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Beacon scheduler

The beacon scheduler transmits a status beacon from your callsign at a fixed interval. It is for operators with a verified callsign who want a periodic beacon that the app itself keeps on time.

What it does

/beacon hands the app a beacon: a comment and an interval. The app transmits the comment as an APRS status (>comment) at once and then every interval, while the transmit gate is open. Unlike Auto-status, the app keeps the schedule, so the beacon needs no tool event.

Use it

Command Does
/beacon <minutes> <comment> Starts the beacon: every <minutes>, 10 through 1440 (one day), with <comment> (APRScaching when left out). Without a number first it answers with its usage and schedules nothing
/beacon off Ends it, in any letter case

For example, /beacon 60 OE8APR shack, QRV 144.800 beacons once an hour.

What it transmits

  • One APRS status, >comment, from your callsign, at once and then every interval, never more often than every 10 minutes. The app clamps the interval to 10 minutes through one day and the comment to one line of 62 characters. A tool transmits status and messages only.
  • Only through your gate. The beacon runs only while your callsign is control-verified and a radio is connected in Settings → My radio with your transmit consent for this tab.
  • Within the tool's budget. Each tool may transmit once a minute and six times an hour, beacons included.
  • Only when you ask. It starts on /beacon. It ends on /beacon off, when you switch the tool off, disconnect the radio, end the consent, sign out or change callsign or SSID, or close the tab; then run /beacon again.

Every beacon shows in Recent transmissions under the tool's title.

Permissions

Permission Why
command Registers /beacon
beacon Schedules the beacon; the app gates it on the verified callsign and the tab's consent

Version and tool API
Manifest name beacon-scheduler
Version 1.1.1
Tool API 1.0, the minimum it needs
Author OE8APR
Shows on terminal
Commands The operator's alone
Licence MIT
In the project registry Listed, as version 1.1.1
Source tools/beacon-scheduler/

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