This guide explains how to create a Telegram bot to receive DX alerts on your phone or computer.
If you don't have a Telegram account yet, the first step explains how to create one.
1 Create a Telegram account
ℹ If you already have a Telegram account, skip directly to Step 2 .
Download the app from your device's store or from the official website:
🌐 telegram.org
You can also use Telegram from the browser without installing anything:
🌐 web.telegram.org
To register you only need a phone number
Enter the code you receive by SMS
A username (starting with @ ) is optional but recommended
2 Create the bot with @BotFather
BotFather is the official Telegram bot for managing bots. It is the only official method.
Open Telegram and search for @BotFather in the search bar. Verify it has the blue official verification badge. Press Start or type /start .
Type /newbot and follow the instructions:
Alright, a new bot. How are we going to call it?
Your_callsign DX Monitor
Good. Now let's choose a username for your bot. It must end in bot.
Your_callsign_DXMonitor_bot
The name can be anything descriptive. The username must be unique on Telegram and must end in bot .
BotFather will reply with the token :
Done! Congratulations on your new bot. Use this token to access the HTTP API: 123456789:AABBcc...
⚠ Keep the token in a safe place. It is a secret: anyone who has it controls your bot.
3 Get your Chat ID
The Chat ID identifies your personal conversation with the bot. This is where you will receive all DX alerts.
Search for your bot by its username (@Your_callsign_DXMonitor_bot ) and press Start
Send any message to the bot from Telegram
Open the following URL in your browser, replacing the token:
https://api.telegram.org/bot<YOUR_TOKEN>/getUpdates
⎘ Copy
You will see a JSON with your message. The Chat ID is in:
"chat": { "id": 1045454849, ... }
⎘ Copy
That number is your personal Chat ID . Copy it.
4 Configure in the Dashboard
In the DX Monitor dashboard, Telegram section:
Bot token → the token given to you by BotFatherChat ID → the number obtained in the previous stepAlert language → Spanish or English
Press Send test message to verify it arrives correctly.
ℹ The dashboard URL is http://<HOST_IP_ADDRESS>:8765
5 Create an image for the bot
BotFather allows you to assign a profile photo to the bot with the /setuserpic command.
Design recommendations:
Square format, minimum 640×640 px (Telegram crops it into a circle)
Dark background with the callsign or text DX Monitor
Antenna icon, radio waves or the amateur radio symbol
Free tools:
Canva — easy templates, export PNG directlyGIMP — local image editor, freelogomakr.com — quick online option
To upload the image, type in BotFather:
/setuserpic
Choose a bot to change profile photo.
@Your_callsign_DXMonitor_bot
OK, send me a photo now.
[attach the image]
Useful BotFather commands
Command Function
/mybots View and manage all your bots /setname Change the bot's display name /setdescription Text shown when opening the bot for the first time /setabouttext Short text in the bot's profile /setuserpic Profile photo /deletebot Permanently delete the bot /revoke Revoke the current token and generate a new one
⚠ Use /revoke immediately if you think your token has been compromised.
Quick summary
Telegram account → telegram.org or mobile app@BotFather → /newbot → save the TOKEN Message the bot → open /getUpdates in the browser → copy the CHAT_ID
DX Monitor Dashboard → Telegram section → paste token and chat_id → Test@BotFather → /setuserpic → upload your 640×640 px image