HOST

Use the HOST command to host an op and go on the air. If you know your Q-codes, QRV (meaning “I am ready”) does the same thing.

This command only works if you are transmitting over RF, enforcing rule #3.

The position report that puts you on the air has to come from the same callsign and SSID that sent the HOST command. K7ABC-6 goes on the air by beaconing from K7ABC-6, not from K7ABC or K7ABC-7. An op is run by one station, so a beacon from any other SSID does not meet the requirements to start the op.

That position report has to reach the bot over RF as well, which is checked separately from your HOST message. An accepted HOST is no promise that your beacon will count, and the bot tells you when it doesn’t.

See Host an op for a description of how to use this command.

Reference

HOST [description...]

Go on the air and start hosting an op.

description: Free-text description of the op. optional

Also answers to: QRV
Available to: Hosts only. Must be sent via RF; one op per operator at a time.
Rate limit: 2 per minute and 3 per 10 minutes

Replies

beacon_prompt: Send a position report within 5 mins to go on the air
on_air_confirmation: {station} is on the air{location}. aprsota.org/{callsign}
no_beacon_nudge: No beacon received. Send HOST to try again.
no_beacon_rf_nudge: Beacons arrived on APRS-IS, not RF. Send HOST to try again.
no_beacon_fix_nudge: Beacons had no usable position. Send HOST to try again.

Hints

HOST not sent via RF: Must transmit via RF to host. aprsota.org/handbook/host-an-op limited to 1 per hour, then silent
HOST while already on the air: You already have an op on the air limited to 1 per 24 hours, then silent
beacon with no usable position while awaiting one: Beacon has no usable position. Wait for a GPS fix and beacon again limited to 1 per hour, then silent
beacon on the wrong path while awaiting one: Beacon arrived on APRS-IS, not RF. aprsota.org/handbook/host-an-op limited to 1 per hour, then silent
HOST while the service is going quiet for maintenance: Going quiet for maintenance. No new ops. aprsota.org limited to 1 per hour, then silent