Beacon Commands

BC – CW Beacon Timer

Sets the interval for true CW beacon transmissions.

Syntax

BCnnn
BC?

Parameters

Parameter	Range	Description
nnn	060–600	Interval in seconds
	000	Disable beacon

Default

000 (disabled)

Examples

BC120           # Beacon every 2 minutes
BC300           # Beacon every 5 minutes
BC600           # Beacon every 10 minutes (max)
BC000           # Disable beacon
BC?             # Query current setting

Notes

• All 3 digits required
• Setting BC automatically disables BT (MCW beacon)
• True CW requires a CW/SSB receiver
• Beacon message set by BM command

Related Commands

• BT — MCW beacon timer
• BM — Beacon message

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BT – MCW Beacon Timer

Sets the interval for modulated CW (audio) beacon transmissions.

Syntax

BTnnn
BT?

Parameters

Parameter	Range	Description
nnn	060–600	Interval in seconds
	000	Disable beacon

Default

000 (disabled)

Examples

BT120           # Beacon every 2 minutes
BT180           # Beacon every 3 minutes
BT000           # Disable beacon
BT?             # Query current setting

Notes

• All 3 digits required
• Setting BT automatically disables BC (CW beacon)
• MCW can be received with any FM receiver
• Beacon message set by BM command

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BM – Beacon Message

Sets the text message for beacon transmissions.

Syntax

BM<text>
BM?

Parameters

Parameter	Description
<text>	Message up to 32 characters

Default

‘RS-UV3’

Special Characters (True CW only)

Character	Description
#nn	Insert nn seconds of carrier (01–30)
&	Repeat message from beginning

Examples

BMWA2EUJ        # Simple callsign
BMWA2EUJ/B FN20 # Callsign with grid
BM#10WA2EUJ     # 10 sec carrier, then callsign
BMWA2EUJ &      # Repeat callsign continuously
BM?             # Query current message

Notes

• #nn carrier insertion only works with BC (true CW)
• Everything after & is sent once at the end
• Standard Morse characters supported

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MC – Multi-Channel Beacons

Configures beacon to cycle through multiple memory channels.

Syntax

MCn
MC?

Parameters

Value	Description
0	Single channel beacon
2–9	Cycle through channels 1 to n

Default

0 (single channel)

Examples

MC0             # Single channel beacon
MC3             # Cycle channels 1, 2, 3
MC5             # Cycle channels 1 through 5
MC?             # Query current setting

Operation

With MC3 and BT120:

1. Recall channel 1, send beacon
2. Wait 120 seconds
3. Recall channel 2, send beacon
4. Wait 120 seconds
5. Recall channel 3, send beacon
6. Wait 120 seconds
7. Return to channel 1, repeat…

Notes

• Store different frequencies/power levels in memory channels first
• Enables multi-band beacons from single RS-UV3A
• Each channel can have different TX power (PW setting)

Setup Example

# Configure three beacon frequencies
FS144280
PW1
ST1

FS222100
PW1
ST2

FS432100
PW0
ST3

# Enable multi-channel
MC3
BT180

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IT – ID Timer

Sets the automatic CW identification timer for repeater applications.

Syntax

ITnnn
IT?

Parameters

Parameter	Range	Description
nnn	000–500	Interval in seconds
	000	Disable auto-ID

Default

000 (disabled)

Examples

IT600           # ID every 10 minutes
IT300           # ID every 5 minutes
IT000           # Disable auto-ID
IT?             # Query current setting

Notes

• FCC requires repeater ID at least every 10 minutes
• ID is sent after current transmission ends
• Uses callsign set by CL command
• CW parameters from CS and CF
• All 3 digits required

Related Commands

• CL — Set callsign
• ID — Manual ID

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ID – Send ID

Immediately sends the stored callsign as CW.

Syntax

ID

Notes

• Sends callsign from CL command
• Automatically keys TX if needed
• Uses MCW (audio CW on FM carrier)
• Speed and tone from CS and CF

Related Commands

• CL — Set callsign
• IT — Automatic ID timer