VHFCONT.EXE (C) 1996-2002 Ken R. Mason
Revision 3.0B 6/14/2002 by Ken R. Mason KC6TEU
Permission is given to freely distribute this executed program if
not modified and the text file (VHFCONT.DOC) in the vhfcnt3b.zip file must
be contained with the VHFCONT.EXE Revision 3.0B file. No money can be charged
for this program except for distribution costs. Although there has been no bugs
seen, there is no guarantee that this program will be bug free. Any suggestions
can be submitted by sending a letter or Email to the author.
Review the revision information for changes made to this program.
Download
VHFCONT Rev. 3.0B The Latest
Revision of the VHF Contest logger [info]
by KC6TEU Return to KC6TEU Home Page
VHFCONT
Contents:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Requirements
3.0 Installing the program
4.0 Running the Program for the First Time
5.0 Loading a LOG File
6.0 Running the Program
7.0 Repairing Errors in the LOG File
8.0 The Partial Call Lookup
9.0 The Partial Call Lookup Using Wildcards
9.1 The '*' Character
9.2 The '?' Character
10.0 The DX Screen
11.0 Running the Program Using a new log file
12.0 Exiting the Program
13.0 Submitting the Log to ARRL
14.0 Multi-Op Operation
15.0 About the Program
16.0 Revision History
17.0 About the Author
VHFCONT.EXE (C) 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 Ken R. Mason
Revision 3.0 5/24/2001 by Ken R. Mason KC6TEU
Permission is given to freely distribute this executed program if not modified and the text file (VHFCONT.DOC) in the vhfcont3.zip file must be contained with the VHFCONT.EXE Revision 3.0 file. No money can be charged for this program except for distribution costs.
Although there has been no bugs seen, there is no guarantee that this program will be bug free. Any suggestions can be submitted by sending a letter or Email to the author.
VhfCont is a "freeware program" and is provided at no charge to the user. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "Free" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices.
If you whish to register this program, you are obliged to make a donation of $20 to Ken R. Mason. Registration is not a requirement for hobby usage of this version of VHFCONT v3.0.
1.0 Introduction
The program was developed because the available VHF logging programs on IBM PC compatible computers weren't easy to use for VHF contests. I have tried many log programs and none of them were easy for me to use.
This program was primarily developed to be easy to use. It contains real time logging into a Cabrillo file format (ARRL compatible 2000) log file. Other capabilities include fast band switching, duplicate call sign look up with wildcards, local and DX grid square maps, 12 user configurable bands, 1100 QSOs per band, log file backup and verification, color text display, and much more.
2.0 Requirements
The program requires an IBM compatible computer with 580K bytes of available DOS memory, EGA/VGA compatible display (Monochrome or color), and about 1 megabyte of disk space. The program will run in the Windows environment in a DOS Command prompt screen. Tested on DOS*, Win3.1*, WIN95*, WIN98*, Win2000*, and WinNT*. The program will run on a floppy disk but due to the speed of the floppy disk it is not recommended. This program requires a text file (VHFCONT.INI) for configuration information.
3.0 Installing the program
The VHFCONT program is a DOS application. Unzip the vhfcnt3b.zip file into a directory of your choosing. Using a MSDOS window (or full screen) at the command prompt change directory (using the command CD) to where the VHFCONT program was installed.
4.0 Running the Program for the First Time
Before the program is run for the first time, it will be necessary that the VHFCONT.INI file is properly setup. Use a text editor and change the call sign, home grid square, points per qso per band, names of configurable user bands, frequencies of user bands, points for user bands, UTC time offset, and the Cabrillo file format requirements. Band name is limited to the following:
Needed band Band name to use 6M 50 2M 144 222 MHz 222 223 MHz 222 432 MHz 432 440 MHz 432 902 MHz 903 1294 MHz 1.2 1296 MHz 1.2 2304 MHz 2.3 3456 MHz 3.4 5760 MHz 5.7 10 GHz 10 24 GHz 24 47 GHz 47 76 GHz 76 119 GHz 119 142 GHz 142 241 GHz 241 300 GHz 300 Laser LIGHT
An example of the INI file is below.
KC6TEU ;User's callsign CM98 ;User's grid square 2.3 ;User's band 1 name 3.4 ;User's band 2 name 5.7 ;User's band 3 name 10 ;User's band 4 name 24 ;User's band 5 name LIGHT ;User's band 6 name 1 ;Points/QSO for the 6M band 1 ;Points/QSO for the 2M band 2 ;Points/QSO for the 220 band 2 ;Points/QSO for the 432 band 3 ;Points/QSO for the 902 band 3 ;Points/QSO for the 1296 band 4 ;Points/QSO for the users band 1 4 ;Points/QSO for the users band 2 4 ;Points/QSO for the users band 3 4 ;Points/QSO for the users band 4 4 ;Points/QSO for the users band 5 4 ;Points/QSO for the users band 6 7 ;UTC offset (Pacific daylight savings time = 7, Pacific Std time = 8) ; ARRL SECTION ABBREVIATED ARRL SECTION: SV ; CATEGORY FIRST PARAMETER 'OPERATOR-CATEGORY' MUST BE "SINGLE-OP", ; "SINGLE-OP-QRP-PORTABLE","ROVER","MULTI-LIMITED", ; "MULTI-UNLIMITED", OR "CHECKLOG". ; CATEGORY SECOND PARAMETER 'BAND-CATEGORY' MUST BE "ALL", OR "LIMITED". ; CATEGORY THIRD PARAMETER 'POWER-CATEGORY' MUST BE "HIGH", "LOW", OR "QRP". CATEGORY: MULTI-UNLIMITED ALL HIGH ; RADIO CLUB NAME CLUB: My Club ; CONTEST MUST BE "ARRL-VHF-JAN", "ARRL-VHF-JUN", "ARRL-UHF-AUG", "CQ-VHF", ; OR "ARRL-VHF-SEP". CONTEST: ARRL-VHF-JUNE ; YOUR NAME NAME: KEN R. MASON ; YOUR ADDRESS (MAX 3, 80 CHARACTER LONG, LINES) ADDRESS: 3481 PLEASANT VIEW LN. ADDRESS: SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA 95682 ; LIST ALL OPERATORS (MAX 3 , 80 CHARACTER LONG, LINES) OPERATORS: KC6TEU WA6TMJ KA6NBC WA5YWC ; SOAPBOX (MAX 10, 80 CHARACTER LONG, LINES) SOAPBOX: This is a big contest that needs multiple operators. SOAPBOX: That is why we have so much fun!
After the INI has been configured the program can be run. To run the program simply type:
VHFCONT[Enter]
The program will startup with the main and mostly used screen. A log file will be created or appended with the users call sign and end with the extension .LOG. Example:
KC6TEU.LOG
5.0 Loading a LOG File
The program has one optional command line option. This option allows using a different existing log file name. Do not include the extension (.LOG) of the log file. Example:
VHFCONT JUNE2001
This will load and use the JUNE2001.LOG file. When entering new logs, the log file will be appended with the new log information using the users callsign from the log file.
If errors in the log file are detected, the program will prompt for and [ESC] key press. The erroneous log file entry will be deleted from the log.
If you need to stop loading the log due to too may errors detected press [ESC] twice quickly. Copy the backup log file to the log file to retain your original log file. DO NOT RE-RUN THE PROGRAM BEFORE RESTORING THE LOG FILE!
6.0 Running the Program
To run the program simply type VHFCONT at the DOS prompt. An optional command line option can be used to use a different existing log file.
The startup display shows local and UTC time, the local grid square map, band and mode information, and score. Example startup display:
2001-04-13 02:27:27 PM 144 - PH 2001-04-13 21:27:27
Bnd QSO Grd Total CN53 CN63 CN73 CN83 CN93 DN03 DN13 DN23 DN33
6M 0 0 0 CN52 CN62 CN72 CN82 CN92 DN02 DN12 DN22 DN32
2M 0 0 0 CN51 CN61 CN71 CN81 CN91 DN01 DN11 DN21 DN31
222 0 0 0 CN50 CN60 CN70 CN80 CN90 DN00 DN10 DN20 DN30
432 0 0 0 CM59 CM69 CM79 CM89 CM99 DM09 DM19 DM29 DM39
903 0 0 0 CM58 CM68 CM78 CM88 CM98 DM08 DM18 DM28 DM38
1.2 0 0 0 CM57 CM67 CM77 CM87 CM97 DM07 DM17 DM27 DM37
USR 0 0 0 CM56 CM66 CM76 CM86 CM96 DM06 DM16 DM26 DM36
Total QSOs: 0 CM55 CM65 CM75 CM85 CM95 DM05 DM15 DM25 DM35
Grids: 0 CM54 CM64 CM74 CM84 CM94 DM04 DM14 DM24 DM34
Score: 0 CM53 CM63 CM73 CM83 CM93 DM03 DM13 DM23 DM33
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid 144 PH 2001-04-13 2127 F1-6M F2-2M F3-222 F4-432 F5-903 F6-1296 F7-USER F8-MODE F9-DX
Your home grid square is shown in the center of the grid square map in yellow.
Function keys [F1 through F9] are used to control the program. The function keys are assigned as follows:
F1 - Change the band to 6 Meters
F2 - Change the band to 2 Meters
F3 - Change the band to 222 Mhz
F4 - Change the band to 432 Mhz
F5 - Change the band to 902 Mhz
F6 - Change the band to 1296 Mhz
F7 - Change the band to next user band
F8 - Change the transmission mode (FM, CW, PH, RY)
F9 - Display the DX grid square map.
The program is waiting for a call sign and grid to be entered. To move around in the log field use the [Tab] key or arrow keys. Special keys perform as follows:
[Right Arrow] - Move cursor right.
[Left Arrow] - Move cursor left.
[Tab] - Move to the next log line field.
[Backspace] - Delete the character to the left and move left.
[Space] - Clear to end of call sign field if possible and go to the grid square field. If in the grid square field go back to the callsign field.
[Enter] - Enter log into log file (also checks for errors).
[Delete] - Clear current character if possible.
7.0 Repairing Errors in the LOG File
There is no available editor within the VHFCONT program. To repair erroneous log entries you need to exit the program and use a text editor to make the changes. Keep the same column format in the file. Restarting VHFCONT will append the log file as if you did not exit the program. Upon restarting the log file is checked for errors. Any errors in the log file will be deleted indicated by a prompt and pressing the [ESC] key. Be careful in editing the files, you can loose valuable QSO's if done incorrectly.
8.0 The Partial Call Lookup
As call signs are entered the partial call signs that match the characters that you are typing will be displayed to the right of the grid square map along with the grid square for that qso. To quickly check if a call sign has been worked, simply enter the call sign and look at the partial call sign list. When a duplicate call sign has been found use the [Backspace] key to clear the call sign just entered.
To view the time when a call has been worked, the call sign and grid square must be entered. The partial call sign will change to display the call sign, grid where worked, date of the QSO, and time of the QSO in UTC.
An example of the display is below. A partial call sign "KB" has been entered and a list of the call signs starting with "KB" is displayed in the partial calls list right of the grid square map.
2001-04-13 02:40:09 PM 50 - PH 2001-04-13 21:40:09
Bnd QSO Grd Total EN77 EN87 EN97 FN07 FN17 FN27 FN37 FN47 FN57 Partial Calls
6M 15 7 105 EN76 EN86 EN96 FN06 FN16 FN26 FN36 FN46 FN56 KB2DMK FN12
2M 25 7 175 EN75 EN85 EN95 FN05 FN15 FN25 FN35 FN45 FN55 KB3PW FN13
222 10 6 120 EN74 EN84 EN94 FN04 FN14 FN24 FN34 FN44 FN54 KB2YWU FN13
432 12 6 144 EN73 EN83 EN93 FN03 FN13 FN23 FN33 FN43 FN53
903 6 4 72 EN72 EN82 EN92 FN02 FN12 FN22 FN32 FN42 FN52
1.2 5 4 60 EN71 EN81 EN91 FN01 FN11 FN21 FN31 FN41 FN51
USR 1 1 4 EN70 EN80 EN90 FN00 FN10 FN20 FN30 FN40 FN50
Total QSOs: 75 EM79 EM89 EM99 FM09 FM19 FM29 FM39 FM49 FM59
Grids: 36 EM78 EM88 EM98 FM08 FM18 FM28 FM38 FM48 FM58
Score: 4500 EM77 EM87 EM97 FM07 FM17 FM27 FM37 FM47 FM57
1.2 PH 1997-09-14 0223 K2OS FN13 3
1.2 PH 1997-09-14 0224 K2AN FN02 * 3
903 PH 1997-09-14 0226 K2AN FN02 * 3
432 PH 1997-09-14 0227 K2AN FN02 2
222 PH 1997-09-14 0228 K2AN FN02 2
144 PH 1997-09-14 0229 K2AN FN02 1
50 PH 1997-09-14 0231 K2AN FN02 1
144 PH 1997-09-14 0250 W6XR FN12 1
50 PH 1997-09-14 0250 W6XR FN12 1
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid
50 PH 2001-04-13 2140 KB
F1-6M F2-2M F3-222 F4-432 F5-903 F6-1296 F7-USER F8-MODE F9-DX
9.0 The Partial Call Lookup Using Wildcards
Wildcards can be entered when typing the partial call signs on the log line. Characters used for wildcards are the '*' and the '?'.
9.1 The '*' Character
The '*' character is used to find which callsign was worked that ends with certain letters/numbers. The '*' character can only be entered as the first character of the callsign. In the following examples the callsigns below represent what has already been worked and is entered into the log file:
KC6WDA
KB6TEU
W7GGA
WA6TMA
WA5AAA
K5CBA
KA6SAA
Example using the '*' character:
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid 144 PH 2001-04-13 2140 *A_
Will yield a partial callsign list of callsigns from the log file that ends in 'A'. Example:
KC6WDA
W7GGA
WA6TMA
WA5AAA
K5CBA
KA6SAA
Another example using the '*' character:
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid 144 PH 2001-04-13 2140 *AA_
Will yield a partial callsign list of callsigns from the log file that end in 'AA'. Example:
WA5AAA
KA6SAA
9.2 The '?' Character
The '?' character is used as a wilcard for a particular character position within a callsign. Any number of '?' in any position can be used.
Example of using the '?' character:
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid 144 PH 2001-04-13 2140 ????A_
Will yield a partial callsign list of callsigns from the log file that have a 'A' as the fifth character in the callsign. Example:
W7GGA
WA5AAA
K5CBA
KA6SAA
Another example of using the '?' character:
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid 144 PH 2001-04-13 2140 ??6*_
Will yield a partial callsign list of callsigns from the log file that have a '6' as the third character in the callsign as follows:
KC6WDA
KB6TEU
KA6SAA
Another example of using the '?' character:
Band Mode Date Time Callsign Grid 144 PH 2001-04-13 2140 ??6??A_
Will yield a partial callsign list of callsigns from the log file that have a '6' as the third character and a 'A' in the sixth position in the callsign as follows:
KC6WDA
KA6SAA
10.0 The DX screen
When in the DX display your grid will be shown in the center. Example,
my home grid is CM98: