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Revision as of 14:31, 5 August 2020 by Sm7iun (talk | contribs) (Data entry)
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Repeat loop

Text command: RPT and NORPT
Keyboard shortcut: [Ctrl][R]

Toggles the the CQ repeat function.

After pressing F1 (CQ message in Run) the repeat function will wait for n
seconds (default is 3) and then repeat. Any keyboard action will pause the repetition
and it will not restart until [F1] (or the equivalent) is pressed.


Repeat.jpg
Repeat time setting pop-up.

The Repeat loop status is visible in Rate and Operating info windows.


Repeat time.jpg


Also, with Repeat loop enabled, if any character is entered into the callsign field
during transmission, transmission stops and repeat is paused.

Intelligent Quick QSL

Shortcut: ALT+Q

Intelligent Quick QSL (IQQSL) is a function that allows the use of short QSL
messages in a heavy pile-up while still sending a complete one with callsign
at a selected interval.

IQQSL automatically overrides the PLUS message in your standard messages with
alternatively a short or a long QSL message. It works with or without ESM.

It has two alternative mechanics; QSO number based or rate based.


IQQSL.png


QSO count based IQQSL

This is the simplest method. With this mechanic selected and set to N, the short QSL message
will be sent for N-1 QSO and then followed by a long QSL message for the following QSO.
The cycle will then repeat.
The only parameter to set is the number of QSO per cycle.
IQQSL-count.png


Rate based IQQSL

Using a rate based method you will have better control of the frequency of long QSL messages.
At low rate, you can send it for every QSO. At medium rate, perhaps every third QSO. At high rates,
perhaps every 6th or 8th QSO. This is particularly valuable for DX-peditions.
With the default settings, as the instantaneous rate calculated using the time between the 3 most recent
QSO increases, the long QSO message is sent gradually more rarely. The default settings are suitable in
most cases but can be set more aggressively (for e.g. a DX-pedition) or less agressively (for e.g. a
special event station).
IQQSL-rate.png


The three modes; CW, SSB and Digital each have their individual short and long QSL messages.

IQQSL2.png IQQSL4.png IQQSL5.png


NB. $QQSLRESET resets the timer/counter and is required in the long QSL message.

IQQSL uses a separate counter for each radio in SO2R.

Redefine keyboard keys

Text command: DEFINEKEYS


Redefine keys.png


All keys on the keyboard can be redefined to act as another key or key combination.

NB. You normally do not want to redefine keys required for operation. A key redefinition is just an alias.

To redefine a key, open the Redefine keyboard keys panel and click Add.
Press the the key that you want to give a new meaning, then press the key or key
combination you want it to mean.

A key redefinition can be removed by selecting it and clicking Delete.

Example: You want § to toggle stereo audio in SO2V.

Open the Redefine keyboard keys panel. Click Add.
Press § and then press [Ctrl][Alt][S].
This will make the § act as if you press [Ctrl][Alt][S].
[Ctrl][Alt][S] will still mean the same.

Data entry


Tools data entry menu3.png


  • Exchange guessing (not valid for serial #).
If you have a specific exchange database available for a specific contest, the pre-fill to the report field action can be:
* Pressing the space bar - Old school, the exchange field is filled when you press the spacebar.
* Automatically - Convenient, the exchange field is filled as you type callsign.
* After timeout - The exchange field is filled about two seconds after typing has stopped. Useful for old, slow computers.
  • Enable ESM mode
Text command: ESM or ESMON and NOESM or ESMOFF
Shortcut: [Ctrl][M]
The function "Enter Sends Message", better known as ESM, enables the relevant CW/Digital mode message
to be sent by [Enter]. Correctly used it is a great convencience feature.
DXlog has a very straightforward and predictable ESM. It is stateless which means that it
does not try to guess the intentions of the operator based on past actions.
The message sent by [Enter] only depends on three factors: Operating state (Run or S&P),
the location of the cursor and whether the field is filled or not. This makes DXLog's ESM very predictable
and easy to learn.
The function is the following:
Run
* With the cursor in an empty callsign field, [Enter] sends Run F1, typically CQ
* With the cursor in a partially or correctly filled callsign field, [Enter] sends the RUN INSERT message
* With the cursor in the exchange field, [Enter] sends the Run PLUS message which (typically) concludes the QSO and logs.
When the big gun station has received the exchange correctly, focus is shifted to the exchange
field by pressing [Space]
For a large station, where correct reception of the exchange is (almost) guaranteed, you can
automatically shift focus to the exchange field after having sent the exchange by enabling the
menu option Tools|Data entry|ESM mode change focus on $LOGGEDCALL macro.
S&P
* With the cursor in the callsign field, [Enter] sends S&P F1, typically your own callsign
* With the cursor in an empty exchange field, [Enter] sends S&P F6, which is typically a request to repeat the exchange.
* With the cursor in a filled exchange field, [Enter] sends S&P INSERT, which is typically a confirmation and semi-CQ, and logs.
For a big gun station, where correct reception of the exchange is (almost) guaranteed, you can
automatically shift focus to the exchange field after having called the station by adding the $SPACE
macro to the S&P F1 message.
  • ESM mode change focus on LOGGEDCALL macro
If checked, focus will be shifted one step right when $LOGGEDCALL macro is sent and ESM mode is active.
Typically used to remove the need for hitting [Space] after sending the exchange in Run.
  • ESM mode only for CW
If checked, ESM will only be active for CW when enabled.
  • Enable Run/S&P switching
Text command: RUNSP or RUNSPON and NORUNSP or RUNSPOFF
Enables toggling between 'Run and S&P with [Ctrl][Tab].
  • Enable Automatic Run/S&P selection
Text command: AUTORSP or AUTORSPON and NOAUTORSP or AUTORSPOFF
Automatic Run / Search & Pounce switching mode, if frequency changed away
from CQ (Run) frequency DXlog will switch to S&P.
Returning to the CQ frequency by tuning will not switch back to Run.
Instead, to automatically return to the CQ frequency and switch to Run, press [Alt][F4].
NB. The automatic switch to S&P when moving the VFO after having enabled Run will only happen
after you have transmitted at least once in Run mode.
This intentional since it means you can switch to Run with [Alt][Tab]
and search for a good CQ frequency without switching back to S&P.
  • Enable CW Cut Numbers Translation
If cut numbers are entered into the exchange field, DXlog will automatically
change the cut numbers (T, N, O, etc.) into their numerical equivalent.
  • Use INSERT mode in RCVD fields
Switch to INSERT mode instead of OVERWRITE mode for all log RCVD fields.
  • Enable Morse Runner simulation
Enables linking to Morse Runner for QSO and Contest training purposes.
Morse Runner will be started automatically when this option is selected. A full SO2R simulation is available,
and a special version of Morse Runner is included in the standard DXLog installation.
If you use SO2R mode, two copies of Morse Runner will be started. When the simulation is disabled or
the active log is closed the Morse Runner process(es) will be closed.
NB: The Morse Runner screens are not visible by default when the simulation is started.
If a CQ WW, CQ WPX or 9A CW contest log is open, its configuration will be used.
If any other contest is used, the default Morse Runner simulation is used.
Additionally, the F1 and F2 CW messages defined in DXLog are now used by
Morse Runner instead of the default messages.
Some macros and functions (like focus shift) are currently not supported
in Morse Runner simulation.
The following special keyboard shortcuts are available in the simulation:
* [Ctrl][Alt][PageUp/PageDown] [AltGr][PageUp/PageDown] adjusts the monitor volume.
* [Ctrl][Alt][Left/Right] [AltGr][Left/Right] adjusts the receiver bandwidth.
* [Shift][Up/Down] adjusts the RIT.
* [Shift][Delete] clears the RIT.
* [Ctrl][Shift][Left/Right] adjusts the pitch.
  • Prefill field values - callsign
Entering something in this window will prefill the callsign field with the entry automatically.
This is used in some local country contests (9A especially) where the callsign prefix will always be the prefilled value.
  • Enable grab call from decoder window in digi mode
When checked, DXlog will automatically grab the last known (highlighted) callsign from the RTTY decoder window.
  • Spacebar Reserve Serial Number
In contests where a multi transmitter station requires a serial number sequence, and the serial number
server is enabled in the networking options,
this option will enable DXL to reserve a serial number on pressing the space bar. If this option is
un-checked then only the macro command $RESERVENR will reserve a serial number from the server.
  • Cancel serial number reservation only if callsign field is empty
When serial number reservation is used and this option is checked, it will cancel serial number
reservation during wipe qso function only if callsign field is empty.
  • Log QSO immediately when CR macro found
When checked the QSO will be logged before executing the rest of the message if the $CR macro is included in the message.
  • Don't prefill exchange in ESM mode when spot is clicked
If checked, prefill database info will not be entered when in ESM mode and selecting a spot from the
bandmap or DX cluster announcements window.
This is no longer necessary. It is a legacy option from an older version of DXLog.
  • F1 key returns to RUN mode always
If checked, pressing F1 (normally the CQ key) will switch to RUN mode before sending the F1 message.
  • Refresh multiplier list on focused radio change
Update the worked multiplier window at radio focus change. (Comment: It is unclear why this
option exist since it seems to happen regardless.)
  • Disable RCVD field autoskip
Disables the automatic skipping of the RCVD field (when pressing the space bar) defined in a few contests.
  • Disable Shift+ message edit function for CW
Disables the message edit function for the [Shift][+] (which is ? on many European keyboards)
thereby allowing the use of the question mark character.

Message editors

  • Enable SO2R scenario on the fly editor
If checked and operating mode is advanced SO2R, the editor for a standard message (SHIFT+F key) will also show
the active SO2R macro lines for radio1 and radio2, this allows quick edit of messages without opening the full scenario editor.
  • On the fly editor focus on scenario line
If checked, when on the fly editor window is shown, the line with focus will be radio 1 or radio 2 scenario (depends if the user
pressed SHIFT+F key when radio 1 or radio 2 had focus). If not checked, standard cw message line will be the focus.
The user can change the focus in the editor screen by pressing the TAB or SHIFT/TAB key.

Scripts Manager

Scripts manager.png

Support for custom written C# scripts, this enables additional functionality.

Custom scripts are written in C# language and they are compiled during DXlog runtime.
Scripts can be assigned to shortcuts and will be executed when the shortcut key is pressed.
Scripts can be called by name from CW/Digi message as macro command prefixed with "$!".
For example, if CW/Digi message contains $!SCRIPT1, it will execute script with name SCRIPT1.

Scripts can be enabled and disabled from macros using the $!ENABLE!SCRIPTNAME and $!DISABLE!SCRIPTNAME syntax.
However, be aware that event handlers in scripts will not be disabled using only this mechanic but requires
a subsequent RELOAD or restart of DXLog to stop.

Additional

  • Check zones
Creates a tab-delimited text file listing all QSO where the expected zone (CQ or ITU depending on contest)
for the call's DXCC entity differs from the received exchange.
E.g. a QSO with SM7IUN where the received exchange is 599 11. Also QSO with uncertain or
indeterminable DXCC (such as /MM stations) are listed.

Load a targets file

Load a .OBF rates target file for the current contest.

Export a targets file

Create a .OBF rates target file for the current contest.
Should only be done after a completed contest.

Debug

  • Serial Communications
Logs all serial communication. For development use.

Reset Interfaces

Shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+R
Text command: RESET
Closes and re-opens serial port and pipe connections to radios, keyers, SO2R devices etc.
Same as entering Configure Interfaces and clicking OK.
Helpful when e.g. connecting or disconnecting equipment or to temporarily resolve RFI issues.