL> <MYCALL>  KN

<RXANDCLEAR>

Macro labelled stn

<TX>

<CALL> <CALL> DE <MYCALL> <MYCALL>

All copied ok dear friend <NAME>

TX/RX:  Yaesu FT847 running 30 watts this mode     

Antenna:     home made doublet

PC:  quad core intel

Interface:   Fully isolated by M0AQC

BTU dear friend <NAME>

<CALL> <CALL> DE <MYCALL> <MYCALL>

<RX>

Macro labelled 73 buro

<TX>

<CALL> <CALL> DE <MYCALL> <MYCALL>

Thanks for the very nice qso dear friend <NAME>

My qsl sure via bureau.

best 73

<CALL> DE <MYCALL> SK

<RXANDCLEAR>

You will notice that at the beginning of every macro there is a <TX> in chevrons (TX must be in upper case and enclosed in the chevrons).  This is important;  as soon as you click on this macro it will TX the contents - if <TX> is in lower case or not enclosed in chevrons nothing will happen.

You will also notice <RXANDCLEAR> at the end of every macro. When the macro reaches this point it will clear the text you sent and put the radio into RX mode. Failure to enter this text correctly will cause the radio to continue TXing.

Please note that you can abort the transmission at any point by simply pressing the ESC key twice.

 Setting up Macros in Digital Master 780

The macros in Digital Master are similar to MIXW, but not identical. Shown below is a macro for calling CQ.  Put your mouse pointer over the macro, left click your mouse button and open up the macro editor window.

You can change the contents of a macro, rename the macro label and add more macros if you need them.

Make sure you enter information exactly as it is shown; note the word stop, this is enclosed in chevrons <stop>.

More information on the finer points of using the software will follow later.

Regards Alan M0AQC

Email alanm0aqc@btinternet.com