Qualcomm

I believe a company can have different macros and different ways, although probably pretty similar can be different.

They should give you training and if they don't and you have a specific question about a macro, give me the macro number and a small detail of it and maybe I can explain or get an answer to you. I know some dispatchers/trainers are pretty brief and expect you to understand. I can only try to help. Not the best at the qualcom "macros".

 

The way it works where I work, the majority of the macros that I send back are simply the load numbers for the load in question. For example, with the numbers I use, macro 1 is the load number, and sending macro 1 means "I accept the load". Macro 2 is "I have arrived at the shipper", and again consists of the load number.

Macro 3, has a bunch of info, and it is the info describing the load as I leave the shipper. It will have the load number, the trailer number, the weights, the shippers number, the railcar number if it applies, and the mileage and hours on the truck.

Macro 8 tells them that I have arrived, and again, it's merely the load number.

Macro 9 tells them I have completed the load, I am now eplty, and it;s time for another load and the process to start over again.

A company can assign any info they want to a specific macro, the prime purpose of macros being to send the info in condensed format. I also have the option to send free form messages, where I simply type in whatever i need to say.

It depends on the company and how they want to use the system, but macros are primarily used to shorten up routine messages, since the boys at Qualcomm charge for transmission by the word. this leads some companies to get ridiculous, and limit the unit as a communication tool. I read on here of one outfit actually charging the drivers for excessive words on the unit, and that is the height of silliness. I don;t own it, and I will not pay for it when it is their way to contact me.

 

I am not trying to "correct" you, however they charge by the letter. Macros are cheaper. Now some companies have different packages so you should ask your company how it works, however the driver does not pay. It does help the company save money, which helps give bonuses etc to the drivers/employees (yeah lets not forget us office people deserve a little something extra, right?)

 

Macros are company specific. The unit itself is really easy and self explanatory to use...takes only a few minutes to learn.

 

When U get into orientation, they'll have handouts that give specific info on how to transmit and receive data. I've included a link; you can see the many software packages that Qualcomm offers to let trucking companies configure and customize their system.
http://www.qualcomm.com/technology/assetmanagement/transportation/index.html

 

International Tractors won't do it but, Freightliner's- you can drive and turn off the key- while going down a hill, and read the Qualcom, and then turn the key back on and the engine restarts...