MyContestLogger - Davco Technology
Author: Dave Brighton/ Nov 2006
1024 X 768 Screen Size
3000 Records per file
Contest Logger is an electronic Cabrillo Format Software geared for the 21st Century. Contest records are written to external file rapidly in an easy to read format, with double click editing, and search function for callsign. All 7 Cabrillo Formats are presented, so you can pick the format that is required, or a format you like best.
Contest Logger is easy to use logger, and is for the most part, self explanatory. The Splash screen will appear, and you can pick a Cabrillo format. There are 7 Cabrillo Formats. "MyContestLogger" utilizes External Data, so when new versions are installed to your computer, this will not affect previous data at all. But, don't forget to Create a New File each time you desire to do so. You may want a different file for each antenna, or radio for example. Design your files so they will become an asset to your database collection. Click "New" and follow prompts until you are asked to restart the program. These proprietary files are similar to other ODBC Database Files, and require a reboot upon creation. Restart, and open the new file, I generally name the file along the lines of the particular contest name such as, ie: "CQ_WW_CW_2006". When the focus leaves 'Mode' txtBox, 'SntRST' and 'RecRst' will be filled in automatically according to which Mode has been picked. When the record is completely filled in, and the cursor is in the far right hand text box, press "Enter" and the record will be written to file, and the record also appears on the screen. From here on only received information need be entered, and the record is written in the previous fashion.
Note for VHF: Contest Logger is going to include 6 Meter thru 1.2 GHz on it's VHF Page. There is not enough information at the present time to include 3.4 GHz or 10 GHz and up. I would think that there are not enough operators at the present time operating these Microwave Frequencies to include them in Contest Logger.
Remember, that the 'control owns the event'. That is, when the textbox 'receives focus', or when the cursor is in a textbox, that textbox controls the event. If the cursor is in "Received Callsign" and "Enter" is pressed, then the search is run. If the cursor is in the last texbox, then "Enter" writes the record to file. In "Other ARRL Contests", "NAQP", and "RSGB" the record can be written to file from either of the last two textboxes by pressing "Enter".
The particular format to use for the particular contest is sometimes given in the contest announcement. If the Exchange is "RST, and, Consecutive Serial Number", for example, I would probably use "Other ARRL Contests" without using the "Transmitter Code". You can write the record from the Received Exchange Box. If the ARRL contest name is mentioned in the name such as "Sweepstakes", or "DARC", or "Other ARRL Contests", then utilize this information to determine which form to use.
Under "Tools/Enter Header Information" you can enter the header information necessary for the Cabrillo Format. A screen will appear, enter appropriate information, and click "Back". That will automatically write to file, and bring you back to the main screen. This will enable the "Write Report" under "File" If the contest header requires further editing, you can open the "Ur-Name.rtf" file with Microsoft Word, or Wordpad, and edit as necessary. If this is a multi-transmitter station, then use cut and paste to finalize your report from files on various computers.
'Band' has a drop down box that lists '10 Meters - 160 Meters'. 'Mode' has a drop down box that lists 'CW, DI, and PH' on the HF Pages. On the 'VHF' Page 'Mode' lists 'FM, PH, CW, and DI'. According to what you have selected, the software will enter a facsimile frequency for you. It is not the purpose of Cabrillo Formatting to align radio transmitters. That is done at the shop with calibrated equipment. There is no point in verifying frequency in contacts. We use the band the contact was made on for determining multipliers. We do not rely on an interface to obtain frequency information from the particular radio that you are using. Our software is a stand alone database that produces a 'Cabrillo File', so it was determined that this was all that was necessary to meet the requirements of the 'Cabrillo File', and to serve the utility software needs of the user.
Cabrillo Format allows 2 characters for "Mode". We will use CW for CW, PH for SSB, and DI for Digital.
Currently, the 'Delete Record' operation causes the file to become corrupted. If the file has a null value in the middle of the file, the next time the file is opened, the software reads to that null value, and the rest of the data is lost. I am considering creating a copy of the file, and rewriting subsequent records to a decremented index value. This will probably appear in Version 9.0. Records can be deleted in the RTF file by opening the report file with Microsoft Wordpad, or similar suitable text editor.
Under "File", you will see "Write Report". Click on this, and that will enable, "Create Text File, after using "Enter Header Info/ Tools. Click on this, and that will concatenate the header, data, and footer. Then continue with the rest of the print functions. You will be prompted that the "ur-name.rtf" has been written after "Write Report"/ "File". When you attach this file to E-mail to the Contest Provider, you will receive an automatic response telling you whether you need to change Header Information, or if the file has been read with no errors. Hi...Hi... More than likely you will need to change header information according to 'Nastygrams' at the bottom of the auto-response, and resubmit.
Use the "Exit/ Back" menu item to back up to another Cabrillo Format. Click "<-- Back" to return the Splash Screen, and then pick another Cabrillo Format. When you "Open" a file use the "Cancel" button and this feature will still be available. After a file has actually been opened the program must be closed, and reopened to choose another format.
Double Click any record. the record will be highlighted, and the record will be "split" into the textboxes. Change any information in any of these boxes, and press the "F1 Key". The record in the file will be changed as well as infomation displayed on the screen. It is as easy as that.
Enter a Callsign into the Received Callsign TextBox at any stage of the contest, and while the cursor is still in that textBox press "Enter". The database you have created will be searched for records of that Received Callsign, matching records will appear in the lower part of the screen, bands that still need to be worked for that callsign will light up on the right hand side of the screen, and the "Country of Origin" for that particular callsign will appear on the bottom right hand side of the screen. The number of "hits" for any callsign will appear on the bottom left hand side of the screen. The records that have been returned by this search will appear in the lower half of the screen.
On the bottom right hand side of the screen you will see the "Address" of the file that is currently open. Also, information concerning when the file was created, and date and time the file was last modified will appear as well.
Hover the cursor over the divider between displayed records, and search results, and the cursor will change. Press the left mouse key when this occurs, and move up, or down. The ratio of upper, and lower screen size will change.
Menu Items include "Write Report" and "Write Text File" under "File". "Edit Header Info" under "Tools" will enable these menu items. The first is for printing the file, and the latter is for sending a text file E-Mail. A dialog box will appear and allow you to name the file, and place it where you wish in the directory. This file can be edited in WordPad and can be attached and E-Mailed as it is less than 5 MBytes. That is the maximum size for most E-mail messages. You can work "Online" or "Offline". This means the date/ time can be set automatically, or you can enter the date/ time manually.
Under 'Advanced' you will find 'Determine Multipliers and Calculate Claimed Score'. "ContestLogger" determines like callsigns, which if there are no 'dupes' are considered to be Multipliers. Like callsigns are assigned '1', '2', '3', etc. as their numeric position is determined to be. "Contest Logger" then counts the total number of multipliers. The number assigned to the multiplier does not relate to the number of points assigned. This number is merely the position of the multiplier. The DX Contacts are also provided for the 'Calculate Claimed Score' If the DX Contacts are to be factored in the Total Score, then check the checkBox to the left of the item. The number of points can be selected for each item, as well, in the drop down boxes provided.
Under "Determine Multipliers and Calculate Claimed Score, Multipliers will be automatically counted. DX Contacts will be automatically localized for ConUS( Continental United States ). By clicking the "Localize" tab you may select from a number of DX Locations. By clicking the "DX Contacts" tab, DX contacts will be localized for that location, and totaled. Select the Number of Points, and check DX Contacts if you wish to include them in your score. Click "Calculate Score" button, and the score will be automatically calculated.
Technical assistance is available by E-mailing Davco Technology at fox@davcotech.net
You are given a choice of letting the system run your UCT Time, or you can manually set your UCT Time. Click on Tools/ UCT Offset to find out what your local system time is set to. You can look this offset up at www.QRZ.com as well.If you manually set your UCT Time to your local offset, the clock and date will increment normally. "Toggle UCT Offset" under "Tools" will show you the local GMT Offset at the bottom of the page. You can then double check the system time by clicking on the indicated GMT Offset. If this is the same time as "System Time" then your computer is set up correctly. If this time differs from system time, then correct your System time.
The buyer has entered into a verbal license agreement at the time of sale. The buyer was instructed to contact Davco Technology in the event of any technical problems that might arise from installation of Davco Tecnology product on client's computer so that Davco Technology would be able to solve any particular problem that might arise from installation on client computer, or be able to assist client with the operation of Davco Technology product. Davco Technology could then use information provided by clients to meet the needs of clients, or make the product more distributable, or make the product more "user friendly." The software produced by Davco Technology, is intended for the purpose of Vendor/ Client relationship. The use of this product outside the license agreement, for the purpose of a deceitful relationship, or any other purpose outside a normal Vendor/ Client relationship constitutes immediate breech of contract. Davco Technology makes no claim, other than use by licensed client, and any claim for damage, or loss of data, will not be reimbursable. This disclaimer further states that the operator of any computer be of competant standard, and that he or she has engaged in prerequisite training necessary to install, and operate software produced by Davco Technology. October 15, 1997