Cabrillo Evaluator Hints / FAQs
Contest support:
CabEvaluator supports most contests out there. Contests not supported are those with specific scoring that require extensive code changes.
° CabEval does not score QTC.
° Does not score recurring QSOs (after a specific period of time for example).
° Does not score HF and VHF frequencies at the same time where the scoring is completely different.
° Does not score points per locator distance based on a range of distances per band.
° Does not verify QRG.
° Does not reduce scores based on a percentage of errors.
If you have a new contest that you want supported, send me the rules link and I will see if CE can be used.

Hints:
° Get a text editor that has the features you need to check logs! EditPad is such an editor. Open all logs at once. Search all open logs. Cursor row/column position (for checking log format). Instant font size change. It is free.

° To auto open a profile Ini file, click the Ctrl key, then click the log file in the files list-box. If a profile Ini exists for that contest file, it is loaded. A profile match occurs only when the Cabrillo contest names are the same. Other standard windows open functions are: right-mouse click the files list-box and using the {File, Load contest profile} menu. The contest Ini that is in use when you quit the software - is the Ini loaded next time you run CE.

° Read the follow along text to learn the software.

To open the HELP file in newer OS:
Microsoft no longer ships WinHelp with newer OS - so my help file may not open from the {Help} menu - or with <F1>. I recommend you get the WinHlp32.exe file from Microsoft`s Win32 page. Or - Select the HTML help format from the {Help} menu. My older WinHelp file `looks nicer` and is much easier to navigate than the newer HTML help.

On new OS (XP, Win7, Vista) the HTML version may not open. This is a Microsoft security issue. Do right-mouse, Properties on the Cab_Eval.chm file and select `unblock`. Unfortunately, you may need to `unblock` the .chm file after downloading an updated version.

Check-boxes:
The functions of CabEval`s check-boxes is expanded to include changes in the check-box text as related to the check-mark On/Off status. Click the check box to view the 2 text selections and select the function you want - regardless of check-mark status. The check-mark On/Off status is saved to the appropriate Ini file.

Cabrillo log submissions:
Contesters should read their log before submission. Do not assume that the logging software does everything correctly! Read more.

Q: When I downloaded the CabEvaluator installation file and ran it, another software package was opened for installation - maybe the last program that was installed. I am using FireFox. Why?
A: When downloading files, try setting the browser option to `download in the browser window` and then select File > Save As and know the path/folder that you are saving it to.

If you are using a browser other than IE, this can happen - this is a browser setup problem. The browser puts download files in a default folder and runs the default {setup.exe} file. Be specific when you download and run installation files - know where you save the file and know how to run it from that path/folder.

Select `Save` at the download prompt and save to c:\temp for example. Then close all programs and do Start, Run, c:\temp\filename - where filename is the file you are running to do the install.

Q: CabEval does not open under Win7 or Vista OS. This message may be displayed `The requested operation requires elevation`. Why?
A: You may need to right-click the executable and select "Run as Administrator" explicitly. Even though your account is an administrator, by default Windows Vista UAC will not run some programs under the administrator account for security. Read more about UAC. Read this and this.

Q: I have the Win7 OS or a 64-bit OS on my PC and the software won`t run (or install). Why?
A: There are some compatibility issues with 32-bit software on X64 OS. Read this and this.

Q: Why do I get an `Error 50003` or similar?
A: Error 50003 is an installation problem with dll/ocx files. Try getting the VB5 run-time files from Microsoft`s site. Make sure you have a valid shortcut, so the logger finds all the support files in the CabEvaluator folder, not your desktop folder.

Q: I downloaded the latest revision file and extracted the files, but I still have a previous version - Why?
A: The default folder to Cabrillo Evaluator is c:\CabEvaluator, but you may have installed it elsewhere. So, if you extracted the update files to the correct folder, you may have a browser cache problem.

The temporary download files are normally stored in the c:\windows(or c:\winnt)\Temporary Internet Files folder. Trash the update files.

Also - Using a desktop shortcut that you made by dragging the .exe to the desktop can cause this problem. Make a proper shortcut using <Ctrl + Shift> and drag.

Q: I get errors and the wrong score when I score my log. Is it a log format issue?
A: CabEval was written when Cabrillo logs used specific column templates. Use the column re-formatter selected in the Sponsor setup form. A re-format Ini file for many contests is included in this zipped file along with the profile Ini files for contests. Filenames are used that identify the contest. Select by `Name` in the WinZip archive. Extract the files you want to the CabEvaluator folder.

Contesters can re-format a single log file using the default application folder to store logs. Read the help file for more on re-formatting.

Q: When I re-format a log, the re-formatter says the file does not have EOL markers and length of the 1st QSO is xxxxx characters. Why is that and what do I do?
A: The logger or application that wrote the Cabrillo, for whatever reason, did not write the carriage return and line feed (End-Of-Line termination) after each QSO line. If you open the log in NotePad, you will see the block characters where the next QSO: line should start.

Read the Help file about `Invalid Cabrillo formats`. Basically, all you need to do is open the log in WordPad and re-save it. WordPad writes the EOL markers when it saves the file.

The help file has an example of all the invalid Cabrillo logs that I have seen. You can fix each one by following the examples.

Q: Some callsigns are blank in the summary or Cabrillo files list. Why?
A: If the callsign field is blank, maybe the CALLSIGN: tag is blank, or the tag is CALL:, or the tag is CALL-SIGN:. Open all logs in EditPad and search all logs for `CALL`. Edit the CALLSIGN: tag and callsign as necessary.

Q: The `home` log has the correct location identity in the LOCATION: or ARRL-SECTION: tag, but the `home` Ini file will not load. The auto load works OK on other `home` logs. Why?
A: It is possible there are non-printable characters or spaces after the identifier text. Sometimes these characters are visible when viewed in NotePad. Although spaces are trimmed off this text variable, the extra characters are not. Delete any extra character(s) after the identifier text. If nothing is visible, move the cursor out past the text to `see` what`s there.

The above non-printable character problem applies to scoring errors resulting in a CATEGORY: tag value not found. ie: CATEGORY: Single-Op B, where B is the required code for example.

Test logs: DX contest logs from the `home` DXCC country that are not named callsign.log (or callsign.cbr) will not load the `home` Ini file, as the software determines DXCC country from callsigns.

Q: Some QSOs score a DXCC multiplier and a State/Province mult. Why?
A: This is resolved in newer revisions for state QSO parties. When the DXCC prefix and State/Province abbreviation was the same, Portugal=CT Conn=CT, a mult could be scored for both DXCC and State/Province. A new routine was added to separate the DXCC multiplier and State/Province multiplier scoring. The look-up datafile is {QSO-Party-List.dat} that turns ON this function.

Q: If I score a log, then edit it and re-score that log again, the old log is still the one being scored. Why?
A: In some cases Windows will use the original log data from memory, even though the CabEval code explicitly loads each log before scoring it. I guess Windows can deem the file unchanged (number of bytes are the same??) and does not reload it.
There are 2 ways around this:
1) Score a different log first, then score the edited log.
2) Exit the software and return when editing logs.

Q: I setup the 2-ini files and it was working correctly and now I am getting errors - `File not found` or other error - why?
A: If you make changes to the setup and do not save the actual Ini file, when the auto-load function changes Ini files, the old un-saved Ini is loaded. Remember that when you exit the software, the current Ini is loaded the next time you run CE.

If you were changing the folder paths that point to the Cabrillo and `results` files, and the changes were not saved, then files and/or folders will not be found. After editing/saving setups, re-load the Ini file(s) and verify that everything is correct.

Q: Even though I have the `Include`,`QSO points in Eval file` selected, how can I see the QSO points per contact in the results file?
A: If the QSO points are set to `All the same`, the points per QSO are not written to results files. However, when scoring test logs or testing the software for accuracy you may want to see this information. Temporarily select QSO points are: `by Mode` and set the mode points. <F9> toggles the results file `auto open function' - or you can select from the `Include` menu.

Also related to the above: Newer SW versions use the QPts: lines in the results files for special sponsor summary outputs. You may need to set QSO points `by mode` as well. If this is the case, then save the contest Ini summary after editing.

Please ask me if you have any questions about my software.
Dave, W3KM. w3km at verizon dot net