World of Ham Radio 1997

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Text File | 1997-02-01 | 12.7 KB | 439 lines

WR9R - Field Day Logging System Ver 3.00 WARNING This program and is documentation is not warranted in any way. Even though every attempt has been made to insure its reliability, when you use this program, you accept responsibility for the consequences of it's use and/or misuse. The author does not warranty the applicability, outputs, or performance of this program in any way. The author is not responsible for any loss, corruption, or destruction of data, or any damage, real or imagined, to any physical equipment. INTRODUCTION. Field Day is a "mostly for fun", yet highly competitive contest, constructed for the purpose of having fun and introducing the populous to amateur radio. If you enjoy the competition, then you will probably try to construct your station to give you just that little "edge" over the rest. Once the fun part is over, you must then grind down through the log sheets and turn in a completed dupesheet, or a sorted log/list of callsigns and a summary. This program will log callsigns, associated reports, and QTHs to support a Field Day's QSOing. The primary intent is to be a real-time data entry system, that will aid in avoiding duplications and increase the QSOs/hour by decreasing the hassle. All QSOs are logged into a common ASCII data base for easy access. The system can later split the log up by mode and band, into separate files, sorted into alpha-numeric order by call, and generate summary sheets. Typically, over 9,000 stations with their reports can be logged, with any duplicate entries detected and rejected at a very high rate. Automatic dupe checking and partial call checking can be disabled if you wish, speeding up the process (if your computer is a little slow and you're commanding a pile-up, for example). Partials are displayed in the lower-left window and can be detected automatically. Calls displayed in the "Partials" window only apply to the current operating mode and band, this helps in the detection of duplicates before the QSO is actually made. An audible warning is used to help indicate that an entry has been rejected, along with a pop-open window. If a printer is connected to the system, it can be enabled to print QSOs as they are being entered into the log. The program is designed such that one person can very easily handle both logging and operating at the same time. This system is designed to work on IBM PC XT,AT,386,clones and compatibles with at least 384K of memory and a MONOCHROME, CGA, EGA, or VGA adaptor. OPERATION Before starting the system, set the computer's clock to UTC time using the DOS Time and Date commands. Make a backup copy of the disk for safe keeping. To start the system, type in the application name and the data base file name for the event being logged. For example: C:> WR9R TX1.FD A window will open up that lets you enter the statistics about your station, once this is filled in, press ESC. If you wish to make changes the window can be accessed through the 'F9=LOGS' menu. The class field of this window is used by the system to compute CLASS D operating scores. Since a class D to class D QSO earns no points, this field is rather crucial with regards to your final score. If this field is changed after the logging is through, simply bring up the system again and rerun the "sorted log" and "summary sheet" functions to get the corrected output. A window will open for you to select your operating power which is used to calculate the multiplier for the event. Use the arrow keys to select, hit return to keep, or ESC to leave it the same. (This selection method is common to all windows of this type that you will see.) Other windows will open to select the initial band and mode of operation. The QSOs are entered in the left-middle window. The window has three fields, the SPACE bar or TAB allows you to move from field to field. When all three fields are filled in, an ENTER will log the call and the log will scroll up on the right. The DEL key wipes the current field. CONTROL-W wipes all three edit fields. RIGHT ARROW, LEFT ARROW and BACKSPACE work as character edit keys. If you wish to edit an already logged call, the UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, HOME, and END keys let you access the past QSOs. As the each of the past QSOs are highlighted, the data is brought into the QSO entry/edit window where it can be altered. The ESC or END keys will exit this mode without changing the log, an ENTER will save the changes back to the log. The Band and Mode of an entry can be changed by using the F3 and F4 keys (as desribed later) while the entry is still in the entry/edit field. The menu at the bottom of the screen allows you to access all the features of the system. F1 - Performs a duplicate check on the call currently entered in the Call field. F2 - Performs a partial check on the characters currently entered in the Call field. F3 - Allows you to select a different HF band. F4 - Allows you to change modes (CW/PHONE). F5 - Allows you to change system features such as enabling or disabling automatic partial checking, dupe checking, and the printer. If you enable the printing function make sure the printer is on-line before trying to log another QSO. The Set Station Multiplier selection allows you to reselect the QSO multiplier used based on the transmit power used. The Edit CW Keying Features selection allows you to edit the stored CW messages and select the COM port used to key the transmitter (as described later). F9 - Allows you to create summary and dupe sheets and sorted log listings. These files are pretty complete but you will always want to make sure that all the information YOU THINK SHOULD BE THERE is there. Bonus points and bonus proof sheets will have to be edited into these files or added to the printouts manually. F10- Exits to DOS. If there are several hundred or a few thousand calls, it may take a little while to reload. You may not want to leave very often. Online help is available by typing ALT-H. The ASCII file "WR9R.HLP" is placed in a window on the screen. The file can be edited as long as the contents don't leave the windows boundaries. If you are going to give this program to someone else, please give them the original help file supplied. A list of ARRL section abbreviations can be brought into a window by typing ALT-S. The same ALT-S keys will also remove the window as well. This list is also kept in an ASCII file so that the order may be changed if you wish. The same rules apply when editing this file ("WR9R.SEC") as the online help file. The result must fit the window so use the original as a template when making changes. BACKGROUND CW KEYING CW keying is performed via a serial port utilizing the DTR (pin 20) as the keying source. The keying is done in "background" allowing you to do log entries and edits (in the foreground) while your message is being sent. Holding down on the ALT key, when in CW/RTTY mode brings up a new command list at the bottom of the screen. The Alt-FX-keys can be preprogrammed using the "F5=Extras" menu under "CW Xmit Features". Standard alpha-numerics and punctuation are supported with the following special characters allowed: % This symbol inserts whatever text is in the call field of the logging window. = BT " _..._ " + AR " ._._. " > KN " _.__. " ! SK "..._._" Back Space in the Chat mode sends " . . . " (EEE) The Alt-F9 and Alt-F10 key combinations are used to increase and decrease the CW keying speed by two WPM. To connect the serial port to the keyer input of your rig use a 1K resistor from pin 20 of the DB25 to the base of a 2N4400 or equivalent transistor. Connect the emitter to pin 7 of the DB25, as well as the ground of your rig. Connect the collector to the positive keyed CW input of your rig (this can usually parallel the keyer being used). If you are already have a CW cable for use with one of the "TOP GUN" contest packages such as "CT" by Ken Wolff (K1EA), or "NA" by Dave Pruett (K8CC), then you are all set. The author utilized the same pinout in an attempt to keep the user from having to build or buy another cable just for Field Day use. pin 20 o----| (pin 4 DB9) | 1 K c |___VVV___b_|/-----------> to CW input. |\ e | | pin 7 o-----------------------------> to CW ground. (pin 5 DB9) A different circuit would have to be constructed for NEGATIVE or "Grid Block" keying. MULTI-OP STATION LOGS Each transmitter at a multi-op station should run the software in a real time entry fashion. Each transmitter should be assigned a mode (CW or SSB), group of bands, or both, and stay there to prevent dupes. At the end of the contest the data base files (the filenames used when the programs were started) for all the transmitters can be concatenated into one file by using the DOS copy command. For example, c:> copy TX1.FD + TX2.FD + TX3.FD MULTI.OP Each transmitter data base file (TX1.FD, TX2.FD, and TX3.FD) is concatenated to the file "MULTI.OP", creating one file for the entire operation. The "MULTI.OP" file can then be loaded into the system and the summaries and sorted log listings generated. The data base file can be edited to make call and exchange corrections. Care must be taken since the records in the data base are a set format and length. When editing, remember that the columns should line up, lines must be the same length, and no extra lines (blank lines) should be added. Entire lines may be removed, such as when removing a dupe, and the generated logs should be fine. If you need to edit the data base, make a copy and edit the copy. It is the safest way to go since you can always make another copy. CONCLUSION This system is fairly new, if there are bugs that need fixing or features that need adding please feel free to WRITE and tell me about them. (Remember, there's no such thing as flawless software, if there was... all software would be version 1.00 !) If you would like the most current version, and wish to participate in the on-going development of this package, as well as, other Ham related software, please send $10 (and any CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions) to: Larry D. O'Cull ARS - WR9R 3725 Tara Ct. Westfield, IN 46074