Ham Radio 2000 #1/Ham Radio 2000.iso/ham2000/logs/easylog/readme.do_/readme.do

Text File | 1996-01-06 | 20.3 KB | 521 lines

 File: README

 This file is integrating part of EasyLog documentation covered by
 international copyright laws.

 (c) 1989 - 1995 Microware Software
 Via V.Veneto 80, 14019 Villanova d'Asti AT - ITALY
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VOICE +39 141-94.66.37 from Monday to Friday, 08-11 and 13-18 UTC time
 BBS   +39 141-94.66.37 between 19 and 08 UTC time
 FAX   [phone] hours a day, 7 days a week international order line
 Internet e-mail    [e-mail]
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 This file contain last minute information not included in user manual.

 0.  New EasyLog options
 1.  Copyright
 2.  Support
 3.  New users
 4.  Windows optimization
 5.  CHECK updating
 6.  Award Pack
 7.  Text files list (.DOC)
 8.  User manual errata corrige
 9.  Microware Software support BBS
 10. Next future options
 11. Problems resolution


 0. New EasyLog options
 ======================

 ******************
 *  Release 4.32  *
 ******************

 IOTA award support
 ------------------
 Starting with this release, EasyLog has a IOTA support for everyone. Is not
 always needed to install IOTA Pack as in the last release to manage the IOTA
 award.

 ATTENTION: The IOTA award support not include the datas, because them are
 covered by copyright. The IOTA award support realized in EasyLog contain
 the empty IOTA database, that you must populate with IOTA datas.
 You can find the IOTA datas on many Ham dedicated CD-ROMS, BBSs, Bulletins,
 or Internet sites.
 However we suggest to buy the IOTA Directory (no longer distributed from us)
 and copy yourself the datas into EasyLog IOTA award database, using the
 IOTA section options.

 How insert a IOTA QSO
 ---------------------
 As suggested before, it's a good idea to insert the IOTA datas in the award
 database copying them from various source. When you have populated the IOTA
 database you can work the IOTA award more quickly.

 If you don't want populate the IOTA database, you can insert the IOTA QSOs
 when work them, and EasyLog do the population work for you.

 Suppose you had worked a IOTA station, (i.e. EU-001) and you want to log
 the QSO in EasyLog:

 1) first put in the Log the QSO
 2) press the IOTA input-data button (located upon the Log window, near the
    CD-ROM button)
 3) in the edit fields, type the IOTA reference (EU-001), and in the Island
    name, the name i.e. Rhodes
 4) press the "Update" button to update the IOTA database

 EasyLog check the IOTA database to see if the inserted IOTA reference exist.
 If not exist EasyLog request you if you want to add to the IOTA database.

 EasyLog now has linked the QSO with the IOTA reference EU-001. From now
 EasyLog track this link also if you modify the QSO datas.

 If you press the IOTA section button (located in the bottom of the main
 window), you invoke the IOTA window, in wich you can see all the IOTA
 references. All the references, updated as described above, haven't the
 IOTA group name, that you must type using the "Edit" option of the IOTA
 windows. In this example the IOTA group for EU-001 is DODECANESE.
 If you haven't populate the IOTA award database, and you have problems
 to find the IOTA database, wait the correspondent QSL, on it you can find
 many information like the IOTA reference, Island name, Group name.

 From the IOTA window, you can print the IOTA request sheet, print not
 confirmed stations, edit IOTA datas, search datas, show the score etc.

 New date format: ANSI
 ---------------------
 If in your country you use the date in the format YY/MM/DD, select the
 ANSI format from the "PREFERENCES" window.



 ******************
 *  Release 4.30  *
 ******************
 - NEW: EasyLog has a new interface like Microsoft Word 6.
 - NEW: the cluster window is now coloured

 Print label on Laser/Ink Jet printer
 ------------------------------------
 Since label sheet top margin for Laser or InkJet printers is minimum, you
 must set your printer to print starting at the first rows.

 You can use the InitPrn parameters of [HPII_Emulation] section, of
 \EL4\SYSTEM\EL4.INI configuration file.
 Initialize the parameter with following codes:

 InitPrn=27 38 108 50 69 27 38 108 55 48 70

 Before printing labels, EasyLog send the above code to the printer.
 The first (27 38 108 50 69), configure the printer to print from the
 second row (top margin = 2), the second configure the printing area to
 70 rows.

 NOTE: you must set the page length to 72, in the "Preferences" dialog box.
 Obviously these codes influence printing of all other reports.


 ******************
 *  Release 4.24  *
 ******************
 - NEW: MODE extracted automatically also in the PreLog window.


 ******************
 *  Release 4.15  *
 ******************

 - Two new buttons (QSL snt, QSL rcv) added on main EasyLog window to
 quickly change with the mouse QSL received/sent status.


 ****************
 * Release 4.14 *
 ****************

 - On IOTA updating window, has been added a '?' button useful to invoke
   IOTA directory help sytem.
 - Search and print section and QSL section has been modified. Two new
   short-cut keys are now available:

    Alt-B        copy active QSO into QSL Buffer (or make a double click
            on right button)
    Alt-S        copy active QSO into Print Buffer

 - New short-cut keys have been added on main EasyLog window:

    F11        change QSL sent flag
    F12        change QSL received flag
    Space bar   quick search of a callsign

 - New 'Extract unassigned Countries' option available, useful to try to
   extract only unassigned countries (unassigned, dubious, unknown).
   Very useful when you install a new release of CHECK file.

 - Automatic band, mode and reports are extracted directly from frequency
   also in inline QSOs insertion mode.

 - New satellite option added, to edit a satellite short-note
   (uplink/downlink frequencies, satellite name ecc.) that can be printed
   on QSL labels.


 ****************
 * Release 4.11 *
 ****************

 - Added multi fields custom awards.
 - New parameter 'ResetCursorAfterAppend' available on [Log] section of
   EL4.INI configuration file. If this parameter is set to 'Yes' the cursor
   position after every new QSO insertion is reset to first field of window.
 - In VGA resolution, higher than 640x480 with large fonts, characters on
   packet windows are automatically enphatized.


 ****************
 * Release 4.10 *
 ****************

 - New option has been added to extract manager for a QSO range.
 - Support of large fonts (12 points).
 - Release number is now visible on EasyLog title bar.
 - New short-cut key (Alt-F1) to invoke QSO historical dialog-box.
 - Buckmaster HamCall CD-ROM support
 - New macro 'PKTERMINAL' to force PK232 TNC in command mode. Add macro on
   first row of \EL4\CLUSTER\INIT.TNC initialization file.
 - Added 'page length' parameter in emulation sections in EL4\SYSTEM\EL4.INI
 - New macro 'EJECT' available for QSL format files (.MWQ). Useful to make a
   page eject on laser and ink-jet printers.



 1. COPYRIGHT
 ============

 EasyLog, its documentation, ideas, architecture, algoritms, all names
 and definitions in documents and in the software are copyright.

 CHECK file has been encripted to protect its data.  CHECK file contain
 information about recognition of country, zone, continent.  EasyLog 4
 algorithm and CHECK data file, contain information, fruit of valuable
 historical research that we want protect from plagiarism (already happened
 in the past).    EasyLog 4 recognition system (algorithms and CHECK file)
 make possible to distinguish countries and prefixes by the QSO data,
 recogniting DELETED countries.  The file preparred and maintened by our
 EasyLog 4 Check manager, IK1GPG, contains information since first ham radio
 operations.

 In file ORIGSOFT.DOC you can find 10 good reasons to support original
 software.


 2. Support
 ==========
 Once you become an EasyLog 4 user, you can acces to our support service, (by
 phone, via mail, via BBS, via FAX or via Internet).
 You can obtain help and suggestions for an optimal use of EasyLog.
 Since the support service is free, Keep in mind that IT IS NOT DUE.

 Our support is completely free but be sure that:

 * it must be in relation with EasyLog.
 * it must be in business hours (9-12, 15-17 local time,from Monday to Friday)

 You can use also our BBS (see point 10)

 To acces to telephone support, please be concise in exposure.
 Before calling, annotate exactly what kind of trouble you have.

 When you use mail to ask any question, please enclose a SAE (Self Addressed
 Envelope) if you want a private answer.

 If you send us disks or other material, it shall not be returned. To have
 back sent material, please enclose Envelope with sufficient refund for the
 return postage.

 For International tecnical support, we suggest to use our 24-hours-a-day
 dedicated automatic FAX machine, to send us Your questions.
 Please enclose Your FAX number and a detailed description of question.

 INTERNET
 We strong suggest use of Internet e-mail system, to contact us quickly.
 In the e-mail message, please quote with "EasyLog" in the title.
 We check daily Internet e-mail, therefore this is the better system to
 obtain our support.

 Our Internet address is:   [e-mail]

 EasyLog Newsletter
 ------------------
 You can subscribe completely free the EasyLog Newsletter, where you can
 find EasyLog last news, information about last releases, new options,
 EasyLog features and much much more.
 EasyLog Newsletter is sent via Internet e-mail. To subscribe the newsletter
 please send us an e-mail message, with "EasyLog Newsletter" in the title
 and "Subscribe" in the message body. Please include your e-mail address
 where we must send the Newsletter. EasyLog Newsletter is published every
 time we need to communicate new information to users.

 3. New users
 ============
 If you are a new user, and you don't know very well the EasyLog filosophy, we
 suggest to read carefully all the user manual, and to create a test log on
 which you can exercise. The test Log can be deleted at any moment.


 4. Windows optimization
 =======================
 EasyLog, like others Windows applications, improve running performances
 installing more RAM in your system. EasyLog run with a minimum of 2 Mbytes
 of RAM, we suggest however to install almost 4 or more Mbytes of RAM.

 If you are using a PC with only 2 Mbytes of RAM, run Windows in 386 advanced
 mode, typing:

     WIN/3

 In this way, Windows use hard disk like virtual memory.
 Windows automatically run normally in 386 advanced mode if more than 2 MBytes
 are installed on your system.

 How to obtain better performances:

 * installing more RAM memory (4MBytes, 8MBytes or more)
 * using a more powerful microprocessor (a 386 DX is  more powerful than 386
   SX, 486 is more powerful than 386, Pentium is more powerful than 486)
 * using high speed hard disks
 * using fast VGA cards

 See Windows user manual for more suggestion about Windows performances
 improvement.


 5. CHECK updating
 =================
 EasyLog 4 make use of a new type of CHECK file, that recognizes automatically
 deleted countries by QSO date. In order to avoid that editing of CHECK
 file can modify internal balance, is not possible modify CHECK file.
 (In the next release, however we'll add a check utility program to add new
  countries, prefixes etc.).

 CHECK file contains last updated information about valid prefixes of DXCC
 countries. CHECK file has been preparred carefully with information since
 first years of radioamateurs activity.

 Number of unknown prefixes has been reducted at the minimum. Unknown prefixes
 can be resolved with 'manual link' option of EasyLog 'Award' menu.

 CHECK database has maintened by Max IK1GPG, EasyLog Check-Manager. To create
 and maintain CHECK database Max do hard time-consuming work and data
 research, in order to limit at minimum unknown or dubious countries.
 Contact Max, for information about how obtain latest version of CHECK
 database for EasyLog.

 Balsamo Massimo IK1GPG,
 Strada Statale 28, Nord 7
 12084 Mondovi' CN - Italy

 New versions of Check database will be released whenever a new country is
 added to DXCC country list or whenever there will be prefix alterations.

 CHECK database cost 10 US$


 6. Award Pack
 =============
 Award Pack is an optional disk, containing several EasyLog compatible custom
 awards, and various awards rules texts. Award Pack includes County, WAS, WAIP
 awards and most important island awards like IIA, DIE, DIFM, DIM, CISA. For
 more information contact Max, IK1GPG.

 Award Pack's cost is 10 US$


 7. Text files list (.DOC)
 =========================
 README.DOC     this file
 RADIO.DOC     radio support description
 RS232.DOC     serial ports installation and configuration
 PRINT.DOC     print customization
 MMEDIA.DOC     MultiMedia (Sound cards) support description
 QSL.DOC     print QSL support description
 ORIGSOFT.DOC     ten good reasons to buy original software
 RELEASE.DOC     historical release description

 IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PRINT AND READ COMPLETELY THIS FILES IN WHICH YOU
 CAN FIND ADDITIONAL AND LAST MINUTE INFORMATION NOT INCLUDED IN USER MANUAL!


 8. User manual errata corrige
 =============================


 9. Microware Software support BBS
 ==================================
 Since 1st october 1994, at the number [phone] all the nights
 between 20 and 08 (CET time) is active our BBS. In BBS you can find
 messages, text, comments, news, bulletins and EasyLog 4 minor release.
 Soon the BBS will be moved in a dedicated 24 hours a day line.

 Access parameters are: speed from 300 up to 14400 baud, no parity, 1 stop
 bit, 8 bit word, terminal emulation TTY or ANSI. You can use your favorite
 communication software (for example Windows Terminal or Norton
 Commander TERM90).


 10. New options in next future
 ==============================
 * print graphic QSL, with user definable bitmaps
 * auxiliary serial port support (RTTY)
 * automatic antenna tracking system
 etc.

 11. Problems resolution
 =======================
 Read this before using technical support, every time you have a problem.

 a. Trying to create a Log, the "Can't create the Log" message box appears.

 >> Probably, no more space is available on hard disk. Exit form EasyLog and
    make space on disk.

 b. Index problems. EasyLog make use of index files to search datas quickly in
    databases. These files (.MDX extension) are partially loaded into
    RAM memory, and then sometimes can be damaged (usually for radiofrequency
    problems in ham stations). Data files containing QSO are not in danger,
    because using the DELINDEX utility, index can be deleted and then
    automatically rebuilt when EasyLog is executed.

    Usually an index problem can manifest as:

    - Executing EasyLog, an error message box is displayed. The message box
      indicate the name of index file damaged.

    - Browsing Log file, or awards, or QSL section etc, could be showed data
      in strange or different order than those selected.

    - In browsing area (Log, QSL, awards etc.) all the QSO seem mysteriously
      disappeared, or only some of them are showed.

 >> Exit from EasyLog, execute DELINDEX utility and execute again EasyLog,
    index files will be rebuilt and problems should be solved.

 In ham stations usually there is too much radiofrequency, due to bad ground
 plant, to the use of high powers, or by high ROS. Since the computer is
 very sensible to radiofrequency and since the indexes are partially loaded in
 RAM memory, it is very easy that opened indexes can be damaged.
 Sometimes only few Watts of power can damage index files of not well
 screened computers.

 If the computer seem dead (the mouse cursor is blocked, keyboard doesn't
 work, etc.) reset the computer, run Windows and execute DELINDEX utility and
 execute again EasyLog.

 IMPORTANT!
 Don't reset the computer while EasyLog running because active index files can
 be damaged and datas lost.  Some operations, like indexes creation, awards
 recompilation, info extraction etc.  require much time, proportional to QSO
 number in Log, and computer performances.  Don't reset the computer, but wait
 patiently the end of operation.  Until the wait dialog box is on the screen,
 operations are in progress, please wait with patience.

 If indexes are frequently damaged, check your equipement arrangement. We
 suggest to use a good ground, space computer and radio properly, space
 antenna cables and power supply cables of radio or linear amplifier.

 It's a good idea sometimes rebuild index files (using DELINDEX utility, and
 execute EasyLog) for example before making a backup of Log.

 c. TNC communications problems. EasyLog 4 has a TNC2 compatible packet
    support, based on terminal mode communication. Any type of TNC2
    compatible can be used. We suggest to use a good quality commercial TNC.
    Some exotic self-made, TNC in some cases don't work properly. EasyLog
    don't work with pseudo-TNC (modem) like BayCom.
    (EasyLog serial communication, works in Hardware protocol).

    If the 'cmd:' prompt doesn't appear:

    -  TNC is not in command mode (some TNC like PK232 and KAM have a
       host-mode communication).

    >> Set TNC in command mode. For PK232 add 'PKTERMINAL' macro in
       initialization file \EL4\SYSTEM\INIT.TNC

    -  The communication cable could be damaged or unapt.

    >> Change communication cable

    -  TNC communication parameters could be different than these ones
       selected in EasyLog.

    >> Set properly communication parameters in preferences dialog box (port,
       speed etc.)

    -  The TNC is connected to a serial port that use a IRQ line
       already in use by others devices (SoundBlaster, mouse etc.) making
       conflicts between cards.

    >> Set hardware settings of cards properly in order to avoid IRQ
       conflicts.

 If EasyLog doesn't communicate yet, try to turn off and on TNC repeatedly.
 If TNC welcome message is not displayed, try to exit EasyLog and run your
 favorite terminal program (Windows Terminal for example). If neither in this
 way communication work, probably the problem is not in bad parameters
 configuration, but could be in hardware setting on RS232 card, different from
 default, or the card not work. Please contact your hardware technical support.

 *** Read 'RS232.DOC' file for more information.

 d. Radio communication support. EasyLog supports remote radio control. You
    need obviously an interface (Kenwood IF232C, Icom CT-17) or 100%
    compatible. As any other serial communication, you must set properly
    communication parameters.

    If remote radio control doesn't work properly:

    - verify link between computer and radio
    - check interface power supply
    - check communication parameters correspond to these one requested as
      reported in interface manual.
    - for ICOM radios, check that adjustable internal radio address has not
      been modified from default.

    *** Read 'RADIO.DOC' and 'RS232.DOC' files for more information.

 e. Print problems. Check that connection cable is right connected on LPT1 and
    that printer work properly. For example from DOS prompt try to print
    'autoexec.bat' file typing:

      TYPE C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT > PRN

    If file is not printed, probably the printer is damaged, please contact
    a technical support service.

    *** Read 'PRINT.DOC' file for more information


 12. Band Plan
 =============
 EasyLog when exctracts the band from the frequency, use the bandplan
 contained in the \EL4\SYSTEM\EL4.INI file, in the [Bands] section.
 If your country has a different bandplan than that reported in the
 EL4.INI file, please change the range.
 For example, if 160m band extend from 1800 to 2000 KHz and the SSB
 sub-band start at 1840, you must write on the row correspondent to 160m
 the follow numbers:

 [Bands]
 160m=1800,2000,1840

 The first number following the = sign, is the start of the band, the
 second is the end of the band, and the last is the start point of
 SSB sub-band.

 <EOF: README>