W3KM VHFLOG - Initial Use

         Step-by-step hints to learn VHFLOG       

ROVER category? Use KM Rover logger.

1. Run VHFLOG from the desktop shortcut or via the Start | Programs menu.
° Do not drag VHFLOG32.exe to the desktop to make a shortcut. Right-mouse the
.exe and select `Create shortcut`, then drag it to the desktop. Or - use
Ctrl+Shift and drag the .exe.

° You should use the default folder for my logger installs. Sure you can change the folder,
but then you need to change it each time you get an update.

2. Enter your Call Sign in the setup screen. If operating portable, use W3KM-5 (or W3KM_5)
for example, in the setup screen. After writing the Cabrillo, verify the log. VHFLOG changes
the Operator: field and changes the dash (or underscore) to a slash in the rest of the log.

° Note: Enter your 6-digit into the setup screen. VHFLOG will calculate distance and
heading from your 6-digit to another 4/6-digit. Enter the 4/6-digit in the logger`s grid
field. Showing the recip heading is selectable, using the View menu. If using the new
history file option, the 6-digit data is taken from the {VHF-History.txt} file, otherwise
the 6-digit data comes from the ADIF lookup file {vhf4k.adi}.

3. Load an existing file from the files box by double-clicking the filename. Or click
the filename once to display the contest name, then click `Continue`.

°All `Keystrokes/Shortcuts` are in the Help file.

4. Add a QSO - <Enter> a call sign. <Enter> means you either hit <Enter> or <Space>
to accept the data typed in. <Tab> is only used to move between fields. The logging
results are unknown if you do not use <Enter> or <Space> to input the data !

Note: VHFLOG also allows post contest log entry, from a paper log.
Under the Log menu, select Post Contest.

The lookup file {cklist.dat} is a club member file used to display the worked/needed bands.
Use the shortcut `CL` or the View menu to display the worked/needed members list. The window is
re-sizeable for font-size and moveable. Read the Help file for more.

Grid Activity:
When looking for specific grids with the antenna in that direction, use the Grid Activity window.
Use the shortcut `GA` or the View menu to display the grid activity list.
Like the check list window, a grid activity window displays calls and bands for each grid.
Calls are removed when worked. Read more.

° Note: After entering a callsign, if that call appears in one of the data files, the
station`s information is displayed - operator`s name, bands, grid, heading, distance.
Change the pre-filled exchange data to what the station transmits and what you QSL.

New in v4.55: Load/Import WSJT QSOs into VHFLOG.

New in v4.5:
Read the Master callsign search topic of the Help file. You select the optional history
file use in the File menu. When entering a call that appears in the look-up file, the
Op`s name, bands and 6-digit are displayed. A `real` partial call search is activated after
typing 2 or more characters, when the {Partial} check-box mid screen is checked. Bands `worked`
and `needed` are displayed.

Hint: <Entering> a call, displays the QSOs worked, but the dupe message may pop up as well.
<Enter> a partial call (call minus the last letter), for ex: WA3EH displays QSOs worked for
WA3EHD, without the dupe pop-up. Remember to hit <Esc> to clear the input.

5. After you enter a call, duping is done and the cursor goes to the grid input.
If the station sends the grid that is inserted from datafile, just hit <Enter>
to accept it. Otherwise enter the correct grid. Hitting <Enter> or <Space> again
will accept the QSO into the log. That new grid will be used on other bands. 

° Note: You can select QSO `Auto Accept` in the [QSO OK] combo box. This skips
the extra keystroke by accepting the QSO into the log after entering the grid.

6. Change bands by entering 50, 14, 22, 43, 90, 12 etc into the callsign input.
See the HELP file Band change topic since there are more ways available. If my
WinHelp32 help doesn't open, you can get the WinHlp32.exe file from Microsoft`s WinHlp32
page. My older WinHelp file looks nicer, but the internet links may not work in newer OS.
Or select the HTML help format from the Help menu.

° Read this if interested in the transverter band switching function.

7. Enter another QSO. After entering this one, <Enter> DL into the call input
to delete the last QSO. This is a command you want to remember since you will
use it often, especially when you enter a QSO on the wrong band. It is much easier
to delete the last QSO if you accepted it by mistake, rather than editing it in the
edit form. First make a mental note of the grid. Delete the QSO, then after changing
to the correct band, <Enter> `L` for last call, and continue.

° Note: As in the logging screen, in the edit form, only <Enter> and <Space> can be
used to input data.

8. Moving a station up the bands: <Enter> S for `same` instead of typing the whole
call. Or use the PageUp/PageDown functions to increment/decrement. See the HELP file
and #12 below to use the L, L2, L3 and L4 commands to work tailgating stations while
moving the first station up the bands.

9. Logging is done without using the mouse. See the `Keystrokes` section of the
HELP file. <Esc> clears all QSO inputs, stops CW/DVK and closes windows.

10. Use the Log menu and write each of the files available. Cabrillo,
ADIF, summary etc. For ARRL contests, you must use a Cabrillo file.

° Note: With NOTEPAD.exe copied to the c:\VHFLOG32 folder, the files you write will
open in NOTEPAD automatically. This is useful since you need to read/edit your files
before submision. The free EditPad editor can be used instead of NotePad.

11. If your new transceiver has the transverter frequency readout, you can skip #11.
Old radios: With each band change, the I.F. frequency can be displayed in the green
label at the bottom. The data comes from the LO.exe application that comes with
VHFLOG. Your transverter local oscillator offsets are stored and displayed instead
of using paper notes. For microwave transverters using PLLs, the reference frequency
and multiplication factors are stored so the exact I.F. can be calculated just
before each QSO. Only an accurate VHF counter and verification of your I.F. radio
calibration is required.

° When someone says `go to 185`.... You <Enter> F185 into the callsign field. The
frequency for 185KHz is displayed for that band.

° Note: You need to run LO.exe and setup the data file before using #11 features.
<Enter> B into the callsign field to have the beacon dial frequency displayed for
that band. This is also setup in the LO.exe application.

12. Log a station (and tailgaters) up thru the bands: Change bands, <Enter> S for
same call. Log it. Now, log the tailgating station(s) using the L, L2, L3, L4 commands
to recall previous callsigns from the log - last, 2nd from last, 3rd from the last and
4th from the last respectively. See the `Keystrokes/Shortcuts` item of the Help file.

13. Exit the software and re-run it - start a new contest. At this time you would
normally verify that the UTC offset is correct (Daylight Saving time, etc). The logger
has an auto UTC offset function - verify it. Verify the PC`s clock as well. In the
system time setup, you can setup the auto-synchronization with a web based clock.
Or, use the free Dimension4 software to auto update the PC clock frequently, as may
be required when using WSJT.

° Note: The QSO hour in your log (hour only) can be changed post contest using the
UTC_Time application supplied with the logger. See the HELP file to read how. This
requires manual edit of dates around UTC midnight.

Hit the `[Click] Enter Filename` label and enter a filename. The extension .lgg is
assumed and you don`t need to enter it. Long filenames are OK to use, but keep them
simple so they fit in the display windows. It is helpful to use a filename that tells
you which contest it is. i.e. 2018janss  2018sept_qso. Select a contest then click
the [Continue] button.

14. Enter QSOs and try the menu functions. Be familiar with entering Rover callsigns.
They must be entered as call/R to conform to sponsors` rules. In the sponsor`s cross
checking, call/FN20 for example will not match call/R in the other station`s log. When
you enter a Rover on a band a second time - a dupe box appears. Select OK and enter the
correct grid square to accept it into the log. You can turn off the extended dialog box
text if you wish, in the Log menu.

Keep in mind that a station can be a rover in part of the contest, and operate from home
in another time frame (no /R). That station can submit 2 logs.

If you enter the same grid it will be accepted as a zero value QSO - same as with normal
dupe QSOs. Always leave dupe QSOs in the log, because you do not know which QSO will be
in the other person`s log. Also, dupes are OK in the log without penalty.

When starting in a new contest, you can enter dummy QSOs to see if everything is working
prior to actual contest operation. You can delete these QSOs [DL] and continue when ready.

15. You may select the option that displays the last grid you worked a Rover in. In the
Log menu, select the desired option. Hopefully the rover Op gives his grid when he is
calling, so not to waste your time. 

16. Try the DVK. Click the DVK check-box to turn it ON and select the DVK setup screen
from the pull-down menu. Try playing a sample wave file. Double-click an F-key line
on the right. To set a wave file into an F-key message, click an F-key line on the
right side, then select the desired wave file from the files at the left. If you have
the `RIGblaster` interface, you can try the DVK on the air.

17. The DVK has an over-ride function - select `RIGblaster` mode in the DVK setup screen (even
if not using a RIGblaster unit). Use <Esc>, <Space> or <Enter> to cancel the wave file being
played. Hitting the same or different F-key will also cancel the current wave file when it
plays the new selection. The original non-over-ride wave file player is still available, but
you need a PTT over-ride switch in your setup.

18. Select the CW ON check-box and open the CW setup form using the CW menu. Set up the
COM port. Hit `Calibrate` to calibrate the program`s speed to your pc`s processor speed.
After calibrating once, you can do `Save As` setup to create a different config file for
using CW a different contest - the speed calibration is passed on to the new config files.
No side-tone or TX tune is provided since all radios have these functions.

° USB to serial converters are supported for CW/PTT. Interfaces with the FTDI chips like
the VScom USB to serial adapters work fine. Others can be a problem !

19. Auto log back-up can be selected in the setup form or from the File menu of the
logging screen. You can select using the back-up function after you start logging (all QSOs
in the log so far are saved to BU). Back-up to USB flash drives works and is recommended.

20. The logger writes a Cabrillo file for log submission - Log menu. Read your log and
verify/edit the header as required before submission. If the sponsor`s robot server
sends back an error message, make the necessary changes and re-submit it.

21. Read about logging WSJT QSOs with VHFLOG.

Applications supplied with VHFLOG:
DXGRIDS Grids and Bands worked in contests.
EQLIST Your station equipment list.
LO Transverter LO/PLL offset utility (OLD, limited use with newer IF radios). Favorite beacons.
Members Worked Club member QSOs worked in contests.
SKEDULER Multiple schedule alarm clock.
SQUARES Grid Square calculator. VHFLOG now has a built-in 6-digit calculator.
TOTAL GRIDS Total grids worked in many contests.
UTC TIME Change the UTC hour only of your log post contest.