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World of Ham Radio 1997
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WOHR97_AmSoft_(1997-02-01).iso
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++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ClusterMaster v 4.10 by I0JX
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1. GENERAL
=======
PAY ATTENTION:
*** FOR WHAT CONCERNS THE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WITH DIFFERENT TNCS SEE FILE
C_EXPLA_TXT.
*** IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT THE TNC PARAMETERS BE SET AS INDICATED AT
PAR. 9.1.
----------------
ClusterMaster is a Windows 3.1 program, intended to support PacketCluster
ver. 5 (registered mark of Pavillion Software) operations, with a TNC2 (or
equivalent) Packet Radio controller.
The main characteristics of ClusterMaster are:
- pre-programmed buttons allowing you to send commands, without having to
remember the commands syntax;
- the possibility to automatically set the transceiver on the frequency of
the DX station being announced. To be able to achieve this, it is necessary
to simultaneously run either:
* RigMaster, a full-featured program intended to control the new-generation
Kenwood transceivers (ver. 5.00 or higher is required);
* RigMate, a simple program intended to control ICOM transceivers
* ICOMtrol, an ICOM control program developed by IK0AOC.
Which program is booted first is irrelevant. These programs "dialogue" with
ClusterMaster through the Windows DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange) function.
- the immediate identification of the DXCC country corresponding to any
displayed prefix, and provision of relevant information including the bands
and modes in which the country has been worked and/or confirmed and the
relevant call-signs. Additionally, it is possible to visualize and print the
address of the station, utilizing the Buckmaster HamCall CD-ROM (April 1995
release, or later);
- voice announcement of incoming DX alerts (call-sign and frequency band),
messages and announcements, with an identification of unconfirmed countries.
Please be advised that the voice functions are available even if the program
runs minimized, thus not taking room on the window desktop;
- the possibility to automatically turn your antenna to the country of the
DX being announced (you need a special board, see sect.6);
- the possibility to enjoy all program features either if one is connected to
the PacketCluster ("CONN. MODE"), or if one is disconnected and therefore
operates by simply monitoring the PacketCluster traffic ("MON. MODE");
- the possibility to anyway monitor the PacketCluster traffic, in a separate
window, even if one operates in the CONN. MODE.
2. FILES
=====
The following files are part of ClusterMaster 4.10 (after installation):
- CLU_I0JX.EXE the main Windows 3.1 executable file
- PHONETIC.WAV the voice file
- CLUSTER.AEA a file containing the parameters appropriate to the AEA TNCs
- CLUSTER.DSP a file containing the parameters appropriate to the DSP-2232
- CLUSTER.TN2 a file containing the parameters appropriate to the TNC2
- CLUSTER.TNC a file containing the parameters which the programs delivers
the TNC, either upon user command or, if so desired,
automatically on COM port start (initially this file
coincides with CLUSTER.TN2, but the user may replace it with
the appropriate file)
- CLUSTER.EXI a file which contains the parameters which, if so desired,
the program automatically delivers the TNC on COM port
closure. This file must be modified with a normal ASCII
editor to customize it to your needs (see file C_EXPLA.TXT)
- CLUSTER.CFG a default configuration file (to be customized)
- C_READ.ME this file
- C_LEGGI.MI this file translated into Italian
- KCTWIN.DLL the antenna tracker management file
- HAMCALL.DLL the HamCall CD-ROM management file
- PREFIXES.TBL the prefixes data base
- DXCC.TBL the DXCC countries data base
- INFO.TBL user notes
- C_EXPLA.TXT additional information
- C_SPIEG.TXT C_EXPLA.TXT translated into Italian
- DXCC.DAT the file indicating bands and modes in which each country
has been worked and/or confirmed
- CALLSIGN.DAT the file containing the call signs for the various bands/modes
3. DISTRIBUTION
============
These programs may be freely used, copied and distributed, as long as the
following conditions are met:
(1) CLU_I0JX.EXE is distributed in their original, unmodified form;
(2) The C_READ.ME and C_LEGGI.MI files are included with the executable files
without modifications;
(3) CLU_I0JX.EXE may not be sold or licensed upon a fee. Nor it can be
bundled with, or transferred as part of, any software package or radio
equipment which is sold or for which any licensing fee is charged.
4. WARRANTY
========
ClusterMaster has been tested on 80386/80486 33/66 MHz PCs, having an ET4000
SVGA board and a SoundBlaster Pro sound board. Operation has been verified in
the VGA (640x480) and SVGA (800x600 and 1024x768) modes, with 256 colors in
all cases.
ClusterMaster has esclusively been tested on a TNC2 (TAPR) and on an AEA
PK-232, PK-96 and DSP-2232.
Print functions has been exclusively tested on an Epson LX-400 printer.
Antenna control has been tested with a Kansas City Tracker board and a Star
Track CCR-2 board.
ClusterMaster is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied that any specific feature will work on any particular
machine or in conjunction with any radio equipment. I cannot commit myself to
support this software in the future.
The author as no affiliation with amateur radio equipment manufacturer /
reseller or software developer.
5. DISCLAIMER
==========
The author accepts no responsibility whatsoever, he not being in particular
liable for any damage or loss resulting from unexpected radio equipment
operation as a consequence of software bugs or wrong design.
6. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
=====================
See file C_EXPLA.TXT.
7. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
=====================
See file C_EXPLA.TXT.
8. INSTALLATION
============
Put your distribution disk in a drive, then Select "Run" in the Windows
Program Manager "File" menu, finally type A:\SETUP.EXE (if A: is the drive
you have chosen).
Select ClusterMaster as the program to be installed and follow the
instructions until you will get the ClusterMaster 4.10 icon in the new "I0JX
ham radio" window. At this point, you can start the program by clicking twice
on it.
P.S. Every time you re-install the program, the files DXCC.DAT and
CALLSIGN.DAT are overwritten. Not to lose their content, make first a back-up
copy of these files.
9. OPERATIONS
==========
9.1. Foreword
--------
For proper operation, ClusterMaster requires that certain TNC parameters be
appropriately set. Such settings are contained in file CLUSTER.AEA for the
AEA TNCs, in file CLUSTER.DSP for the DSP-2232 case, and file CLUSTER.TN2 for
the TNC2 case. You shall first copy one of these files as CLUSTER.TNC, i.e.
the file name to which the program makes reference. Remember then to modify
CLUSTER.TNC (by means of a normal ASCII editor), by changing the line "MY
MYCALL" into "MY <your own call>".
When desired, the parameters contained in file CLUSTER.TNC can be sent to the
TNC, while the program is running, by means of the "Set TNC" choice in the
"Miscellaneous" menu (as already mentioned it is also possible to download
the file CLUSTER.TNC every time the COM port is open, see par. 9.2.).
You can easily distinguish three large windows in the program; from top to
bottom:
- a white windows termed main window (MAIN WINDOW);
- a yellow windows termed auxiliary window (AUX WINDOW);
- a blue windows termed transmit window (TX WINDOW).
The separation line between the MAIN WINDOW and the AUX WINDOW can be moved
in the Configuration" menu (see par. 9.2.), or by means of the sliding cursor
located at the extreme right hand side of the program window.
The MAIN WINDOW is the one upon which certain program functions operate.
(voce announcement, transceiver frequency setting, DXCC country identifi-
cation).
The text to be transmitted shall be written into the TX WINDOW, while the
received text will appear either in the MAIN WINDOW or in the AUX WINDOW
according to the following criterion:
- when in CONN. MODE, incoming text addressed to yourself will appear in the
MAIN WINDOW, while the PacketCluster traffic will be monitored in the
AUX WINDOW;
- when in MON. MODE, the PacketCluster traffic will be monitored in the MAIN
WINDOW, while nothing will appear in the AUX WINDOW.
The choice between the CONN. MODE and the MON. MODE is discussed at par. 9.2.
9.2. Program start
-------------
Switch the TNC on before booting the program, verifying that it is set with
AWLEN 8 e PAR 0.
After booting the program, you will be operating on default parameters i.e.
those written in the CLUSTER.CFG file provided with the program. Therefore
you shall firstly proceed to customize the program by means of the
"Configure" menu.
When you are still unfamiliar with the program, you are advised to limit
yourself to the following customizations:
- "Port": select the desired COM port (COM1 through COM4). The selected port
is shown in the small blue window
- "Baud": select the serial port baud rate, in the range 1200 through 19200
baud. The selected baud rate will appear in the small purple window
- "Sysops": enter two PacketCluster callsigns. The active one will always
be shown in the small brown window
- "Home call": enter your own call (e.g. I0JX)
- "WW locator": enter the locator (6 characters) of your station
- "Voice": specify whether or not you wish that voice announcements be made
(assuming that you have a sound card).
Once you have made all your selections, use "Save configuration" to store the
program configuration on the CLUSTER.CFG file. The next time you will boot
the program, you will note that the selected configuration is now the default
one and you will obviously not be required to configure again the program.
You can modify the configuration at any time and re-save it, if so desired.
Once you get accustomed with program operation, you may proceed with the
remaining customizations:
- "Antenna track": specify whether or not you wish to use the automatic
antenna tracking facility (only with an ad-hoc board)
- "Font": select the desired font among those installed
- "Font size": choose the selected font size (size of non-scalable fonts
cannot be varied)
- "Boldface": choose whether you wish that characters appear in bold
- "Window width": select the percentage of the screen width that you wish the
program window to occupy. Please note that this percentage can also be
varied by simply resizing the program window by means of the usual Windows
techniques
- "Window height": select the percentage of the screen height that you wish
the program window to occupy. Same note as above
- "Auxiliary window height": select the percentage of the program window
height occupied by the AUX WINDOW
- "Set TNC on start": select whether or not the file CLUSTER.TNC shall be
automatically sent to the TNC on COM port start
- "Set TNC on exit": select whether or not the file CLUSTER.EXI, when
available, shall be automatically sent to the TNC on COM port closure
- "System command 1": enter the name of a "System command", to be selected
among those implemented by the Sysop (use the "SH/COM" command to
determine available System commands). Once entered, the System command #1
name will appear on one of the Menu 2 buttons (see sect. 9.3), thus
allowing to readily send the command at any time. The default name for
System command #1 is "IOTA" (this provides access to Island-On-The-Air
data)
- "System command 2": you can enter another System command among the
available ones, which will also appear on one of the Menu 2 buttons. The
default name for System command #2 is "OBLAST" (this provides access to
Russian Oblast data)
- "Alert profile": on a DX spot arrival, the programs spells the DX callsign
and pronounces its band. If you do not have confirmed, on that band or on
the corresponding mode, any of the DXCC countries associated the DX station
prefix, the announcement will be preceded by a bell alert-sound (the alert
procedure utilizes information contained in file DXCC.DAT, see sect. 9.6).
You may not want to be alerted on bands/modes on which you do not normally
operate. The "Alert profile" option allows you to specify, for each band
and each mode, whether you want or you do not want to be alerted. The alert
function is anyway inactive for the 2 and 0.7-meter bands. If you do not
have a sound board, although the DX call/band will clearly not be
pronounced, an alert sound consisting of 3 "beeps" will be generated when
appropriate.
- "HamCall CD-ROM drive": specify the unit of your CD-ROM drive (e.g. D:) or
NONE if no CD-ROM drive is available.
Note that the "Antenna track" can be set to ON only if you have installed the
tracker driver prior to booting Windows (see sect. 7).
Please note that, when saving the configuration, the program window position
on the screen is also stored; therefore it will be convenient for you to
first select your preferred window position (also by means of the normal
Windows techniques) and then save the configuration.
As far as "Font" and "Font size" are concerned, choices will have to be taken
such as to meet your personal preferences on the one hand, and, on the other
hand, such that incoming messages (e.g. DX alert messages) do not result to
be split in two lines. You can play with "Font size" and "Window width" until
you get an acceptable appearance (note that the screen resolution 640x480,
800x600 or 1024x768 plays an important role in this regard). You are advised
to use the "8514oem" or "Fixedsys" fonts.
Once the initial configuration phase is completed, the 16 buttons located in
the bottom part of the window should all still be disabled.
In the "Actions" menu choose use "Start COMn" (n = 1, 2, 3 o 4) to open the
serial port. At this point, all buttons and menus will become enabled and the
program will be operational.
The program is then automatically put in the MON. MODE (as witnessed by the
the indicator placed at the right hand side of the TX WINDOW), so that the
incoming PacketCluster traffic will be monitored in the MAIN WINDOW (please
note that, at the moment the program is set in the MON. MODE, two parameters
are delivered to the TNC, namely HEADERLN ON and MFILTER 00, without which
the program may not operate correctly in the MON. MODE).
The first time you use the program, you shall call the "Set TNC" selection
in the "Miscellaneous" menu. The program will then deliver the TNC the
parameters contained in file CLUSTER.TNC. Verify that the TNC responds
correctly to these parameters.
At this point, by clicking on the "Connect" button, the program immediately
switches into the CONN. MODE and the TNC attempts to connect the
PacketCluster (also in this case two parameters necessary for the CONN. MODE
are sent to the TNC, namely HEADRLN OFF e MFILTER 13). Own text is received
in the MAIN WINDOW, while the PacketCluster traffic is monitored in the AUX.
WINDOW. Once connected, one may deliver the PacketCluster some text by
typing it into the TX WINDOW, or clicking on the pre-defined buttons (see
par. 9.3.).
To disconnect from the PacketCluster, click on the "Discon." button, which
will cause the program to revert into the MON. MODE.
For any evenience, rememeber that it is possible to "force" the CONN. MODE or
the MON. MODE at any time, by simply clicking on the relevant option button;
nevertheless in case of inconsistency (for instance if one operates in the
MON. MODE while he is connected to the PacketCluster), the program may mix up
your own text with the monitored text.
When monitoring the PacketCluster traffic in the MON. MODE, a DX alert will
appear repeated many times (one for each station currently connected to the
PacketCluster); however this is not a problem as the program will not repeat
the same voice announcement twice.
Once you get accustomed to program operation, you may want that, on boot, the
program automatically starts the COMn and tries to connect the PacketCluster
without your intervention. This is possible by firstly selecting the Cluster-
Master icon (click once on it) and then modifying the Command line field in
the "Properties" selection of the "Files" menu of the Windows Program
Manager.
Command line syntax:
\XXX\CLU_I0JX.EXE normal mode
\XXX\CLU_I0JX.EXE C on boot, COMn is open and connection to PacketCluster
is attempted. Program window starts minimized (i.e.
reduced to an icon), although fully operational
\XXX\CLU_I0JX.EXE E as above, but the program window starts in normal mode
(XXX is the ClusterMaster directory)
9.3. Buttons usage
-------------
The button marked "Mute" located near the middle of the screen can be used
to stop voice announcements at any time (clicking it is equivalent to
setting "Voice" to OFF in the "Configure" menu). Pressing "Speak" re-enables
voice announcements.
When sending text to the TNC (by means of the "File manager" or of the
"Set TNC" or the "Reset TNC 8-N-1" buttons, see sect. 9.4.), the same button
gets labelled "Stop". Pressing it halts text trasmission.
To simplify sending commands, 16 buttons with pre-defined messages were made
available. Please note that the button in the lower right corner allows to
change the meaning of all the other buttons, by passing to the Menu 2, from
which it is possible to go back to Menu 1 by pressing again the same button.
The total number of available functions is then 30. The buttons usage is
explained in the following.
- Menu 1 -
"Connect": sends the connect message to the PacketCluster
"Discon.": sends the disconnect message to the PacketCluster
"Command": sends a CTRL-C, thus putting the TNC in Command Mode
"Converse": sends the command which puts the TNC (while in Command mode)
in Converse mode
"Message end": sends the sequence CTRL-Z <CR> which the PacketCluster
interprets as an end-of-message indicator
"Cancel": sends the sequence CTRL-Y <CR> which instructs the
PacketCluster not to store a message or file just sent. This
command can also be used to halt the download of message or
a file
"Mail": requests the existing messages directory
"Own mail": requests the list of messages addressed to your own callsign
"Bull. mail": requests the directory of messages addressed to ALL (i.e. the
bullettins)
"Delete mail": requests a message to be cancelled. You shall be prompted to
specify the number of the message to be cancelled
"Send mail": requests the authorization to send a message to be stored in
the PacketCluster. You will be prompted to specify the
callsign of the addressed station. After answering the Packet
Cluster request to enter the message subject, you can answer
the subsequent PacketCluster request to send the message
text either by directly typing it on the keyboard (and
terminating it with the button "Message end") or by sending a
file by means of the "Send" button in the "File manager"
window ("Files" menu). Message is sent with the "private"
option (i.e.it can only be read by the addressee)
"Read mail": requests a message download. You will be prompted to specify
the desired file number. If you wish the incoming message to
be stored, you can use the "Capture to file" options in the
"Files" menu. Similarly, if you wish to directly print the
incoming message, use the "Dump to buffer" options in the
"Text print" menu
"Talk" requests to send an immediate message to a user currently
connected to the PacketCluster. You will be prompted to
specify the station callsign and the text to be transmitted.
If at this point you just hit <CR>, instead of a proper
message text, you will enter the Talk mode, by which you can
have a chat with your correspondent
"Sysop" selects the active Sysop between the two declared when
configuring the program
"DX alert" sends a DX alert message. You will initially be prompted to
enter the DX station callsign. Then you will be asked to
enter the DX frequency, unless a rig control program (e.g.
RigMaster or RigMate) linked to ClusterMaster via DDE is
concurrently running in Windows (see sect. 9.5), in which
case frequency is entered automatically. You will finally be
prompted to enter your comments (simply type <CR> if you have
no comments.
- Menu 2 -
"Here" informs the PacketCluster that the operator is present at the
station
"Not here" informs the PacketCluster that the operator is not present at
the station (callsign will appear in brackets)
Name of sends the System command #1 (see sect.9.2). You will be
System prompted to specify a datum appropriate to the command
command #1
Name of same as System command #1
System
command #2
"Station info" requests information on a user registered to the Packet
Cluster. You will be prompted to specify the station callsign
"Last DX" requests the last announced DXs. You will be prompted to
select the number of calls to be shown and the band
"Users" requests the callsign of the users currently connected to the
Packet Cluster
"Area dir" requests the names of the available PacketCluster file areas
"Area: ROOT" allows to specify the PacketCluster files area for the "Files
dir", "Send file" and "Read file" commands. The default files
area is "ROOT", i.e. the area at the highest hierarchical
level. To know the available file areas,send the command
"SH/FILEAREA"
"Files dir" requests the directory of the files stored in the specified
files area
"Send file" requests the authorization to send a file. You will be
prompted to specify the name eventually used to store the
file in the specified files area. After confirmation, you can
either directly type the file on the keyboard (terminating
with button "Message end") or send a file / write text by
means of the "File manager" ("Files" menu)
"Read file" requests the download of a file contained in the specified
file area. Also in this case it is possible to store the
incoming file by means of the "Capture to file" options of
the "Files" menu or print it by means of the "Dump to buffer"
option of the "Text print" menu
"Announce" requests to send an immediate message to all the local Packet
Cluster users currently connected. You will be prompted
to write the message text
"Full ann." as "Announce", but not limited to local users
"QSL info" requests the QSL Manager of a station. You will be prompted
to specify the station callsign
9.4. Menus usage
-----------
It is described inthe following.
Menu "Action": allows to open the serial port ("Start COMn"), to close it
("Close COMn"), to terminate the program ("Quit"), to close
the port and terminate the program ("Close COMn and quit"),
to clear the MAIN WINDOW ("Clear main window"), to clear the
AUX WINDOW ("Clear auxiliary window") and to clear the TX
WINDOW ("Clear transmit window")
Menu "Files" allows to send a file ("File manager", see note below), to
start saving text received in MAIN WINDOW on file ("Capture
to file (main window)"), or that received in AUX WINDOW
("Capture to file (auxiliary window)"), or that received in both
windows ("Capture to file (both windows)"), or to stop saving
("End capture"). If you forget to terminate the capture, this
will automatically occur when you exit the program. The
capture file name is shown in the small green window
Menu allows to print incoming text on your printer. Selecting the
"Text print" "Dump to buffer (main window)" option, text appearing in the
MAIN WINDOW starts getting stored on a print buffer. Text will
actually be printed when the "Print buffer" option is then
selected. Similarly, text appearing in the AUX WINDOW or in both windows
starts getting stored in the print buffer with the "Dump
to buffer (auxiliary window)" and "Dump to buffer (both
windows)" option respectively
Menu "DXCC" allows to display a new window with DXCC country identifica-
tion & status and automatic antenna pointing ("Search and
point", see sect. 9.6), to visualize and print the DXCC
countries worked/confirmed in each band/mode ("DXCC status",
see sect 9.7), to update the prefixes data base PREFIXES.TBL
("Update prefix table)" or the DXCC countries data base
DXCC.TBL("Update country table"), and to re-initialize the
data bases ("Re-init tables"), which must be done after any
data base updating
Menu allows to send the TNC ("Set TNC") the CLUSTER.TNC file,
"Miscellaneous" which sets the desired TNC parameters, to reset the TNC
("Reset TNC (8-N-1)") configuring the serial port at 8 bit,
no parity, 1 stop and then sending the CLUSTER.TNC file to
the TNC, to test the voice spelling facility ("Voice test"),
to visualize the current DDE status, i.e. whether the DDE
link to either RigMaster or RigMate has been established
("DDE status") and to takes some notes and possibly store
them on the file INFO.TBL ("Take notes").
Menu "Configure" described before (sect.9.2)
Menu "Hints" allows to visualize this file ("Help (English)") and the
Italian version ("Help (Italiano)") or to get information on
the program ("About")
- Note on the "File Manager" option of the "Files" menu -
When this option is activated, a new panel will appear, allowing to
immediately select the directory and the name of the desired file. When you
select a file, its content will be immediately displayed in a dedicated
window (this effectively implements a Browse function), as long as it is a
text file not exceeding 21,000 characters in length. When the "Send" button
is pressed, the text contained in the window is transmitted; please note that
this text can be manually edited just before transmission (select text by
dragging the mouse cursor on text, then use CTRL-C to copy, CTRL-X to cut and
CTRL-V to paste text). The "Clear" button clears the window content. The
"Print" button prints the window content.
The File Manager can also be usd as a mini word processor to prepare a text
before transmission.
9.5. Frequency and mode management
-----------------------------
Transceiver frequency and mode management is obtained through the DDE
built-in Windows feature which allows data exchange between programs
operating concurrently. ClusterMaster automatically transfers frequency and
mode data to / from suitable transceiver control program, i.e. RigMaster
(starting from ver. 5.00) for Kenwood rigs and RigMate (starting from ver.
1.00) for ICOM rigs.
In practice:
- when you receive a DX alert (or you receive the list of the last DX alerts,
see button "Last DX"), you may double click on the frequency indication (in
the MAIN WINDOW only), and this will cause the transceiver to shift to that
frequency. This occurs unless DDE is disabled, see the "DDE" menu options
in RigMaster or RigMate. If you have selected the "Frequency + mode" option
in the "DDE" menu, the transceiver will also change to the mode appropriate
to that frequency (e.g. for 14250 it will pass to USB).
- if you wish to send a DX alert (see "DX alert" button), you need not typing
the DX frequency, as ClusterMaster gets, through Rigmaster or RigMate,
access to the current transceiver frequency (in the case of RigMaster this
only occurs if the "Auto" feature is set to ON).
To achieve the above automatic mode of operation, ClusterMaster and the rig
control program must obviously both to be running (the booting order is
irrelevant).
For both RigMaster and RigMate, the strat-up DDE option can be automatically
selected by means of the boot command line (see the RigMaster and RigMate
help files). Please remember that also RigMaster and RigMate can operate
minimized, not to take room on the Windows desktop, while the DDE feature
remains fully operational.
9.6. DXCC data base and antenna pointing
-----------------------------------
ClusterMaster contains a detailed radioamateur prefix and DXCC country data
base (both current and deletewd ones), thus allowing to immediately recognize
the country corresponding to each prefix, including non-standard prefixes
(provided that they meet the ITU rules). Should a prefix correspond to more
than one country, all applicable countries will be displayed. The data base is
not limited to identify the country, it also providing, where possible, the
"region" where the station is located on the basis of its prefix (i.e. for
prefix CE3 it will recognize the country Chile and the region Santiago).
The data base, constituted by files PREFIXES.TBL and DXCC.TBL, will have to be
updated every time ARRL changes a country status (from current to deleted) or
adds a new country.
The prefix and DXCC country data bases are plain ASCII files which can be
updated with an editor (follow CLOSELY the instructions given in the
file C_EXPLA.TXT). You can edit the data base files PREFIXES.TBL and DXCC.TBL
from within the program with the "Update prefix table" and "Update country
table" options of the "DXCC" menu. Once these files are updated, they must
be re-initialized ("Re-init tables" option in the "DXCC" menu).
You can gain access to the data base by:
- either choosing the "Search and point" option in the "DXCC" menu;
- or double-clicking (only in the MAIN WINDOW) the call-sign of a DX station.
In both cases, a new window will appear, allowing to obtain several data
relevant to the prefix or the callsign that you write in the text box marked
"Enter call/prefix" (if you double-clicked a call-sign, this will
automatically appear in that text box).
At any time you can write the desired call-sign or prefix in the text box
marked "Enter call/prefix", and the program will immediately react showing
the official country prefix and country name.
If you check the "deleted" indicator, you will retrieve deleted DXCC
countr(ies) corresponding to the entered prefix. For instance if you enter
AC3 and the deleted indicator is checked, you will get the deleted country
Sikkim and the frame surrounding the country list will become light blue;
otherwise, with the indicator unchecked, you will get U.S.A and the frame
will turn to light brown.
Finally, pressing the "Address" button will cause the country list to be
replaced by a panel showing the station address (press "Address" only when
the HamCall CD-ROM is actually in its drive). The address can be printed by
pressing the "Print" button. You may go back to the country list by pressing
the "Country" button.
The following data are provided:
Upper panel:
-----------
the normal prefix of the recognized country (possibly followed by an old
prefix) and the country/region name.
In case more than one country/region corresponding to the same prefix are
shown, one can obtain data relevant to the desired one by simply clicking
on the country name.
Center right panel:
------------------
- continent where the country is located ("Continent:")
- ITU and CQ zones ("Zone ITU/CQ:")
- time difference with respect to GMT ("Local time GMT")
- distance in kilometers ("Distance (Km):")
- latitude in degrees ("Latitude (deg):")
- longitude in degrees ("Longitude (deg):")
- WorldWide locator ("WW locator:")
- sunrise time expressed in GMT ("Sunrise (GMT):")
- sunset time expressed in GMT ("Sunset (GMT):")
When information is insufficient to determine ITU/CQ zones, the indication
"**" will be displayed.
If you know that in the selected country the Daylight Saving Time (DST) is
currently in use, you may press the "time" button, causing this to change
into "DST": at this point the label will read "Local DST GMT" and the time
difference with respect to GMT will be increased by one hour. Pressing again
the button "DST", this will revert back to default (toggle mode).
If the environment variable TZ, which defines the difference between your
local time and GMT, has been declared (see sect. 7), the following
enhancements will be available:
- the selected country time will now be explicitly shown, it no longer
being expressed as a difference with respect to GMT. The label will now
read "Local time", or "Local DST" if you have pressed the "time" button
(see above)
- the sunrise and sunset times of the selected country will now be expressed
in your local time and the labels will simply read "Sunrise:" and
"Sunset:".
Center left panel (marked "Antenna heading"):
--------------------------------------------
- your antenna heading to the identified DXCC country/region ("Local") in deg
- the reciprocal heading, i.e. the antenna heading of your correspondant
If the "long path" indicator is checked, both the "Local" and the
"Reciprocal" heading text boxes will show the diametrically opposite
heading. The changed parameters, including distance which is also
calculated on the long-path route, are identified by a yellow background.
If the "Antenna track" option of the "Configure" menu is set to ON the
following facilities become available:
- pressing the "Point" button, the antenna is automatically turned to the
heading shown in the "Local" text box. While the antenna is being rotated,
the heading is shown in blue; it returns to red when rotation has finished.
If desired, antenna rotation can be halted by pressing the "Stop" button.
- after a few seconds after the antenna has stopped, the current antenna
heading (in deg) is shown in the "Current" text box. If so desired (e.g.
when the antenna has been turned manually), one can update this indication
by pressing the "Read" button. The indication is anyway updated every time
the "Search and point" window is activated.
Please note that the operator can write data into all text boxes containing
indications in red (i.e. "Local", "Latitude (deg):", "Longitude (deg):" and
"WW locator:"). This allows him to point the antenna to a manually specified
heading or to determine the longitude and latitude corresponding to a given
WW locator, etc. When data contained in such text boxes are changed, all
other indications disappear, them becoming meaningless. Data can be re-
displayed by simply clicking on the country name.
Lower panel:
-----------
On this panel it is possible to store whether the selected country has been
confirmed, worked or not yet worked in the various bands and modes (this
information is stored on file DXCC.DAT). It will be sufficient to click one
or more times on the little square located at the immediate left of the
button which shows the the desired band or mode, until one of the two
following conditions is obtained:
- the square is checked and the band/mode button is blue: country worked
- the square is checked and the band/mode button is red: country confirmed
Initially, the square was unchecked and the band/mode button was black,
to signify that the country had not been worked.
Before any other action, you shall press the "Save" button to store the
data on file. Please note that, every time you press "Save", all band/mode
data for the selected country are stored, just as currently shown on the
panel.
At any time, it shall be possible to update, with the same procedure, the
bands and modes for any DXCC country.
Once data have been entered and stored, they will be immediately shown each
time a DXCC country is selected.
Please note that file DXCC.DAT stores bands/modes for each proper DXCC
country. This means that different regions of the same DXCC country are
not distinguished (e.g. CE2 and CE3 are both associated to the same
country "Chile"). Data stored on file are also used to decide whether the
bell alert sound has to be generated or not upon arrival of a DX spot with
a prefix corresponding to a DXCC country which is unconfirmed in the
relevant band/mode (see. sect. 9.2, item "Alert profile").
It is also possible to store the callsign (10 characters max.) of the
station which was worked or is confirmed in the various bands/modes for
the selected country. It will be sufficient to press the button showing
the desired band/mode (as long as it is blue or red), then to write the
callsign in the window located at the upper right corner of the panel
and finally to press the "Save" button, thus storing the datum on file
CALLSIGN.DAT. As a general rule remember that if, at the moment the
"Save" button is pressed,
- the call-sign window is not empty and the small band/mode window (i.e.
the one located at the immediate left-hand side of the call-sign
window) shows any band or mode, the datum shown in the call-sign
window will be stored on file as the call-sign associated to the
currently shown band/mode;
- if both the call-sign window and the band/mode small window are empty,
the call-sign data base file will not be modified at all;
- if the call-sign window is empty and the small band/mode window shows
any band/mode, a void call-sign will be stored for that band/mode
(just as if no call-sign was ever entered for that band/mode).
At any time it is possible to show, by pressing a band/mode button, the
callsign worked or confirmed in that band/mode for the selected country.
You can go back to the normal program window with the "Cancel" button.
9.7 DXCC status
-----------
By clicking the "DXCC status" option in the "DXCC" menu, you will get to
a panel which shows, alternatively for current, deleted or all countries:
- the total number of worked (blue) and confirmed (red) countries for
each band/mode or in absolute ("Overall");
- the total number of countries contained in the DXCC list ("DXCC"),
reflecting the content of file DXCC.TBL, independently of whether they
have been worked and/or confirmed;
- the list of countries confirmed, unconfirmed, worked, not worked or
waiting QSL (in the bottom right window) relevant to the label which,
at that moment, has a red background. In case the "DXCC" label is red,
the full ARRL DXCC list will be shown, with the indication, country by
country, of the number which designates the country itself in DXCC.TBL.
The following actions can be taken:
- to choose, by clicking the "Current", the "Deleted" or the "All"
command, whether program operates on current, deleted or all (current +
deleted) countries;
- to choose, by clicking the "Confirmed", "Unconfirmed", "Worked", "Not
worked" or "Waiting QSL" command, if the list will show countries
confirmed, unconfirmed, worked, not worked or waiting QSL respectively;
- to select the band/mode for which one wish to show the unconfirmed
countries list. To achieve this, just click the desired band/mode label,
the background of which will immediately shift to red;
- to print the list currently being shown list ("Print missing");
- to print the country totals for each band/mode, as currently being shown
in the list ("Print totals");
- to print the status (worked "W" or confirmed "C") for each country of
the DXCC list in any band/mode ("Print status"). This facility is only
possible if the "DXCC" label is currently red.
9.8. Scrolling text
--------------
If you wish to examine text which has already scrolled out of the receive
window, you may press the vertical bar placed at the right hand side of the
receive window and marked "S".
At this point, text reception is halted and it is then possible to examine
old text by using the normal Windows scrolling facilities. In the meanwhile
incoming text does not get lost, it being stored in a buffer (32768 bytes
max.) and then shown as soon as normal operation is restored (i.e. the
"Cancel" button is pressed).
One may select some text (in the MAIN WINDOW only) by using the normal
Windows techniques (be careful not to double-click text, as this may activate
the functions described in sects. 9.5 and 9.6) and then copy it to the
Clipboard e.g. to transfer it into a Word Processor ("Copy" button) or
directly print it ("Print" button) or store it on a file ("Save" button)
which will be placed in the program directory. In this last case, remember
to specify the file name by writing it into the "File name" text box.
10. CONCLUSIONS
===========
Enjoy the program and please let me know of any problem or suggestions to
improve them.
Tony, I0JX / AB6VZ