G4FAL QSL Card 2002

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technical

contest logging by G4FAL

I have developed a contest and main logging program using VB6 and Access 2000. This has the following features:

  • Automatic time and date entry
  • Check for previous contacts
  • Duplicate checking (none, per-band, per-band-mode or any allowed)
  • IOTA island number
  • Search, Edit and Delete contacts
  • Cabrillo outputs for log submission
  • Active X link to CW program for CW contesting

Download G4FAL Contest Logging

contest logging - main form

The main form is the normal operating page which is used for entering contacts and for remotely controlling the CW operation:

view normal-sized form

Click on the image to see the normal-sized form.

 

contest logging - configure logging options

The 'Configure Logging Options' pop-up allows the logging program to be customised to the particular contest or for normal main station logging:

 

contest logging - configure Cabrillo options

The 'Configure Cabrillo Options' pop-up allows the Cabrillo output to be customised to the particular contest:

 

G4FAL CW

The CW program that I have developed, links to the logging program and will send CW using the hardware handshaking lines on the computer serial port. This has the following features:

  • Automatic callsign and serial number insertion
  • Configurable fixed CW strings
  • Sound on/off
  • Dual speed contest CW
  • Dynamic speed changes
  • Direct typed CW QSOs

The CW program does not 'decode' CW so the operator is still required to read the morse that is received.

Download G4FAL CW

G4FAL CW - main form

The main form is the normal operating page which is used for controlling CW operation:

view normal-sized form

Click on the image to see the normal-sized form.

 

G4FAL CW - configure CW options

The 'Configure CW Options' pop-up allows the CW to be customised to operator's preference:

 

G4FAL CW - my details

The 'My Details' pop-up allows automatic cw strings to be customised:

In addition, the stored strings can have two-speed components, which can be used for contest operation. Typically, a signal report may be sent at 35 wpm but a serial number and callsign at 20 wpm.

Click here for a sample of two-speed CW.

 

G4FAL CW - tune facility

The latest addition to the program is a tuning button that will generate a carrier to enable an auto-tuner to be operated:

The tuning facility has a configurable timeout.

web pages copyright Nick G4FAL, contact g4fal@riverauto.co.uk. last modified 05 April 2007.