Libris Britannia 4/science library(b).zip/science library(b)/HAMRADIO/LOGIT10.ZIP/HAMLOG.DOC

Text File | 1993-12-13 | 19KB | 479 lines

                                    LOG IT!


          SHAREWARE ADVISORY


LOG IT! is distributed as shareware.  This means that you have the opportunity
to try LOG IT! before you buy it.  LOG IT! is not freeware nor is it in the
public domain.  If you use LOG IT! after a trial period of one month, you are
legally required to pay for it by registering your copy.  Registered users of
LOG IT! will receive a copy of the software without the shareware banner, a
printed copy of the user's manual, free bug fixes and free upgrades.  You may
register this copy of LOG IT! by sending $25.00 to:

               Richard Jones
               22447 Mountain View Road
               Moreno Valley, CA  92557
               U.S.A.

All funds must be in U.S. dollars and drawn upon a U.S. bank.


               DISTRIBUTION

Shareware is a marketing method which allows computer users to acquire high
quality software at low prices.  This is possible because advertising and
distributing costs are reduced resulting in very reasonable prices.  You, the
user, become part of the distribution process.

You are encouraged to make copies of LOG IT! for distribution to others or for
uploading to bulletin board services.  You may not sell this software, however
you may charge a small fee (not to exceed $5) to cover the costs of duplication.
When making copies, all files on this disk must be copied and unaltered.


                    DISCLAIMER

The author is not responsible for any loss of time, income, data, etc., or loss
or damage to equipment or software as a result of the use of this software.
This software is not designed for used in commercial applications.  It is
intended for personal use in the pursuit of the amateur radio hobby.  The author
retains all rights to this software.




INTRODUCTION

LOG IT! is a general purpose logging program for the casual amateur radio
operator.  It is not intended for contest operation or for awards track-
ing.  It is designed to simplify the logging and reporting of QSO and QSL
information accumulated during normal day to day amateur operations.

System Requirements
-------------------

LOG IT! is designed to run on PC compatible computers.  It has been tested
on 286, 386 and 486 machines but should run on XT class machines as well.
The following are minimum system requirements to effectively use LOG IT!:

                    PC Compatible Computer
                    Hard Drive
                    Color Monitor (CGA or above)
                    640K RAM or more
                    DOS version 2.1 or higher

While LOG IT! was not intended to be run from floppy disk, this is possible.
However, floppy disk space is a consideration, especially as the size of the
databases increase.  Additionally, the performance of LOG IT! will be seriously
effected by floppy operation.  Floppy disk operation is not recommended.


Program Overview
----------------

LOGIT! is composed of 3 primary modules: logging, reporting and utilities.
additional modules currently under development are an amateur radio atlas
and QSL label printing.  An awards tracking module is being considered for
development.  Additional modules are available to registered users at no
additional cost.


Logging Module

The logging module allows the user to view, add, update or delete QSO
information by date, callsign or operator name.  Each record in the
logging database tracks standard QSO information such a time, frequency,
mode, etc.  QSL information may also be recorded for future reference.


Print Module

The print module allows the user to produce hardcopy reports of the data
stored in the log database.  This report may be produced sorted by callsign
or by date.


Utility Module

This module contains three items the amateur operator may find useful.  First,
a dipole antenna calculator provides quick and accurate construction dimensions
for a resonant dipole antenna for any frequency you desire.

Next, amateur HF band allocation tables help you insure you are operating
within the privileges of your license.

Finally, a bearing and distance calculator quickly and accurately provides the
bearing and distance from any point on earth to another.  Simply enter the
source and target latitudes and longitudes and the bearing and distance in
miles and kilometers will be provided.  This is a useful for determining beam
headings.


The User Profile

The user profile module is used to maintain station specific information such
as the operator name, callsign, station address, equipment and antenna type,
etc.  This information may be displayed on screen or on the printed reports.
This information will also be used in the QSL label module currently under
development.


INSTALLING LOG IT!

Under DOS
---------

The following installation procedure is recommended.  However, you may opt to
install LOG IT! on a different drive or into a different directory.

1.   Create the LOGIT directory using the following commands:

                              CD \
                              MD LOGIT

2.   Change directories to the LOGIT directory using the following command:

                              CD LOGIT

3.   Copy the install program, INLOGIT.EXE from the installation disk into
     the LOGIT directory using the following command:

                              COPY B:\INLOGIT.EXE

4.   Run the install program from within the LOGIT directory using the
     following command:

                              INLOGIT

     INLOGIT.EXE is a self-extracting compressed file.  The following files
     should be extracted for LOG IT! to run properly:

                              LOGIT.EXE
                              HAMLOG.HLP
                              DXDATA.DAT
                              DXDATA.K01
                              HAMLOG.DOC
                              LOGIT.ICO

     HAMLOG.ASC is the user's manual for LOG IT!  It is an DOS text file and
     can be edited and printed from within any text or word processor which
     can handle DOS text files.  You may also print the user's manual using
     the following command:

                              COPY HAMLOG.ASC > PRN



Under Windows (TM)
------------------

Follow the installation procedure for installing LOG IT! under DOS.  Then pro-
ceed with the following instructions.

1.   From within Windows (TM), select the desired program group by clicking
     the left mouse button.

2.   Select the File menu item by clicking the left mouse button or using the
     Alt-F key sequence.

3.   Select the New menu item by highlighting and click on New or by using the
     Alt-N key sequence.

4.   Select the 'Program Item' radio button by click the left mouse button or
     by pressing the TAB key once.  Click the left mouse button on the 'OK'
     button or press ENTER.

5.   Key in the following data on the Program Item Properties screen.

     Description:        LOG IT!
     Command Line:  C:\LOGIT\LOGIT.EXE
     Working Directory: C:\LOGIT

6.   Click on the 'Change Icon' command button using the left mouse button
     or highlight the 'Change Icon' button by pressing the tab key until
     it is highlighted, press ENTER.

7.   Press ENTER key or click on the 'OK' command button stating that no
     icon files exist.

8.   Enter the name of the icon, LOGIT.ICO at the filename prompt.  Press
     the ENTER key or click on the 'OK' button.

9    Select the 'OK' key on the Program Item Properties screen.  The LOG IT!
     icon should appear in the selected program group.

10.  Double click on the LOG IT! icon to test.


RUNNING LOG IT!

Under DOS
---------

If you are running under DOS, change directory to the LOGIT directory using
the following commands:
                                CD \
                                CD LOGIT

From the DOS prompt, execute LOGIT! by entering the following command:
                                LOGIT

LOG IT! will begin to execute.  The screen will clear, a message will appear
indicating that files are being opened.  The LOGIT! main menu screen will
appear and normal use can begin.

Under Windows
-------------

LOG IT! will run under Windows (TM) but only as a DOS application.  If the
Windows (TM) installation procedure has been followed, select the program group
containing the LOG IT! icon.  Double-click on the LOG IT! program icon to begin
execution.

LOG IT! will begin to execute.  The screen will clear, a message will appear
indicating that files are being opened.  The LOGIT! main menu screen will
appear and normal use can begin.


NAVIGATING THROUGH LOG IT!

LOG IT! is a fully menu driven system.  It was designed to be easy and intuitive
to use.  By using a menuing system, complicated and difficult to remember command
lines can be avoided.


Selecting Menu Items
--------------------

Selecting a menu item may be done by highlighting the desired menu item.  The
highlighted item is the item shown in reverse video behind a highlight bar.
Only one menu item can be highlighted at one time.  You may move the highlight
bar to the desired menu item by using the up or down arrows keys.  Once the
desired item is highlighted, press the ENTER key.


The ESCape Key
--------------

Each item on the main menu will lead to a submenu.  These submenus will
actually execute the individual logging, printing and utility functions.  To
back up from a submenu to the main menu, simply press the ESC key.  Likewise,
press the ESC key to back out of a log or utility screen to return to the
corresponding submenu.


Exiting LOG IT!
---------------

To exit the LOG IT! program and to return to the DOS prompt or calling Windows
program group, return to the main menu and select the QUIT menu item.

Pressing the ESC key from the main menu screen will also exit the program and
return to the DOS prompt or if using windows, return to the calling program
group window.  LOG IT! ensures that all updates to the database are completed
and that all files are properly closed.


USING THE LOG DATABASE

The logging database is a full-featured relational database that allows the
user to view, add, update or delete QSO information.  To use the database,
select the VIEW LOG item from the main menu.  The view log submenu will appear.
Select the desired sort option and press ENTER.  The options available are:

     Date Sort - presents QSO data in chronological order.

     Callsign Sort - presents QSO data in callsign order according to the
                     ASCII collating sequence.

     Operator Sort - presents QSO data in operator name order according to
                     the ASCII collating sequence.

Viewing Log Data
----------------

Once selected, the desired log screen will appear displaying the first page
of QSO data, assuming data exists.  If no data exists, the first access to
this screen will automatically place the user at the Add/Update Log Data
screen.

Specific QSO data may be accessed using two methods:

Method 1.  Notice that the first entry on the screen is highlighted.  The
user may move this highlight to a desired record using the up or down
arrow keys.  Once the desired entry has been highlighted, press the ENTER
key to access the ADD/UPDATE LOG DATA screen and view the complete record.

Method 2.  Notice the LOCATE: prompt near the top of the screen.  This field
allows the user to enter a key value for automatic lookup.  This key value
must be the same as the sort option selected.  For example, if the VIEW LOG
screen using callsign sort is displayed, the value entered at the LOCATE:
prompt must be a callsign.  Likewise, a date must be entered if the date
sort was selected, etc.  Attempting to use a callsign locator on the operator
sort screen will not yield correct results.

Once the desired record has been selecting by either moving the highlight bar
or by using the LOCATE: field, the complete data of the QSO can be viewed by
pressing the ENTER key.  The ADD/UPDATE LOG screen will appear displaying the
complete record of the QSO.  To leave this screen without altering the data
simply press the ESC key.


Adding QSO Data
---------------

To add data to the log database, select VIEW LOG from the main menu.  Select
the desired sort option from the VIEW LOG submenu and press enter.  Once the
VIEW LOG screen is displayed press the INS (insert) key.  The ADD/UPDATE LOG
screen will be displayed.

Provide the requested data at each of the prompts.  Some fields are required
and will not allow you to proceed without providing the data.  If you attempt
to do so, the system will return the cursor to the field and provide an audible
warning tone.

Once the required information has been entered, press the Control-ENTER sequence
to complete the add.  You may also complete the add by completing the last field
on the screen.  To abort an add process, simply press the ESC key until the
screen has been exited.


Deleting QSO Data
-----------------

From the VIEW LOG screen, position the highlight bar on the desired record.
Press the DEL (delete key).  The highlighted record will be deleted.  Notice
that the record disappears from the table and remaining records are adjusted
accordingly.


Updating QSO Information
------------------------

From the VIEW LOG screen, position the highlight bar on the desired record.
Press the ENTER key.  The ADD/UPDATE LOG screen will appear with the data
of the desired entry displayed.  Using the tab key, position the cursor on
the field(s) to be updated and key in the updated data.  When finished, press
the Control_ENTER sequence to complete the update or press ENTER from the
last field on the screen.


Help Windows
------------

All data input screens have context-sensitive help windows for most fields.
If you need help, press the F1 key while the cursor is positioned on the
desired field.  A red help window with appear with additional information.
Press any key to return to the data input screen.


PRINT LOG REPORTS

LOG IT! provides the capability to produce hardcopies (printouts) of the QSO
log database.  LOG IT! reports are designed to print on standard 8 1/2 by 11
inch paper, pin fed or cut sheet paper.  If 132 column paper is used, the
reports will print but will appear on the left portion of the page.  Reports
should print normally on most dot matrix and laser printers.

Two sort options are provided; print sorted by date or print sorted by callsign.
To print a report, select the PRINT LOG menu item and press ENTER.  The PRINT
LOG submenu will appear.  Select the desired sort item and press ENTER.  If
the printer is ready to receive data, the desired report will begin to print.
If the printer is not ready to receive data, a warning window will appear
indicating such.  This gives the user the opportunity to resolve the problem
and proceed or to abort the print job.  If the problem has been resolved (i.e.
the printer has been placed on-line or paper has been loaded), press the ENTER
key to continue.  If you desire to abort the print job, press the ESC key.


USING THE UTILITIES

The Dipole Antenna Calculator
-----------------------------

The dipole antenna calculator provides quick and accurate construction
dimensions for a resonant dipole at any frequency.  To access the calculator,
select the UTILITIES menu item from the main menu.  The UTILITIES submenu will
appear.  Select the DIPOLE ANTENNA CALCULATOR menu item.  The calculator screen
will appear.  Enter the desired frequency at the prompt and press the ENTER key.
The dimensions of a dipole antenna, resonant at the entered frequency will be
displayed.  Press any key to continue.  Press the ESC key to abort a calcu-
lation.


HF Frequency Allocations
------------------------

To access the HF Band Allocation charts, select the UTILITIES option from the
main menu.  Then select the HF BAND ALLOCATIONS from the UTILITIES submenu.
The first of four screen displaying frequency and mode privileges by license
class will appear.  Press any key to proceed through the remaining three
screens.  Pressing any key from the fourth screen will return to the UTILITIES
submenu.  Press the ESC key to back through the allocation charts and return to
the UTILITIES submenu.


The Bearing & Distance Calculator
---------------------------------

The B&D calculator allows the bearing and distance from and to any point on
earth to be determined.  This feature is useful for determining beam headings
to DX locations.

To access the B&D Calculator, select the UTILITIES menu item from the main
menu.  Select BEARING & DISTANCE from the UTILITIES submenu.  The B&D calculator
screen will appear.  Provide the latitude and longitude for both the source
and target locations.  The source values will default to the values entered
on the user profile screen.  These values may be overridden by either manual
entry or by table lookup.


Manual Entry

To manually enter values in either the source or target latitude and longitude
fields, tab to the appropriate field and enter the desired value.  Enter south
latitudes and east longitudes as negative values.  For example:

         Data for Los Angeles, CA (34.10N, 118.20W) would be entered as
               Latitude:  34.10     Longitude:  118.20

         Data for Tanzania (6.48S, 39.58E) would be entered as
               Latitude:  06.48-    Longitude:  39.58-

Table Lookup

To enter latitude and longitude values via table lookup, place the cursor on
the desired latitude field.  Press the F8 key.  A lookup table will appear
displaying prefix and coordinate information.  Using the up or down arrow keys,
position the highlight on the desired entry.  Press the ENTER key.  The table
lookup screen will disappear and the desired latitude and longitude values will
be place in the appropriate fields.  Press the ENTER key to advance to the
longitude prompt or, if positioned on the longitude prompt to perform the
bearing and distance calculation.


Updating the Coordinates

As new DXCC countries are created and old ones deleted, updating the coordinate
table becomes necessary.  LOG IT! provides this capability, eliminating the need
for periodic updates to be installed.  The user can maintain data themselves.

In order to update an entry, position the highlight on the desired record and
press the F1 key.  An ADD/UPDATE PREFIX data screen will appear.  Update the
data as when using the ADD/UPDATE LOG screens.  The add, delete and view
procedures are the same as when using the QSO Log database.


TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Technical support for LOG IT! is limited to mail only.  If you have a problem to report
or a suggestion for improving this software, please send it to the following address:

                                Richard Jones
                               22447 Mountain View Road
                                   Moreno Valley, CA  92557

All problem reports and suggestions will be promptly acknowledged.