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- PAGE i
-
-
-
-
- LOG-EQF Version 3.42
-
- Amateur Radio Logbook Database System
-
-
-
-
-
- Copyright (C) 1989-1991
-
-
- Thomas J. Dandrea N3EQF
-
-
-
-
- ------------
- USER'S GUIDE
- ------------
-
-
- NOTICE: LOG-EQF is copyrighted by the author, and has been released
- for public distribution as "Shareware" or "User-Supported"
- software, for use by radio amateurs. The author reserves
- all rights to the software under the copyright laws.
-
- Registered users of LOG-EQF are provided notification of
- program revisions, technical support, and additional programs
- which make LOG-EQF even more useful.
-
- To become a registered user of LOG-EQF, please send $10.00
- to the author:
-
-
- ---------------------
- Tom Dandrea N3EQF
- 396 Sautter Drive
- Coraoplis, PA 15108
- ---------------------
-
-
- Improvements and revisions will be made to LOG-EQF in direct
- proportion to the number of requests for them. Your comments
- about the program and suggestions for improvement are welcome.
-
- PAGE ii
-
- --------------------------------CONTENTS-------------------------------
-
- PAGE NUMBER
-
- 1. LOG-EQF Overview......................................1.0
-
- 2. Installation..........................................2.0
-
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS........................2.0
- INSTALLING LOG-EQF.........................2.0
- FILES REQUIRED FOR OPERATION...............2.2
-
- 3. Program Startup and Customization.....................3.0
-
- CONFIGURATION SETUP........................3.0
- LOADING LOGBOOK INFORMATION FROM FILES.....3.2
- QUICK LOAD OF LOG-EQF......................3.3
-
- 4. Main Menu Commands....................................4.0
-
- VIEW IN DETAIL.............................4.0
- QUICK VIEW.................................4.1
- PRINT LOGBOOK..............................4.1
- QSL LABELS.................................4.2
- LOG - AUTOMATIC............................4.2
- LOG - MANUAL...............................4.6
- EDIT.......................................4.7
- LOAD.......................................4.8
- SORT.......................................4.9
- SEARCH.....................................4.9
- NORMAL/CONTEST SELECTION...................4.10
- SHELL......................................4.11
- SETUP......................................4.11
- EXIT.......................................4.11
-
- 5. Contest Operation.....................................5.0
-
- INTRODUCTION...............................5.0
- CONFIGURATION SETUP........................5.1
- OPERATION DURING THE CONTEST...............5.3
- OPERATION AFTER THE CONTEST................5.4
-
- 6. Radio Control Commands................................6.0
-
- 7. Maintenance of the DX Prefix Library..................7.0
-
- 8. In Case of Trouble....................................8.0
-
- PAGE 1.0
-
-
- 1. LOG-EQF OVERVIEW
- --------------------
-
- The LOG-EQF program helps you maintain a complete and accurate station
- logbook with minimal effort. LOG-EQF will function as a full-featured
- electronic logbook when used alone on a personal computer. If the pro-
- gram is used on a computer that is connected to a Kenwood transceiver
- via an RS-232C serial port, many additional automatic logging and con-
- trol features are enabled.
-
- Below are some of the features of LOG-EQF:
-
- - DAILY LOGBOOK (STAND-ALONE)
- ---------------------------
- - Full-screen entry of logbook information in any order desired.
- - Easy edit or deletion of any logbook entry.
- - Automatic date and time logging with built-in UTC conversion.
- - Quick reports of DXCC Zone and Continent info from callsign prefix.
- - Beam Headings displayed from DXCC prefix of callsign.
- - Abbreviated or complete display of logbook entries.
- - Ability to search logbook for a pattern in any entry field.
- - Able to sort logbook files by any field.
- - Print all or part of logbook, either in abbreviated or detailed form.
- - Print QSL labels with personalized message line.
- - Customized screen colors and on-screen display of your callsign.
- - Run other programs while LOG-EQF stays resident in memory.
-
- - CONTEST MODE
- ------------
- - Fast dupe checking with displayed details.
- - Optional automatic generation of serial numbers for exchange.
- - Optional printout of each entry as it's logged (data security).
- - Generate Dupe sheets.
- - Print entry logbook w/ auto QSO and multiplier totals (user-defined).
- - ASCII disk files created for dupe sheets and contest logs.
- - Partial callsign check.
- - On-screen QSO rate and lapse time displays.
-
- - KENWOOD INTERFACE
- -----------------
- - Automatic display and logging of radio mode and frequency.
- - Control over radio VFOs and mode from log entry screens.
- - "Local Memories" - programmable VFO/mode/split memories.
- - On-screen display of two VFOs and "TRANSMIT".
- - On-screen display for last station heard on what frequency.
-
- PAGE 2.0
-
- 2. INSTALLATION
- ----------------
-
- - SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- -------------------
-
- - IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or compatible
- - DOS 2.1 or higher
- - 512K memory (The program executable requires about 200K)
- - Monochrome or color monitor (no graphics adapter required)
- - 1 floppy drive and/or a hard drive (hard disk drive recommended)
- - 1 serial communications port (COM1 or COM2) for Kenwood radio I/F
- - 1 parallel printer port and printer recommended
-
- If a Kenwood radio is to be interfaced to your computer for use with
- LOG-EQF, it must be connected to the computer's serial port following
- Kenwood's documentation guidelines. The appropriate Kenwood board/chip
- set for your radio must also be installed, along with the IF-232C inter-
- face (if required for your model). Please refer to the appropriate
- Kenwood manual(s) for specific interface information about your radio.
-
- - INSTALLING LOG-EQF SOFTWARE
- ---------------------------
-
- Before proceeding, make a WORKING copy of the LOG-EQF floppy. (Refer to
- your DOS manual for information about copying programs). USE THE
- WORKING COPY YOU CREATE TO INSTALL LOG-EQF, AND MAINTAIN YOUR ORIGINAL
- DISK IN A SAFE PLACE!
-
- A. SINGLE-FLOPPY SYSTEMS:
-
- 1. Copy the file COMMAND.COM from your DOS master disk onto your
- working copy of LOG-EQF. If your floppy drive is a 360K density type,
- there is not enough room on one floppy to hold all the files required
- by LOG-EQF, along with the logbook data files which are created when
- the program runs. For this reason, you will need to create a separate
- floppy which will be used to store logbook data files.
-
- Format a blank floppy disk for the logbook data files. You MUST
- install the COMMAND.COM file on this floppy also. (If you format your
- floppy using the /S option, COMMAND.COM will automatically be put on
- the disk, and the disk may be used to boot your computer).
-
- If your floppy drive is a 720K, 1.2M or 1.44M density type, you may
- either format a blank floppy as above, or use the LOG-EQF disk to
- store the logbook data files.
-
- 2. Insert the working copy of LOG-EQF into the floppy drive, and type
- "LOG-EQF <Enter>". Proceed to Section 3 of this manual.
-
- PAGE 2.1
-
-
- B. DUAL-FLOPPY SYSTEM:
-
-
- 1. Copy the file COMMAND.COM from your DOS master disk onto your working
- copy of LOG-EQF.
-
- 2. Format a blank disk to be used for storage of logbook data files.
-
- 3. Insert your working copy of LOG-EQF in floppy drive A, and your
- blank logbook disk in floppy drive B.
-
- 4. Type "LOG-EQF <Enter>" at the DOS prompt, and proceed to Section 3 of
- this manual. Each time you load logbook data from LOG-EQF, enter
- the file name proceeded by "B:".
-
-
- C. HARD DISK SYSTEMS (RECOMMENDED)
-
-
- 1. Create a sub-directory on your hard disk for the LOG-EQF software,
- using the DOS "MKDIR" command, and use the change directory command
- "CD" to make this your current working directory. This directory will
- be the one used by LOG-EQF to store logbook data files it creates.
-
- 2. Copy all of the files from the LOG-EQF program disk into the new sub-
- directory, using the DOS "COPY" command. If you do not have a PATH
- statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file on your disk, to tell DOS where
- the COMMAND.COM file is located, (see your DOS manual if you are not
- familiar with these terms), then you must either add a PATH statement
- or copy the DOS COMMAND.COM file into the new subdirectory.
-
- 3. From the subdirectory above, type "LOG-EQF <Enter>" and proceed to
- Section 3 of this manual.
-
- PAGE 2.2
-
- - FILES REQUIRED BY LOG-EQF
- -------------------------
-
- The following is a list of files which are necessary for all functions
- of LOG-EQF to operate, along with their description:
-
-
- LOG-EQF.EXE Main executable logbook module
-
- LOG-EQF.CNF User-defined configuration parameters *
-
- LOG-EQF.MEM User-defined radio LOCAL MEMORIES, file #1
-
- DUPE-EQF.EXE Dupe-sheet and contest log generation module
-
- LOG-EQF.DOC Documentation file - Users Manual
-
- SAMPLE.LOG Example logbook data file
-
- DXPREFIX.LIB DXCC Prefix Library
-
- COPY-EQF.BAT Batch file to make a copy of LOG-EQF for distribution
-
- * NOTE: The configuration file LOG-EQF.CNF should not be copied
- when you distribute the LOG-EQF program to others. This file
- contains your own callsign and personalized computer/radio
- parameters. Although these parameters are easily changed, they
- can cause confusion to the first-time user.
-
- Logbook file names are defined by the user. The only limitation on file-
- names are the restrictions imposed by DOS; file names can be no longer
- than 8 characters. LOG-EQF automatically adds the ".LOG" file extension
- to the end of the logbook name you define. When you enter a logbook name
- from within LOG-EQF, you do not type the ".LOG" extension. To load the
- sample logbook, for example, you type in only "SAMPLE".
-
- -NOTE:------------------------------------------------------------------
- To make a copy of all the files required for LOG-EQF on a floppy disk,
- you can use file COPY-EQF.BAT. Simply type COPY-EQF A: to make a copy
- onto floppy disk A, or type COPY-EQF B: for floppy in drive B. This
- will cause all the needed files to be copied onto a blank, formatted
- floppy disk. THANK-YOU for distributing copies of LOG-EQF !!!
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- PAGE 3.0
-
- 3. PROGRAM STARTUP AND CUSTOMIZATION
- -------------------------------------
-
- - CONFIGURATION SETUP
- -------------------
-
- The first time you run LOG-EQF (unless another user has previously
- configured the program) you will be directed automatically to the
- LOG-EQF configuration setup menu. If you wish to change a previously-
- defined configuration, you can access the setup menu by selecting it
- from the LOG-EQF Main menu.
-
- Below are the parameters available from the SETUP menu (note that the
- actual screen display does not include the item numbers):
-
- (1) Callsign -->N3EQF
- (2) This station's Latitude (N = +) --> Longitude (E = +) -->
- (3) Logbook Name used most often (BLANK = Yearly Rename) -->
- (4) Kenwood Radio/Computer Interface Installed? Y
- (5) Radio Interface Connected to Computer Serial Port -->2
- (6) Hours to add to clock time for UTC (0 = SAME) -->0
- (7) Program Name or DOS Command to run from Main Menu SHELL -->PACKET
- (8) Do you want to keep a separate field to TRACK awards? N
-
- <Page Down> = SCREEN COLOR <Page Up> = PRINT COLOR
- -------------------------- ------------------------
-
- For each item on the menu, the values to the right of the arrow can be
- changed. To do that, position the screen cursor to the line desired by
- using the Up or Down arrow keys. When the cursor is on the desired line,
- type in the new value and hit <Enter>. In most cases, an erroneous input
- will be ignored.
-
- Item (1) above is the callsign to be used at the top of most screen
- displays, printouts, and QSL labels.
-
- Item (2) is used to enter your station's location, by entering Latitude
- and Longitude in degrees. This information is used by the program to
- calculate beam headings. LOG-EQF defaults to a lat/lon in the central
- United States, until you enter the location of your station.
-
- Item (3) is the name of the logbook file you will want to use for most of
- your logging. The name you enter here will appear when you run LOG-EQF
- each time, so you don't have to type it in yourself. If you leave this
- setup item blank, the program will make up a name for you, based on the
- current year, such as "1990LOG". You can type in a new name at any time,
- no matter what option you decide on for this item.
-
- Item (4) tells the program if a Kenwood radio interface is connected to
- your computer. If the answer is no ("N"), then the next menu item's value
- is ignored.
-
- PAGE 3.1
-
- Item (5) is the computer serial port number to be used for the radio
- interface. The only possible values here are "1" for COM1, and "2" COM2.
-
- Item (6) controls how the date and time for LOG-EQF logbook entries is
- determined. If the response to the menu item is "0", then the time used
- for each log entry will be exactly the same as your computer's clock time.
- If you enter any other number for this menu item, that number will be
- ADDED (SUBTRACTED, if you enter a negative number), to the computer clock
- to calculate the date and time used for logging entries. This item enables
- you to keep your computer clock on local time, and have your logbook times
- in UTC.
-
- Item (7) is used to enter a program name, or a standard DOS command, which
- can be accessed from LOG-EQF's Main Menu. For example, if you enter
- "DIR/P", when the SHELL item is selected from the Main Menu, a directory
- of the working directory will be displayed on the screen just the same as
- if you had entered the command from the DOS prompt. When the command
- display is finished, you will be prompted to HIT ANY KEY, which returns
- you to the LOG-EQF Main Menu automatically. Everything within the LOG-EQF
- program will be exactly as it was when you left it.
-
- You can use this feature to access often-used programs through LOG-EQF.
- For example, if you have a packet radio program, you can enter that
- program's name here.
-
- If the program you want to run cannot be located in the same directory as
- LOG-EQF, you can prepare a small file called a BATCH file to execute it.
- If LOG-EQF is contained in a directory called C:\MYLOG, for example, and
- a packet terminal program called PTP is in directory C:\PACKET, you could
- run PTP from the SHELL item by making a BATCH file. The BATCH file would
- look like this:
- CD C:\PACKET
- CALL PTP
-
- The above BATCH file example changes directories to C:\PACKET, then runs
- program PTP in that directory. The BATCH file could be named anything
- convenient with the ".BAT" suffix, and that file name would be specified
- from the SHELL item. Usually the BATCH file would be called the same
- name as the program to be executed, for convenience. The above file name
- would be "PTP.BAT". The BATCH file would be created in the "C:\MYLOG"
- directory.
-
- Item (8) allows you to keep a separate line called the TRACK field in the
- logbook, for storing information for use in tracking awards or special
- exchanges. For example, if you want to track 10-10 numbers or oblasts,
- you should answer "Y" for yes on this menu item. Ten characters are
- reserved for this field. If you select this field, there will also be 10
- fewer characters in the INFO field. The TRACK field can be used for
- searches and sorts, and will appear on all entry and edit screens, as well
- as the detailed view and print modes.
-
- PAGE 3.2
-
- If your system has a color adapter and monitor, you can customize
- colors which LOG-EQF displays for background and characters. Hit the
- <Page Down> and <Page Up> keys on your keyboard, and the display will
- will update to show you the current color selection.
-
- When all parameters on the configuration menu screen are set, hit the
- <Esc> key again to save all the values to a disk file called LOG-EQF.CNF.
- When the program is started from now on, the configuration file will be
- accessed automatically, and you do not have to access the configuration
- setup menu again unless you want to change some parameter.
-
-
- - LOADING LOGBOOK FILES
- ---------------------
-
- The first step in operation of LOG-EQF (once the configuration setup
- is complete) is to tell the program the name of the logbook file to be
- used.
-
- LOG-EQF will prompt you to "Enter logbook name", display a log file name,
- and then wait for your response. If the name that is displayed is the
- logbook you want to use, just hit <Enter>. (This is what is known as a
- DEFAULT value, meaning if you don't type in new information, the program
- uses the old information that is displayed on the screen). If this log
- already exists, the program will read all the entries from that file. If
- the log name is a new one, you will be asked if you want to create a new
- log file on the disk.
-
- If you want to use a file name other than the default, you may type it in
- and then hit <Enter>. Note that logbook names cannot be longer than 8
- characters (plus ".LOG").
-
- A sample logbook file should be present on your LOG-EQF distribution disk.
- This file may be used to demonstrate the features of LOG-EQF, and for
- experimentation until you become familiar with the program's operation.
- To load this sample file, type "SAMPLE" at the prompt.
-
- The default file name is determined by information supplied by you from
- the Configuration Setup menu. If you supplied a logbook file name on the
- Configuration Setup menu line for "Logbook name most often used", then
- that name will be used by LOG-EQF each time you run the program. If you
- didn't supply a default name (left the item blank), the first 4 characters
- of the file name are taken from the last 4 characters of the computer
- clock's date variable. The last 3 characters are always "LOG". If the
- current date is 1990, the default file name is "1990LOG".
-
- PAGE 3.3
-
-
- NOTE: If you wish to load data from a disk other than the one running
- LOG-EQF currently, you may preceed the file name with the disk assignment.
- For example, if LOG-EQF is being run from hard drive C, and you wish to
- load logbook data from floppy drive A, file 1990LOG, then you would enter
- "A:1990LOG" from the prompt. This will remain the logbook file which is
- viewed, edited, sorted, searched, or entered into by LOG-EQF, until you
- enter a new name.
-
-
-
- - QUICK STARTUP OF LOG-EQF
- ------------------------
-
-
- A shortcut is available to allow you to start the program and load the
- logbook file faster. To take advantage of this feature, you need only
- know in advance what logbook name you are going to be using.
-
- Instead of typing "LOG-EQF" and hitting <Enter>, follow the program's
- name with a space, and the name of your logbook file. For example, if
- you want to do a "quick startup" using the SAMPLE logbook, type:
-
- LOG-EQF SAMPLE <Enter>
-
- When you use the "quick startup" method, the program will not display
- the Welcome Screen or pause for you to hit a key to continue. If you
- are using a Kenwood interface, the radio and interface must be turned on
- before you start the program. You will also not be prompted to enter
- the name of logbook file to be loaded. Instead, LOG-EQF will auto-
- matically load the logbook you entered when you started the program.
- When the logbook loading is complete, the Main Menu will be displayed,
- and program operation will revert to normal.
-
- You may also specify the program to startup in CONTEST mode by supplying
- " -c" after the log filename from the command line. The following line
- would cause LOG-EQF to present the contest SETUP MENU and then load the
- file TEST.LOG:
-
- LOG-EQF TEST -c <Enter>
-
- One additional option forces LOG-EQF to use the display options for
- MONOCHROME computer displays. To do this, add " -m" after the other
- command line parameters. For example:
-
- LOG-EQF TEST -c -m <Enter>
-
-
-
- PAGE 4.0
-
-
- 4. MAIN MENU COMMANDS
- ------------------
-
- After a logbook has been loaded (or created), a menu will be displayed
- with 14 items for selection. To select an item, use the arrow keys to
- change which item is highlighted (displayed in reverse video). When
- the desired item is highlighted, hit the <Enter> key to select that item.
-
- Selection of a menu item will, depending on the the type of operation
- selected, display another menu, prompt you for some further information,
- or switch the selected item to display some other item.
-
- No matter which item is selected, hitting the <Esc> key will again display
- the Main Menu.
-
- The following paragraphs discuss the operation of each item on the Main
- Menu.
-
-
- - VIEW in DETAIL entries in logbook
- ---------------------------------
-
- Selecting this item will display the first screen of entries contained
- in the current logbook. One screen page in this mode contains 5 QSO's.
-
- The format of this display consists of three lines for each QSO, showing
- the complete details for each entry:
-
- CALLSIGN CITY DATE START TIME SENT REPORT QSL
- NAME STATE FREQ. END TIME RECEIVED RPT MODE POWER
- QSO # TRACK INFORMATION...
-
- (Note that the TRACK field only appears if you selected this field from
- the configuration setup menu).
-
- As soon as the first screen page of entries is displayed, several options
- are available, and these options are explained on the bottom line of the
- screen.
-
- Selecting the <F1> function key activates the EDIT option. The program
- will prompt you to enter a QSO number for the log entry you wish to edit.
-
- Selecting the <Esc> key causes the VIEW in DETAIL mode to be stopped, and
- the Main Menu will be displayed again.
-
- The <Page Up> and <Page Down> keys may be used to scroll through the next
- five entries, or the previous five entries in the log. The <Up Arrow> and
- <Down Arrow> keys have the same effect, except the log entries scroll
- forward and backwards one at a time.
-
- At any time while scrolling through the log entries, you may select <Esc>
- to return to the Main Menu.
-
- PAGE 4.1
-
-
- - QUICK VIEW entries in logbook
- -----------------------------
-
- Selecting this item causes display of a page containing abbreviated, one-
- line entries for the first 23 QSO's in the current logbook. This mode
- allows you to browse quickly through the log. The format of each entry
- line is:
-
- DATE TIME CALLSIGN FREQ MODE SENT RCVD QTH NAME QSL
-
- To advance to the next page of 23 QSO's, just hit a key. To start over
- again at the first page of 23 QSO's, hit the <Home> key. The <End> key
- may be used to jump to the end of the logbook. The <Up Arrow>, <Down
- Arrow>, <Page Up>, and <Page Down> keys may be used to scroll through
- the log entries in either direction.
-
- To return to the Main Menu, hit the <Esc> key.
-
-
- - PRINT logbook record pages
- --------------------------
-
- This menu item allows you to print some or all of the current logbook,
- using either the same format as is displayed on the screen during the
- VIEW IN DETAIL option, or the shorter format as used during the QUICK
- VIEW option.
-
- A two-window menu appears, enabling you to either print all the QSO's in
- the logbook, or to print any series of QSO's. To select an item in the
- top window, highlight it by using the arrow keys and hit the <Enter> key.
-
- When the "Print QSO's from number [ ] to [ ]" option is selected, enter
- the first QSO number, hit <Enter>, then enter the last QSO number to be
- printed. The default numbers for these are the first and last entries in
- the logbook. You may alter either one of both of these numbers or just
- hit <Enter> to accept a default value.
-
- To switch between the short and long print formats, use the <F1> key until
- the desired format type is displayed in the bottom menu window.
-
- After you have made your selections, hit the <Enter> key. The program will
- prompt you to prepare the line printer and hit any key to begin printing.
-
- The printed page is setup to accommodate standard 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper.
- If you elect to keep your printed logbook in a 3-ring binder, a few QSO
- numbers may be lost when the paper is punched, since the numbers appear
- on the extreme left edge of the page. Most printers will allow you to
- shift the paper position to the left far enough to allow the logbook
- pages to be punched without interfering with the printed information.
-
- PAGE 4.2
-
-
- - QSL LABELS output to printer
- ----------------------------
-
- Select this item to print QSL labels for all or part of the QSO's in the
- current logbook. The selections available for this option are the same as
- for the "PRINT logbook" option described above.
-
- Once the desired option is selected, the program will prompt you to enter
- text to appear on the bottom line of the QSL label(s) to be printed. A
- default text line which includes your callsign will be displayed. You may
- either hit <Enter> to accept the displayed text, or enter new text in its
- place. The text you enter will be automatically centered on the bottom
- line of the QSL label(s). This text line is limited to a length of 35
- characters.
-
- One final prompt will appear on the screen, asking whether you want the
- logbook to be automatically updated for the QSL status of each entry for
- which a QSL label is printed. If you answer "Y" for yes, LOG-EQF will mark
- a "S" in the QSL status field if the field was empty, or it will mark a "X"
- in the QSL status field if it previously contained a "R". Note that this
- is the "default" system for tracking QSL status within LOG-EQF:
-
- S = Sent R = Received X = Exchanged QSL cards
-
- The print format is setup for use with standard 3-1/2 x 15/16 inch plain
- labels. It is recommended that you print one label only at first, until
- the label stock is properly adjusted on the printer to accept the printed
- text. Once the printer is properly aligned, you may print a series of
- labels, as the format spaces the printing correctly for a continuous roll
- of adhesive labels.
-
-
- - LOG new entries - AUTOMATIC mode
- --------------------------------
-
- This menu item selects the automatic logbook update function. This mode
- enables you to enter new entries into the logbook in "realtime", during a
- QSO.
-
- The function is called AUTOMATIC since the Date, Start Time, and End Time
- for each QSO are taken from the computer clock. If you have the Kenwood
- radio interface connected, the Frequency and Mode fields are also
- automatically logged.
-
- A full-screen display shows entry lines for CALLSIGN, NAME, CITY, STATE or
- COUNTRY, FREQUENCY, MODE, REPORT RECEIVED, REPORT SENT, POWER LEVEL, QSL
- STATUS, and INFO. These fields may be entered in any order, by using
- the <Up> or <Down> arrow keys to position the cursor on the desired line.
- Also, the <Enter> key can be used to step through the lines without
- affecting any information already entered.
-
- PAGE 4.3
-
- If you selected the optional TRACK field from the setup menu, this field
- will also be available on the screen.
-
- The keyboard edit keys may also be used to make corrections to any of the
- text already entered, so the entire line does not have to be retyped.
- Position the cursor on the line to be corrected, then move the cursor over
- the character desired using the <Left> and <Right> arrow keys.
-
- To delete a character, position the cursor over the character and depress
- the <Delete> key. To insert additional information between characters,
- depress the <Insert> key and type in the additional characters. You may
- deselect the insert mode by again depressing the <Insert> key, or it will
- automatically be deselected when you move the cursor to another line. An
- "INSERT" message will be displayed at the bottom of the screen when this
- mode is active.
-
- The <Home> key may be used to position the cursor back to the beginning of
- a line when you have already moved the cursor to within the line. The
- <End> key positions the cursor at the end of current text on any line.
-
- Five function keys, plus the <Esc>, <Alt>, and <Ctrl> keys, provide control
- over logbook operations:
-
- - <F1> is used to save the logbook entry to the disk file, after all logbook
- information has been supplied. If a valid callsign has not been
- entered, no action will be taken. When <F1> is selected, the current
- log clock time is logged as the QSO END TIME. If <F2> had not been
- selected previously, then the QSO START TIME will be logged as the
- current clock time also. A message will be displayed confirming the
- log entry was saved, and you will be prompted to hit any key to clear
- the screen in preparation for the next log entry.
-
- - <F2> is used to LOG START TIME of QSO from the computer clock. When the
- key is depressed, the current time is displayed on the screen. Each
- time <F2> is pressed, the current time will be displayed again.
-
- - <F3> allows you to update any of the most recent 11 QSO entries in the
- logbook. This feature can be used during a roundtable QSO to fill
- in details for any of the stations in the group.
-
- - <F4> may be selected to clear all information displayed on the screen.
- When the key is pressed, the program will prompt you to verify you
- want to clear the screen. If you respond with anything other than
- "Y" for yes, the entry in progress will not be cleared.
-
- - <F5> may be selected to lookup DXCC information based on the prefix of
- the callsign currently entered. The DXCC prefix, country name, CQ
- and ITU zones, continent, and beam heading are displayed in a box
- below the Log Keys box. Note that beam headings are only valid for DX.
-
- PAGE 4.4
-
- - <Esc> may be used to return to the Main Menu, the same as with the other
- program screens. You can do this at any time, without losing any of the
- information currently entered into any of the logbook fields for a new
- entry. Note that no information in this case will be permanently saved,
- however, until <F1> is selected to add the entry to the current logbook
- file. Each time a new callsign is entered into the CALLSIGN field, the
- logbook is automatically searched to see if that station has been worked
- before. If it has been, information from your most recent QSO with the
- station will be entered for you by the program in the NAME, CITY or
- COUNTRY, and QSL fields. The information may be modified, of course, by
- using the keyboard edit keys. Also at the top of the page will be a
- display showing when and on what band and mode you worked last,
- along with information you may have logged in the INFO field of
- that former log entry.
-
- - <Alt> key may be used to control which of the logbook items you want to
- fill in, instead of using the <arrow> keys to position the cursor on the
- screen. When you first press the <Alt> key, one letter of each of the
- logbook items on the screen will be highlighted. If you again press and
- hold the <Alt> key, and then press the letter key corresponding to the
- letter highlighted in the item you desire, the cursor will immediately
- jump to that item. Entering information into the log from this point is
- exactly the same as if you had positioned the cursor to the item using the
- <Enter> or <arrow> keys. If you already know the letter code for the item
- you want to select, you can press and hold the <Alt> key along with the
- correct letter to select that item. For example, if the cursor is located
- at the CALLSIGN item, and you want to enter the signal REPORT RECEIVED,
- you can press the <Alt> and "R" keys together and the cursor will move to
- that item immediately.
-
- The <Alt> key method of entry described above gives you a faster way to
- jump from item to item using fewer key strokes. This feature is enabled
- for both AUTOMATIC and MANUAL log modes, but is not available in CONTEST
- mode.
-
- The <Ctrl> key has several functions. Hitting the <Ctrl> key, and at the
- same time hitting "D", will put you into DOS, and leave LOG-EQF resident
- in memory. You can execute any command you like from DOS, and when you
- are ready to return to LOG-EQF, just type "EXIT". The LOG-EQF log entry
- screen will reappear, just as you left it.
-
- Hitting <Ctrl> while holding down the letter "S" key, will result in a
- SHELL to whatever program you entered in the SHELL item on the Main Menu.
- As with the <Ctrl D> function, when you exit the other program or command,
- the LOG-EQF entry screen (either MANUAL or AUTOMATIC) will reappear.
-
- When a Kenwood radio interface is in use, additional function keys provide
- radio control features, and a help menu for these keys is automatically
- displayed on the screen. The operation these additional function keys is
- described in Section 6 of this manual.
-
-
- PAGE 4.6
-
-
- - LOG new entries - MANUAL mode
- -----------------------------
-
- The manual logbook entry page may be used to update a logbook "off-line",
- after the QSO has already taken place. The manual entry mode can be used
- to enter information into LOG-EQF from previous logbooks.
-
- This full-screen entry page is very similar to the AUTOMATIC mode, with
- the following exceptions:
-
- - Additional entry fields are provided for DATE, TIME ON, and TIME OFF.
- Note that only the numerals need to be entered for date and time, and
- LOG-EQF will insert the ":" in the time and "-" in the date fields.
- The <F2> function key may still be used, if desired, to put the
- current UTC clock date and time into the DATE and TIME ON fields.
-
- - The <F1> key will save the QSO information as displayed on the page,
- but will not insert the TIME ON or TIME OFF fields. The date and time
- information must be entered manually.
-
- - Defaults are provided for the REPORT RECEIVED and REPORT SENT fields
- for each new QSO entry. If the mode entered is CW or FSK, both fields
- default to "599". For all other modes the default report is "59".
-
- - When the <F4> function key is used to clear the screen, the DATE, and
- TIME ON fields will remain at the last values entered. (The POWER,
- FREQUENCY, and MODE fields will also remain at their last values, just
- as in the AUTOMATIC entry mode).
-
- - The FREQUENCY and MODE fields will not automatically update from the
- radio when the interface is enabled. Radio control functions are
- available, however.
-
- PAGE 4.7
-
-
- - EDIT an entry - based on callsign
- ---------------------------------
-
- This function is used to make changes to an existing entry in the logbook.
-
- When the EDIT item is selected, the program will prompt you to enter part
- or all of a callsign to be found in the log. Any number of characters may
- be entered. If you enter a partial callsign, every log entry containing
- that character pattern in the callsign field will be displayed. If you
- enter a complete callsign, every log entry for that callsign will be
- displayed. If only one callsign match is found in the log, the EDIT
- screen will be displayed immediately.
-
- If more than one callsign match occurs, all matching entries are displayed
- and you will be prompted to enter the entry number to be edited. A number
- will also be displayed in brackets ( [] ) indicating the last "match"
- located, as a default value. If you depress the <Enter> key, the default
- log entry will be edited; if you enter another number, that entry will be
- edited.
-
- Once you have selected the entry, a new screen will be displayed. The top
- portion of the screen will show the logbook entry in full detail, as it
- would be if the VIEW IN DETAIL option were selected. The bottom part of
- the screen will display each field of the entry on a separate line. Each
- line may be edited for the desired changes. Any time a change is made to
- any line, the text on the line will be shown highlighed. When all the
- desired changes have been made, the edited entry may be saved to the
- logbook disk file by selecting <F1>.
-
- The <F2> key is used to delete an entry from your logbook. When either
- <F1> SAVE or <F2> DELETE have been selected, you will be prompted to make
- sure you have selected the correct function. If you do not answer "Y"
- for yes, no action will be taken.
-
- If you elect to delete an entry using <F2>, the program will "mark" this
- entry to be deleted, and wait for you to either select other entries to
- delete or edit, or else exit the EDIT screen by hitting <Esc>. When you
- exit the EDIT screen, LOG-EQF will rebuild the logbook omitting any of the
- entries you selected for deletion.
-
- To return to the Main Menu at any time during the edit session, hit the
- <Esc> key.
-
- The <F3> key may be used to locate the next log entry for the callsign
- currently displayed. If no other matching entries exist, the program
- beeps.
-
- PAGE 4.8
-
-
- The <Page Up> and <Page Down> keys may be used to leave the currently
- displayed entry for edit, and instead edit the logbook entry preceeding
- or following it. You may "page through" all the logbook entries in this
- way, until you find an entry to be edited.
-
- After 10 entries have been edited, a backup logbook file will be created
- for you (if there is enough room on the disk). Backup files are named
- the same as regular logbook files, except the last three characters after
- the "." (known as the file extension) are .BAK instead of .LOG.
-
-
- - LOAD new logbook entries from disk
- ----------------------------------
-
- Selecting this menu item will allow you to change the logbook disk file
- from the current loaded file to another logbook file on the disk, from
- another disk, or to create a new file.
-
- Whatever file name you specify will become the file for which VIEW, EDIT,
- SEARCH, SORT, or LOG functions operate on. The file which was in use
- before you selected this menu item will remain on the disk, and will not
- be acted on in any way until you again specify its name from this item.
-
- You may hit <F1> to enter CONTEST mode, or <F2> to enter the CONFIGURATION
- SETUP MENU. The <F3> key can be used to display all available logbook
- files in the current directory. A prompt will appear at the bottom of
- this screen so you can enter the logbook filename of your choice.
-
- Hitting the <Esc> key while the LOAD LOGBOOK ENTRIES FROM DISK screen is
- displayed will return control to the Main Menu, and the logbook file name
- in use before the item was selected will remain in effect.
-
- (See "Loading Logbook Files" in Section 3 of this manual for more info).
-
- PAGE 4.9
-
- - SORT logbook file by any field
- ------------------------------
-
- This menu item allows you to arrange the currently-loaded logbook file in
- order based on the field of your choice.
-
- A menu page is displayed which lists the fields which may be chosen for a
- sort: CALLSIGN, DATE/TIME, FREQUENCY, MODE, CITY, STATE or COUNTRY, QSL
- STATUS, or INFO. If you selected the optional TRACK field from the setup
- menu, this field will also be available for sorting. You may also hit the
- <Esc> key to leave the Sort Menu and return to the Main Menu.
-
- The sort function can be useful in a number of instances. For example, if
- you are interested in finding all the different countries worked, you can
- sort the logbook according to the STATE or COUNTRY field. The sorted log
- can then be printed, and each new country will be easier to spot, since
- they will appear in alphabetical order.
-
- If you enter logbook entries using the MANUAL mode that are earlier QSO's
- than those already entered, you can sort by DATE/TIME to arrange the
- logbook in chronological order.
-
- NOTE: The sort program is a very disk-intensive operation. The sort may
- take a long time to complete, depending on the size of the logbook
- and the speed of the disk drive being used. A running-time display
- is provided on the screen while the sort is in progress.
-
- This sorting method was chosen to accomodate very large log files
- without requiring massive amounts of memory.
-
-
- - SEARCH logbook - Print/File/QSL Options
- ---------------------------------------
-
- As the menu item suggests, there are options available for this function.
- A menu screen is presented for selection of the desired option. The
- options are as follows:
-
- (1) Disk File - selecting this option causes the results of the search
- operation to be stored in a disk file. You will be prompted to enter
- the log name to be used, and prompted again if the name you enter
- "Y" for eady exists. If the log file does exist already, and you
- answer "Y" for yes to the program's prompt, you will be given a choice
- to either APPEND (add) the new search entries onto the end of the old
- file's entries, or to replace the old file completely. The file stored
- using this option is a complete logbook file, and may be loaded at any
- time by LOG-EQF.
-
- (2) Screen - this option displays the results of the search on the screen,
- using the same format as the VIEW IN DETAIL function.
-
- (3) Printer - this option dumps the search results to the printer in the
- standard logbook format.
-
- PAGE 4.10
-
- (4) QSL Labels - this option prints QSL labels from the search results,
- using the usual format.
-
- Once the output option is selected, another menu will be displayed, pro-
- viding selections for which logbook field is to be searched. Any field
- may be searched, except for the TIME and NAME fields.
-
- After you position the highlight bar to the field you wish to search and
- hit the <Enter> key, you have one option remaining. You can begin the
- search in the selected field by hitting <Enter> again, or you can choose
- a SECOND field in addition to the first one and then hit <Enter>. If you
- choose to search two fields, any entry which matches BOTH patterns you
- enter for each of them will be sent to the output.
-
- Certain guidelines for the search apply:
-
- - When searching CALLSIGN or MODE fields, a match will only be found for
- upper-case letters. (The current version of LOG-EQF always stores
- entries in these fields as capital letters). All other fields must
- match as either upper or lower case letters, exactly as entered.
-
- - To search for empty fields (no information entered) hit only the
- <Enter> key when prompted to "enter the pattern to be searched for".
-
-
- - NORMAL/CONTEST mode select
- --------------------------
-
- This menu item is used to switch LOG-EQF from a "routine QSO" logbook to a
- contest logbook and back again. When the item is switched to the CONTEST
- mode, the program automatically calls a subroutine which is used to select
- the configuration "rules" to be followed during the contest.
-
- When the item is selected when already in CONTEST mode, LOG-EQF operation
- returns to the normal mode. Each time the item is toggled back to the
- contest mode, the contest setup menu will appear again, and the contest
- configuration can be modified.
-
- Operation of LOG-EQF in the contest mode is described in Section 5 of this
- manual.
-
- PAGE 4.11
-
-
- - Run [PROGRAM NAME] or DOS SHELL
- -------------------------------
-
- This item is selected to execute a DOS command of your choice, or run
- another program, without leaving LOG-EQF.
-
- The file name you specified when the configuration file was established
- (see Section 2) will be displayed with this item. When you hit <Enter>
- to select this menu item, you will be prompted to either hit <Enter> again
- to run the command or program, or to specify a new command or program name
- to run. If you want to leave LOG-EQF temporarily and return to the DOS
- environment, you may enter blanks in response to the prompt instead of a
- command or program name. Once you are ready to return to LOG-EQF from
- DOS, type "EXIT", and the LOG-EQF Main Menu will appear.
-
- This same file or command may also be accessed directly from the AUTOMATIC
- or MANUAL Log Entry screens, by holding down the <Ctrl> and letter "S"
- keys together. (Think of this command as "<Ctrl> S hell"). This is a
- convenient shortcut when you are logging, as it eliminates the need to
- return to the Main Menu.
-
-
-
- - SETUP program configuration
- ---------------------------
-
- Selecting this menu item causes the LOG-EQF configuration setup menu to
- appear on the screen. Operation of this setup menu is explained in
- Section 3 of this manual.
-
-
-
-
- - EXIT from program
- -----------------
-
- This item will cause a message to appear, asking you to confirm that you
- want to exit LOG-EQF, and return to the operating system. If you do not
- answer "Y" for yes, then no action will occur.
-
- PAGE 5.0
-
- 5. CONTEST OPERATION
- ---------------------
-
-
- - INTRODUCTION
- ------------
-
- The CONTEST mode of LOG-EQF provides a quicker way to enter the log
- exchanges during a contest than the NORMAL mode. It also provides
- ways to help you determine your score when the contest is over, and
- generates a dupe check sheet to prove you have no duplicate contacts.
- (Since duplicates are spotted by the program automatically during the
- contest, you shouldn't have any dupes anyway!).
-
- Please take time BEFORE the contest to read this section of the User's
- Guide, to get familiar with LOG-EQF's CONTEST mode. The program provides
- you with several options, which you can choose from the CONTEST SETUP
- MENU to fit the contest you will be operating. Once you have made your
- selections (see the following pages), try logging a few "practice"
- contacts before the contest starts. That way you will have time to change
- any of the setup parameters without wasting precious time during the
- event. Try printing the "practice" contest log to be sure it works the
- way you want it to.
-
- LOG-EQF is designed so that it can adjust to many different types of
- contests. It is NOT designed to print out a ready-to-send-in entry form
- for any specific contests. Instead, LOG-EQF is a "general purpose" program
- that provides scoring assistance and dupe-checking. There are some fine
- programs out there already setup to handle specific contests, should you
- decide you need more contest power than LOG-EQF provides. One very
- popular program is the CT contest program by K1EA. It is tailored
- specifically to the CQ Worldwide and ARRL DX contests. A conversion
- program is available from N3EQF for REGISTERED USERS of LOG-EQF, which
- will convert CT logbooks into the format used by LOG-EQF. This allows you
- to combine CT contest results into your daily LOG-EQF logbook file(s).
-
- One other note about the CONTEST mode concerns the Contest Entry Logbook.
- For most contests, the LOG-EQF printed log is suitable for submission
- with your official contest entry. LOG-EQF also stores a copy of the
- Contest Entry Logbook on your disk drive, naming the file the same as the
- logbook, except it will end in ".TXT" instead of ".LOG". This file is
- stored in pure ASCII format, which means you may edit it using any Word
- Processor program. If you need more information on the Contest Entry
- Logbook than LOG-EQF automatically provides, this is a way for you to make
- these changes, and then print the final logbook form to submit with your
- entry. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SUBMIT THIS FILE ON A FLOPPY WITH YOUR CONTEST
- ENTRY!!! The file is not in the ARRL format required! If enough LOG-EQF
- users wish to have this capability added, I will be happy to oblige!
-
- PAGE 5.1
-
- - CONTEST CONFIGURATION SETUP
- ---------------------------
-
- When you select the CONTEST mode from the LOG-EQF Main Menu, another menu
- appears on the screen, which contains items specific to contest operation.
-
- Once the contest setup is completed, you will be returned back to the Main
- Menu. You may return to the contest setup menu to change any contest
- parameters by switching to NORMAL mode, then back to CONTEST mode from the
- Main Menu. This may be done before, during (with caution!), or after the
- contest.
-
- Below is a description of each parameter available from the contest setup
- menu:
-
- (1) Contest NAME. The title you enter here will be used on the contest
- logbook and dupe sheet printouts, and will also be automatically
- entered in the INFO field of each entry in the contest log.
-
- (2) Contest LOGBOOK NAME used most often. The name entered here will be
- used as a default file name, displayed when the Main Menu LOAD item is
- selected. The file name may have no more than 8 characters, and can-
- not include a file extension (.LOG extension is automatically added).
- Choose a file name which will be recognizable to you, with characters
- which represent band and mode as necessary to differentiate between
- files, especially for contests with multiple bands and modes. You can
- include the entire "path" for your logbook file, which can specify both
- the disk drive and a disk directory with the file name, if you desire.
- If the disk directory you specify does not already exist, LOG-EQF will
- prompt you to ask if you want to create the new directory.
-
- (3) Number of QSO'S PER PAGE on printed results. Enter the number here
- depending on the contest rules.
-
- (4) POINTS for each CW or FSK QSO. Enter the points to be earned for
- each "digital" QSO. This value will be automatically entered on
- the logbook printout after the contest, for each non-duplicate CW
- or FSK QSO, and totalled at the end of the log printout.
-
- (5) POINTS for each PHONE QSO. Enter the points to be earned for
- phone QSO's. As above, the score will be calculated for QSO points
- based on the number provided here.
-
- NOTE: If "0" is entered for BOTH the above POINTS items, the logbook
- will be printed with only "____________" under the QSO POINTS
- column, to allow for manual scoring, if desired.
-
- PAGE 5.2
-
-
- (6) Does each band worked require a SEPARATE DUPE SHEET? If a "Y" for yes
- is entered here, LOG-EQF will keep track of the band and mode for each
- station worked. The same callsign worked on different bands and modes
- will therefore not be flagged as a duplicate. If a "N" for no is
- entered, you will be alerted each time you enter a callsign which has
- already been worked, regardless of the band or mode.
-
- Only one logbook file will be created for the entire contest, no
- matter which option you choose for this item.
-
- (7) Enter the default REPORT to be SENT for exchange. The default report
- will appear on the log entry screen for each QSO, and may be over-
- typed as needed. (Again, "default" means that the report displayed on
- the screen will be logged if you don't change it).
-
- (8) Is there a SERIAL NUMBER sent as part of exchange? If you enter "Y"
- for yes, an automatically-incremented number will be appended to the
- SENT report for each QSO (and displayed on the logbook entry screen).
-
- (9) Enter the default REPORT to be RECEIVED for exchange. This default
- report will appear on the log entry screen for each QSO, and may be
- over-typed as necessary.
-
- (10) Enter MULTIPLIER FIELD title for RECEIVED exchange. If a title is
- entered here, an additional field will be available on the contest
- log entry screen. This field may be used to log the part of the
- received exchange that counts towards multiplier points, which will
- make scoring easier after the contest. Anytime a contest requires
- a longer receive report than the RECEIVED field can hold, use this
- field to accept the information, with a length up to 12 characters.
-
- If the MULTIPLIER FIELD is selected, it will be placed on the entry
- screen just below the CALLSIGN field. The MULTIPLIER field should
- usually be the one most likely to change with every QSO, while the
- REPORT RECEIVED field will usually be the same (59 or 599) for every
- QSO. If possible, limit the MULTIPLIER FIELD to that part of the
- contest exchange which will be used to calculate the score. For
- instance, many ARRL contests use the ARRL SECTION for a multiplier,
- with the total sections worked being multiplied by QSO points for
- the final score. In this case, the MULTIPLIER FIELD should be called
- SECTION, and LOG-EQF will calculate the total number of unique
- sections logged.
-
- PAGE 5.3
-
- - OPERATION DURING THE CONTEST
- ----------------------------
-
- The basic operation of LOG-EQF during a contest remains similar to the
- "normal" mode, except that certain features are streamlined for faster
- operation, and certain new features appear.
-
- (1) Different LOG screen fields. Probably the most important changes are
- on the LOG-AUTOMATIC and LOG-MANUAL entry screens. No matter what
- selections you made when you setup the contest configuration, you will
- see fewer lines for information entry on the screen. The NAME, CITY,
- STATE, COUNTRY, POWER, and QSL lines do not appear in contest mode.
-
- If you elected to use the MULTIPLIER field option when you configured
- the contest, the title entered from the configuration menu will appear
- on a separate line just below the CALLSIGN line. The information you
- enter here is automatically appended to the REPORT RECEIVED
- information when the contest logbook is printed. The MULTIPLIER field
- information is kept separate within the program's logbook data file.
-
- (2) Automatic SERIAL NUMBER generation. If you selected the option to
- create SERIAL NUMBERS for the contest exchange, a 3-digit serial
- number will appear on the REPORT SENT line. This number will be
- automatically incremented after each new QSO is logged, and will
- be appended to the REPORT SENT information.
-
- (3) Realtime PRINT of each QSO. On the screen's LOGBOOK KEYS menu, key
- <F2> controls the status of the printer during the contest. If you
- toggle <F2> to get the printer "ON" message, the printer will output
- the complete exchange every time you log a QSO. This feature is not
- intended to generate a "presentable" contest logbook, but is provided
- as a safety feature, in case Murphy decides to strike your computer
- system in mid-contest! If you have a printer connected, I highly-
- recommend you use this option.
-
- (4) DUPE CHECKING. A dupe-check routine runs each time you enter a call.
- If a duplicate is found, you will be greeted with an audio
- "rasberry", and a corresponding message will appear. Note that you
- always have the option of logging this contact anyway, even if it was
- found to be in the log already. A duplicate callsign will not be
- reported as a dupe, as long as that call was not logged on the current
- band and mode. The current band and mode (either DIGITAL or PHONE)
- will be displayed on the screen for you, so that you can be sure the
- log agrees with your current radio mode and frequency. If you are
- using the Kenwood radio interface, this display will be updated
- automatically as you change radio parameters.
-
- PAGE 5.4
-
- (5) PARTIAL CHECK. This feature allows you to check part of a callsign to
- see any callsigns in the log which could possibly match. For instance,
- if you copy only "ABC" as the callsign, hitting the <Alt> key would
- display any calls ending in "ABC" which were worked already.
-
- (6) QSO RATE and LAPSE TIME DISPLAY. A box will be displayed to give you
- progress information during the contest. A running timer shows how
- much time has passed since the last QSO was logged. Another display
- will track the rate (in QSO's per hour) of your last 10 QSO's. This
- rate display will become active once you log more that 10 contacts.
-
-
- - OPERATION AFTER THE CONTEST
- ---------------------------
-
- IMPORTANT: Always make a backup copy of your contest data files before
- attempting to generate dupe sheets or log forms, in case
- something goes wrong! Anyone who has worked with computers
- for long will tell you it can and does happen eventually!
-
- Several Main Menu items change their title and function when in the
- contest mode of operation:
-
- (1) PRINT contest entry logbook. This is the menu item used to generate
- the logbook which is to be submitted with your contest entry. This
- item also generates a disk file in true ASCII format, which contains
- the same information as is printed.
-
- (2) Run and Print DUPE CHECKSHEET. This menu item will create a duplicate
- checksheet for each band/mode combination in the contest log. If you
- selected "N" for the CONTEST SETUP MENU item concerning separate dupe
- sheets for each band, only one dupe sheet will be created. It will
- flag duplicate contacts based on callsign alone, so if the same
- station is worked on different bands, it will be marked as a duplicate.
-
- You will be given the option to print multiple copies of the DUPE
- CHECKSHEET, and to create ASCII disk files from this same information.
-
-
-
- PAGE 5.5
-
- Some of the parameters which affect the contest logbook printout are
- controlled from the contest configuration menu. You can alter any of
- these parameters after the contest is over, in order to change the
- appearance of the printed log.
-
- The number of QSO's per page, and the number of points for each
- type of QSO, will change only the printed logbook, not the contents of
- the logbook data file itself.
-
- (2) Run and print DUPE CHECKSHEET. This operation is controlled completely
- by LOG-EQF. All that is required is that you load the logbook data
- file for the contest being duped, select the Main Menu item, and
- wait until prompted to turn on the printer. The printed dupe-sheet is
- formatted to fit on 8-1/2 x 11 inch paper, and will be automatically
- numbered and titled, with duplicates marked. The number of valid QSO's
- (not duplicated) will also be printed at the bottom of the last page.
-
- Again, a true ASCII file will be created on the disk.
-
-
- PAGE 6.0
-
- 6. RADIO CONTROL COMMANDS
- --------------------------
-
- When a Kenwood radio with IF-232C interface capabilities is attached to
- either COM port 1 or 2, control and display of certain parameters is
- available from the MANUAL or AUTOMATIC logging screens. The following
- keys are available for radio control functions:
-
- <Pg Up> These keys may be used to control the radio VFO by slewing
- <Pg Dn> frequency up when <Pg Up> is pressed, and down when <Pg Dwn>
- is pressed. The tuning rate begins in 10 Hz increments, then
- switches to 100 Hz, and finally switches to 1 KHz if the key is
- held down. Once the key is released for a second, the rate resets
- to the slow 10 Hz tuning step.
-
- <F6> VFO A frequency may be entered directly from the computer keyboard
- by hitting <F6>. The program will prompt you at the frequency
- display to enter a new one. A very flexible entry scheme is pro-
- vided, accepting two different frequency formats. The same format
- as the radio front panel (no decimal points, and leading zeroes
- required) may be used, or you may enter a frequency with a decimal
- point as desired.
-
- <F7> VFO B frequency may be entered directly by hitting <F7>, using the
- same entry format as above.
-
- <F8> Depressing this key will switch the radio VFO's between A and B.
- The current active VFO is displayed next to the current frequency
- on the screen.
-
- <F9> This key displays a menu which may be used to change the current
- radio mode of operation. Highlight the desired mode in the item
- box using the <Up> and <Down> arrow keys and then hit <Enter>.
-
- <F10> The <F10> function key causes a new screen menu display for access
- to the LOCAL MEMORY system. Up to 63 files with 22 memories
- in each can be created for frequency and mode control, with
- 25-character comments for each memory. A help menu on the screen
- lists the available commands. To save the current VFO frequencies,
- mode, and split from the radio into a LOCAL MEMORY, position the
- highlight bar to the memory line desired, and hit <F1>. You will
- be prompted to enter a comment to be stored along with the memory.
- To recall any memory, and set the radio to that memory's contents,
- position the highlight bar again and hit <F2>. A third option is
- to edit an existing memory manually by hitting <F3> and following
- the prompts. The <F4> key is used to select (or create) the memory
- files. To return to the log entry menu, hit the <Esc> key.
-
-
- PAGE 6.1
-
- <Ctrl R> - Holding the <Control> key along with the letter <R> key,
- will cause LOG-EQF to attempt to activate another program, called
- RIG-EQF. RIG-EQF is a separate program which provides radio
- control features beyond those of LOG-EQF. RIG-EQF provides a full-
- screen display of radio control parameters, including a large
- frequency display, XIT and RIT, Split VFO operation, and a
- programmable scan feature. (RIG-EQF is a Shareware program, and
- is available from N3EQF or from Shareware distributers).
-
- Exiting from RIG-EQF will return the LOG-EQF logging screen just
- as it was when you left it when you pressed <Ctrl R>.
-
- Another feature enabled when a Kenwood radio interface is used, is the
- display of the previous station's callsign entered, and on what frequency
- it was heard. This feature is triggered anytime a full callsign is
- entered, and either the entry is saved by selecting <F1>, or the page is
- cleared using <F4>.
-
- PAGE 7.0
-
- 7. MAINTENANCE OF THE DX PREFIX LIBRARY
- ----------------------------------------
-
- The DX Prefix Library is a disk file called DXPREFIX.LIB, which is
- accessed by LOG-EQF whenever the <F5> function key is depressed from
- the Automatic or Manual LOG ENTRY screens. The file contains a list of
- possible callsign prefixes, with corresponding DXCC prefixes, ITU zones,
- CQ zones, ITU continents, and Latitude/Longitudes for each.
-
- Since the DXCC country list changes fairly often, it will probably be
- necessary to update the prefix file from time to time. It is extremely
- important that the format of the library file is not changed even slightly
- if you decide to edit it, or the file cannot be read by LOG-EQF. One
- missing or extra comma in a single line of the file will result in an
- error when the program tries to read that entry from the library.
-
- If you decide to edit the library file, you must use an editor which does
- not add any control characters to the text. The only non-printable
- character which may reside in the library file is the carriage return,
- following each line of text.
-
- The following rules apply to the file format:
-
- 1) Each line in the file must have the following format:
-
- Prefix,DXCC Prefix,ITU Zone,CQ Zone,Continent,Latitude,Longitude
-
- 2) Longer Prefixes must preceed shorter ones which have the same
- characters. For example, "ZL7" must occur ahead of "ZL", or else
- ZL7ABC would be incorrectly reported as New Zealand, instead of
- Chatham Island when the library is searched.
-
- 3) If more than one DXCC prefix exists for a single callsign prefix,
- the DXCC prefix must be preceeded by an asterisk ("*"). For example,
- since both Bouvet and Peter Island are recognized by the "3Y" prefix,
- the following two lines are present in the file:
-
- 3Y,*3Y/B,Bouvet,67,38,AF,-54,3.4
- 3Y,*3Y/P,Peter Is.,72,12,AN,-69,-90.6
-
- 4) Please note the sign conventions for Latitude and Longitude. Latitude
- is positive if it is North, and Longitude is positive if it is East.
-
- Always make a backup file before editing the library file, in case some-
- thing goes wrong!
-
- I would appreciate hearing from you if you find and correct errors in the
- prefix library. Other users will benefit from your efforts.
-
- PAGE 8.0
-
- 8. IN CASE OF TROUBLE
- ----------------------
-
- Every effort has been made to provide a bug-free program, but as with any
- software, there may be combinations of events which cause problems.
- If you have found some problem which you feel is caused by a progam
- error, please call it to the attention of N3EQF, at the following address:
-
- Tom Dandrea N3EQF
- 396 Sautter Drive
- Coraopolis, PA 15108 USA
-
- Please include your callsign with any correspondence, along with the
- LOG-EQF Version number you are running, and as many details concerning
- the problem as possible. As always, REGISTERED USERS are given priority
- over others!
-
- Below are some suggestions for locating the source of problems with
- LOG-EQF should they occur:
-
- (1) PROBLEM: LOG-EQF "hangs-up" the computer; no error messages are
- displayed, and no way to recover use of the computer until it is
- "re-booted".
-
- - Check to see if there are any memory-resident ("TSR") programs
- running at the same time as LOG-EQF. One way to verify this is by
- listing your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, to see if any programs
- are being activated automatically when your computer is started. Some
- programs can interfere with each other's operation. If there are any
- programs of this type on your machine, try removing them temporarily
- and running LOG-EQF by itself.
-
- (2) PROBLEM: With the Kenwood radio interface installed, a "IF-232C ERROR"
- message is displayed while LOG-EQF is running, and no radio control
- operations function.
-
- - Most interface problems are due to cabling faults between the
- computer and the radio level translator. Check the Kenwood
- documentation to ensure all 5 wires (not just 3, as in some
- RS-232 cables) are connected as specified. In some cases, computer
- serial ports require the DTR, DCD, and DSR signals - or the
- RTS and CTS signals to be jumpered together for correct operation).
-
- - If this error occurs intermitently after the radio interface has
- been working properly for some time, it means that communication
- between the computer and radio was interrupted. This can occur for
- many reasons, but stray RF is a common source of this problem. Pay
- particular attention to the grounding of your computer cabinet, and
- consider the use of a shielded RS-232C cable between the Kenwood and
- computer. The shorter this cable is, the better.
-
- PAGE 8.1
-
-
- (3) PROBLEM: LOG-EQF displays the Main Menu with a message "ERROR CODE xx"
- at the bottom left corner of the screen.
-
- - There are various routines which attempt to recover from most error
- situations within LOG-EQF. If you encounter the above message, with
- an error number in place of "xx", then an error occurred which can
- not be recovered. The best thing to do here is to carefully note what
- led up to the program's "crash", and to jot down the error number.
- If this error comes up again, chances are that you have discovered a
- legitimate program bug. Please report your findings to N3EQF, and
- help prevent other users from suffering the same frustrations!
-
- Some operations from LOG-EQF (such as the creation of backup files)
- require the use of DOS commands. If LOG-EQF cannot locate DOS, an
- error message will result. Make sure that COMMAND.COM is accessible
- by either copying the file into the same directory as LOG-EQF, or
- (preferably) by including the DOS directory in your PATH statement.
-
- (4) PROBLEM: A logbook data file cannot be loaded successfully by LOG-EQF.
-
- - There is always the possibility that your data file has been
- corrupted, either accidently from an incorrect DOS command, or as a
- result of a power glitch or some other interruption during a disk save
- operation. LOG-EQF creates a backup file regularly when you
- perform an edit, sort, or search-with-output-to-the-disk operation.
- The backup file's name is always "xxx.BAK", where xxx is your logbook
- file name. To load from a backup file, just type the DOS command
- "COPY xxx.BAK xxx.LOG", where again xxx is the logbook name, and
- then start up LOG-EQF.
-
- - A utility called FILE-EQF is available for Registered Users of
- LOG-EQF, and it provides a routine which attempts to recover damaged
- logbook files. FILE-EQF also can be used to convert between LOG-EQF
- files and other file formats, including dBASE, ASCII, CT, and NA.
- If you're a Registered User of LOG-EQF, just send a formatted disk and
- postage-paid mailer to N3EQF to receive your copy of FILE-EQF.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------