home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Media Share 9
/
MEDIASHARE_09.ISO
/
hamradio
/
loghp48.zip
/
READ.ME
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-01-04
|
5KB
|
94 lines
This program appeared in the December 1992 issue of QST, page 83.
by Jim Osburn WD9EYB
2303 Hulman St.
Terre Haute, IN 47803
Logger and Dupe Checker Programs for the HP48sx
I've written an HP48sx calculator program for contest logging and
dupe checking. The HP48sx is a powerful handheld calculatorto which you
can add sufficient memory to hold several thousand log entries.
Although my program can't do as much as a contest logging program
running on a laptop or desktop computer, the small size, minute power
requirements and convenience of the calculator may interest some contest
operators who own these calculators.
Program Overview
The program performs the logging function by storing a report
keyed in by the operator as a string variable with a name that is the
call sign of the duplicate-checking function by determining if a string
variable exists that has the same name as a station to be worked. If a
matching string variable does exist, the station has been worked before
and is a dupe. If the string variable doesn't exist, the station is not
a duplicate.
Depending on the outcome of the check, the program displays WORK
'EM! or UR A DUP OM!. Determining the existence of a string variable to
check duplicates is fast. Had a search been coded in the calculator's
user language, operation would have been so slow that the program
probably wouldn't have been practical.
The log data is stored as a directory. Each entry in a log is
a variable that appears in the data directory. Each variable name is
the call sign of the station worked. Stored in each variable is a
string that includes the date and time the station was worked and the
report keyed in.
The program has three subroutines: NXT does the duplicate
checking; WRKD stores the report received; and DATIM formats the date
and time for storing with the data for each QSO.
Installing the Program
Transfer the files to your HP48s or HP48sx using Kermit, or type the
files into a subdirectory called LOGGER. After installing the program
change to the subdirectory. Then create a subdirectory for each contest,
band or mode that you plan on working. Use the directory TEST to "test"
out the program. Change to this directory and execute NXT, or if you
transfered the file LOGGER to your HP, press the CST button or create
your own custon menu.
Program Operation
This is straightforward. First, make sure the calculator is working
in the subdirectory for the contest or band that you want. If you're
trying out the program, make sure the calculator is in the TEST
subdirectory.
Bring up the menu by pressing the CST key, NXT and WRKD should be
displayed on the menu line. Push the key below NXT. The program should
prompt you for the call sign of the station you want to work. There's
no need to push the alpha shift while entering the call sign. When you
have finished entering the call sign, press the ENTER key.
The program will display UR A DUP OM! or WORK EM!. It doesn't
matter which message is displayed. Of course, dupes can be reworked and
stations not worked can be skipped. If you decide not to work the
station, press the key below NXT on the custom menu. If you do work the
station, press the key below WRKD.
When you press WRKD, the program prompts you to enter the report
you received. Enter something appropriate like 59 IN. (Again, it's not
necessary to use the alpha shift key while entering the report. It's
also not necessary to enter the call sign, date or time as the program
automatically records that.) When you've finished entering the report,
press the ENTER key. The program prompts you for the next call sign.
When the contest is over, upload the data from the subdirectories
to a PC system and print them. When uploading the data subdirectories,
transfer them as ASCII files. The result should be a log, sorted by
time. After you have loaded the data into the PC, purge the calculator
subdirectory to make room for the next contest. If you've uploaded the
directories as ASCII, you can massage them with a text editor or word
processor. You can also use the MS/PC DOS SORT program to sort by call sign.
Program Use
I've used the program in a few contests and find the operation
satisfactory. Jack Derry, K9CUN, used the program during the 1991 Field
Day. Since stations are worked once per band on Field Day, Jack created
separate subdirectories for each band giving them names like PH40 and
CW15. He logged a few hundred QSOs using the program with no problem.
Both Jack and I have 32-kilobyte RAM expansion cards in our
calculators. If a 128-kilobyte RAM expansion card is used, a few
thousand QSOs can be entered, depending on the size of the program.
Summary
The HP48sx logger and dupe-checker program won't perform the more
advanced functions that many PC-based logging and dupe-checking programs
do. But its small size, battery operation and convenience give
computer-based logging and dupe checking portability in a size not known
before. QRP operators may be intersted in such portability. Some
contest operators may also be interested in a computer logger and duper
that takes up little room on the operating desk.