Chat Room Instructions
Setup
To use the Chat feature, you must have the free Java Runtime Environment installed. It is activated whenever you
visit a web page that uses Java applets. Our web page links to external servers hosting the addonChat program,
which runs a Java applet on your PC to provide your interface to the chat service.
If you don't have Java installed, go to the Java website and click on
the Free Java Download button and follow the instructions there.
Once
you have installed Java, be sure to test it to ensure that it has
successfully installed. Sometimes this takes more than one try.
To test your Java installation, go to the Verify Java Version link.
I have used the addonChat application with various
versions of the following web browsers: Firefox, Internet Explorer,
Chrome and Opera.
Troubleshooting
If you are unable to reach the log-in screen or are not able to log in as described below, visit the addonInteractive TroubleShooter.
Also, the providers of addonChat occasionally update their software and require you to update your version of Java.
Enter
To enter the chat room, click on the word Chat on the previous web page.
Next you will see the log-in screen as shown below:
You can enter any Username you choose. Most of our ham friends use their callsigns, sometimes augmented with a name..
No password is required, and your Username is not stored on the chat server.
After clicking the Login button, you will reach the chat window as shown in the following example:
The location for entering your message is marked with a red arrow above. Everyone's message text will appear
in the upper left-hand pane. The right-hand pane shows who is logged in to the chat room.
NOTE: The chat program will automatically log you out after about 10 minutes of inactivity.
You may like to send a "keep alive dot" at times, if you are not entering text regularly.
Simply type and send a "period" character.
Toolbar Icons along the bottom of the chat window are defined below:
Private Chat
This feature is activated by double-clicking on a Username in the Chat Lobby on the right.
This opens a private chat window with the selected user.
Sharing Web Links in Chat
Click here for special instructions.
Updated 01/18/2011