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Most answers are found by opening your account page.

QsoNet Frequent Questions

Most answers are found by opening your account page.


Most answers are found by opening your account page.

Account page Email problems Password Problems
License Picture Remove Callsign Installing / reinstalling
Change Callsign Apple / Linux Windows version
Rule enforcement Crashes / freezes Voice breakup
Audio problems QRZ.com Payment Questions
QsoTV Problem Club Stations Welcome Email
Error 102 Signature is Corrupt or Invalid Program has been Reported Unsafe
  Extra Charges  
Most answers are found by opening your account page.

Most answers are found by opening your account page.


Open Your Account Page
Most answers are found by opening your account page.
Please look at your account page before asking questions, because most answers are found by opening your account page.

Q: How do I open my account page?
    NOTE: MOST ANSWERS ARE FOUND BY OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT PAGE
A: There are three ways to open your account page:
1) Go to the home page at Qsonet.com, put your mouse cursor over the word "Account" and click your left mouse finger.
2) Click the white question mark on the top left corner of the transceiver, then click the underlined link https://qsonet.com/user.php
3) Click here... https://qsonet.com/user.php

Q: How do I change my password?
A: Open your account page and make the changes.

Q: How do I change my handle, QTH, Info?
A: Open your account page and make the changes. You will need to logout / login to see these changes. HINT: every band switch does a logout / login.

Q: How do I change my email address?
A: Open your account page and make the change.

Q: How do I download the program?
A: Open your account page and click "Download Program".

Q: How do I get the latest version?
A: Open your account page and click "Download Program".

Q: How do I get QsoTV?
A: Open your account page and click "Download QsoTV".

Q: How do I download the manual?
A: Open your account page and click "Download Manual".

Q: How do I pay?
A: Open your account page and click "How To Pay".

Q: When does my account expire?
A: Open your account page and read the "Account Expiration" at the top of the page.

Q: I lost the welcoming email. Can you send it again?
A: Open you account page and click "Send Email Again".

Q: Why do you keep sending me the same email asking for another copy of my license?
A: You get this email because you keep clicking "Send Email Again". Please do not waste your time sending extra copies of your license.

Q: Please remove my callsign from the user list.
A: Open your account page and uncheck the checkbox "Allow callsign to be published..."

Q: I do not see these things on my account page.
A: Use the slider on the right side of browser to scroll down to more stuff. Keep holding your left mouse finger down while you pull the slider downward on your screen. Be sure Javascript and Cookies are enabled on your browser.

Q: Why do I see a security warning about a certificate error?
A: Delete the "WWW" from the url address. Some browsers are configured to always add "WWW" even when it is the wrong thing to do.
Email Problems
Q: I did not receive the welcome email with download instructions.
Q: I did not receive any email when I sent my license picture.
Q: I did not receive any email when I clicked "Forgot Password".
Q: I did not receive a confirming email after I made a payment.

A: Open your account page and be sure your email address is entered correctly.
Some ISP's, security software and email programs will tag these automatic emails as spam. Look in your spam folder.
If you continue to suffer from missing email, its highly recommended that you open a free GMAIL account at HTTP://GMAIL.COM. Hotmail is not reliable.

Q: Why don't you answer my emails?
A: We usually try to answer email questions. In many cases, we simply refer you to your account page or the home page or this FAQ.
We get hundreds of emails every day, so we do not have time to laugh at joke emails. If you send jokes, political messages, or invitations to everyone on you email list, we block your email address.
Password and Connection Problems
Q: I forgot my password.
A: Open your account page and click "Forgot Password."

Q: My password is not working.
A: Your must erase the stars before entering your password.
Test you are using the correct password by seeing if it will open your account page.
If it fails with the right password, then the callsign is wrong.
Be sure your callsign is showing correctly above the password. Be sure your zero is a plain zero, not a crossed zero or a letter "OH".
To correct an error in your callsign, you must reinstall the program.

Try unchecking "Remember me on this computer" until you get this problem solved.

HINT: The Qsonet discussion forum is a whole different system from the Qsonet system. Do not confuse these two independent systems.
HINT: Registry cleaners were a good idea fifteen years ago. Today they cause many problems and solve none.

Q: When I try to log in nothing happens.
A: Be sure you click the "Log in Now" button after entering your password.
Try waiting 2 minutes to see if any error message will appear.
We had reports the running some versions of McCafee, ZoneAlarm and Norton will cause this problem. Refer to your documentation for McCafee, ZoneAlarm and Norton.


Q: When I try to log in I see Error 102, Error 103 or Error 22.
A: Error 102 or 103 is reported if CQ100.EXE is not able to use the internet on your computer.
Usually this is some firewall, antivirus or "security" program running on your computer.
You need to read through the documentation for this software to find out how to authorize CQ100.EXE to use the internet.
A few people have reported that AOL Firewall reports error #22 instead of #103.
The firewall that is part of Windows is no problem.
Usually it is Windows 98 users who are running these strange third-party firewalls.
Kaspersky 2014 does not allow CQ100 to run showing Error 102. Disabling Kasperski will not help this problem. Kasperski must be entirley uninstalled to fix error 102.

Q: After I log in, I see "Connecting To Server" scrolling across the window.
A: You are using an advanced firewall, router or ISP who is not allowing a simple outbound TCP connection to ports 24980 to 24985 on qsonet.com
Problems with Picture of License Certificate
Q: Why do I need to send a copy of my license? All my information is on QRZ.com and the FCC database.
A: Any CBer or SWL can pick your callsign from QRZ.com. We need to know you are the owner of that callsign.

Q: I don't have a scanner.
A: You can use a digital camera, web cam or fax machine.

Q: How do I sent it?
A: There are 3 ways to send it. Please choose only one.
1) Open your account page and use the provided button.
2) Send an email attachment to douglas "at" qsonet.com. Type your callsign in capital letters into the subject line.
3) Send postal mail to Cormac Technologies Inc., 398 Dufferin St., Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1N6, Canada. Remember it takes a bigger stamp to get to Canada. Airmail to Canada takes about 2 weeks.

Q: I sent my license but there is no response.
A: You should get an email confirmation within 16 hours that your callsign has been activated.
See "Email Problems" above.
Be sure you send the actual image file, and not a windows shortcut file.

If your image is not acceptable, there will be no response.
Examples of unacceptable images are:
1) a picture of your face, your dog, your rig, your QSL card.
2) a screen shot from a public web site.
3) an image generated from AE7Q or similar public website.

Q: I can't find my license.
A: Try sending some other image identification proving that you are the person named in the government database, living at the registered address.
Removing Callsign from Membership List
Q: Please remove my callsign from the user list.
A: Open your account page and uncheck the checkbox "Allow callsign to be published..."
Program Install / Reinstall
Q: How do I move the program onto my new computer?
Q: I had to wipe my old computer clean. How do I reinstall the program?
Q: Can I install the program onto many computers?

A: The procedure for re-install is identical to your original install. Open your account page and click "Download Program".
It is not necessary to re-register or send another copy of your license when you do this.
You can install the program on many computers if you wish. Just be sure your callsign is not being used on two computers at the same time.

Q: How can two different stations install onto the same computer?
A: If these stations are different Windows Users, they can each install the program for their callsign.
If they are the same Windows User, it will be necessary to reinstall the program whenever you wish to change the callsign.
Vanity Callsigns / Changes to Callsign
Q: I have a new callsign. How do I change it?
A: Do not register the new call.
Send email to douglas "at" qsonet.com giving the old callsign and what you want it changed to.
Be sure to send this request from the same email address that shows on your account page.
Once the call has been changed on the Qsonet server, you will receive an email instructing you to reinstall the program at your end.
Apple / Linux Questions
Q: Will this program work in the Apple, Ipad, Iphone, Ipod, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, CE, Chrome or Linux operating system?
Q: Do you have any plans to make an Apple, Ipad, Iphone, Ipod, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, CE, Chrome or Linux version?

A: No.
Windows Versions
Q: Does it work on Windows 95?
A: No.

Q: Does it work on Windows 98 and ME?
A: No.

Q: Does it work on Windows 2000 and XP?
A: Yes.

Q: Does it work on Windows VISTA?... Windows 7?... Windows 8?... Windows 10?
A: Most people are saying it works fine under VISTA, 7, 8 and 10. Although some people are saying they need to use the Windows volume controls instead of the transceiver knobs.

Q: I just got a new computer with Windows 10, and now I discover CQ100 and QsoTV will not run at all.
A: The problem is not Windows 10. It is the security software that came on your new computer. Try to avoid any products from Norton/Symantec, Kaspersky or McAffe. In our experience, these three companies have a bad reputation and will cause lots of grief. Norton, in their wisdom, has started to delete any software if it came from a small company!!! We recommend ESET Nod32 or Microsoft Security Essentials. Just get the anti-virus alone, without the full security package. The full security packages tend to cripple Windows from doing what it was meant to do, so they cause more problems than they solve.
Enforcing the Rules
Q: How do I report someone who is breaking the rules?
A: Quietly send an email to abuse "at" qsonet.com
Do not confront them or get into an argument.
Do not send them an email. Just relax and tune to a different frequency.
DO NOT SEND THEM EMAIL!

Q: I heard a tech licensed station transmitting outside his band privileges.
A: He is doing nothing wrong.
Qsonet does not enforce band and license restrictions by license class for any country.
Techs can transmit on any Qsonet band and frequency, as long as they follow the mode restrictions.

Q: I heard someone sending CW on the phone band.
A: He is doing nothing wrong.
On real radio, the law is no phone on the CW bands, but CW, PSK, FSK are allowed on the phone bands.

Q: I heard someone discussing politics or religion.
A: He is doing nothing wrong. There is no law against this.

Q: I heard someone using fowl language.
A: If you really believe this goes beyond what the FCC would allow on late night television, please send a report to abuse "at" qsonet.com

Q: I heard someone transmitting music.
A: Usually this is accidental - probably VOX related. Please send a report to abuse "at" qsonet.com
Program Crashes or Freezes
Q: The program quits working whenever I do a band switch.
A: This problem is caused by Kerio Firewall. Kerio must be totally uninstalled, not just closed.

Q: The program freezes when I start transmitting and double with another station who has also started transmitting.
A: Try to avoid holding your mouse down on the PTT button, or holding your space bar down. Just click you mouse on the PTT button or tap your space bar. Set the PTT button to PTT / PTL mode.

Q: I see an error message "Program is Already Running".
A: Try rebooting your system. Try downloading the latest version. CQ100 is not supported for Windows 98 and ME.
Voice Breakup
QsoNet uses a single, outbound TCP connection just like any web page.
QsoNet uses very small internet bandwidth: Approximately 1.8 KB/s = 14.4 kbaud.

First try to determine which side of the conversation has the problem.
Usually one station will always have this problem, while other stations only hear the problem when they talk to this particular station.
Don't always assume it is your problem. The problem may be at the other side.

If the voice is breaking up, first be sure the transmitter is not using Vox.
Bad Vox setting will sound like a voice breakup.
Ask the station to use Push-To-Talk instead of Vox.

Try to avoid holding down your space bar or or mouse key while transmitting.
Put the mode to PTT Lock and just tap your space bar or mouse.

Your internet pipe may be too full.
If you have Skype, LimeWire, Itunes, BitTorrent or instant messengers running, your internet pipe might be plugged.
Try closing these other programs.
Especially try closing Skype because it routes other people's voice calls through your computer without your knowledge.
If you are downloading music or files while using QsoNet, your internet pipe might be too full. Close these programs completely by right clicking their icon on the system tray at bottom right corner.

Perhaps another computer in your house or neighborhood is busy downloading. Uploading is even worse.

If you use an Internet Accelerator program, it might be busy downloading web pages into your cache. Try closing your browser.

Here is a company that has some free tools to diagnose where the internet bottleneck and breakup are happening... www.visualroute.com

Some Antivirus programs and firewalls will inspect every internet packet. If your computer CPU is not fast enough, the antivirus program might be causing the breakup.

If your router does packet inspection, try turning this option off.

Some wireless routers are frequently stopping and starting the wireless connection. This will cause momentary gaps in the audio. Try to improve the strength of the wireless signal, or simply use a real wire instead. Wireless routers are sometimes bothered by microwave ovens.

Try running the following test to Dallas, Texas www.speakeasy.net/speedtest
I get 1092 kbps download and 313 kbps upload. The Qsonet system requires about 16 kbps.
Audio Problems
If CQ100 refuses to transmit, be sure the MODE is not set to QRT.
The recommended setting is PTT Lock.

USB headsets are treated by windows as a separate sound card.
If you are having audio trouble, click the little question mark at top left corner and be sure the correct sound card(s) are selected. Whenever you change the sound card choice, close CQ100 then re-open.

When you talk into the mic while transmitting, the S-Meter should bounce with your voice, peaking about S9 to 10dB over.
Adjust the transceiver Mic Gain knob as required.

If your mic is still not working, click Audio Input Mixer and be sure mic is SELECTED and turned up.
Some sound cards have "Advanced" button where you can select "dB Boost" to make your microphone louder.

Some headsets have a hardware Mic switch embedded in the headset wire. Be sure its turned on.

If you hear a squealing feedback from your speakers, click the Audio OUTPUT Mixer and be sure that Microphone is MUTED in here.
Try closing all other programs so see if they are the cause of sound card trouble.

If you still have problems, close CQ100 and open Windows Sound Recorder.
If the Windows Sound Recorder can record and play your voice, your sound card is OK.
If Windows Sound Recorder has the same problem, then you need to check your hardware wires and sound card and your Windows configuration under Control Panel.
Try installing the latest driver software for your sound card.

Check in Control Panel that your GSM 6.10 codec has not been turned off or removed.
This codec has installed with all versions of windows since Win 95. Some free programs can make a mess of your codec settings.
If you start having audio problems after installing a free program, try performing a Windows Rollback to reverse the problem.

Someone reported he adjusted the priority of GSM 6.10 codec in Windows control panel to solve transmit audio problem.
Click on Callsign Does Not Open QRZ.com
When you click on someone's callsign, your browser should open to QRZ.com
A few people have reported that this feature does not work.

A new version of CQ100 released November 8, 2011 fixed a problem where QRZ changed their link. If you are using a version less than build 283, please download the latest version.

We use a standard windows technique that allows one program to send a command to open you DEFAULT browser. This technique works in all versions of Windows.

Here are some reasons why it may not work:

1) Something has messed with your default browser settings. Some ISP's install their own special browser that makes a mess of your system default browser settings.
Try downloading Firefox firefox.com and install that as your default browser.

2) Some "Internet Security" programs (yuk) cause lots of problems.
They detect one program trying to open another program as a "Hyjack Attempt".
They remove the ability of any program to open your browser.
Leo Laporte on television's "Call For Help TV" says these internet security programs cause a lot more problems than they solve.
This problem is with your Windows configuration. It is not a bug in CQ100. It is not a problem with your internet connection.

Try Control Panel, "Tools", "Internet Options", click on the advanced tab, and select the "Restore Defaults".
Payment Questions
Q: How do I pay?
A: Open your account page and and click the button "How To Pay". All internet payments must be made from this page.

Q: Do you autmatically renew my membership every year?
A: We never do automatic renewals. You must open the payment page and pay again whenever your annual subscription expires.

Q: How can I pay by bank transfer?
Q: How can I pay using the currency of my country?
A: Open your account page and and click the button "How To Pay". Now click the button "Paypal". Paypal has many ways to pay including bank transfers. Paypal accepts many currencies - even British pounds.

Q: Can I send you a postal check or money order or cash in British Pounds, Austrian Euros, Nigerian Rubles etc. ?
A: Well you can send a postal payment in any currency and any amount you choose, but we will return it to you if it is not $39 USA currency or $39 Canadian currency. If you want to pay by some other currency, please use the Paypal button on your account page.

Q: How can a pay for a friend?
A: There are two ways to pay for a friend:
1) Sign in to your friend's account page using his callsign and password, then make the payment in the normal way.
2) Make an extra payment for your own account, then send email to douglas "at" qsonet.com explaining you wish to transfer this FULL year to some other callsign. Part-years cannot be transfered. You must wait one hour between multiple payments.

Q: Can I use someone else's credit card?
A: Yes. Your friend can sign in to your account page as you, click "How To Pay", then make the payment.

Q: Can I just send you my credit card number by email, fax or telephone?
A: NO, absolutely NOT! Never send confidential information by email. We never see anyone's credit card information and we don't want to. The payment page goes direct to our bank using a secure encrypted connection.

Q: When does my account expire?
A: Open your account page and read your expiration date at the top of the page. We do not send out reminders.

Q: If I pay early will I lose the remainder of my free trial?
A: You receive the entire free period, regardless of when you pay. The paid time is added on to the end of the free time.

Q: My account has expired and the system will not let me re-register. It says my callsign is still registered.
A: You callsign remains registered even after your time has expired. Just open your account page and make your payment in the normal way. Do not try to re-register your callsign.

Q: How much is $39 USA in British Pounds, Australian Dollars, Swedish Crowns, New Zealand Pesos, Japanese Yen and other currencies?
A: Open the web site at http://xe.com to answer all these questions. Remember, payments must be received as either $39 US or $39 Canadian.

Q: I see the name CORMAC TECHNOLOGIES on my credit card statement. Who is this company?
A: This company is the legal owner of QsoNet and CQ100. DO NOT CONTACT YOUR BANK and complain this unknown company has made a fraudulent charge to your credit card. This is a serious accusation and will get you permanently removed from the system.

Q: Hey, I see two payments showed up on my credit card statement.
A: We enforce a 60 minute gap between payments, but a few people manage to accidently make two payments hours apart. Just send email to douglas "at" qsonet.com, and he will immediatley arrange for refund of the extra payment. DO NOT CONTACT YOUR BANK about this or any problem because that creates a ton of work and big expense for us. Anyone who contacts their bank without first contacting us will be permanently removed from the system.
Extra Charges
Q: When I pay for CQ100 are there any extra charges?
A:Yes there are many extra charges for you to pay in addition to the payment for CQ100. For example, the cost of the envelope and the stamp to mail a check is an extra charge you must pay. Your bank may have service charges for processing your check or your credit card payment. The cost of paying your internet provider and providing eletricity to run you computer is not included in the price of CQ100. All of these are extra charges.

Free Membership for Club Stations
Q: Please register my club for the free membership.
A: We do not register any callsign. You must register it yourself. Please click Register on the home page and register your club callsign, then send a copy of the club license. You will receive the free trial period, like everyone else. During this period, send email to douglas "at" qsonet "dot" com lettiing him know you request the free membership for your club station. He will pay your susbscription, and you will receive a receipt for the payment. Your club station may now download, install and use QSO_TV for picture sharing.

Q: How do I control which club members may use the club callsign?
A: The person who registered the club station and provided the license, chose the access password. He now has control of who he gives that password to. He may change the password at any time. Remember if this callsign is being used on two different computers at the same time, one of the two will be disconnected.

Problem with QSO-TV
Q: QsoTV keeps saying ...please restart CQ100.
A: This problem is caused by your antivirus or security software not allowing two programs to talk to each other on the same computer. Be sure to tell all your antivirus, firewall and security programs to give permission for QsoTV.exe to use the internet. Someone said he replaced McAfee with Vipre and the problem went away.

It appears this problem is happening mostly with McAfee. I would never install McAfee but a few people get tricked into installing it. Be careful with Adobe updates - they will try to sneak McAfee onto your system. Bill KC8IU has graciously provided the following steps how to fix McAfee: Q: I paid a few minutes ago, but QsoTV is still saying I need to pay?
A: Please close CQ100 then re-open it. Now it will know that you have paid.

Welcome Email
Q: Why are you asking for another copy of my license? I have been using CQ100 for years.
A: You received this email because you clicked "Send Welcome Email Again". Please read the third sentence carefully. If you click this button once, you will receive this email once. If you click it 5 times, you will receive this email 5 times. If you click this button whenever you make a payment, you will receive this email whenever you make a payment. If you click this button once a year, you will receiver this email once a year. Once your callsign has been activated on the system, we never require another copy. Please don't waste your time and ours by sending more copies of your license. Just ignore this email. If you wish to stop receiving this email, then stop clicking "Send Email Again" button. If you don't click this button, your will not receive the email.

Q: I did not receive the welcome email with download instructions.
A: Check your spam folder. Open you account page and check your email address is correct. Now click the button "Send Email Again".
Error 102 is caused by Kaspersky
Q: When I try to run CQ100, I get Error 102 message.
A: We had several reports this error starts when you install or upgrade Kaspersky (2014). Disabling Kaskpersky will not fix this problem. You must completely uninstall Kaspersky. Try to avoid any products from Norton/Symantec, Kaspersky or McAffe. In our experience, these three companies have a bad reputation and will cause lots of grief. Norton, in their wisdom, has started to delete any software if it came from a small company!!! We recommend ESET Nod32 (paid) or Microsoft Security Essentials (free). Just get the anti-virus alone, without the full security package. The full security packages tend to cripple Windows from doing what it was meant to do, so they cause more problems than they solve.

Many thanks to Terry for providing the following advice for die-hard Kasperski users...
This brings up a browse for files dialog. On my computer it is C:\Program Files\QsoNet and in the QsoNet folder are all the files needed to run your applications. Kaspersky only scans the .exe executable files and unless you add them to the Kaspersky exclusions list, it will block CQ100 and QsoTV from running. This sets up the CQ100 and QsoTV application programs to be excluded by Kaspersky.
The Signature is Corrupt or Invalid
Q: I cannot download CQ100 or QsoTV. I get an error message "The signature ... is corrupt or invalid"
A: This is a known bug with Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). The bug was introduced by a Windows update on September 10th, 2013. We have three suggestions to fix to this problem:
  1. Install Firefox onto your computer and use Firefox as your web browser. http://firefox.com
  2. OR
  3. Click View Downloads on the right side of your IE error message. Right click on the file name, then choose "Run Anyway".
  4. OR
  5. Microsoft knows about this bug, so wait a few weeks and see if they fix it with a new Windows Update.
UPDATE: We have reports that a Windows update on October 9, 2013 has fixed this Microsoft bug.
This Program has been Reported as Unsafe
Q: I cannot install CQ100 or QsoTV. I get an error message "This program has been reported as unsafe"
A: This message is coming from Microsoft SmartScreen. We have digitally signed our programs at great expense to satisfy Microsoft and the various security programs. It now appears the rules have changed and we are trying to figure out what the new rules are. It appears Microsoft does not want you installing programs written by a small company. This problem may have been triggered by the IE signature bug explained above.

If you currently have CQ100 and QsoTV running on your computer, do not uninstall them because your attempt to re-install may trigger this problem. Re-installing used to solve problems ten years ago but now days it is usually a waste of time.

We have a few suggestions how to fix to this problem:

For Windows XP and Windows 7 users, this message is coming from Internet Explorer (IE):
  1. Install Firefox onto your computer and use Firefox instead of IE. http://firefox.com
  2. OR
  3. If you want to keep using IE, click on your IE menu Tools > Safety > Turn Off SmartScreen Filter.
  4. OR
  5. Click View Downloads on the right side of your IE error message. Right click on the file name, then choose "Run Anyway".
For Windows 8 users, this message is coming from your Windows 8 system:
  1. Open up the classic control panel, and select the System and Security link.
  2. Now select the Action Center option.
  3. Once you are in the Action Center expand the security list, and scroll down looking for the Windows SmartScreen option. Once you have found it click the change settings link.
  4. You may be asked to enter your windows password. Now turn off the SmartScreen Filter by clicking the radio button.