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1994-05-20
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HAM-LOG v 4.60
Note: Copyright 1990-94 J.Agam - HB9CQV. All Rights Reserved.
The program is NOT in the public domain. The author keeps
the copyright and all other rights.
You are NOT allowed to distribute the program for more than
SFR/DM 10,- or $ 7.00 including all costs
You ARE allowed to use this program freely for any
NON-COMMERCIAL purpose and to make as many copies as you
like and give them away
many tnx: to Günter, DF5OL, for his translation of this documen-
tation. The file HAM-ENG.DOC contains the English and
the file HAM-GER.DOC the German text.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Attention: CONFIG.SYS should provide FILES=50 (or more) !!!
------------------------------------------------------------------
Short description:
Not every detail of the program can be dealt with here. Most questions
will be solved by trial.
On starting the last QSOs are shown in chronological order. The number
of previous QSOs is listed next to the call (which has to be adapted
in the parameters). The PC icon in front of the QSO figure indicates
deleted QSOs and implies that the data bank possibly has to be reorganised.
The following functions are available:
+/- Toggles one line up or down, PgDn and PgUp one page.
Date, call and QTH of the first line are stored as basis
for the search function. This refers to the two correspon-
ding keys of the numeric block.
# Initiates a sequential search for a string to be specified
in the areas call, name, QTH, Mode, MHz and Note, if the
search process originated from the full display. If this
function is called up from the individual display, the text
is checked additionally, which might take a little longer.
. The search term entered by # is retained till the end of the
file is reached (depending on the order specified) or the
search process is restarted by #.
The period continues the search from the first line
indicated - no matter if in the meantime the file was
browsed through otherwise. A period is only shown, if the
search function with # was successful. For further
information see below (SKIP).
DAT Searches for a date and rearranges the sequence of the
file accordingly.
In general the data of the first QSO shown enable you to
switch very fast from the call and the respective QTH
found out to other calls of the same QTH. ESC shows the
oldest (or first) data record.
CAL Searches for a call (or part of it). Otherwise as in DATE.
QTH Searches for a QTH. Otherwise as in DATE.
NEW Allows a new QSO to be entered. Possibly the first and the
last four QSOs with this call are shown.
Only that part of the entry or the data bank area u p t o
t h e f i r s t s p a c e are considered as call, i.e.
HB9CQV /P or HB9CQV /4X are treated exactly the same as
HB9CQV. In using this "space option" the country "4X", which
might have been confirmed by HB9CQV /4X, can however n o t
be found.
If it is important to you, you can enter 4X/HB9CQV, but then
the QSOs with HB9CQV /P and HB9CQV /4X are not shown in case
of another QSO.
If there exists any text, it is shown after the call (i.e.
up to the first space).
If the first four characters of the NOTE area of the last
QSO contained a figure, it is increased by one and pre-set
with the other data for the new QSO. This makes handing out
numbers in contests easier.
If the call area is changed, the respective data are
displayed (QSOs and text).
Name, QTH, etc. may be entered. With Cursor Up/Cursor Dn
and RETURN the next area can be called up according to the
QSO under way.
This way you also get to the text editor (description see
below). It doesn't matter, whether the QSO is saved later on
(with PgDn) - all changes to existing (!) texts are always
saved when you exit the editor with F2.
The last MODE and the last MHz entry are pre-set.
QSL TAG (new version, old versions in parentheses):
S (P) QSL will be sent
R (E) QSL has been received
W (A) QSL has been sent, waiting for reply
vacant(N) no QSL
Z,Y (X,Y)QSL has been received before printing,
temporary code
X (V) QSL will be sent via QSL manager, who is speci-
fied within the first 20 characters of the second
explanatory line.
In ACUTERM (from version 0.456 onwards) tagging is done by
hitting the ALT key and the corresponding letter. To erase
a tag, hit ALT-X twice.
MHz a decimal point is only allowed below 7 MHz.
The system corrects this automatically.
The following rule applies to figures > 430 MHz (of
importance only when printing QSL cards):
800-899 becomes "0.0 GHz" - "9.9 GHz"
e.g. 813 = "1.3 GHz"
900-999 becomes "00 GHz" - "99 GHz"
e.g. 924 = 24 GHz
MODE is taken over from ACUTERM. It is advisable to stick
to this convention. Other procedures may however also
be executed.
Some tips:
QTH entries such as "in the vicinity of Berlin" should be
made as "Berlin-". The correct sequence is guaranteed and
the entry can easily be verified as "BERLIN-TREPTOW", etc.
Dummy/pseudo QSOs:
Dummy QSOs can in principle be identified by an empty MHz
area. All other areas (except for the date) can be used
differently according to requirements, especially if for
instance later on special specifications are to be
searched for. It is, however, advisable to earmark these
areas in order to differentiate them from real QTHs or
calls, e.g. to begin with "---" (such as "---PTC NEW" and
so on).
1. No date is entered (input 00.00.00), the MHz area is
automatically left blank.
This enables you to store details (including text) for a
certain call without having had a QSO with that station.
This "pseudo QSO" is located at the beginning of the file
and can be "activated" later on if necessary.
2. A 0 or a negative figure is entered for MHz, which leaves
the MHz area blank.
In the call area "--------" or something similar can be
entered. These dummy QSOs may be used for chronological
data in the log such as beginning and end of contest, new
antenna from a certain date on, change of QTH, etc.
(history of the station).
All dummy QSOs are n o t taken into consideration for sta-
tistics, when printing QSLs, etc. In the case of exporting
to ACUTERM or DATEN.TXT, the dummies of a call (date blank)
can also be exported. Then you get an indication of this
station when entering the call in these programs. In that
case important details such as name, QTH or Note should be
entered in the QSO specific areas.
TXT If individual display is chosen, the text of the call shown
can be edited. Otherwise trhe
These functions and keys are available:
F2 Saves the text and exits the editor.
F3 Loads text from a disk drive and directory specified
in the parameters. Thus script files may possibly be
loaded if they have the extension .TXT.
F4 Cancels the editor and erases all text. If saving
with F2, the text is finally erased.
F5 The text just loaded can be written to the program
directory as a text file. If the directory does not
exist, it is generated by the program.
F9 A file to be selected can be erased from the harddisk.
ESC Closes down the editor and exits it without saving.
ALT-T (today) substitutes the present date for the cursor
(watch out for INS/DEL!).
TAB Indents this date (number of characters) to make for
better readability.
Cursor up/down line up/down
Cursor left/right character to left/right
CTL-Cursor left/right word to left/right
PgUp/PgDn next window/window before
HOME/END beginning/end of the present line
CTL-HOME/END beginning/end of the window
CTL-PgUp/PgDn beginning/end of the file
CTL-B reformats the text
CTL-T erases the word right of the cursor
CTL-N inserts a line
CTL-Y erases the present line
Please note: the bearing of DEL/INS is important for all
functions and should be watched.
It has to be kept in mind that the editor uses the charac-
ters "ì" and ASCII 10 as a "soft" carriage return and that
they might have to be eliminated by "Search" and "Change" in
other editors.
EDI If full display is chosen, the QSOs shown in a string may be
changed or erased at discretion. Possible entries in lists
will be corrected automatically, just as the sequence
counter. Calls, QSL tags, etc. are changed in the lists as
well.
Care and systematic action should be taken as far as ACUTERM
is concerned. HAM imports only those QSOs from ACUTERM
specifying the time of termination (which is always omitted
from HAM to ACUTERM). Moreover identical information concer-
ning date, time, call and complete QRG is essential. If an
import is regularly followed by an export to ACUTERM (can be
recommended for the last year or two only), everything will
be fine.
If ESC is pressed when editing, it is supposed and suggested
a QSO is to be deleted. Hitting ESC a second time exits the
EDIT function.
The EDIT string is particularly useful for group QSOs. The
participants are logged in just with CALL and a few details
in the NEW function. All the details turning up in the
course of the QSO are added in the EDIT function.
FIL A filter condition can be entered. From/up to MHz, QSL
received or pending and up to three simultaneous modes (OR).
Then only those QSOs are shown which fulfil these condi-
tions. This can be very useful when filling out lists
(see below).
For the QSLs, these specifications apply: A=all (SXWRZY),
R=received (RZY), W=pending (SXW).
If the limitations are set very close (compared to the
number of QSOs), the selection process and the browsing may
get pretty slow.
The filter set is shown in the upper bar - instead of the
record figure - and can be switched off by ESC in the filter
window. The sub-menu (MENU) switches off the filter auto_
matically.
This set-up is stored as long as the program is not quit
completely and is used for lists and exports.
The two following functions can be initiated by the gray keys in
the numeric block.
/ Goes back to the original position and shows the last QSO/
QSOs by date.
* Switches between full and individual display. If you choose
individual display, any additional text on the call further
up is shown. PgUp/PgDn allows browsing.
2 1 Leafs back and forth in the active list - independent of an
entry. The beginning and the end of the list are indicated,
and RETURN allows browsing.
The particular KEY of the list is pre-set when looking for
CALL and # so that lists can be completed more easily.
LST A list and an entry in it can be chosen to be displayed in
the lower bar. This entry is accessible (for WRITE and SKIP)
until a new list is called up by ESC. The figures behind the
name of the list specify the stations worked, confirmed and
the sum total of the list entries.
When a list has been chosen and after SKIP, the KEY of the
list is pre-set to handle searching for CALL and for #
(sequential search) which is then effected very fast and
efficiently.
If e.g. you put down the DOK (designation of the local
German chapter) as an explanation in the course of a QSO,
it can easily be added to the DOK list via SKIP and #
later on.
Only 24 characters of an explanation in the list can be
displayed in the lower bar. The last visible character in
the list program is marked by an arrow (see below).
WRT (WRITE) A QSO to be selected can be entered in the list
displayed. If no list was chosen, the system offers one.
Then the call and W for Worked or R for received (whatever
the QSL status) are displayed in the lower bar.
SKP (SKIP) Moves to the next unlinked entry of the list chosen
(neither confirmed nor worked). Then KEY automatically
becomes the search string (up to the first space!!) for CALL
and # provided no period indicating a search process is
shown so that a corresponding QSO can be looked for right
away.
Excursion:
"Filling in" a list
If the functions SKIP, CALL, # and WRITE are put to use
efficiently, you can "fill in" your lists quickly and
safely. Let's explain this by way of an example:
A list of the countries worked in PACTOR is to be compiled.
First of all, a list has to be set up and complemented by
the file DXCC.DBF (see below).
Then the list is loaded and the first entry called up. It is
displayed in the lower bar. KEY is now preset for CALL
(and #). CALL allows the search for the first country of
this KEY and changes the sequence of the calls at the same
time.
Now you enter # and the desired mode PTR (or whatever
designation you chose for yourself, e.g. the DOK written
into one of the explanatory lines) and look for the first
PACTOR QSO in the sequence of the calls.
If the QSO has been found, the list entry can be "fetched"
with LIST, and the QSO can be entered with WRITE.
"." starts the search for the next PACTOR QSO, the
necessary entries are made with LIST and WRITE. Until the
next search function is started, "." allows you to "wander
around" in the file. Example: after the first entry of DL,
you may skip the (very numerous) QSOs with DL by looking
for E in between and then continue the search with "."
MENU Offers various options. MENU followed by ESC (i.e. exit from
the menu) toggles the basic setting - i.e. the display of
the last QSOs. This also goes for NEW and ESC.
1. Edit a list
An enormous amount of lists (any combination of three cha-
racters - caps and figures) can be compiled and kept up to
date. To give you an example, a list of DXCC countries is
incorporated - it might be imported into a new list to be
set up. The basic data of a list can be exchanged with other
users.
If ESC is pressed when dealing with lists, the system
assumes a new list is to be compiled.
How to handle the list management is described below.
2. Copy to a new
Copies a list to be selected with all entries into a new
one. This is of great advantage, if an award is to be worked
on different bands. Editing or changing a list name can only
be executed with this option.
3. Clear all entries
Deletes all present entries in a list, e.g. after copying.
4. Delete a list
Deletes a list to be selected. A reorganisation is recom-
mended afterwards.
5. Calculate all
This option allows a recount of all list entries. They can
then be entered (worked/confirmed) into the header. This
might be useful after a crash or another irregularity.
N. Enter old log
Allows you to enter and incorporate old logbooks (without
text) into HAM-LOG. The input has the same effect as muta-
ting. The counter works as if you are entering new normal
QSOs.
R. Receive QSLs
When entering the call of the QSL card received, all pre-
vious QSOs are displayed. They can all be checked until the
confirmed QSO has been found. It is still possible to change
the QSO selected and any existing additional text
(correction of listening errors originated during the QSO).
Should this QSO have already been entered into
lists, they are automatically set to "confirmed". This pro-
cedure is indicated.
Afterwards this QSO may be entered into as many other lists
as you wish on the basis of the information received by the
QSL card.
Q. Output QSLs
First of all the QSL cards to be printed are counted. One or
as many test prints as you like are made for adjusting the
stickers. They can also be used as stickers to be filled out
in writing. Two sizes can be chosen from:
W and w 127 x 37 mm
N and n 89 x 37 mm
The lower case letters produce an interval after each
printing process so that QSL cards may be fed directly
into the printer.
If everything is OK, the QSL cards are printed in alphabetic
order. This procedure may possibly take a little longer.
In addition any number of SWL cards can be answered. The
necessary data have to be entered into a window.
Another possibility is to produce various merge files so
that QSL cards can be printed according to your own require-
ments with virtually any text processing or label printing
system. The following QSL label parameters apply:
P merge file for WordPerfect
B dBase data base
D ASCII delimited file (e.g. WordPerfect 6.0)
The structure of the merge file is always the same in
principle:
CALL {AREA}1 = call
QSL {AREA}2 = empty or remark (QSL via ...) for X
DATE {AREA}3 = date
UTC {AREA}4 = time
MODE {AREA}5 = mode
QRG {AREA}6 = MHz (band)
RST {AREA}7 = RST
PSE {AREA}8 = "pse", when QSL not yet arrived,
"tnx", if received QSL
NAME {AREA}9 = name
QTH {AREA}10 = QTH
The merge file for WordPerfect hast first to be entered (by
macro) as DOS text and to be stored elsewhere so that the
conversion of possible vowel mutations (German!) is
effected properly.
Then you can design and print your own labels with the pro-
gram you use. Should a different format be needed, it can
easily be generated with "Search" - "Change" using one of
the merge files.
Finally the printing procedure can be registered - i.e. the
QSL tag counter is reset.
L. List/print file
A log excerpt based on date or call (according to the
setting of the main display) can be printed and/or compiled
as a file.
The details have to be entered into a window. If an area
(except for date) is left vacant, everything is printed.
"R" signifies all confirmed QSOs, "W" all unconfirmed ones.
QSOs without exchange of QSLs are not taken into account.
It goes without saying that printing can only take place, if
the printer is on-line and ready.
In a file, the maximum length of a line is limited to
65 characters.
The QSOs however are always counted and put into proportion
percentage-wise to the number in the given period or the
call denomination (whatever prevails).
F. File input/out
The whole logbook or parts of it can be put into a dBase
data bank (.DBF). Selection criteria are the same as with
lists. If requested, the exported QSOs are erased after-
wards. This also means that they are cancelled in all lists
where they appear. These lists are in turn recalculated.
So you should consider carefully whether to choose this
option.
Moreover, texts can be exported or imported to a specified
part of the logbook. This function works only in conjunction
with the calls of the log entries, and it is, therefore,
important to follow the correct and logical order:
When exporting: first the texts, then the QSOs!
When importing: first the QSOs, then the texts!
If the text read in is possibly not completely identical
with an existing one, it is put in the first place. If you
thus import the same files various times, you might "double"
your texts.
In exactly the same way exported QSOs can be fed in again,
but it is essential that the structure of the data banks is
completely identical! In this case no duplicate QSOs
(checked for CALL, DATE and UTC) are considered.
I. Import logbook
Various logbooks can be fed in. The directories or file
names have to be specified in the parameters.
Only those entries with the necessary details are considered
and which do not yet exist in HAM-LOG (check for CALL, DATE,
UTC).
If name or QTH are vacant, the last QSO with this station is
searched for and name/OTH are taken over from there. On
account of this, it isn't necessary (in ACUTERM, PTC RTTY and XPCOM) to enter the relevant data if the partner is
already known.
These rules apply to ACUTERM (from version 0.456 onwards):
Only those QSOs are read in which were not exported from
HAM-LOG previously. To be identified by the "*" after the
date.
1. The first character in the explanatory line should be
the QSL tag followed by a "-", "*" or "+". The internal
tag of ACUTERM is not used any more in version 4.6.
It is, however, still noted for information when
exporting.
2. If the QSL tag is an "X", the text (20 characters)
after "-", "*" or "+" is written into the expanatory
area of the QSO (Note) regardless of its contents and
should therefore also specify the QSL manager.
3. If the first or second character of the explanation is
a "*", the following 20 characters are written into the
Note area - i.e. remarks on a QSO. The rest will not be
taken down. When writing back the data from HAM-LOG,
the Note area is shown for information after the QRG
(e.g. QSL via HB9CQV or QSB!)
4. If the first or second character of the explanation is
a "+", the first two (!) explanatory lines precede the
text of the call with date.
These rules apply to PTC RTTY (from version 0.88 onwards):
1. If the QSL tag is an "X", the first 20 characters of the
explanatory area (PTC RTTY) are written into the "Note"
area.
2. QSL tags "J" and "S" in PTC RTTY are changed into "S",
"X" remains "X", and everything else is changed to
vacant (significance see above).
3. If an explanation is preceded by a "*", it is taken over
into the explanatory area of the QSO. In all other cases
(or when the first character is a "+"), the area is
put next to the call with the date in the first place.
These rules apply to XPCOM/XPLOG (from version 1.51
onwards):
1. The first character of the explanatory line should be
the QSL tag followed by a "-", "*" or "+".
2. If the QSL tag is an "X", the text (20 characters) after
"-", "*" and "+" is written into the explanatory area of
the QSO (Note) regardless of its contents and should also
specify the QSL manager.
3. If the first or second character of the explanation is a
"*", the following 20 characters are written into the
Note area giving details of the QSO. The rest will not be
taken down.
4. If the first or second character of the explanation is a
"+", the explanatory line (50 characters per line) will
precede the text of the call with the date.
The import is effected by a print file of the XPLOG to be
specified in the parameters.
Its format is O B L I G A T O R Y :
Line Field Len Sort Op
[01] [Date ] [008] [01] [GE]
[01] [Time ] [005] [02] [ ]
[01] [Freq. ] [009] [ ] [ ]
[01] [Mode ] [006] [ ] [ ]
[01] [Call ] [012] [ ] [ ]
[01] [Name ] [010] [ ] [ ]
[01] [Qth ] [040] [ ] [ ]
[01] [SntRST] [003] [ ] [ ]
[01] [Cmnt ] [100] [ ] [ ]
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
It is easy to create this file needed for HAM-LOG with the
command "XPLOGPRS LOGBOOK 940101" (see instruction manual)
or with the normal PRINT function of XPLOG.
The QRG figure should be watched. When reading in, HAM-LOG
eliminates all zeroes and then tries to produce a MHz
three-figure number. Problems arise on 80/160 meters.
"3.5" and "30000.50" correctly result in "3.5", "35087.00"
incorrectly results in "3".
E. Export logbook
From a certain date onwards QSO entries can be fed into the
ACUTERM log and the PTC RTTY log. A filter can be made
active so that for instance only vertain modes can be
exported.
Preferably only the last year should be exported to ACUTERM
so that looking for a QSO in ACUTERM is speeded up. Only the
last 16 entries should be exported to PTX RTTY, because
ALT-F3 does not cover looking at more.
Besides the info file (DATEN.TXT) of PTC RTTY can be re-
written. Call, name, QTH are exported as well as the last
QSO and the last explanation. The last character points
out the QSL status: vacant = no exchange of QSLs, R = QSL
received, W = QSL not yet received.
This is independent of the last QSO indicated and refers
to the call in general.
The number of data to be exported should not be excessive.
ACUTERM and PTC RTTY search sequentially, which takes a
little longer (depending on the PC).
In ACUTERM, the first two lines of text (if existing) are
written into the explanatory lines, date (ALT-T) and indents
(TAB) are disregarded.
The explanatory area for the QSO is written after the QRG
for mere information and has no significance when
reading in (see above).
Data c a n n o t be exported from HAM-LOG into XPCOM/
XPLOG. It could be executed via ACUTERM and LOGVONV, but
then you have to put up with certain discrepancies (QRG
and mode).
O. Reorganisation
Erased data bases will also be physically erased after
calling up the data bank, the indices are restructured.
Therefore this option should be called up occasionally.
P. Parameters
Several data have to be supplied, such as your own call,
name and UTC for the QSL cards, size of labels, etc.
You also find an explanation of the QSL tags here.
C. Screen colors
On color screens any color combination can be set.
List management:
Lists are displayed line by line according to the key word.
The following options are available:
+/- Toggles lines up/down, PgDn/PgUp toggles pages.
KEY Searches for a given search term.
NEW Enables new list entries to be made. A string is created,
which can be aborted by hitting ESC. Each KEY can be entered
just once. The last entries are retained for further action.
Specifications for the search function in the main program
are valid up to the f i r s t s p a c e only. The same
prefixes for different countries (islands) for instance are
therefore entered as "3D2 F" and "3D2 R".
EDI Allows changing a file.
CLR Deletes an individual QSO entry.
DEL Deletes a list entry.
LST Toggles another list. Title and totals (worked/confirmed)
are displayed in the bars.
PRT Prints a list of the QSO data of the relevant entries. Four
different alternatives of the list are available.
FIL Compiles an ASCII file of a list (as in PRINT).
Only 65 characters per line are allowed.
UPD (UPDATE) Serves for exporting and importing/updating lists
in the dBase format with these areas: KEY C8
NAME C20
NOTE C30
If the KEY of an import file already exists in a list, only
NAME and NOTE are brought up to date from the import file.
New entries are accepted. This way lists can easily be
brought up to date without impairing previous QSO entries.
This enables you to exchange lists with other users and to
avoid the time-consuming work of compiling such lists your-
self. Various lists (DXCC, DOK, etc.) are kept up to date
by DL5VU and can be ordered from him. The HAM program
always incorporates the latest lists.
For suggestions and inquiries please contact me via BBS: HB9CQV
@ HB9OS.CHE.EU or HB9AK in HF.
73 de Jochanan
PS
The programs mentioned can be ordered as follows:
ACUTERM (terminal program for the PK232) - $40.-
W.R. Kissel, N8BA @ WE8L.MI.USA.NA
1331 E. Dawson
MILFORD, Mich. 48381
USA
777 RTTY (terminal program for tono 777 Theta)
PTC RTTY (terminal program for the PTC by SCS) -
SASE/disk
Karl-Heinz Heinig, DL1EHW @ DB0OVO.DEU.EU or
Pactor BBS DF0THW
Hohenburgstr. 114
D-45128 ESSEN
Germany
XPCOM (terminal program for PK-232, MFJ-1278 and others)
together with XPLOG by W0NFU (version 2.50)
Gary L. Johnson, KF7XP
702 S. Ashbrook Street
MESA, Az 85204