# Chat

## CAD Chat

The Sonoran CAD chat system allows units to send text messages to eachother, or in groups. Messages can also contain links to custom records.

## Using CAD Chat

### Opening the Chat

The **Chat** window can be found under the **Taskbar** > **Unit Management** > **Chat**

Additionally, it can be found by searching for **Chat** in the taskbar search.

<figure><img src="/files/fspp1NYiKs3UZeqEIo4X" alt="" width="201"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Creating a Chat

Select the green **Plus** button to create a new chat.

In the **Recipients** drop-down, type to filter for user options. Individual units can be selected, entire departments, specific dispatch calls, or even all online units.

Once you enter a message and press **send** the chat room is created.

<figure><img src="/files/hkyx8buYZeTDzach8dEi" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Attachments

Just like dispatch call notes, chat messages can contain records to be quickly referenced and opened.

On a record window, select the **copy** button at the top left. Then, in the chat window, select the blue **paste attachment** button.

Once sent, units can click on the attachment to open the record.

<div><figure><img src="/files/iFexocS8HSEhmv9eI8EC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/miOX1s9mQrOhk1WUPhE6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

### Text-to-Speech

Users can optionally toggle on text-to-speech, which will read out incoming messages.

Text-to-speech voice can be customized in the **settings** panel.

<figure><img src="/files/6DJbZ4xmSWpwKxXLg9HV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Data Retention

Currently, chat messages are temporary and stored locally on the client and are wiped on refresh. Messages are not stored or persisted in any database.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.sonoransoftware.com/cad/tutorials/dispatching/chat.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
