Cream of the Crop 22/Cream of the Crop 22.iso/os2/sslog12.zip/SSLOGGER.INF

OS/2 Help File | 1996-10-20 | 19KB | 394 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

SSLogger is a native OS/2 logger designed specifically for the ARRL November
Sweepstakes.  This logger includes the following features:

     Dupe Checking.
     Log window that contains a scrollable list of log records though which
      previously-written log records can be edited.
     Section window that tracks sections worked.
     Status window which shows various contest statistics.
     Break Records.  SSLogger can record breaks taken during the course of a
      contest.
     Built-in transceiver control for the Kenwood TS-940S.
     Facility to export the log to ARRL Suggested Standard File Format.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Installation and Configuration ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To install SSLogger, perform the following steps:

     Unzip the file SSLog11.zip.  As usual, place the .dll files in some
      subdirectory included in your LIBPATH, the .exe and .cmd files in some
      subdirectory in your PATH, SSLogger.hlp in some directory specified by
      HELP, and SSLogger.inf in some directory specifed by BOOKSHELF.  The
      values for LIBPATH, PATH, HELP, and BOOKSHELF typically are all set in
      config.sys.

     From the same subdirectory in which SSLogger.exe resides, execute
      SSCrIcon.cmd to create an SSLogger icon on your desktop.  You can move
      this icon to any folder you choose.  After you create the icon, bring up
      the Settings notebook (reached by pointing to the icon with the mouse and
      clicking button 2) and specify as the working directory the directory
      where you want to store your log files by default.  Of course, the
      directory specified must exist.  If you execute SSCrIcon.cmd from a
      subdirectory other than the subdirectory that contains SSLogger.exe, the
      path to SSLogger.exe will also need to be corrected.

     Specify in config.sys the directory in which you want to store
      SSLOGGER.INI. SSLOGGER.INI is used to save various settings, and you
      typically will want to use those settings regardless of which directory
      you invoke SSLogger.exe from.  Its location can be specified by setting
      SSLOGGER_INI to the desired subdirectory.  A good place to store
      SSLOGGER.INI would be the same directory that contains SSLogger.exe. If
      SSLogger.exe is contained in the directory c:\bin, for instance, the
      following line would be added to config.sys:

            SET SSLOGGER_INI=c:\bin

      If you do not set SSLOGGER_INI, the current directory is used.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Running SSLogger ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

SSLogger.exe is the logger program.  It can be executed in the following ways:

     Double-clicking on the SSLogger icon.  See the section on Installation
      and Configuration for instructions on how to create an SSLogger icon.

     Double-clicking on a Sweepstakes Log icon for an existing log file.  This
      icon can be accessed by viewing the folder that contains the log file.

     From the command line simply by entering sslogger.

 Tip:  CrLog.exe, described below, can be used to create a sample log for you.
       Please read the notes on CrLog.exe before executing it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Creating and Opening a Log ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

To create a log, select the File->Create menu option from the SSLogger main
window.  Before the prompt for the file name, a succession of three dialog
boxes will appear, from which SSLogger will obtain information necessary to
create the log.

     Contest Information.  This dialog box is used to obtain contest dates and
      times, and the contest mode.  The contest times are for documentation
      only and do not impose any limits which log data times must fall within.

     Station Info.  Via this dialog box, provide station info, e.g., callsign,
      precedence, check, and section.

     Time Setup.  SSLogger does not require you to set your system clock to
      UTC.  Use this dialog box to indicate your system clock's offset from
      from UTC.  For example, EST would be -5.  SSLogger uses this information
      to convert times based on your system clock to UTC.

 These dialogs can also be accessed at any time under the Settings menu option.

 To open a log file later, select the File->Open menu option, or open the
 folder that contains the log file and double-click on the log file's icon.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Logging Contacts ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Log records are entered from the SSLogger main window. Before you can log any
contacts, you first must create or open a log file. Having done that, you must
then begin contest operation. The actual operation begin and end times are used
for statistics.  To begin operation, select the Actions->Contest
Operation->Begin menu option. Select Actions->Contest Operation->Terminate when
you are finished with the contest. Of course, you can change your mind and
select Actions->Contest Operation->Begin again to continue operating, in which
case, a break record will be written to record the interval of no contest
operation.  Make sure that you select Actions->Contest Operation->Terminate
when you're finished operating, so that the statistics presented in the Status
window are accurate. However, if you do forget, the operation times are
editable, and the statistics are adjusted accordingly.

The operation period can be edited at any time with the Edit Operation Time
dialog box, accessible via Actions->Contest Operation->Edit Contest Operation
Time menu option.  Note that dates and times cannot be changed so as to
conflict with other log data already recorded.

Once you have begun contest operation, you can log contacts.  Select the proper
band and fill in the log data into the SSLogger main window entry fields. You
can tab and backtab through the fields.  The space bar also acts as a tab.  The
Esc key will clear the current field data.  Pressing Esc again will clear all
of the fields and place the cursor in the Callsign field.  F12 will clear all
of the fields and place the cursor in the Callsign field.  Press F4 or the
Enter key to log the contact.

A dupe check will be performed if you change the Callsign field as soon as you
tab out of the field, or if you press F4 or the Enter key to log the entry. If
a dupe check detects a dupe, a message box will pop up and give you the option
to cancel the entry (the normal case) or to force the log entry.  If you force
the log entry, no points will be scored for the previous log entry for that
callsign.

To change bands, use the Ctrl+Tab key to tab to and from the Band control.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Editing Log Records ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Log records can be edited from the Log window. To edit a log record, make that
record the highlighted entry and press the Enter key, the Edit pushbutton, or
simply double-click on the desired log record entry.  A dialog box will the pop
up and allow you to change any log record field.

The date/time of a log entry cannot be updated so that it falls within the
range of a break already recorded. Similarly, it must fall within the Operation
Begin and Operation Terminate times. If contest operation is in progress, the
log entry date/time cannot fall before Operation Begin.

Finally, the log record date/time must fall between the previous entry and the
next entry in order to preserve the sequential nature of the log.

The band entry in a range of records can be edited in one operation from the
Range Edit: Band dialog box.  This feature exists in case the operator is not
using transceiver control and forgets to change the band on the logger. From
the Range Edit: Band dialog, the operator enters the contact numbers for the
beginning and ending log records in the range to be edited and selects the
correct band.  The default beginning contact number is the that of the log
record currently highlighted in the log list, and the default ending contact
number is that of the last log record in the log.  Updates to large blocks of
records may take several seconds, but once the update is initiated, you can
return to the main SSLogger window and resume logging.  An individual log
record can be updated while the range update is in progress, as long the record
is outside the range being updated. The Range Edit: Band dialog box can be
reached by selecting the Range Edit->Band menu option in the Log window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Recording Breaks ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ARRL requires you to indicate all breaks taken during the contest.  To begin a
break, select the Actions->Break->Begin menu option in the SSLogger main
window.  During a break, logging is disabled.  To end a break, select
Actions->Break->Terminate, and logging is then re-enabled.
Actions->Break->Cancel can be used to cancel a break in progress.  The break
menu options are disabled until Actions->Contest Operation->Begin has been
selected. If you select Actions->Contest Operation->Terminate and later decide
to continue operation and select Actions->Contest Operation->Begin, a break
record will be written for that period of no operation.  Breaks of any length
may be recorded, but ARRL only counts breaks of 30 minutes or more.  Thus, the
Status window only counts breaks of at least 30 minutes.  Similarly, the log
exported to ARRL Suggested File Format will only show breaks of sufficient
duration.

Breaks may be listed and edited with the Edit Break Times dialog box. You can
bring up this dialog by selecting Actions->Breaks->Edit Break Times.  Note that
break times cannot be updated so as to conflict with other log data already
recorded. For example, it would be an error to edit a break period so that a
log record already written falls within that interval.  Similarly, the break
must fall within the time of operation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Windows ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

SSLogger provides three windows in addition to the main window, which can be
left up while using the logger:

     Log Window.  Contains a scrollable list of log records. Log records can
      be edited from this list.

     Section Window.  Contains a list of sections that indicates which
      sections have been worked.

     Status Window.  Displays various contest statistics.

 These windows are always kept up-to-date.  A window may be minimized and
 redisplayed by selecting it from the Windows menu option again or by pressing
 its respective "fast-path" key, shown along with its menu option title.  All
 window positions and sizes (if resizable) are automatically saved so that the
 windows always come up in the arrangement you have selected.  Options specific
 to a given window are also automatically saved.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Log Record Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The log record list in the Log window can be used to scroll through records in
the log.  Log records may be edited from this window. To display the Log
window, select the Windows->Log menu option of the main SSLogger window.

Included in the log record list is a column with the heading of Dupe.  This
column is normally blank.  If a log entry was forced, creating a "dupe" entry
(see Logging Contacts), the entry is marked as such with a Y in the Dupe
column.  This means that the contact is a duplicate and no points have been
scored for the contact, and of course, is not counted in the Section window or
the Stats window.

The Log window is resizable.  To set the vertical size of the Log window,
position the mouse pointer to the bottom border of the Log window and drag it
until the window is the desired height.  The amount of desktop space consumed
can be reduced by making the Log window height no larger than required.
Similarly, the Log window width can be adjusted.  The relative sizes of the
columns in the list are preserved, so you might be able to save a little
desktop space by squeezing in the columns a little.

Log records can be edited from the log list.  Please refer to the section
entitled "Editing Log Records" for details.


Log Window Options
Log window options can be accessed through the Options menu option. Option
choices are automatically saved and used in subsequent logging sessions.

Font
The font for the log record list can be changed.  Using the smallest font that
you can comfortably read can save a lot of desktop space over the system font,
which is the default.  To change the font, select the Options->Font menu
option.

Tip:  Alt+L provides a quick way to access the Log window. You can leave it on
      your desktop, minimize it, or close it, although reopening the window
      will take longer if it is closed. Alt+M can be used to quickly return to
      the main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2. Section Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The section list can be used to track sections worked and to look up the
correct abbreviation.  To display the Section window, select Section under the
Windows menu option in the SSLogger main window.

Sections not yet worked are colored blue, while sections already worked are
"de-highlighted" with a more subdued gray color.


Section Window Options
The Section window has different options available.  They can be accessed
through the Options menu option.  Option choices are automatically saved and
used in subsequent logging sessions.

Font
The font for the Section window can be changed.  Using the smallest font that
you can comfortably read can save a lot of desktop space over the system font,
which is the default.  To change the font, select the Options->Font menu
option.

Columns
The number of columns in the Section window can be set in order to achieve the
desired window dimensions.

Section Abbrev's Only
By default, the section list includes section names and abbreviations, and is
sorted by section name.  This can be useful for abbrev lookups during phone
contests. In CW contests, the section name is not really necessary.  The
Section Abbrev's Only option can be used to display only the section
abbreviations, sorted by abbreviation, to make the Section window require much
less desktop space.

Tip:  Alt+S provides quick access to the Section window. You can leave it on
      your desktop, minimize it, or close it. Use Alt+M to quickly return to
      the main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.3. Status Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Status window displays current statistics, including number of
contacts/hour, contact count, section count, score, time off, actual time spent
operating, and total time (op time + break time). Only breaks of at least the
minimum duration allowed by ARRL are reflected in the break time.  Similarly, a
break in progress is not reflected until its duration reaches the minimum
allowed.

Tip:  Alt+T provide quick access to the Status window. You can leave it on your
      desktop, minimize it, or close it. Use Alt+M to quickly return to the
      main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Transceiver Control ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

If you have a Kenwood TS-940S with the option for computer control, you can let
SSLogger perform some control and monitoring.  First, you need to perform some
basic setup. Select the Xcvr->Settings menu option in the SSLogger main window
to bring up the Transceiver Settings dialog box.

In the Transceiver Settings dialog box, set the Serial Port spin button to the
serial port your transceiver is connected to. You will also find a list of
frequencies, one per band per mode.  These frequencies are used by SSLogger
when you switch bands using the Band control in the SSLogger main window.  When
you have selected a new band, the transceiver switches to the corresponding
frequency displayed in the Transceiver Settings dialog.  SSLogger is constantly
monitoring your current frequency.  You can opt to switch back to the most
recently used frequency for a band if you check the checkbox with a like
heading in the Transceiver Settings dialog box.

If you use the transceiver to change to another band, SSLogger will
automatically update the logger band setting accordingly.

Connect to the transceiver by selecting Xcvr->Connect->Kenwood TS940. You can
disconnect from the transceiver by selecting Xcvr->Disconnect.

Note:  There is a bug in the TS940S computer control firmware (even the latest
       update) which causes the transceiver to momentarily transmit on the
       received frequency when the T/R relay is closed while the transceiver is
       communicating with the computer.

Release 1.0 of SSLogger polled the transceiver four times per second, which
caused annoying results, since the operator usually has the RIT control set to
a non-zero offset.  The bug is particularly annoying when operating CW in
break-in mode!  To alleviate the problem, SSLogger now polls once every 20
seconds. If you use the transceiver to change bands (although changing bands
with the logger is better), there will usually be a short delay before the band
on the logger is updated accordingly.  SSLogger's saving the last frequency
used is similarly affected.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Exporting to ARRL Suggested Standard File Format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The ARRL accepts log entries in ARRL Suggested Standard File Format on diskette
or via internet.  To produce a copy of your log in ARRL Suggested Standard File
Format, open your log file and select the File->Export to ARRL Format menu
option.  In the ensuing dialog box, enter the desired file name or use the
default provided. The resulting file is an editable ASCII file.  The start and
end of each break of sufficient duration (at least 30 minutes) that has been
recorded in the log is reflected by the log records in the ASCII file that
bracket the break.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Creating a Sample Log File ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

CrLog.exe has been included to generate relatively quickly a large log of 1000
records that you can use to familiarize yourself with the various SSLogger
functions.

CrLog.exe has one parameter:  the computer clock's offset relative to UTC.  For
example, if the computer clock is set to CST, invoke CrLog as follows:

crlog -6

For maximum data integrity, SSLogger uses synchronous writes so that data is
written immediately--not buffered and written whenever the filesystem driver
decides to write the data.  This means that you should be able to press
Ctrl-Break at any time during the execution of CrLog.exe and end up with a
consistent log.  The last contact logged will appear in the log unless the
write operation to disk did not complete. This also means that CrLog will run
very slowly.  Of course, in normal operation, you are not writing such large
amounts of data so quickly and you should not notice a significant performance
degradation.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Author Comments ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

I offer SSLogger as freeware and am asking for no fees or donations. I hope you
enjoy SSLogger and find it useful and effective in your November Sweepstakes
Contest operation. If you would like to be notified of updates, please send me
e-mail at the address given below.  I welcome any comments and suggestions.

   Will Edwards, WA5WZA
   14803 Chicadee Circle
   Pflugerville, TX 78660-8168
   [e-mail]


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

For more information on the November Sweepstakes contest, or about amateur
radio in general, contact:

      American Radio Relay League
      225 Main St.
      Newington, CT 06111-1494

      http://www.arrl.org