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REALTIME CONTEST LOGGING AND DUPING Version 7.0 by Charles J Rothschild 3rd, WB2INB Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 Copyright Statement The following manual and all associated software are copyrighted 1985 (C) by Charles J. Rothschild 3rd. All Rights are reserved. Portions of the software are copyrighted by Microsoft Incorporated 1982, and used with their permission. The Author solicits any questions, corrections, comments, or suggestions for new features. He can be reached at the following address: Charles J Rothschild 3rd, WB2INB 477 Kingsmill Court Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2T 1S4 Version 7 June 18, 1985 Version 6 May 24, 1985 Version 4 December 1985 It is strongly suggested that you register as an owner of this software with the author at the above address. He will keep you informed of any future updates. Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 Table of Contents 1 Features and Benefits 2 Introduction 2.1 Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 2.2 Modes of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 2.3 Manual Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 2.4 Equipment Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 2.5 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 2.6 Disc Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 3 Configuration of a Contest 3.1 DXCRET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 3.2 Set Time and connect printer . . . . . . . . 3-3 4 Logging and Duping 4.1 Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 4.2 Logging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 5 System Commands 5.1 UNDO LAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 5.2 MODE PHONE/CW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 5.3 Print Log Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 5.4 Print Dupe Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 5.5 NEW BAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 5.6 TIME MANUAL/AUTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 5.7 NEW OPERATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 5.8 STOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 6 Advanced Functions 6.1 Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 6.2 DXCLEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 6.3 Editing the Contest Configuration File - HAMDE 6-4 6.4 More than 950 contacts per Band . . . . . . 6-4 6.5 Backing Up Your Files . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 +---------------------------------------+------------------+ | | | | Features and Benefits | CHAPTER 1 | | | | +---------------------------------------+------------------+ Welcome to the computerized world of Amateur radio contesting. You have acquired one of the best software packages available to automate your contest operations. This package includes the following capabilities: * Automatic Duping of Calls - As you type in a call, the program signals if you have worked the station before. * Automatic logging of complete contest report - Call sign, RST, Exchange( section, zone, etc), Time and Date, and, in a multi-op contest, the operator. * Stores up to 950 contacts per band, on an unlimited number of bands - enough for even the largest contest operators. Performance is NOT degraded for large contests, you still get less than one-half second dupping response. * Complete power fail protection - Turn computer off at any time without losing data. * Prints alphabetized dupe sheets - For those operators who prefer them, dupe sheets can be printed at any time. They are fully alphabetized, contain complete call signs, and are compact, up to 200 calls on each sheet. A list of contest exchanges worked is also printed. * Prints Contest Log - showing the complete contest report, plus a numerical count of each new exchange worked, plus extra space for adding any additional information. * Simplified input - Just type what you hear. The computer automatically "parses" it, extracting the contest report, and ignoring the rest. Perfect for those CW operators who can copy code on a keyboard. The system displays the last four lines of input on the bottom of the screen. * Super editing capabilities - The UNDO command 1-1 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 allows you to "unlog" the last entry and correct it. Or, for editing the complete data base off-line, use any full screen word processor, such as Wordstar. * Programmable support of five different contest exchanges - Sections, Zones, Grid-squares, Serial Numbers, and Field Day Exchanges. You select the ones you want to use, the others are ignored. * Two modes of operation - "On Line" for single operators, or multi-op contests where there is a computer at each station, and "Off-line", where one computer supports a multi-transmitter contest. One trained operator ( and an assistant to read the logs) can easily support ten transmitters. * Runs on IBM PC/PC-Jr/XT/AT, and IBM compatibles. 1-2 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 +---------------------------------------+------------------+ | | | | Introduction | CHAPTER 2 | | | | +---------------------------------------+------------------+ The purpose of this package is to automate the logging and duping of amateur radio contests. The package is based on a "database" that the operator maintains. The database contains all of the information pertinent to the contacts logged on the band, including the following items: The call, RST, contest exchange, mode, time, date, and operator. The programs provided allow you to create, add to, and edit the database. You can also generate two reports: a dupe sheet, and a contest log. 2.1 Database A data base is created for each band or band segment where you require separate dupe sheets. For example, in a contest where you are allowed to work stations twice on a band, once via phone, and once via CW, you would create two data bases for each band: ie, 2PH and 2CW. For each band segment, up to 950 contacts can be stored. Chapter 6 decribes what to do in the unlikely event that you need to maintain more than 950 contacts on a band segment. There is no limit to the number of segments. The program only works on one band at a time, but you can switch at any time. This package consists of three programs: the first one is used to configure the system for a specific contest and to initialize all of the data bases. The second program is used to operate the contest. It maintains the database and prints out the dupe and log sheets. The third program is a utility to use when editing the data base with any commercial text editor. This allows for easy correction of the logs after the contest is over. The MS-DOS COPY command can be used to print out the raw database. 2-1 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 2.2 Modes of Operation The system has been designed for two modes of operation: on-line and off-line operation. On-line operation is used when you are operating the computer in "real time", logging while operating. The program has been specially designed to accomodate this mode. You type exactly what you hear, and the computer "parses" or extracts the relevant information. In a CW contest, you can copy code directly on the keyboard, and the computer will extract the call, rst, and contest exchange. If the contact is a dupe, the computer beeps as soon as you type it. A good contact can be logged by pressing the ENTER(RETURN) key. Off line operation is used when you are unable to log with the computer while operating, such as in a multi transmitter contest where there is only one computer. In this mode, a computer operator types in the log sheets after a complete page is filled out. Dupe sheets are then printed and given back to the operators. Since the operators don't keep manual dupe sheets, it is important that they get updates often. Generally, new ones are printed after each page on a log is filled out (10 to 20 contacts per log sheet page). We recommend on-line operation in the following conditions: * Single operator contest where the operator is familiar with the program (and has some typing skills). * Multi Op/ Multi transmitter contest where every transmitter has a computer, and either a) everyone is proficient with the program, or b) there is a separate logger responsible for the computer at each transmitter. We recommend off-line operation at all other times. If you are uncertain as to which mode to use, try on-line operation, but have the manual log sheets available. We have found that in large multi op/ multi transmitter contests, it is usually preferable to operate off line. With a large group of people it is hard to train everyone on the computer, and those people who can't type will find that using a computer really slows them down. 2-2 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 2.3 Manual Conventions The following conventions have been adopted in this manual: New terms are introduced with quotations (""), and a definition is given. When a special keystroke is requested, the key is spelled out in capital letters - RETURN. If two or more keys must be depressed simultaneously, a hyphen is used, ex: CTRL-C. 2.4 Equipment Required This system will run on the following hardware: IBM PC/PC-Jr/XT/AT - minimum of 64K RAM, 128K preferably. At least one floppy disc is required. On any system, to print out reports a printer is required. We recommend a fast dot matrix printer over a slower letter quality printer, as you want dupe sheets printed as quickly as possible. Additional software - A good text editor, such as Wordstar or MS WORD is recommended for editing the data base. 2-3 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 2.5 Installation There are three programs stored on the system disc: DXCRET.EXE, DXCLEN.EXE, and DXHAM.EXE. These three files should be copied to a working disc. The system disc should be retained in a safe place in case the working disc is damaged. 2.6 Disc Files Even if you have a hard disc system, we recommend that you use floppy discs. This way you can save the contest data by storing away the floppies. Each contest requires two discs: 1 main and 1 backup. Each band's data base is stored on the disc as a separate disc file. The name of the files is a concatenation of the user supplied band name (given during the configuration phase), and the letters HM and .DAT . Examples user specified band= 2 then file name = HM2.DAT user specified band= 80 then file name = HM80.DAT user specified band= 220PH then file name = HM220PH.DAT The recommended convention is: (1296, 432, 220, 2, 6, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160), and if you are creating separate CW and PHone band segments, add the letters CW or PH (2PH, 160CW,etc.) 2-4 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 +---------------------------------------+------------------+ | | | | Configuration of a Contest | CHAPTER 3 | | | | +---------------------------------------+------------------+ This chapter describes how to use the DXCRET program to configure a contest and initialize the databases. WARNING: This program must not be run on a disc that you have previously configured with DXCRET and then stored data with DXHAM. Running this program will erase any databases already on the disc. Before running this program you should obtain an empty floppy disc. If it is a new disc, you must initialize it according to the computer manufacturer's instructions. Copy the three program files onto the disc: DXHAM.EXE, DXCRET.EXE, and DXCLEN.EXE. This can be done with the MS-DOS COPY command: Assuming the master disc is in drive A, and the new disc is in B, then: COPY A:DXHAM.EXE B: COPY A:DXCRET.EXE B: COPY A:DXCLEN.EXE B: (Press the ENTER(RETURN) key after each command) Before running the program, ensure that the active disc is the new one. If the new disc is in drive B, ensure that the MS-DOS prompt at the beginning of each line starts with a "B". If you have any doubt, type the following command: B: (don't forget to press the ENTER(RETURN) key afterwards) The new prompt should indicate "B>". If it doesn't, consult your MS-DOS manual to ensure that you have made drive B (or whatever drive contains the new disc) the active one. REMEMBER: This program will configure the databases on whatever disc is the current active disc. You are now ready to go. Type "DXCRET", followed by 3-1 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 the ENTER(RETURN) key, to start the program. 3.1 DXCRET The program begins by asking you to enter a one line description of the contest. This is printed out on the first line of every page of both reports, and is always displayed on the CRT screen when you are running the program. Example: "June 8, 1985 VHF Contest - WB2INB" Complete the one line description by pressing the ENTER(RETURN) key. The next question asks if you want the dupe sheets ordered by prefixes or suffixes. In the call KA3ETI, the KA3 is the prefix, and the ETI is the suffix. For North American contests, where there aren't that many different prefixes, it is generally recommended that you dupe by suffix. For Worldwide contests, you would generally dupe by the prefix, which indicates the country worked. Type a 1 for prefixes, and a 0 for suffixes, and then press ENTER(RETURN) key. The next question deals with the type of contest exchange. The system supports the following exchanges: Sections: NNJ, ENY, EMA, NLI Grid Squares: FM20, FN33, FM55 Worldwide Zones: Z10, Z05, Z31 Serial Numbers: S1, S134, S1324 Field Day Exchanges: 2B, 17A, 3H Note: For the computer to diferentiate between Zones and Serial numbers, and other numbers, such as RST or Time, we require that you start all Zones with a "Z" and all Serial numbers with an "S". For the field day exchange, RST is not used, the computer accepts Sections and the special exchange (2A) The program asks you to type a number to indicate which exchange you want. Normally, pick the number that corresponds to the desired report. In some cases you might want to allow multiple reports, such as Grid-Squares and/or Sections. In this case enter the number that is the sum of all the reports desired. Example: Enter a 1 for Sections, a 3-2 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 2 for Grid Squares and a 1+2=3 for Sections and Grid Squares. After typing the number, press the ENTER(RETURN) key. The Computer now prompts you for 3 different column headings on the log sheets. The program first prompts for a 4 character heading over the exchange column, then a 7 character heading over the column that counts the number of exchanges worked (aux column 1), and finally for a 7 character heading over the second aux column. The final step is to enter the names of all the bands and band segments that you intend to work. Press ENTER(RETURN) after each one.Remember to use the standard names defined on page 5 - section 3.1. Enter a -1 to indicate you are done. At this point the computer will create and initialize all of the data bases on the disc. The disc activity light should blink on and off for a few seconds, then the program should terminate, and give the MS-DOS prompt. 3.2 Set Time and connect printer Before running the contest, be sure to set the correct time and date. The computer uses a 24 hour clock format, and you have the choice of setting it to GMT or to local time. Some computers, such as the HP computers, have built in battery back-up, so that once the time is set, it always stays set, even after the power is turned off. Other computers, such as the IBM PC (wihout any special option cards), require that the clock be reset every time power is applied. Use the MS-DOS commands TIME and DATE. The last step is to ensure that you have a printer connected. The program will run without a printer, but it is strongly recommended that you have one. We suggest a fast printer, such as a dot matrix, as opposed to a slower, letter quality printer. In the middle of a contest, you will want to print dupe sheet reports as fast as possible, and you won't care about "letter quality". The program assumes you are using the default system printer. 3-3 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 +---------------------------------------+------------------+ | | | | Logging and Duping | CHAPTER 4 | | | | +---------------------------------------+------------------+ This chapter will take you through the basic operations of running the DXHAM program, to dupe and log calls. The next chapter will explain the system commands, and more advanced features. To begin execution of the program, ensure that you have the correct data disc in the system, and that it is the currently active disc drive. If the data disc is in drive "A", then you know you have the current drive if the DOS prompt includes the letter "A" in it: A> If it doesn't have this, type the following command: A: (don't forget the ENTER(RETURN) key) The computer should come back with the prompt: A> If you have any questions, consult your computer's user's guide, specifically the MS-DOS commands section. Once you are ready to go, type: DXHAM (followed by ENTER(RETURN) key). 4.1 Input The top of the screen includes the banner line, which is the one line message that you typed in when you created the contest disc, and the readout of the number of contacts worked, and the number of sections worked (contest exchanges). The center portion of the screen contains a list of the last 10 contacts logged. When you first start the program, this portion will be blank. At the bottom of the middle section, just above the horizontal line, is a one-line area that shows the station currently being worked. The Call, RST, and contest exchange of the current station are displayed in blinking inverse video. This is the data that will be logged when the ENTER(RETURN) key is depressed. The next line down is for system prompts. Finally, the lower section contains the last four lines of data you have typed in. 4-1 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 The idea is to make data entry as natural and as easy as possible. We accomplish this by allowing you to type in the contest information in any order, and in "plain text". The computer automatically extracts all of the relevant information ( the call, RST, contest exchange, and, if in manual time mode, the time contact was made), and displays it in the current contact area. All of the other text entered is totally ignored. Don't forget the "S" or the "Z" when entering serial numbers and zones. If you are a CW operator, and can copy CW on a keyboard, you can use the computer keyboard, and input display area as "scratch paper". As soon as a contact exchange is heard, the computer is all ready to log it at the push of one button. If you are operating Phone, you can also use the input area as "scratch paper". As you hear a call, type it in. If you don't log the contact, just move on to the next one. If for some reason you don't work the station you are currently going after, or you have made a typing mistake, simply retype the data, or go on to the next contact. As soon as you type a new Call, RST, or exchange, the old current entry is replaced with the new one. If you make a typing mistake, DO NOT USE THE BACKSPACE KEY, it doesn't work. Simply retype the entry. Whenever a Call sign is detected, it is automatically duped. If you haven't worked the station before, a "no match" message appears below the current contact data. If it is a dupe, the computer beeps, and displays a message indicating when you worked him, and what number in the log he is. How does the computer parse your typing? The program looks for the spaces between words. As soon as it sees a space, it knows you have just finished typing a word. The computer then looks at the word to determine if it is a valid piece of data. The rules for valid data (whether a Call, RST, etc.) are printed in Appendix A. For example, if the computer sees a 2 or 3 digit number, it assumes it is an RST. Based on the above, there are a few things to keep in mind: First, remember that the computer doesn't know you have finished typing a word until after you have typed a space (or pressed the ENTER(RETURN) key). Therefore, it can't dupe the call, or display the new exchange until after that space is given. Second, the rules for valid data are not fool-proof. As we mentioned, any two-or-three-digit 4-3 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 numeric word entered is considered an RST. If the computer gets it wrong, all you have to do is re-enter the correct value. Finally, as we have implied, the ENTER(RETURN) key is special. It is used for logging the entries (see below), therefore, as you are typing in data and get to the end of a line, DON'T TYPE A ENTER(RETURN). The computer automatically senses this, and goes to a new line (always breaking between words). 4.2 Logging When the correct data is shown in the current contact area, and you are ready to log the contact, pressing the ENTER(RETURN) key will automatically log it. When you press the key, the disc light will flash on, indicating that it is backing up the contact on disc (in case of a power failure). The 10 line recent contacts list will scroll upwards showing the new entry logged. Notice that the time and date are automatically displayed. ( See the next chapter for manual time entry for use with off-line logging.) The current operating mode, and the current operator (if you have indicated it to the computer) are also logged in the data base. If you just entered a new exchange, the exchange count is incremented. CAUTION: If you have a typographical error in the exchange, or if you are using multiple spellings for the same exchange (example NYLI and NLI), the computer will count each different spelling as a new section. After the contest is over, be sure to carefully check all new exchanges. 4-4 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 +---------------------------------------+------------------+ | | | | System Commands | CHAPTER 5 | | | | +---------------------------------------+------------------+ 5.1 UNDO LAST The undo command allows you to easily recover from the common mistake of logging the wrong data by accidentely hitting the ENTER(RETURN) key. Function key 1 is the UNDO command. By pressing this key (at any time), the last entry logged is removed from the database and placed into the current contact display (the flashing inverse video). If you made a simple error, such as a misspelled Call, correct the misspelling, by retyping the entry word with the error, in this case the call, and then press ENTER(RETURN), which will re-log the correct data. The UNDO command can also be used if you logged the contact (by pressing ENTER(RETURN)), but for some reason were unable to complete the QSO. In this case, you must remove him from the log. UNDO should only be used for editing the last entry logged. If you push the key multiple times, you will unlog contacts in reverse chronological order, however the data for all but the oldest QSO un-logged will be lost. See chapter 9 for a discussion on editing the entire data base. UNDO will work at any time, even if you have just gotten back on the band and have not worked anyone new. 5.2 MODE PHONE/CW The program automatically logs the mode for each contact, but you must tell the computer what mode you are operating. This is done with function key 2, the MODE key. Every time it is pressed, the program toggles between CW and 5-1 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 PHONE operation. The function key label indicates what mode is currently active. Whenever the log program is started, it always begins in PHONE mode. If you are working an all-CW contest, you will have to change modes every time you re-start the program. Even if you are using the standard file names (2PH and 2CW), the program DOES NOT KNOW that this means CW. You must always indicate CW. 5.3 Print Log Sheet Pressing function key 3, PRINT LOG, will print out a complete log sheet for the currently active band segment. The top lines print out the file name and the 1 line banner message for the contest. The next line is the current date and time (when the log was printed). The next line lists the number of contacts and the number of multipliers worked (contest exchanges). The rest of the page is the list of contacts, in chronological order. This report prints 50 contacts per page, and every page has the same 5 line header. Each new multiplier worked is indicated with an incremental number in the first auxilary column. See chapter 3 for how to specify the column headers. An extra column, marked PTS, is povided for your scoring needs. Special notes - If you want the date and time to indicate something else, use the MS-DOS commands to reset them before printing the log. 5.4 Print Dupe Sheet Pushing function key 4 PRINT DUPE, will print out the complete dupe sheet for the active band. The Dupe sheet is an alphabetic listing of all contacts worked. It is alphabetized either by prefix or suffix, as specified when the contest disc is initialized. For easier scanning, the calls are printed in groups, based on the first character of the prefix or suffix. For suffix calls 5-2 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 there are 26 groups (the letters of the alphabet). For prefix calls, there are 36 groups (the 10 digits also). After all of the calls have been printed, the contest multipliers worked are printed. Note these are printed in the order they were worked, not alphabetically. 5.5 NEW BAND Pressing function key 5, NEW BAND, allows you to switch to another band. The program initialization screen, prompting for the band name, appears. This works exactly as if you re-started the program from scratch. 5.6 TIME MANUAL/AUTO Function key 6 allows you to control on-line or off-line operation. Pushing the function key toggles the time mode between manual and automatic. In automatic mode, when the ENTER(RETURN) key is pressed, the current time and date are automatically logged. This is the mode to use in on-line logging. When logging off-line, you will want to manually enter the time the contact was logged. In manual mode this is accomplished by typing in the time in either of the following formats: "1021" or "10:21"(time is always in the 24 hour format). Note - in manual time mode there is no flashing field for the specified time. You will see the logged time confirmed when you press ENTER(RETURN), and see it as the last entry in the 10 line display. Even in manual mode the current date is logged. If you are logging contacts the day after they were made, be sure to change the date on the computer via the MS-DOS commands. 5.7 NEW OPERATOR In a multi-operator contest it is always nice to know 5-4 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 who logged what contacts. This can be done with function key 7, NEW OPERATOR. When a new operator takes over, he should press this key. It will prompt him for his call. From that point on, until another operator changes it, or until the program is stopped, the computer will enter that operator's call in the data base with each contact logged. Note - this is not printed out on either report, but can be accessed by looking at the database directly (see the next chapter on editing). 5.8 STOP Press function key 8 at any time to terminate the program. Turning off the power is another perfectly acceptable way to stop the program. In either case, no data will be lost. 5-6 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 +---------------------------------------+------------------+ | | | | Advanced Functions | CHAPTER 6 | | | | +---------------------------------------+------------------+ This chapter discusses the following advanced topics: editing the data bases, what to do if you work more than 950 contacts on a single band, and how to back up your files. 6.1 Editing The previous chapter described how to edit the last entry in the database, using the UNDO LAST command. Unfortunately, this command is not very helpful for editing anything other than the last entry. Generally after a contest is over, you review the log sheets for dupes and other mistakes. You may also notice mistakes made while the contest is running. Unless the mistake is with the last entry, we suggest that you write it down, and correct after the contest when you review the logs. The data bases have been designed so that you can use any commercial full screen text editor to make corrections, and/or print out the entire data base. Example editors include Wordstar and Microsoft's Word. When using these editors, always edit in the "non-document" mode, in order to avoid having to re-adjust columns. Before invoking the editor, we recommend marking all of the changes on a chronological listing. When you are ready, invoke the text editor, specifying the full file name (eg, "HM2.DAT" for band=2). Editing is very straightforward. You can edit erronieous entries, add missing ones, delete dupes, and if your editor supports "block moves", you can re-order the contacts. The rules for editing are very simple: 1) NEVER MOVE ANY COLUMNS - DXHAM expects certain pieces of data in specific columns. If you move the columns, the program WILL NOT WORK!!! 6-1 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 2) Always edit the file in capital letters - lower case letters. especially in the call, will screw up the dupe sheets. 3) The last line of the file looks like a blank line, but it really isn't. DO NOT TOUCH THIS LINE. If this line is touched, it may make your database PERMANENTLY UNREADABLE!!! 4) Just to be on the safe side with item 3, we recommend that you don't edit the last entry - use the UNDO LAST command instead. 5) If you INSERT a new contact, be sure to fill in all of the fields. Hint: if you want to add an entry, copy an existing entry, then edit it. 6) A very powerful feature with most editors is the global replace command. This command can be used to change all occurences of one word with another. For example, if you had entered the wrong date, a single command to change "6-5-1985" to "6-9-1985" would correct every entry to the correct date. When using this capability be sure to specify a unique word to replace. For example, if you had specified changing "6" to "9", besides changing all the dates, you also would change every instance of a "6" (such as in WB6GFD to a "9". BE CAREFUL! 7) Notice that on all the lines, except the last one or two, the first character is blank, but the last lines have a "funny" character there. Also, the last lines look like they are duplicates of previous calls (usually the last line is a duplicate of the second to last line). These lines SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHED!!! They are not really in the data base, and will not be used by the program. If you remove them, or even change them, the program will not run. Because of all of the cautions mentioned above, we strongly urge you to back-up your files before editing (see the next section). Thus, if you do make a mistake, you can always recover the original data and start again. 6-3 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 6.2 DXCLEN After you have completed the edit, you must now run your file through the program DXCLEN. This routine "cleans up" the file so that the other programs will work with them. If you don't DXCLEN your data-bases after editing them, the programs may not work!!! The procedure is simple. Type: .copy DXCLEN (don't forget ENTER(RETURN)) respond with the full file name (eg, HM2.DAT) .justify The program will take a minute or so to run, and when complete, it will give you a message confirming that. 6.3 Editing the Contest Configuration File - HAMDES.DAT Occasionally you might want to edit the configuration file made up with DXCRET. You might want to change the banner message, or based on the current conditions of the contest, switch from prefix to suffix duping (or vice-versa). You can edit the configuration file at any time, the only restriction being that you can't change any of the bands (you can't add, delete, or change the names of any band). 6.4 More than 950 contacts per Band 6-4 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 6.5 Backing Up Your Files When running a contest, you need to develop a strategy to protect the databases from disc crashes, or other causes of data loss. Our reccomended startegy is to back-up your data discs every hour. This should be done with a back-up floppy disc. The procedure is very easy For Dual Floppy systems: 1) Insert back-up floppy in Drive B, main floppy stays in A 2) Type: COPY A:HM*.DAT B:*.BAK (press ENTER(RETURN) ) For Single Floppy/Hard disc: If your data is on floppy, start with step 1), if your data is on the hard disc,start at step 2). Assumes, floppy is A drive, Hard disc is C drive. 1) Type: COPY A:HM*.DAT C:*.BAK (press ENTER (RETURN) ) 2) Insert back-up disc in drive A 3) Type: COPY C:HM*.DAT A:*.BAK (press ENTER (RETURN) ) Your data is now stored on the backup discs, with the extent ".BAK". We did this to ensure you would never intentionally overwrite a ".DAT" file, thus destroying the data. If you need to recover the data, put the backed-up floppy in drive A, and a new floppy in Drive B, and type: COPY A:HM*.BAK B:*.DAT (press (ENTER (RETURN) ) WARNING: This procedure will erase any ".DAT" files on the new disc. 6-5 Realtime Contest Logging and Duping - V7.0 You can now use the backed-up data. (you should probably also copy the three program files onto this disc, see Chapter 3.0, page 3-1. 6-6