home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
QRZ! Ham Radio 6
/
QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 6.iso
/
mac
/
files
/
logs
/
fddcl201.arj
/
README.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-10-17
|
6KB
|
122 lines
DOCUMENTATION FOR
FIELD DAY DUPE CHECKING / LOGGING PROGRAM
Copyright (c) 1991, 1992 by Kevin Myers
The FIELD DAY DUPE CHECKING / LOGGING PROGRAM was written for
The Downey Amateur Radio Club for use during the annual American Radio
Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. The objectives were, SIMPLICITY for
the operator, FAST search for dupes, DESIGN to minimize operator
errors (including entering of wrong section abbreviations) and
no operator action hang-up. This program was written to the
requirements specified by Warren Pope, K6JFX, and supported by my
father Frank Myers, N6ATU. I would also like to thank Reed Craven,
WB6BFK, for technical support. Most of all I want to thank Douglas
Lyon, N6WZI, who's insight as Beta tester for this program proved
invaluable.
The way this program is intended to be used is as follows:
A - On Field Day sites with multiple stations capable of
operating on the same Band / Mode.
B - One IBM or compatible computer at each station
working the amateur bands.
C - One or more extra IBM or compatibles as backup.
D - Only one diskette for each Band / Mode being worked to
avoid duplication of calls being logged.
E - All unused diskettes should be kept in a central location
for easy access by all hams.
F - All diskettes collected after Field Day, edited, and
logs printed out and submitted.
To start the process, install the files you need on your hard
disk. Use the install program provided on the floppy. Next, one
diskette for each Band / Mode must be created. This is done with
the master program "LOGMSTR.EXE" you should have installed on
your hard drive. Each Band / Mode diskette contains 4 files
when it is created.
These are:
A - BANDMODE.DAT Band and mode data (i.e. 20 meter phone).
B - DICT.DAT Section listing (i.e. LAX=LOS ANGELES).
C - LOG.EXE Logging program.
D - AUTOEXEC.BAT Starts program (if diskette is bootable).
And after making a log:
F - LOG.DAT Log of all contacts.
The ham operators start the day by inserting a Band / Mode diskette
into drive A of their computer. Then type A:LOG and then pressing Enter.
(Note - if you use self booting diskettes, inserting the diskette and
turning on the computer will do). The operator will receive a salutation
in Morse code and a request to press a key. The introduction screen will
appear and ask the following questions:
A - Is daylight savings time in effect?
B - Time zone you are working in. Lists the zones for the continental
United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.
C - Is this correct and the options if you answer no.
Note - Transmitter I.D. is for your use, to keep track of which
transmitter logs each call.
I believe that the rest of the LOG program is self-explanatory
with the exceptions of switching Band / Mode, diskettes and color toggle.
To switch Band / Modes replace the old diskette with the new one only
when the screen is asking to enter the call letters and enter `B'
to access the new diskette.
After much trial and error and some luck, it was discovered that
bright yellow on a black background gave the best contrast for daytime
viewing. However at night the colors where harsh on the eyes. The
program switches over to light gray on black at 9 PM. But since the
sun sets at different times at different latitudes, I installed a toggle.
By entering the letter `T' you can toggle the colors.
About keypress and data entry, you will notice that in some
cases you must press enter and in other cases just one key. This
is because a keypress (entering just one key) is different
to the computer than entering data (a set of letters or numbers).
So to make things easier I have put up an Enter symbol (crooked arrow)
to indicate data entry where needed.
HINTS
Here are some hints learned the hard way by the Downey Amateur
Radio Club.
A - Use Double * Density / Double * sided diskettes for
compatibility with all computers.
B - An overhead canopy with a backdrop provides the
best protection from the glare of the sun off the
computer screen.
C - Timely initialization of diskettes and distribution
at the Field Day site.
Known BUGS
At the time of release:
A - Space bar in help program activates a window that
requires entering a number to exit.
LICENSE STATEMENT
Legal owners - You are a Legal owner if you have paid me,
Kevin Myers, the $19.95 purchase price. Legal owners are licensed
to use their copy in a single competition and to make archival
copies for the sole purpose of backing up the program. THE DUPE CHECKING
/ LOGGING PROGRAM may be moved from one competition location to another,
as long as there is no possibility of it being used at two competition
locations at the same time. WARNING: You must have a licensed copy to
use THE FIELD DAY DUPE CHECKING / LOGGING PROGRAM on ARRL Field Day.
Two lines are reserved for the users name (club, person or other
entity) on the intro screen. Please include club name or other information
when purchasing this product. If none is included, this area will be left
blank.
Please refer any correspondence to:
Kevin Myers
11621 Samoline Ave.
Downey, CA 90241-1745
310-869-2894