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-
-
- Version 5.8 NET-CONTROL PROGRAM May 16, 1992
-
- Although this program was written for the Trans-Provincial Net
- (Canadian 7055 Khz. LSB) it will work for other nets as well. The
- "TP NET" operates 8 hrs. daily and the count is passed from
- controller to controller hourly and that is the reason for an
- accumulative count (F-2).
-
- The requirements for this software are;
-
- 1) MS DOS 2.0 or later,
- 2) Hard drive preferred but not required. (Faster)
-
- It will handle 200 check-in's per session and about 1200 calls in the
- NET-LOG.DAT data file. When the String Memory Area approaches the
- maximum, you are warned of that fact. You only have room for a few
- more calls. If it reaches saturation, it allows you to print the
- check-ins to the printer if you already haven't and gives the current
- counts.
-
- If this is the first time you have run the program, you will have to
- go through a CONFIGURATION of the options.
-
- The first option (if you have a color card installed) will be the
- color option. Some visually impaired hams have asked for better
- screen contrast with color monitors. You may now select Enhanced
- Color or Black and White which I hope will assist those hams.
-
- The next option is whether you wish a clock displayed in the upper
- right corner of the screen. The file called NETCLOCK.COM must be on
- the same disk or in the same Directory on a hard drive as
- NET-CTRL.EXE to use this feature. If your system does not have a
- CGA (Color Graphics Adapter) card, this option will not appear. The
- system must have a CGA card to make use of this feature.
-
- An option is then offered for a hard copy log to be printed on the
- printer as the calls are checked in. Of course any editing of the
- CALL, NAME or QTH after entry, will not be reflected in the printed
- log page.
-
- You will then be asked if you wish to save a sorted copy of your
- NET-LOG.DAT file to disk when you leave the program. If you choose
- YES, each time you leave the program, the NET-LOG.DAT information will
- be sorted by call and saved to disk. If you have a slower machine,
- this may take a while but you are exiting the program anyway. When
- viewing the NET-LOG.DAT file using the "V" option, it is easier to see
- the calls in a sorted form. If you prefer to leave the calls in the
- order which they were entered, then choose NO and the file will remain
- as entered. You can still sort the data for viewing by using the "S"
- command which sorts the data in memory but does not write it to the
- disk in the sorted form.
-
- You will then be asked to confirm your choices.
-
- Future use of the program does not require configuration. It is
- written to disk and loaded in when you run the program. However, if
- you later choose to change the configuration, hit the "ESC" key when
- the first screen appears and you will be asked to go through the
- configuration routine again.
-
-
- NET-CONTROL (Page 2) Vers. 5.8
-
- The following screen will then appear.........
-
-
- _________________________________________________________________________
-
- MENU (Alt keys - except [ENTER])
- M = MEMORY P = NOTE PAD
- ENTER = END LIST F = FIND CITY E = EDIT ENTRY N = EDIT NET-LOG
- T = LIST TRAFFIC C = FIND CALL X = DELETE ENTRY V = VIEW NET-LOG
- L = LIST ENTRIES D = DROP A CALL Q = QUIT S = SORT NET-LOG
- --- Use F1 for NAMES in NET-LOG.DAT file or F2 to enter PREVIOUS COUNT ---
-
- THIS IS A SCRATCH PAD AREA FOR THE CALL CHECK-IN LIST
-
- ENTER CALL? _
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- YOUR COUNT 0
-
- NET CONTROL By; VE3COO (C) Vers. 5.8
- _________________________________________________________________________
-
-
-
- Perhaps I should explain here that as calls are entered into the
- system for the first time, a record is being written to a disk file
- called NET-LOG.DAT. This will record the station's CALL, NAME and the
- QTH.
-
- ENTER CALL:- (Scratch pad area)
-
- At this point the program is waiting for you to enter the calls of
- stations checking into the net. After you enter each call, the next
- "ENTER CALL" appears waiting for the next call. I have limited the
- number of calls that may be entered on each scratch sheet to 10.
-
- As when you were writing the calls on a scratch pad, I suggest you
- only enter the last three (3) letters of the calls as they check in.
- You won't have time for much more. If it is a two (2) letter call, it
- is recommended that the number be entered as well. That will avoid
- some confusion between calls. For example, if you had VE3BC check
- into the net and you entered "BC". It is possible the program could
- come up with VE3ABC since this call was the first one it found with
- "BC" being the last two letters. Of course, if it comes up with the
- wrong call, you have an opportunity to correct the error. If a mobile
- or portable station checks in, it is important that you include the
- "/M" or "/P" after the call. This will give him priority when calling
- stations into the net.
-
- When you wish to cut off the list a simple tap of the ENTER key, with-
- out an entry, will bring you to the individual call entry.
-
-
- NET-CONTROL (Page 3) Vers. 5.8
-
- INDIVIDUAL CALL ENTRY:-
-
- You are then asked to check each station into the net individually.
- (If a mobile or portable station is part of the check-in list, they
- will be given priority.)
-
- If that station has checked in with you on a prior occasion and is
- part of the NET-LOG.DAT disk file, his CALL, NAME and QTH will be
- displayed on the top line. If this is the first time he has checked
- in with you, his call alone (as entered) will be displayed at the top
- of the screen. In either case, you will be asked to confirm that the
- call appearing is the correct call. If the station has been found in
- the NET-LOG.DAT file and you accept it as correct by hitting the
- [ENTER] key, you will go directly to the TRAFFIC INPUT screen. If you
- only entered the last part of the call and he is a first time caller,
- you will have to enter the complete call at this time.
-
- There are several reasons you may want to change the entered call.
- (i.e. you copied the call wrong, you only entered the last few letters
- of the call and he is a first-time caller or the computer came up with
- the wrong call, etc.)
-
- Also, at the bottom of the screen it explains that "S" alone will
- scratch that entry or "M" alone will allow you to go back to the
- scratch-pad area to enter a breaker.
-
- If you had entered the call "ABC" in the check-in list and when you
- get to him you find that either the call is wrong and no-one responds
- or the guy left, entering an "S" [ENTER] will scratch that entry from
- your files and adjust the count accordingly.
-
- If during your individual call entry someone "BREAKS", you can go back
- to the scratch-pad area by hitting "M" [ENTER], enter his call (which
- will be placed at the end of the list) and return to the individual
- call check-ins where you left off by [ENTER] alone as before.
-
- Now, back to entering the individual calls. If the station is a first-
- timer, be sure the information you enter is typed correctly. This
- information will be written to the disk file and used in the future
- for matching traffic on the hook to him. Even if you later use the
- "E" editing feature (at the main menu) to clean up your errors in
- typing for that entry, what you initially enter now is written to the
- disk and can only be edited using the built-in editor ("N" command in
- the main menu).
-
-
- ENTERING NAME:-
-
- This is straight forward and needs no explanation.
-
-
- NET-CONTROL (Page 4) Vers. 5.8
-
- ENTERING QTH:-
-
- A word of CAUTION. The spelling of the QTH is particularly important.
- Let me give you an example. If someone were looking for "ST. THOMAS"
- and you had a station on frequency and the NET-LOG.DAT file had his
- QTH entered as "ST.THOMAS" (without the space or period), the system
- will indicate there is no station at this time on frequency. You have
- to develop a system of continuity. Either your going to enter all such
- items WITH or WITHOUT the space or period. It will be either;
-
- ST. CATHARINES or ST CATHARINES or ST.CATHARINES
-
- Also the same holds true for
-
- SAULT STE. MARIE or SAULT STE MARIE or SOO or SAULT
-
- You must be consistent.
-
- When entering traffic, it will search for a partial QTH. If VE3ABC
- checks in and has traffic for Sault Ste Marie and you entered "SAULT",
- it will search check-ins for any QTH beginning with "SAULT". The same
- holds true with "SUDBURY"; a simple entry of "SUD" will match up the
- traffic.
-
- If there is traffic waiting for the call or area of the station
- checking in, it will be indicated on the screen.
-
- If the station had already been logged to disk from a previous check-
- in, you will proceed directly to the TRAFFIC entry routine.
-
-
- ENTERING TRAFFIC:-
-
- Once you are in the TRAFFIC routine, you may enter up to five (5)
- pieces of traffic for each station. As you enter the traffic, the
- first matching station will be indicated on the screen. It will then
- ask if contact has been established. If the current station listed
- traffic as "OAKVILLE" and the first Oakville station has left the
- frequency, when you enter "N" as NO CONTACT, the first Oakville
- station will be dropped (along with any traffic he had listed) auto-
- matically and the program will search for another Oakville station on
- frequency. If none are found, the traffic will be filed and you will
- be asked for the station's next piece of traffic. If you answer "Y"
- (that CONTACT has been established), the piece of traffic listed by
- the current station is not filed.
-
- Hitting the [ENTER] key on a blank space completes that stations
- entry.
-
- If there are other stations on the list waiting, the same routine is
- followed;
-
- 1) the station call appears at the top of the screen;
- 2) you enter the corrected call sign or [ENTER];
- 3) etc.
-
- until you reach the end of the call list.
-
- At this time you are back waiting for another list of check-ins.
-
-
- NET-CONTROL (Page 5) Vers. 5.8
-
-
- MAIN MENU:-
-
-
- "ENTER = END LIST"
-
- After entering a list of check-ins, an [ENTER] alone (without an
- entry) will END the list and transfer you to the individual call entry
- routine.
-
- NOTE: The following COMMANDS use the ALT key.....
-
- "T = LIST TRAFFIC"
-
- Entering ALT-T will list outstanding traffic as well as the listing
- station.
-
-
- "L = LIST ENTRIES"
-
- Entering ALT-L will list all stations who have checked into the net to
- this time.
-
-
- "F = FIND CITY"
-
- Entering ALT-F will allow you to look for a city in the call list. A
- second screen appears asking for the specific city you are searching
- for and, if a match is found, it will be displayed on the screen.
- (This only searches the CALLS ENTERED, not the NET-LOG.DAT file.)
-
-
- "C = FIND CALL"
-
- Entering ALT-C is the same as "F = FIND CITY" except that it searches
- for a call on frequency rather than a city.
-
-
- "D = DROP A CALL"
-
- Entering ALT-D allows you to drop a call or traffic from the list. A
- second screen asks if you wish to drop a call or traffic. If you
- choose CALL, this feature allows the specified call to be dropped
- (along with his listed traffic) and adds an "*" to the call in the
- list, indicating he had checked in but has left the frequency. Anyone
- listing traffic for him later will be advised that he is not on
- frequency. If you choose to drop TRAFFIC, you will be asked for the
- station call that wishes to drop traffic. If that station only has
- one piece of traffic listed, his traffic will be deleted and you will
- be returned to the scratch-pad page and menu. If he has more than one
- piece of traffic, his traffic will be listed and you will be asked
- which one he wishes to drop. You may drop them all using "A" for all.
-
-
- NET-CONTROL Page 6) Vers. 5.8
-
- "M = MEMORY"
-
- ALT-M will display the remaining string space at the center of the
- bottom line. When this approaches 1000 bytes, you should purge
- your NET-LOG.DAT file of calls that seldom call into the net.
-
-
- "E = EDIT ENTRY"
-
- Entering ALT-E permits editing an entry. If a station has listed more
- than one piece of traffic, separate entries are established for each
- piece of traffic adding a "+" to the call of the additional entries.
- When you enter a call to edit, in the case of more than one entry, it
- will list them and ask which number you wish to edit. This feature
- allows you to correct typo's, incorrect spelling of traffic, etc.
- After editing the call or traffic, it re-checks the traffic list for a
- match with stations on frequency.
-
-
- "X = DELETE AN ENTRY"
-
- Entering ALT-X allows the cancellation of an entry for any reason.
- This will erase the entry adjusting the count if applicable.
-
-
- "Q = QUIT"
-
- ALT-Q is self explanatory.
-
-
- "P = NOTE PAD" (15 lines - 65 characters per line max.)
-
- ALT-P brings up a NOTE PAD for entering information. i.e. Flux count,
- controller requirements, etc. It has a built-in editor.
-
-
- "N = EDIT NET-LOG"
-
- Entering ALT-N allows you several options.
-
- E)DIT permits editing a NET-LOG.DAT disk file entry.
- A)DD allows you to add entries to the NET-LOG.DAT disk file.
- D)ELETE eliminates a NET-LOG.DAT disk file entry
- (i.e. silent keys, purging infrequent check-ins, etc.).
-
- For those with COLOR, any area that writes to the NET-LOG.DAT disk
- file indicates caution with a RED screen.
-
-
- "V = VIEW NET-LOG"
-
- Entering ALT-V permits viewing the disk file in several modes;
-
- C)ALL will search and display an entry matching the CALL searched for.
- (Will search for last 2 or 3 letters of calls)
- N)AME will search for any entry by NAME listing all matches.
- Q)TH will list all stations residing in the QTH being searched for.
- ("N" and "Q" will search for Partial Name or QTH)
- A)LL will list the complete NET-LOG.DAT file.
-
-
- NET-CONTROL (Page 7) Vers. 5.8
-
- "S = SORT NET-LOG"
-
- Entering ALT-S will sort the NET-LOG.DAT file in CALL order. With
- slower machines, this could take a while if you have a large DATA
- file. (Does not write the sorted data to disk)
-
-
-
- "F1" allows a QUICK search of the NET-LOG.DAT file for a CALL,
- displaying the name and QTH of the station.
-
-
- "F2" permits the PREVIOUS COUNT to be entered.
- (The previous count and total count will be displayed)
-
-
- I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dan O'Brien of Chicago,
- Illinois for the Clock routine. His routine was originally named
- "CGCLOCK.COM". I have included the documentation for his clock program
- at the end of this documentation for your convenience. You may decide
- to use it as a stand alone utility. Running NETCLOCK.COM alone toggles
- the clock ON and OFF.
-
- If you run the program NET-CTRL.EXE with a graphics card and use the
- Clock option, there will be a portion of memory locked out when you
- end. Since the NETCLOCK.COM program is being loaded into memory after
- the main program has been loaded, the Clock program is loaded
- above NET-CTRL.EXE and locks out any memory below it. When you leave
- the Net Control program, a considerably amount of memory is locked
- out resulting in OUT OF MEMORY errors. I have provided a NET.BAT file
- which will load the clock program before the main program is loaded.
- If you are using a computer with a (CGA), (EGA) or (VGA), run the
- program called NET.BAT file. If you do not have a color card, run the
- NET-CTRL.EXE file directly.
-
-
- If you find this program of use to you, under the shareware program,
- you are asked to forward $15 to the author at the address below. Many
- hours have been spent in the development of this program and
- encouragement to develop other HAM software would be appreciated.
-
-
-
- Any comments may be passed;
-
- via Packet Radio at VE3COO @ VE3RD.SCON.ON.CAN.NA
-
- or by mail Richard (Dick) Tunks VE3COO
- 1220 Falgarwood Dr.
- Oakville, Ontario
- L 6 H 2 L 3
-
-
-
-
-
-
- (C) 1992-VE3COO May 16, 1992
-
-
- NET-CONTROL (Page 8) Vers. 5.8
-
- REGISTRATION FORM (Net Control program Vers. 5.8)
-
- (Please print all information legibly)
-
-
-
- Date _____________________
-
-
- FULL NAME ________________________________________
-
-
- Address (Street) ________________________________________
-
-
- City ________________________________________
-
-
- Province/State/? ________________________________________
-
-
- Country ________________________________________
-
-
- Postal/Zip Code ________________________________________
-
-
- Registration enclosed .................... $____________
-
-
- Any comment regarding the Net Control program?
-
- _________________________________________________________
-
- _________________________________________________________
-
- _________________________________________________________
-
- _________________________________________________________
-
- _________________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 73 Dick... VE3COO (C)1992 May 16, 1992
-
-
- (Page 9)
-
- DOCUMENTATION FOR DAN O'BRIEN'S "CGCLOCK.COM" PROGRAM
-
- ;------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ; source available from DAN O'BRIEN upon request via message on
- ; GENE PLANTZ's PC-BBS in CHICAGO, IL.
- ;------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ; cgclock.asm - real time clock display for color/graphics
- ; display. adapted from clock.asm found on one of
- ; the PC-BBS in Chicago. Allows any color for time
- ; by patching color value using DEBUG. Look for
- ; "Color value of time display="
- ; and set byte follow "=" to BASIC color value.
- ; Currently set to YELLOW
- ; (color number is 14 decimal 0E hex).
- ;
- ; Displays time in human form not computer, i.e.,
- ; 24 hour military time.
- ;
- ; To enable military (24 hour) time display patch
- ; using DEBUG the statement that says
- ; "Military time=N"
- ; from "N" to "Y".
- ;
- ; Also beeps the speaker every quarter hour.
- ;
- ; To disable beeping on the quarter hours patch
- ; using DEBUG the statement that says
- ; "Beep=Y"
- ; from "Y" to "N".
- ;
- ; Timer display is refreshed every N tics as defined
- ; by a patchable area using DEBUG. Look for
- ; "Timer tics before time display refresh="
- ; and the value after the "=" is binary 4. Patch to higher or
- ; lower value as you wish to lengthen or shorten interval
- ; between refreshes. Tics occur 18.5 times a second,
- ; and after 4 (default) the display is refreshed with the
- ; time.
- ; This keeps overhead of running cgclock to about 4 percent.
- ;
- ; To start cgclock just enter "cgclock".
- ; To toggle off and on enter "cgclock" repeatedly.
- ;
- ; NOTE:
- ; 1. Uses user timer exit int 1Ch for timer display
- ; 2. Defines int 60h to toggle time off and on.
- ; 3. Displays time without annoying "snow"!
- ; Technique from PC-Tech Journal Premier Issue.
- ; 4. Developed under DOS 2.0. Not tested under DOS 1.1
- ; but should work.
- ;
-
-
- CGCLOCK.DOC cont...) (Page 10)
-
- ; adapted from clock.asm by DANIEL M. O'BRIEN - 9 July 83 (Version 1.0)
- ;
- ; 1) meaningful labels added
- ; 2) made to work on color/graphics
- ; 3) use user timer exit int 1ch instead of 08h directly - slows down
- ; disk drives, also allows BASIC to gain direct control of timer.
- ; And use int 60h instead of 44h (44h defined by DOS 2.0)!
- ; 4) allow patching of time display color using DEBUG (Version 1.1)
- ; 5) meaningful comments added
- ; 6) include salutation
- ;
- ; DMO - 10 July 83 (Version 1.2)
- ; 7) beep on quarter hour and allow patching off
- ; 8) 12 hour clock with AM and PM indicator and allow patch for military
- ; time
- ;
- ; DMO - 21 July 83 (Version 1.3)
- ; 9) keep counter and update screen only after specified tics count.
- ; currently set to 4 which yields an overhead of about 4 percent.
- ; if set to 1, i.e., update every clock tic, then cgclock has a
- ; overhead of about 20 percent.
- ;
- ; DMO - 31 July 83 (Version 1.4)
- ; 10) move some temporary data areas below init routine for less
- ; resident space requirements.
- ;
- ; DMO - 12 Sept 83 (Version 1.5)
- ; 11) try different algorithm to stuff display into memory to reduce
- ; possible interference with BASIC display to terminal
- ; 12) fix bug whereby BX was not being saved and restored when BEEP
- ; occurred
- ; 13) fix bug whereby direction flag not set causing stray characters on
- ; display
- ; 14) speedup entry and exit when not time to display
- ;
- ; FUTURE work
- ; 1) date
- ; 2) alarm clock
- ; 3) any suggestions?
- ;---------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-