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Using The BPQ BBS System

Using The BPQ BBS System

Here is a practical user guide for navigating and sending messages on a BPQ32 / LinBPQ Bulletin Board System (BBS) via packet radio or terminal.

1. Connecting and Basic Commands

Once connected to the BBS node, you will usually see a prompt showing your callsign and the BBS callsign (e.g., N3MEL>).

Command

Action

H or ?

Displays the main BBS help menu.

LM

List Mine — displays unread private messages addressed to you.

LL 10

List Last — lists the 10 most recent messages on the BBS.

LB

List Bulletins — lists available bulletin categories/messages.

RM [number]

Read Message — reads a specific message by its number (e.g., RM 1024).

KM [number]

Kill Message — deletes a private message addressed to you.

B or Q

Bye / Quit — disconnects from the BBS.

2. Sending a Private Message (SP)

Private messages are addressed to a specific station (callsign). They can be local to the current BBS or routed across the packet network using hierarchical addressing.

Syntax

  • Local recipient: SP <callsign>
  • Remote recipient: SP <callsign>@<BBS-Callsign>.<State/Region>.<Country>

Step-by-Step Example

  1. Initiate the message:SP W3ABC

  2. (For routing via a remote BBS: SP W3ABC@K3BBS.EPA.PA.USA.NOAM)
  3. Enter the Subject Line: The BBS will prompt you for a subject.Title/Subject: Next week net schedule

  5. Type Your Message Body: Enter your text line by line.
  6. Send/Save the Message: On a new, blank line, type /EX or EX (or press Ctrl+Z depending on your terminal) and press Enter.

SP W3ABC

Subject: Next week net schedule

Hi Bob,

Are you available to run net control this coming Thursday?

73, Glenn

/EX

Message saved as #1042

3. Sending a Bulletin Message (SB)

Bulletins are public messages distributed to multiple stations or routed broadly across the network. They are categorized by topic and distribution scope.

Syntax

  • Local Bulletin: SB <category>
  • Routed Bulletin: SB <category>@<distribution>

Common categories include ALL, TECH, SALE, INFO, or local group identifiers (e.g., ARES).

Common distribution scopes include:

  • ALL or local area (e.g., @ALLPA, @EPA)
  • USA / NOAM (North America)
  • WW (Worldwide)

Step-by-Step Example

  1. Initiate the Bulletin:SB ALL@EPA

  2. (This posts an ALL bulletin destined for distribution across Eastern Pennsylvania).
  3. Enter the Subject Line: Keep bulletin titles concise and descriptive.Title/Subject: Emergency Comm Drill Scheduled for Aug 15

  5. Type Your Message Body: Write the message content.
  6. Send/Save the Message: Finish on a new line with /EX or EX and press Enter.

SB ALL@EPA

Subject: Emergency Comm Drill Scheduled for Aug 15

Attention all stations,

A regional VHF packet drill will be held on August 15 at 1900L.

All local nodes will participate.

73, N3MEL

/EX

Message saved as #1043

Key Rules & Best Practices

  • Always End with /EX: BPQ32 expects /EX (or EX) on its own line to close and queue the message.
  • Keep Bulletins Relevant: Only use wide distribution scopes like @WW or @USA when the message is genuinely relevant to operators outside your immediate region.
  • BBS Forwarding: Routed messages (@BBS or @DISTRIBUTION) are automatically queued for the next forwarding cycle configured on the BPQ node.