Add TACTICAL_CALL and STANDARD_CALL options and updated README

README.md

@@ -64,9 +64,12 @@ coming soon. This software is experimental and could have bugs. Bug reports and
 
    You'll need to open up the config.ini file in a text editor and make your changes following the instructions below
    
-   **[MYCALL]**  
-   This is where you enter the callsign of your BBS. This can be your FCC callsign or eventually a tactical callsign (like BBS). If using a tactical call the BBS will need to transmit your FCC call every 10 minutes while in operation. This hasn't been implemented yet however, so it's best to use your FCC call until then.
+   **[TACTICAL_CALL]**  
+   This is where you enter the callsign of your BBS. This can be your FCC callsign if you don't plan on using a tactical call or a tactical callsign like BBS, CAMP1, or whatever makes the most sense for you.
    
+   **[STANDARD_CALL]**  
+   If using a Tactical Call in the TACTICAL_CALL field, be sure to enter in your ham radio callsign here to ensure your callsign is in the packets to comply with FCC regulations. If you're using your ham radio callsign in the TACTICAL_CALL field, you can just leave this as TC2BBS.
+
    **[KISS_HOST & KISS PORT]**  
    IP Address and Port of the host running direwolf (127.0.0.1 if the BBS is running on the same system)   
    

aprs_comm.py

@@ -73,8 +73,8 @@ def send_ack(ki, aprs_frame):
         ack_info = f":{source:<9}:ack{message_number}".encode('utf-8')
 
         frame = aprs.APRSFrame.ui(
-            destination=source,
-            source=config.MYCALL,
+            destination=config.STANDARD_CALL,
+            source=config.TACTICAL_CALL,
             path=config.APRS_PATH,
             info=ack_info,
         )
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ def send_bulletin(bulletin_id, bulletin_text):
         frame_info = f":{bulletin_id:<9}:{bulletin_text}".encode('utf-8')
 
         frame = aprs.APRSFrame.ui(
-            destination="BLN",
-            source=config.MYCALL,
+            destination=config.STANDARD_CALL,
+            source=config.TACTICAL_CALL,
             path=config.APRS_PATH,
             info=frame_info
         )
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ def start():
     def normalize_callsign(callsign):
         return callsign.split('-')[0].upper() if callsign else ""
 
-    my_callsign = normalize_callsign(config.MYCALL)
+    my_callsign = normalize_callsign(config.TACTICAL_CALL)
     print(f"BBS Callsign: {my_callsign}")
 
     while True:
@@ -197,8 +197,8 @@ def start():
 
                         response_info = f":{source:<9}:{response}".encode('utf-8')
                         response_frame = aprs.APRSFrame.ui(
-                            destination=source,
-                            source=config.MYCALL,
+                            destination=config.STANDARD_CALL,
+                            source=config.TACTICAL_CALL,
                             path=config.APRS_PATH,
                             info=response_info,
                         )
@@ -217,8 +217,8 @@ def send_direct_message(recipient, message):
         frame_info = f":{recipient:<9}:{message}".encode('utf-8')
 
         frame = aprs.APRSFrame.ui(
-            destination=recipient.upper(),
-            source=config.MYCALL,
+            destination=config.STANDARD_CALL,
+            source=config.TACTICAL_CALL,
             path=config.APRS_PATH,
             info=frame_info
         )

config.py

@@ -9,16 +9,18 @@ if not os.path.exists(config_file):
     with open(config_file, "w") as file:
         file.write("""
 [DEFAULT]
-MYCALL = BBS
-KISS_HOST = 192.168.1.94
+TACTICAL_CALL = BBS
+STANDARD_CALL = TC2BBS
+KISS_HOST = 127.0.0.1
 KISS_PORT = 8001
 BULLETIN_EXPIRATION_DAYS = 7
-APRS_PATH = WIDE1-1
+APRS_PATH = WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1
 """)
 
 config.read(config_file)
 
-MYCALL = config.get("DEFAULT", "MYCALL", fallback="BBS")
+TACTICAL_CALL = config.get("DEFAULT", "TACTICAL_CALL", fallback="BBS")
+STANDARD_CALL = config.get("DEFAULT", "STANDARD_CALL", fallback="TC2BBS")
 KISS_HOST = config.get("DEFAULT", "KISS_HOST", fallback="127.0.0.1")
 KISS_PORT = config.getint("DEFAULT", "KISS_PORT", fallback=8001)
 BULLETIN_EXPIRATION_DAYS = config.getint("DEFAULT", "BULLETIN_EXPIRATION_DAYS", fallback=7)

example_config.ini

@@ -2,12 +2,16 @@
 # Edit the values below to customize the behavior of the system.
 
 [DEFAULT]
-# MYCALL: The callsign of the BBS. This is the identifier used to communicate
-# with the APRS network. Change it to your assigned ham radio callsign or a tactical callsign
-# Note on tactical callsigns:
-# Your FCC callsign will need to be transmitted every 10 minutes during operation if using a tactical call.
-# This feature hasn't been implemented yet, so it is best to enter in your FCC call here until then.
-MYCALL = BBS
+# TACTICAL_CALL: The callsign of the BBS. This is the identifier used to communicate
+# with the APRS network. This can be a Tactical Callsign (like BBS) or your ham radio
+# license callsign (WITH SSID). If using a tactical callsign, be sure to enter in your ham radio
+# license callsign in the STANDARD_CALL field below to meet FCC requirements.
+
+TACTICAL_CALL = BBS
+
+# If using a Tactical Call, be sure to enter in your standard FCC callsign here (NO SSID)
+# If using your ham radio license call in the Tactical Call field, leave this as TC2BBS.
+STANDARD_CALL = TC2BBS
 
 # KISS_HOST: The hostname or IP address of the KISS TNC (Terminal Node Controller)
 # used for APRS communications. Typically, this is a local device or a remote server.