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Text File | 1988-12-17 | 29KB | 747 lines

K4PB's CQWWDX CONTEST SOFTWARE BY ALAN HARP K4PB 8113 BELGIUM DR. RALEIGH NC USA 27606 Revision 3.0 Copyright 1988 Alan Harp PURPOSE The purpose of this program is to provide an expedient means of logging, duping, and creating logs for the CQWWDX contest that are suitable for submission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Four programs: CQSTART.EXE This program prompts you for your callsign, country etc. This data is formated into a file and stored on disc as STARTFL.DAT All other programs will read and use this data. If STARTFL.DAT is not present on disc the CQWWLOG.EXE program will chain to this program and run it. This program will chain to CQWWLOG.EXE when complete. This program should be run prior to the contest. CQWWLOG.EXE This program is run during the contest. It starts by accumulating a data base from several files on the disk. STARTFL.DAT has data about you and this contest. DXCCLIST.LST has the DXCC list. CTYZONE.LST has data telling us what zones countries are in. It looks for and reads a file CQWWLOG.DAT that would contain the logs for the contest up to now. It reads these logs and accumulates score and dup sheet data creating DUPXX.DAT files for each band as it goes along. QSOs are displayed on the screen as this process progresses. If no CQWWLOG.DAT file is present the program will start logging with QSO #1. The logging process has been designed to allow you to enter data for a prospective QSO prior to actually logging it, telling you dupe and multiplier information. Once data is entered it can be removed or logged at the current time by one keystroke. When possible country and zones are determined by the program. 59 or 599 reports are automatically entered but may be easily changed. Any zone country data that the program determines may be easily changed. Zone and country status are easily accessed as well as DUP sheets if desired. Score and rate are shown on the main logging screen. The program does not keep the log in memory. It does keep DUP data for the current band. DXCC and ZONE data are in memory. This is done to preserve memory space in order to handle the maximum number of QSOs. (We don't know what that number is yet.) NOTE: The term chain refers to the computer command which means branch and execute another program. (1) CQWWMOD.EXE The purpose of this program is to permit you to modify the log file. When this program is run the entire log file is loaded into memory but only DXCC data is held in memory. With this program you can add, delete or modify QSOs any place in the log. You can chain to this program from CQWWLOG.EXE. When terminated this program chains CQWWLOG.EXE. CQWWFIN.EXE This program creates final logs suitable for submission. This program is not needed until after the contest. It will create an ASCII text file that can be further edited by a text editor if desired. It can also be sent straight to the printer. However you may want to review it on screen with your text editor prior to printing. This program can be run as many times as necessary while branching back to CQWWMOD to make corrections. BRUN45.EXE These programs have been compiled using Microsoft Quick Basic. When executed this program must be present on the disc. If a path statement has not been executed from DOS pointing to it a prompt will ask for the path: Input run-time module path: If you get this message type the path and\or drive name where it exists. If you don't know or have omitted it you may recover without rebooting your system by typing Ctrl-Break. This usually results when you are operating from one drive or directory and executing from another. It can be corrected by moving BRUN.EXE or adding a path statment to your batch file if you are using one. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED IBM PC or compatible computer with color graphics card. This program will operate with a monochrome monitor on a color graphics card but not via a monochrome card. The program will run with EGA or VGA cards. 640K memory recommended minimum. Fast dot matrix printer, minimum 80 column. A printer buffer will permit you to continue using the computer while printing. It is recommended to have an ASCII text editor near at hand. (We use IBM PE2 -- Personal editor II). The editor can be used for viewing final logs thereby avoiding printing until all corrections are made. The ability to edit will permit you to add any desired personal touch to your logs before printing. The editor may also be useful in modifying the DXCCLIST and provide a second means of modifying the log file. (2) GETTING STARTED Set the clock time and date of your computer to UTC time. The computer clock is used when logging in real time. Prepare an execution diskette or hard disk sub directory with the following files: CQSTART EXE CQWWLOG EXE CQWWMOD EXE CQWWFIN EXE BRUN45 EXE DXCCLIST LST CTRYZONE LST If you are operating from a diskette and have a two drive system put these on a bootable diskette. The last two commands in an AUTOEXEC.BAT file should be: PATH = A: CQWWLOG. Put this diskette in drive A. A formatted diskette then should be used in drive B: to receive data files. These programs have been using Micorsoft Quick Basic. BRUN45.EXE must be present on any disk they are executed from or have a path set for it. If your system has a hard drive we suggest that you put these files on a subdirectory and operate from there. Running CQSTART will collect information about the contest you are operating in, what class, zone and country you are in. This information is put into a file named STARTFL.DAT. This file must be present for proper execution of the other programs. STARTFL.DAT is read and updated by other programs. It must be present on the same directory with the above programs. When CQWWLOG is executed it will look for a file named STARTFL.DAT. If not found CQSTART.EXE is executed. All of the programs are executable if STARTFL.DAT is available. CQWWLOG is used to enter logs during or after the contest. CQWWMOD is a program used to make corrections to logs. CQWWFIN reads the log and prepares an ASCII file that can be edited or printed that is suitable for submission. If it is necessary to re-enter this data it can be done by executing CQSTART.EXE or deleting STARTFL.DAT and executing CQWWLOG.EXE. CQSTART will ask for a disk and path address for storage of log and dup file data. If you have a two floppy drive system you should put a formatted diskette in drive B and specify drive "B:". If you make a subdirectory in your hard drive for this purpose specify your hard drive (with colon) and the path name. (3) Read this manual to become familiar with commands and procedures. Pressing Home will list commands currently available. You must however press a key to return to the logging screen before executing any of these options. Logs are stored in a file named CQWWLOG.DAT on the specified drive or drive/path. If the CQWWLOG program is re executed it will read the log file and tally dup sheets , zone and country status , and score. The screen will display 22 previous QSOs. QSOs are always entered on the 23rd line of the screen. The 25th line will show pertinent status information. THE BOTTOM LINE First the lower line will show what band you are currently on. The default when starting the program is 160 meters. If there is a log file, the band will be the same as the last QSO. To change bands press Alt-B. This will toggle through the bands. Stop on the desired band. Next on the bottom line the status of the FAST feature is shown as ON or OFF. FAST can be toggled by pressing Alt-F. When FAST is ON repetitive parts of the log entry are automated. With FAST OFF all data must be entered manually. The status of the PRINT ON/OFF feature is displayed next. Type Alt-P to toggle this feature. If you are logging in real time and not keeping a hand written log in parallel you may want to have the printer keeping a journal of your entries incase of computer failure etc. With PRINT ON the printer will print each QSO as it is logged. The next thing displayed on the bottom line is the LOG EACH/TEN feature. This feature is toggled by ALT-L. With LOG each the log file is appended after each QSO entry. If you get tired of listening to the disc drive LOG TEN will append the file every tenth QSO. Log each may prevent loss of data due to a power or computer failure. Last on the bottom line the system time is shown. This will only be updated every time a log entry is completed. Log entries are entered and stored in one single file for all bands. When the final logs are prepared separate logs for each band are produced. ENTERING A QSO: As you enter data for a QSO you will be given information regarding dupe and multiplier status. At any time entry can be aborted up until the last step. You can have all data except time entered prior to actually working the station. Then pressing enter logs it with date and time from the computer clock. (4) QSOs are always entered on the 23rd line of the screen. QSO number: The first four positions on the line display the QSO entry number. This will serve as a prompt for QSO logging. Remember all bands are entered into one file. This is your total number of QSOs. Not the number for the current band. It will also include invalis QSOs if any. CALLSIGN: Usually the first thing you learn about a QSO to be logged is the call sign so it is entered first at position 17 on the log line. After you type the call and press enter the program checks the call for a dupe. If it is a DUP the program responds by sending a morse D and printing DUP at position 12 on the line. The program then attempts to determine the country of the call. If it is successful it looks at zone data for that country. If there is only one zone available it determines that. SENT RST With FAST ON 599 is entered for CW mode, 59 for phone. Nothing is required to be entered and the program goes to the next step. With FAST OFF enter three digits for CW, Two digits for phone. RECEIVED RST & ZONE With FAST ON If the country and zone have been determined by the program 599 and the zone will be entered for CW, 59 and zone will be entered for phone. The program will go to the next step. With FAST OFF or if the zone has not been determined by the program you must make a manual entry. If you only enter one or two digits the program will assume that this is zone data and insert the standard 599/59 report. To enter the entire report you should enter five characters for RSTZN for CW or four characters for RSZN for phone. A miss entry will cause a BEEP and you must re-enter. Also with FAST OFF if you press ENTER with no characters and the zone has been determined the program will enter the standard entry. COUNTRY With FAST ON if the country has been determined it will be printed at position 56 of the log line and the program goes to the next step. If the country has not been determined by the program then it must be entered manually. (5) With FAST OFF country can be entered manually. Pressing ENTER with no data will cause the program to attempt to enter the country from the callsign. If successful the program goes to the next step. Countries can be entered two ways, by their number or by spelling exactly as they are in the list. The list can be printed by pressing F9. The country status list can be viewed by pressing ALT-C. We recommend printing the list prior to the contest. Countries can be changed later with the CQWWMOD program. Make notes of QSO numbers requiring change. At this point in the program checks that the zone and country match. If there is a mismatch an asterisk is printed next to the countries name. The program assumes that the zone is likely wrong and moves back to the RECEIVED RST & ZONE point. At this point you may re-enter zone data, It will be checked here again. If you just press enter then the program is forced to accept the data. DATE: With FAST ON the date of the previous QSO is automatically entered. With FAST OFF must enter the date by typing one or two characters. The program checks this entry for a number from 1 to 31. If it is not successful the computer will BEEP and you must re-enter the data. TIME: The cursor should now be at position 11 on the screen. You are one step away from logging the QSO. Once logged the QSO can only be corrected by going to the CQWWMOD program. The log entry can be cancelled at this or any previous step by pressing ESC. This will take you to the CALLSIGN enter position of the program. If the country data is wrong pressing F1 will move you to the country enter position of the program. Pressing Shift-TAB will step you back to the DATE entry position. From there pressing Shift-TAB again will step you further back to other data entry positions. Use this to correct any incorrect data prior to logging. Pressing ENTER with no data will log the QSO with date and time from the computer clock. (No need to correct date manually for a new day.) (6) Manual time entry can be abbreviated by typing one or two numbers. If the previous time was 0631, type 40 and ENTER and the time will be 0640. To enter the same time as the last QSO type 1 and enter and the time will be 631. Typing three numbers and enter will put a 0 in front. Time is checked for validity. Invalid time will result in a BEEP and you must re-enter it. FEATURE SCREENS The logging screen shows rate and score in abreviated form. In addition several screens can be viewed by a keystroke. Logging can be resumed after another keystroke. The screens are: Alt-S Score Alt-C Country Status Alt-D Dup sheet Alt-Z Zone Status These operations are fast and useful while logging. The following operations are also available from the logging screen but may take time to complete. Alt-M Go to Modify mode where logs can be corrected. F7 Print DXCC list with current status. F9 Print dup sheet for current band. F10 CHAIN program to write final log file Be sure your printer is connected and on line before executing these operations. If your printer is not ready errors may result that can cause you to boot your computer and reload the program. PROGRAM PROBLEMS Information of the programs finding valid zone country combinations wrong and in ability of the program to discern correct countries from valid callsigns should be forwarded to the program writer in order that future editions of the program can correct the problems. (7) MODIFYING LOGS Pressing Alt-M puts the program in the log correction mode by loading and executing CQWWMOD.EXE. The program is kept separate in order accommodate large log files and keep stored string data to a minimum. Pressing Esc will return to the logging program. The program will read the log files while testing for various discrepancies. Faults will be listed on a screen. Pressing any key after the logs are read and discrepancies listed will move to the modification screen. You may return to the discrepancy list at any time by pressing Alt-X. Modifications are made from a pointer in the log that is indicated by a highlighted QSO. The highlighted pointer can be moved from one QSO to another by pressing the up and down arrow keys. Screens of 22 QSOs can be changed by the PgUp and PgDn keys. A highlighted QSO can be deleted from the log by pressing Alt-D. A QSO can be inserted above the highlighted QSO by pressing Alt-I. A highlighted QSO can be modified by pressing Alt-M. The procedure for modifying or inserting is the same is done from left to right. Rules are about the same as log entry however time can not be entered from the system clock. If the data is the same as the highlighted QSO it can be entered by pressing enter without typing. If you decide the modification is a mistake the modification can be aborted by typing Alt-A. Shift-TAB may be used to move back to a previous data cell. (8) SEARCH FEATURE Pressing Alt-S from the modification screen will take you to another screen where you will be offered three options to search the log and place the highlight on a selected QSO. 1. QSO NUMBER 2. DATE TIME 3. CALL SIGN (NEXT FROM HI-LITED QSO) 4. RETURN TO SCREEN 1. Will further prompt you for a QSO number in the log. Remember this is all bands together. 2. Will prompt you for a six digit number. The first two digits will be date, last four time. 3. Will prompt you for a call sign. This will search only after the highlighted point of the log. 4. Permits you to return with out doing a search. NOTE: It is recommended that you remain in the logging mode as much as possible during the contest. Switching to the modification program costs time while switching from one program to another. The logging program is designed to give as much information as possible during logging. If you switch out to modify logs and come back the program has to initialize by reading the modified logs and determining the current score and dup sheets. It all takes time and if no one is operating while you are doing this it could hurt your final score. THE FINAL PRODUCT Pressing F10 from the logging screen will execute CQWWFIN.EXE. This program will prompt you for a file name for the final logs. Entering "LPT1" will cause the file to be printed on the line printer directly. Entering a valid file name will cause the program to create an ASCII character file with the final logs. This file then can be viewed and modified with a text editor before printing. If there are problems with the log return to CQWWMOD and fix the problems. Then run this program again. Keep doing this until the log is satisfactory for submission. DUP SHEETS Dup sheets are required to be submitted with logs. Dup sheets can only be printed from the CQWWLOG program by pressing F9. Bands can be changed by typing Alt-B. A dup sheet can be printed for each band and should be submitted with the log. (9) COMMANDS FROM THE LOGGING SCREEN Alt-B Change bands. Current band appears in lower left corner of the screen. Keep pressing key until desired band appears. Alt-C View country status screen. Use PgUp and PgDn to scroll through the list. Alt-D View DUP SHEET for current band. Alt-E Exit program Alt-F Toggles FAST. As shown on bottom center of screen. Alt-S View score screen. (Displays current summary sheet.) Alt-T Enters TIME from the computer clock. (only available when F-8 entering time.) Use either F-8 or Alt-T. Alt-Z View zone status screen. Shows what zones have been worked for each band. F-7 Print DXCC list with current status. F-9 Print dup sheet for current band. F-10 CHAIN program to write final log file Alt-M Go to Modify mode where logs can be corrected. COMMANDS FROM THE MODIFY SCREEN Up Move highlighted QSO up one. Down Move highlighted QSO down one. PgUp Move back 22 QSOs PgDn Move forward 22 QSOs Alt-D Delete highlighted QSO Alt-I Insert QSO ahead of highlighted QSO Alt-M Modify the current QSO Alt-S Search feature Alt-X View discrepancies list. Home Display command list Esc Return to logging program (10) TEST DRIVE Recipients of this program are invited to test the program on last years logs or create a fantasy log working the rarest of DX. Check the programs ability to identify countries. Observe any bugs and report them to us. We want to improve the program when possible. AUTOMATIC COUNTRY IDENTIFICATION Much work has been done to provide this feature. The DXCC list and callsigns do not fit well into a database system. In some cases it is impossible to identify countries correctly from the call sign. The following is a list of countries that the program can not identify. If you are fortunate enough to work them in the contest you must enter them into the log manually. 17 ANARTICA 19 SAN FELIX 20 FERNANDEZ 93 M. TORISHIMA 94 OGASAWARA 102 NAVASSA 103 E. CAROLINE 104 W. CAROLINE 105 GUANTANIMO BAY 142 FERNANDO N. 143 ST PETER & P. 144 TRINDADE&MTN. 172 FRANZ JOS. LD. 190 SABLE I. 191 ST PAUL I. 195 LORD HOWE I. 194 WILLIS I. 195 CHRISTMAS I. 196 COCOS I. 197 MELLISH REEF 198 NORFOLK I. 199 HEARD I. 200 MACQUARIE 212 S. GEORGIA IS. 213 ORKNEY IS. 214 S. SANDWICH IS. 215 S. SHETLAND IS. 227 ANDAMAN & N. 228 LACCADIVE IS. 254 SO. COOK IS. 255 NO. COOK IS. (11) CQWWLOG.DAT FILE This is a file of 28 character strings contain logged QSO data. The is an ASCII file and can be viewed and edited with a text editor. We don't recommend this for the novice computer user but the following information is for those who want to manipulate the files for what ever reason. You may want to write a program to enter this data into your own logging system. The following is a view of a few lines of a typical file. Characters 3 - 6 contain Characters 7 - 16 QSO time ------------\ contain CALL SIGN \ / Characters 1 & 2 --- 2800045L7U 599599354041 contain month day 280025LZ9A 599599203125 280026OK1MAW 599599153132 280028HG9R 599599153071 280031YU4EBL 599599153244 280041XE1FUX 599599063229 280048G4OBK 599599142063 280050YU4EXY 599599152244 280054ON6AH 599599142133 280059DL3HAS 599599142033 280105KP2A 599599082118 280116YU1KQ 599599152244 Characters 280125EA8RL 599599332038 27 - 29 280131UA2FGA 599599152173--DXCC country # / / | Characters 17 -19 / | contain sent RST / Character 26 / one of 6 BANDS Characters 20 - 25 contain received RST and Zone EDITING THE DXCCLIST An ASCII text editor can be used to edit and modify the DXCCLIST.LST file. About the only modification that can safely be made would be a change of spelling. Do not change the order of the list! Do not delete countries from the list! Anything done to change the sequential number of countries will cause the country identification procedure to fail. We will add new countries to the list in future versions of the program. We have no plans to delete any country from the list. (12) DE K4PB Profit is not the objective for writing this program. The objectives are to write a program that a useful aid to working the CQWWDX contest and to learn programing techniques. Amateur radio is a hobby where the participants contribute their efforts without a gainful return. Feel free to make copies of the program and give it to those who may use it. Please leave all identification of the author intact. The program is not to be distributed for profit or gain. We would like to hear from users who are using and enjoying it. A QSL card would be fine. Maybe we can make WAS or even DXCC. As time permits we will improve the program and write similar programs for other contests. Since we are not receiving any revenue for our efforts we can not be responsible for the accuracy of or effects of the programs use. We are interested in knowing of any problems or bugs. Good luck in the contest DE K4PB AR. (13)