8 Text Entry
Speedster04 edited this page 2026-03-22 18:59:32 +01:00
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Text Entry

The text entry screen (title: Text entry) is used whenever an app needs free-text input — for example entering a callsign, filename, or label. It is opened automatically by apps that require it; it cannot be accessed directly from the menu.

Layout

The keyboard is a 5-column grid of 29 character buttons. Below the grid are four action controls:

Control Function
Shift (icon) Cycle shift state: off → on (once) → locked → off
<DEL Delete the last character
Mode button (e.g. 123) Switch to the next character set
OK Confirm entry and return to the calling app

Above the grid, the current text is shown with a cursor. Below the grid are two helper fields:

  • Raw: — a number field (1255). Selecting it inserts the character with that ASCII code directly.
  • AKA: — shows the character corresponding to the current Raw value.

Character sets

The keyboard cycles through three sets using the Mode button. The button always shows the next set's name:

abc — Letters

  • Normal: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z , .
  • Shifted (once or locked): same in uppercase A B C … Z , .

123 — Digits and punctuation

  • Normal: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ( ) ' ` " + - * / = < > _ \ ! ? , .
  • Shifted (locked only): ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) [ ] ' ` " { } | : ; < > - _ ~ ? , .

Note

In 123 mode, the Shift button skips the one-time shift state and goes directly to ShiftLock. Single-character capitalisation is only available in abc mode.

hex — Hexadecimal

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 A B C D E F (space)
  • Shift has no effect in this mode.

Shift states

The Shift button cycles through three states:

State Shift button colour Effect
Off Dark (default) Normal characters
On (once) Darker Next character typed is uppercase/shifted; then resets to off automatically
Locked Blue All characters are uppercase/shifted until unlocked

Navigation

  • Encoder dial: moves the highlight through all 29 character buttons in order.
  • Touchscreen: tap any button directly.
  • Hardware buttons (D-pad): navigate between buttons.

The cursor position in the text preview can be set by tapping a position in the text field if supported by the calling app.