diff --git a/Configuration.cpp b/Configuration.cpp
index 27a7aee..fb2e1b3 100644
--- a/Configuration.cpp
+++ b/Configuration.cpp
@@ -649,6 +649,7 @@ private:
   bool clear_callsign_;
   bool miles_;
   bool hold_ptt_;
+  bool avoid_forced_identify_;
   bool avoid_allcall_;
   bool spellcheck_;
   bool quick_call_;
@@ -791,6 +792,7 @@ bool Configuration::ppfx() const {return m_->ppfx_;}
 bool Configuration::clear_callsign () const {return m_->clear_callsign_;}
 bool Configuration::miles () const {return m_->miles_;}
 bool Configuration::hold_ptt() const {return m_->hold_ptt_;}
+bool Configuration::avoid_forced_identify() const {return m_->avoid_forced_identify_;}
 bool Configuration::avoid_allcall () const {return m_->avoid_allcall_;}
 bool Configuration::set_avoid_allcall(bool avoid) {
     if(m_->avoid_allcall_ != avoid){
@@ -1434,7 +1436,8 @@ void Configuration::impl::initialize_models ()
   ui_->clear_callsign_check_box->setChecked (clear_callsign_);
   ui_->miles_check_box->setChecked (miles_);
   ui_->hold_ptt_check_box->setChecked(hold_ptt_);
-  ui_->avoid_allcall_checkbox->setChecked(avoid_allcall_);
+  ui_->avoid_forced_identify_check_box->setChecked(avoid_forced_identify_);
+  ui_->avoid_allcall_check_box->setChecked(avoid_allcall_);
   ui_->spellcheck_check_box->setChecked(spellcheck_);
   ui_->quick_call_check_box->setChecked (quick_call_);
   ui_->disable_TX_on_73_check_box->setChecked (disable_TX_on_73_);
@@ -1752,6 +1755,7 @@ void Configuration::impl::read_settings ()
   clear_callsign_ = settings_->value ("ClearCallGrid", false).toBool ();
   miles_ = settings_->value ("Miles", false).toBool ();
   hold_ptt_ = settings_->value ("HoldPTT", false).toBool();
+  avoid_forced_identify_ = settings_->value ("AvoidForcedIdentify", false).toBool ();
   avoid_allcall_ = settings_->value ("AvoidAllcall", false).toBool ();
   spellcheck_ = settings_->value ("Spellcheck", true).toBool();
   quick_call_ = settings_->value ("QuickCall", false).toBool ();
@@ -1895,6 +1899,7 @@ void Configuration::impl::write_settings ()
   settings_->setValue ("ClearCallGrid", clear_callsign_);
   settings_->setValue ("Miles", miles_);
   settings_->setValue ("HoldPTT", hold_ptt_);
+  settings_->setValue ("AvoidForcedIdentify", avoid_forced_identify_);
   settings_->setValue ("AvoidAllcall", avoid_allcall_);
   settings_->setValue ("Spellcheck", spellcheck_);
   settings_->setValue ("QuickCall", quick_call_);
@@ -2428,7 +2433,8 @@ void Configuration::impl::accept ()
   clear_callsign_ = ui_->clear_callsign_check_box->isChecked ();
   miles_ = ui_->miles_check_box->isChecked ();
   hold_ptt_ = ui_->hold_ptt_check_box->isChecked();
-  avoid_allcall_ = ui_->avoid_allcall_checkbox->isChecked();
+  avoid_forced_identify_ = ui_->avoid_forced_identify_check_box->isChecked();
+  avoid_allcall_ = ui_->avoid_allcall_check_box->isChecked();
   spellcheck_ = ui_->spellcheck_check_box->isChecked();
   quick_call_ = ui_->quick_call_check_box->isChecked ();
   disable_TX_on_73_ = ui_->disable_TX_on_73_check_box->isChecked ();
diff --git a/Configuration.hpp b/Configuration.hpp
index 5b4ba8d..14d5b54 100644
--- a/Configuration.hpp
+++ b/Configuration.hpp
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ public:
   bool clear_callsign () const;
   bool miles () const;
   bool hold_ptt() const;
+  bool avoid_forced_identify() const;
   bool avoid_allcall () const;
   bool set_avoid_allcall (bool avoid);
   bool spellcheck() const;
diff --git a/Configuration.ui b/Configuration.ui
index 8fdc697..192aa9f 100644
--- a/Configuration.ui
+++ b/Configuration.ui
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
       <string>Select tab to change configuration parameters.</string>
      </property>
      <property name="currentIndex">
-      <number>1</number>
+      <number>0</number>
      </property>
      <widget class="QWidget" name="general_tab">
       <attribute name="title">
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
                    </widget>
                   </item>
                   <item row="4" column="1">
-                   <widget class="QCheckBox" name="avoid_allcall_checkbox">
+                   <widget class="QCheckBox" name="avoid_allcall_check_box">
                     <property name="text">
                      <string>Do not participate in the @ALLCALL group</string>
                     </property>
@@ -278,8 +278,8 @@
                <rect>
                 <x>0</x>
                 <y>0</y>
-                <width>615</width>
-                <height>750</height>
+                <width>724</width>
+                <height>779</height>
                </rect>
               </property>
               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_26">
@@ -387,6 +387,13 @@
                     </property>
                    </widget>
                   </item>
+                  <item>
+                   <widget class="QCheckBox" name="avoid_forced_identify_check_box">
+                    <property name="text">
+                     <string>Allow sending standard messages without callsign</string>
+                    </property>
+                   </widget>
+                  </item>
                   <item>
                    <widget class="QCheckBox" name="spellcheck_check_box">
                     <property name="text">
@@ -1429,9 +1436,9 @@ a few, particularly some Kenwood rigs, require it).</string>
               <property name="geometry">
                <rect>
                 <x>0</x>
-                <y>-102</y>
+                <y>0</y>
                 <width>718</width>
-                <height>496</height>
+                <height>490</height>
                </rect>
               </property>
               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_28">
@@ -4059,7 +4066,7 @@ soundcard changes</string>
   <tabstop>callsign_line_edit</tabstop>
   <tabstop>grid_line_edit</tabstop>
   <tabstop>groups_line_edit</tabstop>
-  <tabstop>avoid_allcall_checkbox</tabstop>
+  <tabstop>avoid_allcall_check_box</tabstop>
   <tabstop>cq_message_line_edit</tabstop>
   <tabstop>reply_message_line_edit</tabstop>
   <tabstop>info_message_line_edit</tabstop>
diff --git a/mainwindow.cpp b/mainwindow.cpp
index ae23e32..125c67f 100644
--- a/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -6279,11 +6279,14 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> MainWindow::buildMessageFrames(const QString &text){
     QString mycall = m_config.my_callsign();
     QString mygrid = m_config.my_grid().left(4);
 
+    bool forceIdentify = !m_config.avoid_forced_identify();
+
     auto frames = Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
         mycall,
         mygrid,
         selectedCall,
-        text);
+        text,
+        forceIdentify);
 
 #if 0
     qDebug() << "frames:";
@@ -9382,24 +9385,18 @@ void MainWindow::refreshTextDisplay(){
 #else
     // prepare selected callsign for directed message
     QString selectedCall = callsignSelected();
-    //qDebug() << "selected callsign for directed" << selectedCall;
 
     // prepare compound
-    //bool compound = Varicode::isCompoundCallsign(/*Radio::is_compound_callsign(*/m_config.my_callsign());
     QString mycall = m_config.my_callsign();
     QString mygrid = m_config.my_grid().left(4);
-    //QString basecall = Radio::base_callsign(m_config.my_callsign());
-    //if(basecall != mycall){
-    //    basecall = "<....>";
-    //}
+    bool forceIdentify = !m_config.avoid_forced_identify();
 
     BuildMessageFramesThread *t = new BuildMessageFramesThread(
         mycall,
-        //basecall,
         mygrid,
-        //compound,
         selectedCall,
-        text
+        text,
+        forceIdentify
     );
 
     connect(t, &BuildMessageFramesThread::finished, t, &QObject::deleteLater);
diff --git a/varicode.cpp b/varicode.cpp
index 86e0bf5..beb8ef4 100644
--- a/varicode.cpp
+++ b/varicode.cpp
@@ -1733,19 +1733,23 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
     QString const& mycall,
     QString const& mygrid,
     QString const& selectedCall,
-    QString const& text
+    QString const& text,
+    bool forceIdentify
 ){
     #define ALLOW_SEND_COMPOUND 1
     #define ALLOW_SEND_COMPOUND_DIRECTED 1
     #define AUTO_PREPEND_DIRECTED 1
     #define AUTO_REMOVE_MYCALL 1
     #define AUTO_PREPEND_DIRECTED_ALLOW_TEXT_CALLSIGNS 1
+    #define ALLOW_FORCE_IDENTIFY 1
 
     bool mycallCompound = Varicode::isCompoundCallsign(mycall);
 
-    QList<QPair<QString, int>> frames;
+    QList<QPair<QString, int>> allFrames;
 
     foreach(QString line, text.split(QRegExp("[\\r\\n]"), QString::SkipEmptyParts)){
+        QList<QPair<QString, int>> lineFrames;
+
         // once we find a directed call, data encode the rest of the line.
         bool hasDirected = false;
 
@@ -1824,6 +1828,13 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
               qDebug() << "directed message to field is compound" << dirTo;
           }
 
+#if ALLOW_FORCE_IDENTIFY
+          // if we're sending a data message, then ensure our callsign is included automatically
+          bool isLikelyDataFrame = lineFrames.isEmpty() && selectedCall.isEmpty() && dirTo.isEmpty() && l == 0 && o == 0;
+          if(forceIdentify && isLikelyDataFrame && !line.contains(mycall)){
+              line = QString("%1: %2").arg(mycall).arg(line);
+          }
+#endif
           int m = 0;
           QString datFrame = Varicode::packDataMessage(line, &m);
 
@@ -1857,13 +1868,13 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
           }
 
           if(useBcn){
-              frames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
+              lineFrames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
               line = line.mid(l);
           }
 
 #if ALLOW_SEND_COMPOUND
           if(useCmp){
-              frames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
+              lineFrames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
               line = line.mid(o);
           }
 #endif
@@ -1897,14 +1908,14 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
                   QString deCompoundMessage = QString("`%1 %2").arg(mycall).arg(mygrid);
                   QString deCompoundFrame = Varicode::packCompoundMessage(deCompoundMessage, nullptr);
                   if(!deCompoundFrame.isEmpty()){
-                      frames.append({ deCompoundFrame, Varicode::JS8Call });
+                      lineFrames.append({ deCompoundFrame, Varicode::JS8Call });
                   }
 
                   // Followed, by a standard OR compound directed message...
                   QString dirCompoundMessage = QString("`%1%2%3").arg(dirTo).arg(dirCmd).arg(dirNum);
                   QString dirCompoundFrame = Varicode::packCompoundMessage(dirCompoundMessage, nullptr);
                   if(!dirCompoundFrame.isEmpty()){
-                      frames.append({ dirCompoundFrame, Varicode::JS8Call });
+                      lineFrames.append({ dirCompoundFrame, Varicode::JS8Call });
                   }
                   shouldUseStandardFrame = false;
               }
@@ -1912,7 +1923,7 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
 
               if(shouldUseStandardFrame) {
                   // otherwise, just send the standard directed frame
-                  frames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
+                  lineFrames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
               }
 
               line = line.mid(n);
@@ -1940,30 +1951,34 @@ QList<QPair<QString, int>> Varicode::buildMessageFrames(
           }
 
           if(useDat){
-              frames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
+              lineFrames.append({ frame, Varicode::JS8Call });
               line = line.mid(m);
           }
         }
+
+        if(!lineFrames.isEmpty()){
+            lineFrames.first().second |= Varicode::JS8CallFirst;
+            lineFrames.last().second |= Varicode::JS8CallLast;
+        }
+
+        allFrames.append(lineFrames);
     }
 
-    if(!frames.isEmpty()){
-        frames.first().second |= Varicode::JS8CallFirst;
-        frames.last().second |= Varicode::JS8CallLast;
-    }
-
-    return frames;
+    return allFrames;
 }
 
-BuildMessageFramesThread::BuildMessageFramesThread(
-    const QString &mycall,
+BuildMessageFramesThread::BuildMessageFramesThread(const QString &mycall,
     const QString &mygrid,
     const QString &selectedCall,
-    const QString &text, QObject *parent):
+    const QString &text,
+    bool forceIdentify,
+    QObject *parent):
     QThread(parent),
     m_mycall{mycall},
     m_mygrid{mygrid},
     m_selectedCall{selectedCall},
-    m_text{text}
+    m_text{text},
+    m_forceIdentify{forceIdentify}
 {
 }
 
@@ -1972,7 +1987,8 @@ void BuildMessageFramesThread::run(){
         m_mycall,
         m_mygrid,
         m_selectedCall,
-        m_text
+        m_text,
+        m_forceIdentify
     );
 
     // TODO: jsherer - we wouldn't normally use decodedtext.h here... but it's useful for computing the actual frames transmitted.
diff --git a/varicode.h b/varicode.h
index 0fe6aa9..685db4a 100644
--- a/varicode.h
+++ b/varicode.h
@@ -156,12 +156,11 @@ public:
     static QString packDataMessage(QString const& text, int *n);
     static QString unpackDataMessage(QString const& text);
 
-    static QList<QPair<QString, int>> buildMessageFrames(
-        QString const& mycall,
+    static QList<QPair<QString, int>> buildMessageFrames(QString const& mycall,
         QString const& mygrid,
         QString const& selectedCall,
-        QString const& text
-    );
+        QString const& text,
+        bool forceIdentify);
 };
 
 
@@ -173,6 +172,7 @@ public:
                              QString const& mygrid,
                              QString const& selectedCall,
                              QString const& text,
+                             bool forceIdentify,
                              QObject *parent=nullptr);
     void run() override;
 signals:
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ private:
     QString m_mygrid;
     QString m_selectedCall;
     QString m_text;
+    bool m_forceIdentify;
 };
 
 #endif // VARICODE_H