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CQ

Use the CQ command to find an op to chase. The OTA bot answers with the callsigns of hosts on the air right now, the ones closest to going off the air first (so you can reach them before they finish).

CQ

Find an op to chase: list the hosts on the air.

Available to
Anyone, from RF or APRS-IS.
Rate limit
1 per 3 minutes and 3 per 15 minutes

Replies

cq_reply
{spots}
cq_reply
CQ! {page}/{pages} {count} {records}
cq_reply
No ops on the air. Send HOST to start one.
cq_reply
more at aprsota.org/now

No error hints; OTA does not reply to an invalid CQ.

Machine form

CQ!

Every message begins with CQ!, then this message's number and the count of messages, then the total number of ops on the air, then one record per op, soonest to expire first.

the list, one message per page
CQ! {page}/{pages} {count} {station} {grid} {expires_at} ...
FieldOn the wireMeaning
stationstringThe station running the op, SSID included. Every host command comes from it.
gridstring, or _The six-character Maidenhead locator, or null when the position is not a place.
expires_atwhole minutes leftWhen the op goes off the air unless extended. Null once ended. Derive minutes left from this.

The grammar every machine form shares is in the handbook's API section.

W1XYZ-5OTACQ
OTAW1XYZ-5K7ABC-6 K0TFU-1 WB4BOR-5 NW5W-1

When no op is on the air, the answer says so and suggests you start your own:

W1XYZ-5OTACQ
OTAW1XYZ-5No ops on the air. Send HOST to start one.

If more hosts are on the air than fit in one message, the bot sends two, each tagged (1/2) and (2/2). If they still do not all fit, the second message ends with more at aprsota.org/now, where the full list is available.