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Manual - RoverLog

1. ere e Ea RR T DEP ea Har eet 28 9 2 USING THE QSO MAP ALT M cccsssssecesssseceessncecessuecessossccsseneecsssuseceususecsesauesessaueessuneersesenenes 29 9 3 USING THE CALGULATOR AET C 2 2 cseteris Heer Pest te ede end 30 9 4 ROTOR MODU LE iiia He bibi 32 9 5 USING A GPS RECEIVER WITH ROVERLOG essen eene nennen nnne nnne nennen nnne 34 9 6 USING THE KEYER AET Y insistido pesti eed cedido 35 9 6 1 The Keyer Module istae eue ren Rieger er dites 35 9 6 2 The Main RoverLog Interface to the Keyer Module see 37 9 6 5 Keying Modes t Ret HE tei ede TI I eod a oes 37 9 6 4 Using RoverLog s Keyer with an External Mixer Program eese 39 9 7 MAKING PASSES ALT D eic dd 39 9 8 SCHEDULING QSOS ALT K tiet pen crees ere ce dea ea e da eese cave de Pea ode ae Eee o eene aa 40 9 9 RIG CONTROL AND REVIEWING STATION INFO ALT F seen eene 41 9 10 USING AN EXTERNAL BAND SWITCHING AID eeseseeeeeeeeeeen eene eene nennen nnne nnns rennes 44 941 ROVEREOG TIME eoe re ad 45 10 NETWORKING WITH OTHER ROVERLOGS ALT N e eeeeeeeeee ee eene seen eet en esteso stans etas 46 10 1 SETTING UP YOUR ROVERLOG NETWORK ccssssesesesseceesseeeeseneeeeessseeeesensesesseeeessesseeessneeeeseeeees 46 10 2 USING YOUR ROVERLOG NETWORK c ccccssssccsssseeeseseeeeseneecessneeeesceeesseneeecseseeeeseseeeeseneeesseeeess 48 11 PASSING AN
2. p for the CW pitch Hz These substitutions are only made correctly if you initiate sending the CW message from the main RoverLog Program Message 6 is for typing a custom message in real time What you send with paddles is copied into this field if you are using a K1EL WinKey To clear this field type Alt W In Transparent keying mode you can add a delay between PTT keying and the beginning of the CW message by including leading spaces in the message The same is true for a delay between the end of the CW message and PTT de keying If sound is enabled in the Global Configuration area the Keyer will use the PC s soundcard If you do not have a soundcard disable this option Voice keying will not work without a soundcard but CW keying will If Looping is enabled your message CW or Voice will repeat periodically as specified by the Delay As usual press Escape to stop the message and end the loop RoverLog s keyer can be configured to set your soundcard s mixer to one configuration when keying and another when not keying This can be used for example to pass microphone audio through to the soundcard output when the keyer is inactive See section 9 6 4 on using RoverLog s keyer with an external mixer program below for more information The Keyer can be customized for different profiles Each profile is stored in its own rlk file You can use this for example for different operators in a multi op station or for different grid sq
3. 144 1 0 144 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 1 Rig Band 3 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 222 1 0 222 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 20 Rig Band 4 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 43210 432 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 21 Rig Band 5 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 90210 903 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 4 Rig Band 6 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 1 2G 1 0 1296 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 41 Rig Band 7 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 2 3G 1 0 2304 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 60 Rig Band 8 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 3 4G 1 0 3456 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 61 Rig Band 9 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 5 7G 1 0 5760 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 80 Rig Band 10 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 10G1 0 10368 1000 exec iopwr 3bc 81 Rig Band 11 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 24G 10 24 exec iopwr 3bc a0 Rig Band 12 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 47G 1 0 47 exec iopwr 3bc al Rig Band 13 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 76G10 76 Rig Band 14 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 119610119 Rig Band 15 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP
4. It s Not Just For Rovers Version 2 6 11 by Tom Mayo N1MU 6 23 2014 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Un EN N o o Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ssscssssosssosssesssesesessesssonssesssoscsocssocssecsscssonssonssonssesesensonssesssonsoosssessnsssenses 4 INTRODUCTION pU 5 QUICK START bicicciccsscscccestascsencsascsusscescdassatasvcesnsossndesssetesdesestesendenscosssudsescedacdeaseuseddesebacsnssoascenssebocwassns 5 ROVERLOG FILES te 5 4 1 INITIALIZATION SCRIPTS IND etre tit da 6 4 2 ROVERLOG KEYER FILES REK eee terere ierat dada dd dida 6 4 3 LOGFILE LOG reete e ad 6 4 3 1 Options for Log File Naming and Sharing essen enne 6 4 3 2 Cabrillo H eade r 3 tete e e i er tW ooi ER TIGE 7 4 3 3 OSO DI C 7 4 3 4 Cabrillo Eoot r ioa ate ia 7 4 4 SKED EIEE CSKD A it tette eire te aii eere 7 4 5 LOOKUP FILE CEUP ite te it eode ete eia eet testen eod dn tercie 7 4 6 METAKIT DATABASE BILE MK 3 ue ttes e a e tees Cei eet tib aie bevenie le 7 4 7 SUMMARY FILE C SUM ente iet tee ee a tede dte Mate sh 8 INSTALLATION c ss ossis sise 9 5 1 ROVERLOG DISTRIBUTION deiteeiiectse fee tet eode eene s iner e inclina Hesse ode a eade aea debeo eb dea seruo dd 9 9 2 A e ated tees tenis edes tutes 9 SA O O 9 6 1 ROVERDPOG INI A ERE OT ROUTERS 9 6 1 1 Station Informat
5. NAME CALL ADDRESS EMAIL ADDRESS RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 5 Installation To install RoverLog for Windows you need only the RoverLog distribution For other environments you will also need to install Tcl Tk 5 1 RoverLog Distribution Obviously to run the RoverLog program you need to obtain it RoverLog can be obtained for free from http roverlog 2ub org The author asks that you consider joining the RoverLog mailing list Through participation on this list you can ask for help with using RoverLog and interact with the author and other users to discuss features and request enhancements Please see the web page for information on joining Once you have downloaded the distribution s zip file unzip it into a convenient folder on your computer Windows users may simply double click on rl X Y Z exe to run it Other users need to read the next section 5 2 Tcl Tk RoverLog is written in a language called Tcl Tk pronounced Tickle Tee Kay It was written in Tcl Tk because the language is portable to just about any platform in use today including Windows Mac and Unix The Tk part of Tcl Tk is a graphical user interface extension that allows building windowed applications Tcl Tk is interpretted This means there is no compilation step required between modifying the source code and running the program The downside of all this flexibility is that you must download the Tcl Tk interpretter to run Tcl Tk programs
6. You can use this window to set up the Keyer and even play messages as a stand alone application but when logging you should use the Main RoverLog Keyer window for sending keyer messages shown below The Transmit and Receive buttons in the Direct PTT Control area will key your radio via the voice keyer serial port This can serve as a PTT button when you use only your PC s microphone To record and playback the voice keyer scratchpad buffer use the Voice Keyer Record and Play buttons To then save the scratchpad message into one of the voice keyer registers 7 8 or 9 click one of the blue Save buttons Each register can then be played back using the corresponding green Play button When the voice keyer is activated i e keying the serial port listed in the configuration area is opened and its handshaking lines are set to the values in the Line Control field This is also done if the Also Key Voice Port for CW setting is enabled The main RoverLog program communicates with the Keyer module via the IP Port specified in the Server configuration area CW keyer messages are configured in the CW Keyer area You can customize the CW messages by entering text including the following macro substitutions 35 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 m for your callsign s for your grid square c for the other station s callsign r for the other station s grid square w for the CW speed WPM 0 for the operator s name
7. iopwr37861 57G o fo fo 1 1000 0000 80 iopwr37880 1t0G 1 fo fo 1 1000 0001 81 __ iopwr378 81 24G o 1 fo f1 1010 0000 a0 __ iopwr 378 a0 476 1 1 fo 1 1010 0001 at __ iopwr 378 at On most PCs 378 is the base address for LPT1 but some use different addresses To find the base address for your PC s parallel port visit My Computer gt Properties gt Hardware gt Device Manager gt Ports COM and LPT In the example below the base address is 3bc Check this before you try it Do not assume the correct address is 378 Printer Port LPT1 Properties General Port Settings Driver Resources E Printer Port LPT1 Resource settings Resource type Setting 1 0 Range 03BC 03BE Use automatic settings Conflicting device list No conflicts 44 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Here is an example of how to configure RoverLog s Rig Setup within the Ini File Editor for use with the N3FTI parallel port interface In this example the base address is 3bc as shown in the Device Manager screen shot above E In File Editor rove File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Rig Band 1 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 5010 50 1250 exec iopwr 3bc 0 Rig Band 2 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command
8. quantities of lookup data for callsigns and even place names such as NY MENDON etc Metakit database files are used with RoverLog s Super Lookup Module This file is read in when Super Lookup starts up The file to be read is controlled by the mkfile setting in super ini This setting is changed when you Open an mkfile or create a new one from within the Super Lookup Module You can import data from lup files into Super Lookup mk databases See section 9 1 4 on Super Lookup later in this document RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 4 7 Summary File sum If old rules are selected a summary file is generated that must be edited prior to submitting your log The sum file is named with the same root name as the log file An example is shown below ROVERLOG CONTEST SUMMARY SHEET CONTEST NAME CALL USED N1MU HOME GRID SQUARE SECTION CALL OF OPERATOR IF DIFFERENT FROM CALL USED OPERATOR CATEGORY SINGLE OP SINGLE OP PORTABLE ROVER MULTI CHECKLOG BAND CATEGORY ALL LIMITED POWER CATEGORY HIGH LOW IF MULTIOPERATOR LIST CALLS OF OPERATORS AND LOGGERS 50 0 x1 0 0 Club Participation Yes No If yes print the name of I have observed all competition rules as well as all regulations for Amateur Radio in my country My report is correct and true to the best of my knowledge I agree to be bound by the decisions of the Awards Committee DATE SIGNATURE CALL
9. 1 0 Peer 6 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station6 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 7 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station7 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 8 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station8 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 9 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station9 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 10 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station10 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 11 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station11 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 12 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr IP Port Bands station12 127 0 0 1 0 RoverLog allows you to network to other logging PCs running RoverLog This allows you to split up the work to different operators in a multi operator contest effort If you will not use networking disable it here Net Enable if 1 RoverLog will expect to communicate with the peers in the list Message Popup if 1 RoverLog will display a focus grabbing window when a network chat message arrives Pass Prompt if 1 RoverLog will automatically present you with the Pass dialog after every QSO Verbose Logging if 1 RoverLog will display information on administrative network traffic Return to Call Entry After Net Message if 1 RoverLog will return focus to the Call Entry after you send a network chat message Network Log Height RoverLog displays this many lines of netwo
10. Help The File menu allows you to start a new log open an existing log merge an existing log into the current log save the log save the log to a different name export the log to ADIF format or exit the program The Tools menu allows you to bring up sub windows within RoverLog and to save RoverLog s current settings The Help menu allows you to display the list of shortcut keys or view the version and author information 7 2 QSO Line The QSO Line contains the QSO fields and action buttons Enter information for each QSO you make in the entry fields The Band field indicates the band on which you made the QSO Select the band you are operating on by pulling down the Band menu button or by using the Alt Alt Alt b and Alt B shortcut keys You may not type in the Band field This prevents you from entering bands not supported by the Cabrillo standard The Band field may be locked to prevent inadvertently changing bands 22 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 The Mode field indicates the mode for the QSO Select the mode by pulling down the Mode menu button or using Alt O to cycle through the modes You may not type in the Mode field This prevents you from entering modes not supported by the Cabrillo standard The Keyer and Stop buttons are described in section 9 6 below If the Keyer button text is red this means RoverLog has lost communications with the Keyer Module The Date and UTC fields may be updated
11. Log Foreground for Net dark grey Log Background for Net Log Foreground for Net New Mults Log Background for Net New Mults Map Cold Background gre Map Cold Foreground Map Warm Background Map Warm Foreground r Map Hot Background Map Hot Foreground Map Unworked Background Map Unworked Foreground Color for Made Skeds Clock Transmit Background Clock Transmit Foreground Clock Receive Background Clock Receive Foreground You can control the colors for normal QSOs and new multipliers both locally logged and logged over the network as well as the colors for the map and RoverLog s Clock Module Common color names such as black white dark grey etc can be entered here and a full list can be found at http tmml sourceforge net doc tk colors html 13 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 6 1 5 Modules To Start File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Keyer Super Lookup Rotor RoverLog provides a few additional modules you may find useful Use the Modules to Start tab to configure which of these RoverLog will start and stop on starting and exiting The Keyer interfaces with your sound card and a serial port to send CW and Voice Keyer messages The Super Lookup module is used to search a large database for detailed information for a given callsign or location The
12. Message button or press Enter If you wish to share the message with all networked stations select the all option under Select Peer You can cause your entire log or sked list to be sent to the station s indicated in the Peer ID field by clicking the Send Log or Send Skeds button QSO lines in the log that are identical are not duplicated but any difference in similar lines causes them to be duplicated As mentioned in the Logging QSOs section logging editing and deleting QSOs is shared with the other stations in the network automatically RoverLog s networking feature uses an unacknowledged application layer protocol however so network messages may be lost To ensure logs are complete at the end of a contest it is a good idea to use RoverLog s file merge feature 48 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 11 Passing and Scheduling with RoverLog RoverLog uses a concept of a Sked list and a Work In Progress or WIP list Passes from one operator in a multi op station go right into the WIP list of the operator that receives the pass When a sked comes due it is marked made in the Sked list by coloring the line and added to the WIP list Each operator has a WIP limit This limit is the number of entries allowed in the WIP list before it would take the operator too long to get to a new entry if it was added You configure this number for each operating position For operating positions where it takes several
13. QSOs are with your buds and to make sure you ve worked them everywhere possible Super Button Click What you ve Super Lookup RoverLog searches a large Lookup entered in the database mk fixed database of stations to Call field file make a guess as to their 25 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Po Ho ation Web Button Click What you ve QRZ A web browser is opened to the Lookup entered in the Buckmaster or lookup information for the Call field ARRL FCC station in question Notes You database must be connected to the depending on Internet for this to work and it configuration works on full callsigns only 9 1 1 Auto Lookup Tab from Call field to Recd Field Whenever you use the tab or spacebar key to move from the Call field to the Recd field RoverLog does a quick search to find the last known grid for the station you ve entered You can configure RoverLog to either just use data from QSOs you ve logged or to also search through your Lookup lup file 9 1 2 Partial Callsign Lookup Alt l Lower Case L If you wish to look up stations by the call you ve entered so far click the Lookup button in the main window or press Alt I Alt Shift L is for Buddy Lookup see below A window appears with a list of stations that match the current call text the bands they have and the bands you have worked them on between each received grid and your sent grid in parentheses Buttons to copy t
14. QuickMix with the script called key qmx while the dekey command exec quickmix dekey runs QuickMix with the script called dekey qmx These commands must be entered in the RoverLog Keyer Module Key Command and Dekey Command fields 6 Verify proper operation and mixer settings for the keyed and dekeyed state If at any point you don t like the settings re run QuickMix from the command line to save the correct settings Note If you do not want to use QuickMix you can use any command line driven mixer program by specifying the correct key and dekey command lines Note The Direct PTT Control transmit button leaves the mixer in the dekey state to allow microphone audio to pass through the PC but still key the radio You can use this as your PTT From within the main RoverLog program the Alt i shortcut performs this action as well 9 7 Making Passes Alt P You can quickly pass a station to another seat in your multi operator group using the Alt P shortcut or by clicking the seat s button on the Station Info window He has Iv 50 Iv 144 f J Date UTC Local WIP Limit Busy on NOW at NOW Now First Available Peer Info o 99 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Simply fill in the information and press Enter Make sure the peer band and frequency are correct If you start by selecting the Peer with the button or with Alt and Alt RoverLog will attempt to fill in the remaining fields f
15. Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command 06 23 14 Rig Band 1 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 501 32129 0 0 144 1 32129 0 0 222 1 0 222 1000 432104321000 1902 1 0 903 1000 1 2G 1 0 1296 1000 2 3G 1 0 2304 1000 3 46 1 0 3456 1000 5 7G 1 0 5760 1000 10G 1 0 10368 1000 24G 10 24 47G10 47 76G 1 0 76 119G 10119 142G10142 241G 1 0 241 300G 1 0 300 Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking The Rig Setup tab allows you to configure up to 18 rigs with which you will interface The Rigs are separated by Band so that when you QSY to a given band the associated Rig Module is contacted to get your current operating frequency You can also specify Rig 1 or Rig 2 which directs the RoverLog Keyer module to activate this rig if the rig interface supports it For now Rig Modules are assumed to run on your local machine and you must specify the IP port each Rig Module listens on While RoverLog only starts one Rig Module via the Modules to Start setting up to 18 can be configu
16. Rotor and Rig modules interface with your rotor or rig via a serial port The GPS module interfaces with your GPS receiver using a serial port and keeps track of your current location time and travel speed and direction The Clock module displays the time RoverLog uses and can be used to verify what time RoverLog thinks it is based on your PC clock 14 RoverLog User Manual 6 1 6 Tom Mayo N1MU Rig Setup File Help Rig Band 2 Rig Band 3 Rig Band 4 Rig Band 5 Rig Band 6 Rig Band 7 Rig Band 8 Rig Band 9 Rig Band 10 Rig Band 11 Rig Band 12 Rig Band 13 Rig Band 14 Rig Band 15 Rig Band 16 Rig Band 17 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq QSY Command Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command Band
17. True North Use the Ant Offset entry for example if you have a dish with multiple offset feeds or if you are a Rover with a rotor that is aligned with your vehicle instead of with True North at each stop When using an offset feed when your rotor is pointed at True North the feed in question is really pointing at x degrees Enter the x in the offset field Likewise for a rover station assume that when you aim your rotor North your antennas point in line with the vehicle Enter the direction your vehicle is pointing in the offset field Example We are in a rover vehicle in FN12FX and want to point to FN13FX This is directly north of us 30 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Remote Grid marz Raw Bearing deg 0 0 Range miles Range km 111 3 Mag Bearing deg a Mag Reverse deg S Declination deg iz Speed mph o True Course deg 0 asia RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 4 Rotor Module Rotor Module Rotor Serial Port COM1 Serial Port Mode 9600 n 8 1 Serial Port Line Control RTS1DTR1 DDE Service Projectl DDE Topic SYSTEM Server IP Port 132125 Start Restart Server Polling Interval sec 0 Rotor Type RC2800DC Rotor Pos deg 0 Rotor Setpoint deg 0 The Rotor Module is the interface RoverLog uses to communicate with a rotor controller For controllers accessed via a serial
18. based on your computer s clock or entered manually Click on Real Time or Manual under the Date field to cycle between these two modes The date and time are updated every ten seconds when Real Time is selected UTC time is generated from your computer s clock and is corrected by adding an automatically calculated offset based on the time zone you set in your computer The Skeds function is described in section 9 8 below The number below the Skeds button is the number of stations in your Work in Progress or WIP list This list is updated when you accept a sked or when a pass is made to you If the Skeds button and WIP text is red this means you have WIP waiting to be worked Accept with Alt A or open the Skeds Window to view your WIP The My Call and Sent fields contain your station s contest callsign and grid square respectively You can set RoverLog to obtain your grid square from your GPS receiver To enable this operation click the From GPS radio button to select that option You must be running the GPS server See section 9 5 on using a GPS receiver below The Maidenhead grid square format is two letters from A to X two numbers from 0 to 9 and optionally two additional letters from A to X An example is FN12FX Scoring is usually based on the first four digits but bearing and distance calculations can use six digits for more precision Six digit grids are allowed in the log and are scored properly For distance based scoring all si
19. for your support hope you find RoverLog of some use If you are inclined you may donate toward RoverLog development by sending a PayPal payment of 10 20 or some other amount to tmayo6 gmail com or by sending a check to Thomas C Mayo 17 Old Brook Trail Honeoye Falls NY 14472 More than donations appreciate feedback and suggestions Please don t hesitate to contact me directly or via the RoverLog mailing list at http groups yahoo com group RoverLog Tom Mayo N1MU 6 23 2014 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 2 Introduction RoverLog is a program that allows you to log your contacts for VHF UHF and Microwave contests that score based on a grid square exchange It is filled with features useful during these contests such as real time scoring call lookup duplicate checking networking etc This document is intended to provide you with the information you will need to use RoverLog 3 Quick Start For those who are anxious to get going with RoverLog here are some basic steps to take Windows 1 Download and run the RoverLog installer rl X Y Z exe 2 From the Start Menu run inied tcl to configure RoverLog for your use a Set your Callsign b Set your Default Grid c Set your log file name Usually it s your callsign with log appended Your log file lives in the RoverLog install folder usually C Program Files RoverLog d Set the Contest ini file name to make sure your score is calculated
20. if you are not running Windows Fortunately it is free It can be obtained at http tcl activestate com 6 Setting Up Before using RoverLog for a contest you must make sure it is set up properly for the contest so that scoring logging and other features work properly 6 1 roverlog ini The roverlog ini file may be edited using the Ini File Editor inied tcl Run the inied tcl script by double clicking on its icon This script loads in the values from roverlog ini and provides you with a graphical user interface to modify the settings When you are finished making changes close the window You will be prompted to save the file Here are sample screenshots RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 6 1 1 Station Information File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Callsign Default Grid Allow My Call and Sent Changes 1 Default Band 144 Band Lock 0 Default Mode PH Buddy Calls KJ1K WA2AAU W2FU KE3HT N1OFZ I Declination deg East West 12 Default Ant Offset deg CW CCW 0 0 Callsign Default Grid Default Band and Default Mode used if this information is not obtained from the last QSO in the log on startup Allow My Call and Sent Changes if set to 1 the corresponding fields on the main RoverLog display are enabled and you can make changes to their values This is usef
21. operators We just choose the peer multi op seat we wish to schedule for the time and other details Skeds SES Skedsfor Peer Irsa Start Date 2006 04 05 utc 1szo mem eem UTC X Band Freq Call Recd His WIP r Limit s Busy o Skeds Delete Sked Copy Sked Time Increment min 1o Add Sked Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 2006 04 05 1820 2006 04 05 1830 2006 04 05 1840 2006 04 05 1850 2006 04 05 1900 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 1930 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 My Work In Progress fo Limit le Accept Delete Resked Busy oO Min 1 Min 5 Min 10 Min Recd Note Once we are satisfied with the sked information we either hit enter or click the Add Sked button 57 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Skeds aig Skedsfor Peer fuse Start Date 2006 04 05 utc 1szo Redraw Now Eater Later Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note His WIP o Limit s Busy o Skeds Delete Sked Copy Sked Time Increment min fio Add Sked Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 2006 04 05 1820 2006 04 05 1830 2006 04 05 1840 2006 04 05 1850 2006 04 05 1900 2006 04 05 1910 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 My Work In Progress O lo Limit 3 m Accept Delete Resked Busy fo 0Min 1Min 5 Min 10Min at UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 144 144 2500 W282 FN32JP Az 96 6 58 RoverLog User Manual Tom
22. port on your computer Make sure the ini files for each module are set up for the correct serial port COMx for Windows and dev ttySx for Linux for example 4 RoverLogFiles RoverLog uses different types of files while in operation All of RoverLog s files including your contest logs are stored within the installation folder directory e jini scripts configure RoverLog for your station and preferences e rlkfiles to give RoverLog s Keyer Module a different personality for different operators or operating grids e The log file stores your contest entry in Cabrillo format RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 e The skd file stores your scheduled contacts e lup files store information about stations and their locations e mk files are databases for callsign and place name lookup using the Super Lookup Module e sum files can be used to submit contest entries for non ARRL contests This file is optionally created 4 1 Initialization Scripts ini The configuration of RoverLog is performed through a script named roverlog ini This script is executed or sourced whenever the program starts This script sets up global variables and parameters used in the program during operation The script also sources a lt contest gt ini script containing contest specific setup commands including bands points per band modes and rules style These scripts can cause problems running RoverLog if variables are set incorrectly or not at
23. properly e Review the other settings and verify they are correct 3 Optionally run logheaded tcl to initialize your log file and header 4 To start RoverLog simply double click on the roverlog tcl icon or select it from the Start Menu Non Windows 1 Install Tcl Tk This is different depending on what operating system you use 2 Unzip the RoverLog distribution 3 Runinied tcl to configure RoverLog for your use a Set your Callsign b Set your Default Grid c Set your log file name Usually it s your callsign with log appended Your log file lives in the folder in which RoverLog was installed d Set the Contest ini file name to make sure your score is calculated properly e Review the other settings and verify they are correct 4 Optionally run logheaded tcl to initialize your log file and header 5 To start RoverLog run roverlog tcl from the shell prompt or double click if you have associated tcl files with the wish Tk interpretter All 1 Ensure that your system clock is set to the correct time RoverLog uses UTC time for all references It calculates the difference between your local time and UTC using the time zone you have set for your operating system 2 If you wish to use RoverLog modules Keyer Rotor Rig GPS or Clock select them in inied tcl before running RoverLog so they will start automatically when you start RoverLog 3 The Modules except Clock can interface to different devices via a serial
24. roverlog ini W mm mm gt File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Fn Key1 to 11 Operation QSY 4 F7 F9 Trigger Rig DVR Play 1 3 0 KeyerIP Address 127 0 01 Keyer IP Port 32126 Super Lookup IP Address 127 0 0 1 Super Lookup IP Port 32128 Get Info from GPS Server 0 GPS Server IP Address 127 0 0 1 GPS Server IP Port 32123 Rotor Server IP Address 127 0 0 1 Rotor Server IP Port 32125 The Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup tab is used to control how RoverLog communicates with the Keyer Super Lookup GPS and Rotor modules You can run each of these modules on a remote machine so that you have one logging PC and one PC that interfaces with the Keyer Super Lookup database GPS and Rotor You can share these servers among multiple logging PCs for example Fn Key 1 to 11 Operation set to QSY to bands 1 to 11 or to send Keyer messages 1 to 9 F7 F9 Trigger Rig DVR Play 1 3 set to use the rig s built in DVR vs RoverLog s Keyer voice memory Module IP Address and IP Port specifies the IP address and IP Port for each module on this tab Get Info from GPS Server if set to 1 RoverLog will query the GPS Module for current location 16 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 6 1 8 Sked Setup File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer S
25. valid grid squares may be shown The map is updated each time you log edit or delete a QSO You are not required to click Redraw in these cases 29 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 3 Using the Calculator Alt C The RoverLog bearing and distance calculator tells you the direction to point your antenna to reach a station in the grid square entered in the received grid field or in the remote grid field on the calculator window Updates to the calculator are performed as you type in the grid Six digit grids are supported for both your location and the remote station s location The calculator provides the bearing you should use to point at the other station as well as the bearing he should use to point to you The bearings are given with respect to both True North and Magnetic North RoverLog s compass display allows you to enter your local declination or obtain it from the GPS server so you can get an accurate Magnetic bearing and a display of what you should expect to see on your actual compass including the needle a True North meridian and Bezel compass points If you are unfamiliar with using a real compass you can disable compass display in the Initialization File Editor If you are using a rotor it s likely that all you will need is the True Bearing In this case as long as your rotor is set up for True North you should have no problems The Move Rotor button sends the bearing to the Rotor Module with respect to
26. within the Rotor module by a query followed by a 1 degree increment or decrement of position Enter the desired position in the Rotor Position field Move Rotor commands from the Main RoverLog program also cause this field to update Enter the desired rotor speed in the Rotor Speed field The Bump CW Bump CCW Send Pos to Rotor Get Pos from Rotor and Stop Rotor buttons all send the expected commands to the Rotor 33 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 5 Using a GPS Receiver with RoverLog To use a GPS receiver with RoverLog you must run the GPS Module a separate Tcl Tk script that acts as a mediator between the serial port to which the GPS receiver is attached and RoverLog RoverLog can start this and other Modules on startup if configured to do so within the Ini File editor The GPS Module is shown below GPS Serial Port COMI Serial Port Mode 4800 n 8 1 Server IP Port 32123 UTC Offset hrs 4 Set Computer Time on Next Reading C Enable Disable Restart Server Lat Lon deg 43 239632 79 031182 Declination deg 10 9 W Speed mph 0 0 Course deg 000 0 Grid FNO3If Date 2005 08 24 UTC 1951 Seconds 37 RoverLog s GPS Module expects to receive NMEA 0183 data via a serial port at 4800 bps with no parity 8 data bits and 1 stop bit The Module works best with the GPRMC sentence but can also get partial information from the GPGGA sentence if that is all that is available from your p
27. 0 0 1 0 Peer 9 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station9 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 10 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station10 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 11 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station11 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 12 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station12 127 0 0 1 0 Each networked logging PC running RoverLog is assigned a peer name 144 for the station in the example above This is used for networking to discriminate between networked PCs and make communication between RoverLogs more straightforward for you The Peer Name is not the same as an IP host name Other examples of peer identifiers you might use are VHF UHF and Microwave or 6m 432 and 902 5G or Tom and Andy etc Each peer in the RoverLog network you will use has an IP host name This host name may be an IP address such as 192 168 1 1 or a name such as tompc that can be resolved to an IP address It is beyond the scope of this manual to discuss the details of IP networking and name resolution If you are using an Ethernet network hopefully you understand the concept of IP addresses Each peer also has a port number to listen on The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority IANA has allocated port 3677 for RoverLog s use Normally you should use this port but other ports may be used for experimentation su
28. 1MU appears to have all bands from 50 MHz to 10 GHz We need to work him everywhere else Unfortunately K2MDS only happens to have 6 meters and 2 meters so we ll pass to 6 meters 50 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU We can Pass by hitting Alt P or by clicking the 50 button on the Station Info window Station Info My Information Band fra Op Frequency C From Rig Server Manual LO Freg MHz lo 0000 Rig Freq mt lo 0000 opFieg mna ERG 7 Peer Information Freq Busy 803128 EH pcm pni poti pd ow TT station PER 4 EA E station ooa i a Ed sen statior 1 RN ees station12 E a po We simply click on the 50 button and then the pass window appears 51 06 23 14 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Pass E Pass to Peer as His WIP m Limit EN Busy lo Band Freq Call Recd Note has faece enm o fewazex faz 0 0 By aa Iv 50 Iv 144 M 222 M 432 M 302 M 12 M 23 M 34 lv 57 10 We see from this window that 50 MHz is NOT busy He has no WIP work in progress and his Busy timer is zero Important according to his WIP Limit he ll accept up to 3 passes and skeds into his WIP queue before he requires you to sked instead of pass The band and frequency are filled in with his last known operating frequency as shared over the network We can change the frequency call grid a
29. D SCHEDULING WITH ROVERLOG cecus ee eee eee ee eee ee ena sean setas tena etas 49 11 1 PASSING EXAMPLE 5 ese nete te ec ren ea Pede be e dadas aede deesse ed 49 11 2 SCHEDULING EXAMPLE coacalco ite to r ead 57 12 ROVERLOG SHORTCUT KEYS wisisisiccnsssscesssnscetnnssentessacsevansssesseenscsendsestesbentevennseveassvavsenoetsenstesceseos 59 13 CONTEST SPECIFIC HINTS j csctscssscscssscoseassassenscsstecdeccssesssnscosctesssconseassasccasesssseasseesscosecseceasooasoussens 60 13 lt ARRIG GONTESTS castidad da e et eet leek apie e et 60 13 2 CO WORLD WIDE VHF CONTEST terrent retis iaa cec t 60 3 3 SPRINIS i necne dee ree hte eee ri ec een cid ec bee te e e etie edt 60 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 1 Acknowledgements RoverLog would have never been created if it weren t for the original idea and specification by Sigurd Kimpel KJ1K Actually Sigurd is the person that got me interested in Ham Radio in the first place He is a true gentleman and deserves all the respect can give Several others have contributed feedback and donations over the years to make RoverLog better would especially like to thank the following people Dick Frey WA2AAU Jeff Ach W2FU Tim Ertl KESHT SK Dana Rawding NTOFZ Ed Grosso N1FGY Jeff Millar WA1HCO Ed Parish K1EP Fred Lass K1TR Brian Justin WA1ZMS Of course many others have taken an active role in RoverLog s development thank you all
30. II messages to your WinKey via the designated serial port The WinKey then closes and opens the key input to your radio With the CW Keyer Protocol set to Transparent the Keyer Module sends audio out the computer s speaker jack using a keyed tone If you keep your radio in SSB mode CW will be sent properly because a pure tone sent in SSB mode produces a single frequency output This is NOT MCW when you send in SSB mode it is pure CW This assumes you have the audio levels set properly Try it while listening to your own audio with a receiver in CW mode to convince yourself The downside to this scheme is that you cannot benefit from CW filters on receive while in SSB mode If you wish to build a hardware interface to key your radio in CW mode using the Transparent Protocol you can use the following circuit designed by Jeff Ach W2FU Radio Shack part numbers are listed for all components For best results set the Keyer pitch to 3000 Hz J1 RoverLog Transparent Keying Circuit by W2FU WS2B J1 J2 1 8 Phone Jack RS PN 274 251 L1 600 Ohm 1 kOhm RS PN 273 1380 D1 D2 D3 D4 1N914 RS PN 276 1122 R1 1 kOhm RS PN 271 1321 R2 10 kOhm RS PN 271 1335 R3 100 Ohm RS PN 271 1311 C1 0 1 uF RS PN 272 1053 Q1 2N2222 RS PN 276 2009 Enclosure RS PN 270 235 or 270 1801 38 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 6 4 Using RoverLog s Keyer with an External Mi
31. Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 12 RoverLog Shortcut Keys Keystroke Shortcut F12 Control F lt n gt Alt Key F4 Page Down Page Up Escape Alt Key n Alt Key Alt Key Alt Key Alt Key Alt Key a A Alt Key b B Alt Key c C Alt Key d D Alt Key e E Alt Key f F Alt Key h H Alt Key i l Key Transmitter via RoverLog Keyer Alt Key j J Alt Key k K Alt Key W L Alt Key m M Alt Key n N Alt Key o O Alt Key p P Alt Key s S Alt Key t T Alt Key v V Alt Key w W Alt Key x X Alt Key y Y Alt Key z Z Return Spacebar Unique Sked List Shortcuts 2 Keystroke Shortcut Page Down Move forward in time by one screen Down Arrow Move forward in time by one sked interval Page Up Move backward in time by one screen Up Arrow Move backward in time by one sked interval Alt Key d D Delete Sked Alt Key e E Alt Key w W Alt Key Alt Key 59 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 13 Contest Specific Hints There is no substitute for reading the rules to whatever contest you are entering Do not use the RoverLog manual as a reference for contest rules That being said some information is provided below to get you started on submitting your RoverLog contest log 13 1 ARRL Contests The ARRL expects you to e mail them the log file that RoverLog has saved your QSOs to They want the log file to be named with your callsign nOne log for example See htto www arrl org contests announcements rules all html for e mail add
32. Modules is typically 3677 This number is assigned by the IANA for use with RoverLog and is therefore a safe number to use Communications between RoverLog and its Modules should be on port numbers above 30000 to prevent conflicts with other well known services To disable contacting a given service set the IP Port number to zero If a RoverLog service cannot be reached IP communications to RoverLog Modules are Blacklisted by RoverLog for each service Keyer Rig etc If a service is blacklisted a button on the interface sub window for that service will be displayed in Red If you see this click the button to un blacklist the service and attempt to re establish communications Blacklisting causes RoverLog to discontinue attempts to contact the blacklisted module while it remains blacklisted 19 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 If RoverLog loses communication with the Rig Module or if RoverLog was erroneously configured to attempt to get information from the Rig Module the display will appear as below My Information Op Frequency From Rig Server C Manual LO Freq MHz 0 0000 Rig Freq MHz Op Freq MHz 0 0000 0 0000 Stat WIP Limit Busy Info 3 20 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Similarly in the example below RoverLog has lost communications with the Rotor Module Remote Grid FN322K Raw Be
33. Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station11 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 12 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station12 127 0 0 1 0 By using this example you can try out networking on one computer by running two different RoverLogs one for peer station1 and another for peer station2 The best way to do this is to copy all RoverLog files to two separate directories and modify each roverlog ini file to assign a unique peer name to each station Port numbers above 30000 are generally safe to use If in doubt try to telnet to the port to see if a server is listening before running RoverLog e g telnet localhost 33338 247 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 10 2 Using Your RoverLog Network Once you have set up your network you may use it to chat with the other stations share QSO logging transactions share operating frequencies and send your current log An example of the Net Window is shown below Networking Send To C Enabled C Deabled Select Pens ani Network Communication Log UTC Now 1707 1707 stationl all Hello Chief Send Log Send Skeds From this window you can enable and disable networking so that logging editing or deleting of QSOs is not shared with other stations You can enter the ID of another station or peer to send a message to To send a message to just this peer enter the message in the Message field and click on the Send
34. Port LO Freq QSY Command 142G 1 0 142 Rig Band 16 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 241G 10 241 Rig Band 17 Band Rig 1 2 Rig Server IP Port LO Freq gt QSY Command 300G 1 0 300 9 11 RoverLog Time RoverLog s main program updates its time and position every 10 seconds The 10 second update rate is selected to minimize the effects on GUI latency for the user RoverLog s GPS Module updates time and position every time a GPS message is received via the serial port This is usually every two seconds If the GPS Module loses its connection to the GPS receiver it resets its data to blanks after no more than 10 seconds It may take up to 20 seconds for the main RoverLog program to react to this condition See below In the main RoverLog program if From GPS is selected for position RoverLog will send a Grid request to the GPS Module every 10 seconds If the request succeeds RoverLog updates the 6 digit grid square position based upon the response If the GPS Module s replies are blank the condition that occurs if the GPS Module never heard from a GPS receiver or if the GPS or inter process connection was severed RoverLog discontinues querying the GPS Module sets the Sent mode to Manual and highlights the From GPS selection If RoverLog s Time mode is set to Manual it does not update the Date and UTC fields If it is set to Real time it uses data f
35. ain RoverLog screen 4 3 4 Cabrillo Footer The log footer is written to the end of the log file every time it is written 4 4 Sked File skd Sked files store contacts scheduled with other stations Sked files are identified by the extension skd and have the same root name as the log file name When RoverLog starts it attempts to load skeds from this file The sked file is saved every time the log is saved or when the sked list changes Skeds can be passed over the network as well 4 5 Lookup File lup The Lookup File provides RoverLog with data on well known stations their grid squares and bands The lookup file contains a list of stations one per line followed by their commonly used grid squares and bands separated by spaces This file is read in when RoverLog starts up The file to be read is controlled by the lookup file name setting in roverlog ini A sample line looks like this LUP AF M FN13gd FNO3 FNO4 FN22bx 50 144 222 432 This line tells RoverLog that AF1M can often be found in FN13gd FNO3 FNO4 and FN22bx and that he has 6 m through 432 MHz The lookup database is updated when QSOs are logged or read in from the saved log The Lookup File is saved whenever the log is saved If you keep the same Lookup file from contest to contest you ll build up a database of stations you typically work 4 6 Metakit Database File mk New with RoverLog 2 4 0 is the ability to handle binary databases that can be used for massive
36. all but the provision to use scripts was added to ensure maximum flexibility Roverlog ini should be edited using inied tcl which provides a clean user interface for modifying and viewing the configuration Several lt contest gt ini files are provided with the install and should be modified only with extreme care 4 2 RoverLog Keyer Files rlk RoverLog Keyer Files give the Keyer a different personality for different operators or different operating grids For example you may wish to have the voice keyer use each operator s voice when they are operating Or you may wish to default to a faster or slower CW speed for different operators For more information see section 9 6 on the RoverLog Keyer Module below 4 3 Log File log All information required to submit a contest log to the ARRL is included in the log file Log files are identified by the extension log The log file strictly follows the Cabrillo file format but is a text file and can be edited by hand if necessary using a text editor Editing should not be performed while RoverLog is running however or corruption may occur You can configure RoverLog to save the log file to disk every n times you log edit or delete QSOs This ensures there is a valid log on disk in case of a power outage See Setting Up below Logs contain contacts logged locally and also contacts logged at another networked seat in a multi operator configuration 4 3 1 Options for Log File Naming and Shar
37. and Freq Call Recd Note HiswiP 2 Limia Busy 0 Skeds Delete Sked Copy Sked Time Increment min 10 Add Skea UTC Band Freq Recd Note 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 1800 1810 1820 1830 1840 1850 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 50 1250 KJ1K i My Work In Progress E Limit am Accept Delete Resked Busy o 0Min 1Min 5 Min 10 Min Date UTC Band Freq CaN 2006 04 05 1753 50 50 1250 N1MU Az 139 8 By 144 Assuming we now work N1MU on 6 meters we return to normal operation 55 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Some time later the sked with KJ1K comes up Skeds E E Skeds for Peer l o Start Date 2006 04 05 UTC 162 Redraw Now Eater Later Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note His WIP f Limit s Busy o Skeds Delete Sked Copy Sked Time Increment min 1o Add Sked ate UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 My Work In Progress ad Limit m Accent Delete Resked Busy fo 0Min 1 Min 5 Min 10 Min ate UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 2006 04 05 1820 50 50 1250 KJ1K FN3Z We simply repeat the process of accepting the WIP and make the QSO 56 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 11 2 Scheduling Example We can make skeds for ourselves or for other
38. aring deg 98 2 Ant Offset deg 0 0 Rotor Bearing deg 281 1 223 4 359 5 110 2 293 1 Declination deg F12 Speed mph True Course deg Here RoverLog has lost communications with the Keyer 254 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 7 A Tour of the Main Window The main window is where you enter QSO information perform logging and other actions and view the log An example main window is shown below File Tools Help L Band Mode Date UTC My Call Sent Call br PH 2012 06 08 1410 C Lock Keyer e Realtime Skeds E From GPS SEs Lookup Calc ES Unlock Stop Manual o Station Info e Manual Web Buds Map Delete QSO Edit QSO Copy QSO Cancel Edit Hist SO 144 PH 2012 06 08 1341 N1MU FN12FX KJ1K Score Log Header The log currently contains 1 entries Sort By Band Time Sent Call Recd The window consists of the Menu Bar the QSO Line with action buttons and the Log Area On the main window and all RoverLog sub windows yellow fields are critical to a given action like logging a QSO Light yellow fields are critical but are changed via a button or other method White fields are informational Items needing your attention are red The default action which will be executed if you press enter is colored pink 7 1 Menu Bar The Menu Bar contains three menu picks File Tools and
39. articular receiver If you set the Set Computer Time on Next Reading flag the GPS Module will execute an external batch script to perform this action on the Windows platform On Linux or OSX the Module will execute the date command to set the date and time For nuts and bolts types of people the script datetime bat can be modified if it doesn t work under the particular version of Windows you are using The Enable radio button will be displayed in red as shown in the example above if the PC time and GPS time differ by more than 10 seconds 34 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 6 Using the Keyer Alt Y 9 6 1 The Keyer Module The Main Keyer window is actually a separate Module from RoverLog and can be run stand alone This window is shown below Direct PTT Control CW Keyer Loop CW Keyer Information Play cq cq de m m k IN My Call Sm NIMU Play 2 sc Sc de m m c c de Iv Sent s FN12 F Call Sc Received Sr WPM Sw 30 Operator 0 CW Pitch Sp 700 Voice Keyer Configuration CW Keyer Configuration Serial Port None Sound Y Enabled Serial Port None Key Control RTS1 DTR 0 Also Key Voice Port for CW Enabled Key Control RTS1DTRO Idle Control RTS0 DTRO Looping V Enabled Idle Control RTS 0 DTRO Server Configuration Loop Delay sec 5 Mode 9600 n 8 1 IP Port 32126 Kay Command Protocol C KIEL WinKey Restart Server Dekey Command Transparent
40. ays for example by importing your own merged logs via lup files importing VE2PIJ data or using a fixed FCC Zip Code database from RoverLog s web site The FCC Zip Code database can look up callsigns as you d expect but it can also look up place names such as NY MENDON or Mendon NY to yield the grid square derived from the associated zip code s latitude and longitude My Location Grid Latitude Longitude Bearing Range Server IP Port NONE FN12FX 42 979167 77 541667 251 0 23 5 32128 Restart Server Index Call Location Grid Latitude Longitude Bands Notes 00480242 MoA zm48uu 38 83838 090 28417 Total Database Entries 969516 Matches 31 Lookup Delete Record 12351 31 2 42 a 0 42 G Notes 5 o Call Location i Latitude Longitude 38 83838 KMOB 37 41733 094 14404 KMOC 2 38 88437 095 33807 KMOE 2 39 03232 094 46998 KMOG 2 39 02482 094 68256 EMOI 41 76394 091 60480 KMOJ 37 11334 094 50266 KMOK 2 42 51709 092 43585 KMOM 2 42 77478 092 40397 EMON 45 16486 095 02013 When the Super button is clicked on the main RoverLog window a network message is sent to the Super Lookup module requesting a lookup of the current callsign or callsign fragment The Super Lookup module responds with its first match From the file menu within the Super Lookup Module you can perform a few useful actions 27 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 e New Creates a new blan
41. ch as running two RoverLogs on one PC see below 46 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 You may also fill in the bands that a given peer operates In the example above the peer 902 1296 operates 902 and 1 2 Consider the following additional example tri Fie Editor File Help Net Enable Message Popup Pass Prompt Verbose Logging Return to Call Entry After Net Message 1 Network Log Height 8 My Peer Name station Peer 1 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands stationl 127 0 0 1 33338 50 144 Peer 2 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station2 127 0 0 1 33339 222 432 Peer 3 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station3 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 4 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station4 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 5 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station5 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 6 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr IP Port Bands station 6 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 7 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station7 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 8 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station8 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 9 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr IP Port Bands station9 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 10 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station10 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 11
42. do not add a multiplier for grids activated 6 3 Serial Ports RoverLog has the capability of using multiple serial ports It can interface to a Keyer a GPS one or more Rigs and a Rotor You must decide which of these functions you want and which serial ports to use for each It s likely that you will not have enough serial ports for all of these functions You may either add ports via USB PCMCIA or some other means or forgo one or more of these functions The serial port for each Module is set within the module itself and saved in its ini file See below for more information about the Modules In Windows serial ports from 1 to 9 can be specified as COM1 to COMS9 while ports 10 and above must be specified as comX com10 for example There are also utilities such as comOcom http comOcom sourceforge net which can be used to plumb serial ports together or split them to provide output to multiple programs An example is piping the GPS NMEA data output to RoverLog s GPS Module as well as mapping software 6 4 IP Communications RoverLog uses UDP IP to communicate with its Modules and with other networked RoverLog programs Most of these entities must be configured within RoverLog to operate at a specific IP address and IP Port IP addresses may be specified in decimal dot notation e g 192 168 1 1 or as a host name if you have a name resolution service in place such as DNS The IP port used between RoverLog main programs but not
43. e Keying kevna Preferred Sound WinKey Voice and CW Serial Ports Rig Blaster or Card different equivalent CW Keyer Protocol set to K1EL WinKey K1EL WinKey Radio set to SSB or Line Control set to RTS 0 FM for Voice Keying DTR 1 for WinKey and RTS and CW for CW 1 DTR 0 for Rig Blaster Keying CW Serial Mode set to 1200 8 n 2 Ok Sound Sound Voice and CW Serial Ports Rig Blaster or Card Card same equivalent CW Keyer Protocol set to Radio set to SSB for Transparent both Voice and CW Voice and CW Keyer Line Keying Control set to RTS 1 DTR 0 for Rig Blaster 2372 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Rank Voice CW Settings External Hardware Keying Keying Ok Sound CW Tone Voice and CW Serial Ports Rig Blaster or Card Detector same equivalent CW Keyer Protocol set to CW Tone Detector Transparent circuit see below Voice and CW Keyer Line Radio set to SSB or Control set to RTS 1 DTR 0 FM for Voice Keying for Rig Blaster and CW for CW CW Pitch set to 3000 Hz Keying For Voice or Transparent CW keying the Keyer Module works by sending keyer messages as audio out the PC s speaker jack It is assumed you have somehow worked out how to couple this audio into your radio for example with a Rig Blaster The signaling lines of the serial port specified with the Line Control parameter are activated to key the transmitter With the CW Keyer Protocol set to K1EL WinKey RoverLog s Keyer will send ASC
44. frequency in place of the LO frequency parameter In this case consider LO to stand for operating frequency The Rig Server window is shown below Icom rigs report frequency changes without polling You can have the Rig Server poll other types of rigs periodically to keep the frequency fresh 42 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Rig Serial Port Serial Port Mode 9600 n 8 1 Serial Port Line Control RTS1DTR1 Server IP Port 32124 Start Restart Server Polling Interval sec 0 Rig Type Icom Rig ID hex 58 Rig Freq MHz 50 180d Rig Mode PH Send Freq to Rig Set Split USB CW Mode wt Tf For Icom rigs you can click the Set Split USB CW Mode button to set the radio to receive SSB and send CW with the correct frequency offset Click Set Non Split Mode to return to normal Rig Setup Tutorial Make sure you have Rig Setups like this for 50 and 144 50 1 32129 0 0 144 1 32129 0 0 This means that for 50 and 144 RoverLog will consult with the Rig Server on port 32129 and use Rig 1 It also means that the LO frequency to calculate the operating frequency will be 0 0 i e RoverLog will reflect whatever the radio is tuned to for 50 and 144 Now activate RoverLog and the Rig Server Use RoverLog to go to the 50 MHz band The radio will probably not do anything Now manually tune the radio to some frequency on 50 MHz like 50 125 The Rig Server should reflect this frequenc
45. g the QSO as usual 9 Other Features 9 1 Lookup There are five kinds of Lookup available with RoverLog Auto Lookup Partial Lookup Buddy Lookup Super Lookup and Web Lookup In all cases RoverLog s goal is to help you get more information about the station you are working so you can make sure you work him on all bands he has and or get your beam pointed toward him if he s weak Lookup How to String to Search Data Searched Typical Uses Type Trigger For Auto Tab or What you ve Lookup database RoverLog suggests a possible Lookup Spacebar entered in the Logged QSOs grid square for the station from Call Call field plus lup file data based upon QSOs you ve field to logged and possibly lup data Recd field Partial Alt L or What you ve Lookup database RoverLog shows you the grids Lookup Button Click entered in the Logged QSOs this station typically operates Call field plus lup file data from what bands he has and what bands you ve worked him on from where Use this Lookup to determine what your potential QSOs are with this station and to make sure you ve worked him everywhere possible The stations Lookup database RoverLog shows you the grids Button Click you ve set up as Logged QSOs your buds typically operate Buds in the Ini plus lup file data from what bands they have File Editor and what bands you ve worked them on from where Use this Lookup to determine what your potential
46. he log by band time sent grid callsign or received grid by clicking the appropriate button This action causes the log order to change If you want to make sure your log is saved in chronological order be sure to sort by time as a last step before saving your log You may disable log sorting by selecting that option in the Ini File Editor View the current score breakdown by clicking the Score button The rover or distance rules used are displayed if applicable New rover rules count unique grids contacted plus grids activated as multipliers Old rover rules count grids contacted as multipliers even repeats as long as they are worked from a different rover grid Distance based scoring uses kilometers as the scoring metric 8 Logging QSOs All QSOs that will be submitted as the contest entry are stored in the log file QSOs can be logged deleted or edited in the log 8 1 Logging a New QSO To log a QSO all information must be entered in the QSO Line the row of fields on the main window Once all information for the QSO is entered log the QSO by pressing Enter in the main window or clicking the Log QSO button RoverLog performs some checks on the QSO before logging and if any discrepancies are found a popup window will appear This includes call checking If the callsign check feature is set to strict the call entered is verified to be a valid North American callsign If the callsign check feature is set to lax the call must c
47. he station callsign and grid to the entry fields as a rover or non rover are also provided The list of grids and bands the station operates with are obtained from the external lup file The grids that you have worked are obtained from the current log and denoted by X Bands you need to work the station on are denoted by The following is an example of looking up W2S From this display we can see that W2SAG W2SGX W2SJ and W2SZ are found We know that W2SZ for example has bands 50 through 47 and we ve worked them on 432 902 and 1 2G We need to work them on the other bands YNN Copy to Entry Copy to Entry as Rover Edit Notes Save Notes 9 1 3 Buddy Lookup Alt Shift L You can use Buddy Lookup Alt Shift L when you have a set of stations you want to make sure to contact during the contest or additionally at every stop you make as a Rover You enter these calls in the Ini File editor When you do a Buddy Lookup all of the stations in this list appear in the lookup results with the corresponding bands and flags denoting where you need to work them 26 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 e Buds Lookup EX mn nn Entry Copy to Entry as Rover I Save Notes 9 1 4 Super Lookup When you perform a Super Lookup RoverLog contacts the external Super Lookup Module which uses a database that is not automatically updated during the contest This database can be obtained in many w
48. i op station If enabled RoverLog will communicate with the RoverLog Rig Server and update the frequency for your station as read from your radio To use the Rig Module you must run a separate Module rig tcl that acts as a mediator between the serial port to which the rig is attached and RoverLog You can either manually start the server outside of RoverLog or configure RoverLog to start it for you using the Initialization File editor It must be started before attempting to obtain information from your rig If RoverLog is configured to get your operating frequency and mode from the Rig Module the LO frequency can be specified so that RoverLog calculates a real RF frequency based upon the Rig Frequency A different LO is specified for each band you use For example if you are running a 903 MHz station that uses a 145 MHz IF your LO frequency is 758 MHz In this case enter 758 in the LO frequency entry for that band The formula RoverLog uses to calculate your operating frequency is opfreq abs lofreq rigfreq so if you are using an LO frequency greater than your operating frequency enter it as a NEGATIVE number e g for a 5905 MHz LO for 5760 opfreq abs 5905 144 9 abs 5760 1 5760 1 If you do not need an LO frequency i e the Rig Frequency is equal to your Operating Frequency enter zero If you are not using the Rig Module for a given band enter zero for the IP port number for that band and enter your usual run
49. ing The mechanics of how you set up your log files in a networked operation is left up to you You may name the files differently or you may name them all the same 4 3 1 1 A Different Name for Each Station For this option you set a different log file name for each multi operator station using the Ini File Editor After the contest is over you can examine each log by hand and merge them together using the RoverLog File Menu Merge function This option is good if you want to maintain the integrity of each station s log in the event one station s log is lost 4 3 1 2 All Logs Named the Same For this option each log file name is the same in all roverlog ini files At the end of the contest you must be careful not to lose any information by overwriting files if you move them all to a single machine You may opt to trust one of the station s logs as the master and submit it without detailed comparison with the other stations logs RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 4 3 2 Cabrillo Header The log header contains all non QSO and non footer lines of the log file The header can be edited with a text editor or by clicking the Log Header button on the main RoverLog screen Before the contest you may also use logheaded tcl to create a fresh log header 4 3 3 QSO Entries QSO entries are all lines in the log file that begin with the text QSO These lines are the ones that you add edit and delete when you modify QSOs using the m
50. ion eto a ee edo er e abt e rr en 10 6 1 2 JP PEE E 10 6 1 3 Bu 11 6 1 4 COlOTS Sito tiet e i M o Acte M LEO C erudit od 13 6 1 5 Modules To Start PEERS 14 6 1 6 Rig Seti sa iier ote ore OH RE a a e Res 15 6 1 7 Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup ederet ipee teret en recited rete 16 6 1 8 Sked Setups antea regie or eoe oom E ES 17 6 1 9 NetWOTKiW a edo A 18 6 2 OONTESTS INI ssec eieoiecettpes tee te eL a a ns e nU de Precise pese vd 19 6 3 SERTAL SNR 19 6 4 IP COMMUNICATIONS 4 ise dte dedico dice 19 A TOUR OF THE MAIN WINDOW ee eeeeeeee etse ete etna senses sess tates staat ta setas etse eas tas sense tastes s eoae 22 7 1 MENU BAR tee teu a ent t tiet t het e e e A 22 7 2 OSOLNE DE 22 7 3 THE LOG AREA etie ere ite tiet tpe t 24 LOGGING QSOS 24 8 1 LOGGING A NEW OSO 0 do idad 24 8 2 DELETINGA QSO as 25 8 3 EDITING AN EXISTING QSO ciet diana ea el pa reds 25 8 4 COPYING AN EXISTING QS ite ven etc e a 25 OTHER FEATURES RUN 25 9 1 TJOOKUP ii to a eats a ad eae ol doo den noo 25 9 1 1 Auto Lookup Tab from Call field to Recd Field eee 26 9 1 2 Partial Callsign Lookup Alt l Lower Case L eese 26 9 1 5 Buddy Lookup Alt Sh ftzE ettet i at eh e P e Rt castos e 26 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 1 4 Super Eookup cs user net ede rou Wm eet bes 27 9 1 5 Web Lookup
51. k mk database file with the name you specify The new database can be populated using the Add Record button and or the Import file menu pick This action causes the new mk file to be opened whenever the Super Lookup Module is started e Open Opens an existing mk database file This action causes the selected mk file to be opened whenever the Super Lookup Module is started e Import Reads the selected lup file and brings records from within the file into the active mk database Any changes made to the active mk database are committed to disk when you exit the Super Lookup Module unless you exit using the Exit No Commit menu pick The information for your location My Location Latitude Longitude and Grid and the Server IP Port are saved to super ini when you exit the program You can also use the Super Lookup Module independently of RoverLog for mk database maintenance This is described below To perform a manual lookup type in the callsign or place name you wish to lookup and click the Lookup button or press enter The matching records are displayed in the scroll window and the first match is brought into the active fields for update or examination Make a change to a record by clicking on the record typing in any modifications then clicking the Update Record button Delete a record by clicking on the record and then clicking on the Delete Record button Add a new record by entering the desired info
52. lc C Unlock Stop Manual o Station Info Manual Web Buds Map Delete USO Edit OSO Copy USO Cancel E dit Info work NIMU in FN12 on 50 50 1250 Log USO Score Log Header The log currently contains h entries 53 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Instead we could have examined the skeds window to see what else we have planned for the near future Skeds E ES Skeds for Peer 50 Start Date 2006 04 05 utc 1800 Fedra Now Ear Later Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note His WIP E Limit EC Busy o Skeds Delete Sked Copy Sked Time Increment min 1 Add Sked UTC Band Freq 2006 04 05 1800 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 2006 04 05 My Work In Progress EN Limit e Accept Delete Resked Busy lo OMin 1 Min 5 Min 10 Min ate UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 2006 04 05 1753 50 50 1250 N1MU FN1Z 4z 139 8 By 144 50 1250 KI1K We can see from the window above that our schedule is open until 1820 UTC we can tell it is now between 1750 and 1800 by the way the Skeds window came up So we can click on N1MU in the WIP window and accept him or just hit Alt A 54 RoverLog User Manual Skeds Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 DEOR Skedsfor Peer Iso Start Date 2006 04 08 UTC 1800 Redraw Now Ear Later Date UTC B
53. minutes to work one QSO this limit can be set to three for example For operating positions where it takes on the order of five seconds this can be set to 10 or even 100 for virtually no limit Each operator also has a Busy timer When an operator accepts WIP his Busy timer is set to a configurable number of minutes Each operator can also control his busy timer manually from the Sked Window RoverLog will not attempt to pass to a station that is at his WIP limit or has a non zero busy timer In this case RoverLog suggests you make a sked instead Please read on for more details 11 1 Passing Example This example is for a multi operator station K2MDS We just worked the remote station N1MU on 144 MHz RoverLog k2mds log 144 File Tools Help Band Mode My Call 144 e 2006 04 05 1740 kams ruizzc Ea m Lock Keyer Real time Skeds Net C FromGPS Super Lookup Calc C Unlock Stop ed Manual Station Info e Manual Web Buds Map Qso 144 PH 2006 04 05 1738 K2MDS Score Log Header The log currently contains h entries Now we can consult the lookup screen Alt lowercase L to see if we think N1MU has any other bands 49 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Callsign Lookup Partial Call Any Grid Wkd Pass 1 Z 3 5 No Data Sr on ees RECD SENT Copy to Enty Copy to Entry as Bover Edit Notes Save Notes We can see that N
54. n each minute and when it reaches zero and you are under your WIP limit RoverLog will allow passes to you Your WIP WIP Limit and Busy Timer appear to other peers in the Pass Sked and Station Info windows when your peer is selected 9 9 Rig Control and Reviewing Station Info Alt F You may review the operating frequencies for the different bands comprising your station using the Station Frequency List window Access this window by using the Alt F shortcut or clicking the Station Info button on the main window On this window frequencies are reported if they are received over the network or if you have typed them in Your operating post s frequency or frequencies are duplicated here and on the Net and Sked windows My Information mede c Op Frequency From Rig Server Manual LO Freq MHz 0 0900 Rig Freq MHz 0 0000 Op Freq MHz 44 1000 Peer Information Pass Freq Stat WIP Limit Busy stationl 144 1000 Info 1 3 0 _ station 222 1000 W2SZ FN32 1 3 0 station3 station4 station5 station6 station7 station station station10 station11 station12 41 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 The top portion of the Station Info window is your information while the bottom portion of the window is filled with information from the other peers in your multi operator group Each Pass button allows you to pass the current QSO information to the associated post in your mult
55. nd notes here if necessary You can update what bands the remote station has or doesn t have this time by checking or unchecking the checkboxes at the bottom of the window Red means we need to work this guy he has that band black means we ve already worked him gray means he doesn t have that band Make sure the peer frequency and band are correct When everything is set how you want it just press enter or click on the Pass button 52 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Here s what it looks like on the 6 meters station RoverLog window File Tools Help Band Mode Date My Call Lock Keyer Realtime Skeds Net E From S _ Super Lookup Calc C Unlock Stop Manual fu Station Info Manj l Web Buds Map Delete aso Edit USO Copy aso Cancel Edit Info Work NIMU in FN12 on 50 50 1250 Score Log Header The log currently contains h entries We see that we have a prompt in the Info line to Work N1MU in FN12 on 50 50 125 Also the Skeds button is red and there is a non zero number in the entry below the Skeds button We can just hit Alt A at this point to accept the pass This copies N1MU s information into the fields on the main window RoverLog k2mds log 50 File Tools Help Band Mode Date UTC My Call 50 yz 2006 04 05 1752 kams DET m ee Lock Keyer Realtime Skeds Net C FromGPS Super Lookup Ca
56. onsist of only letters and numbers Once the QSO is logged the score is updated automatically as are the map and the lookup database and the QSO is sent over the network if networking is enabled If enabled RoverLog will prompt you to pass the contact to another band This is called pass prompting and is set up in the Ini File Editor 24 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 8 2 Deleting a QSO It is a simple matter to delete an extra QSO Highlight the QSO in the log by left clicking on it then click the Delete button or press Alt D The score is updated automatically as are the map and the lookup database and the deletion is sent over the network if networking is enabled 8 3 Editing an Existing QSO A QSO that has been incorrectly entered can be corrected Highlight the erroneous QSO in the log display and click on the Edit QSO button The QSO data is brought into the QSO Line of the main window for modification and the QSO is temporarily taken out of the log When you are finished correcting the QSO press Enter or click on the Log QSO button to commit the change If you pressed the Edit button by accident click on the Log QSO button to return to normal logging 8 4 Copying an Existing QSO You may copy the information from a QSO that is already in the log into the entry fields by selecting the log QSO and clicking the Copy QSO button The existing QSO in the log is not modified Change the new entry as desired and then lo
57. or you based on the information it has from that Peer If you start by selecting the band with the button or with Alt and Alt RoverLog will attempt to fill in the Peer and the rest of the information it has for that band You can also add checkmarks for the bands the other station has 9 8 Scheduling QSOs Alt K Lim xX J Skedsfor Peer stedstor Peer atatzonz Start Date 2012 06 03 UTC 0220 Redraw Now Earlier Later Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note His WIP 1 Limit 3 Busy o Skeds Delete Copy Mark Made Time Increment min 10 Add Skea ate UTC Band Freq Recd Note 2012 06 09 0220 0230 0240 0250 0300 0310 432 1000 KJIK FN32JK by stationl 0320 0330 S FN32JK by stationl 2012 06 09 2012 06 09 2012 06 09 My Work In Progress 1 Limit 3 Delete Resked Busy 0 0 Min 1 Min n 5 Min 5 Min 10 Min ve Date UTC Band Freq Call Recd Note 2012 06 09 0310 432 432 1000 KJ1K FN32JK by stationl The Skeds window has a lot of information on it The general concept is that you are looking at the skeds for a particular peer in your multi operator group maybe you Select which peer you are viewing with the Peer button or with Alt and Alt The entire sked list will change each time you change peers The exception is the Work In Progress WIP list at the bottom of the display This is always your WIP list More information on the WIP list is given below Change the
58. ough the stack press Alt Z You may perform a partial callsign check using the Lookup or Buds buttons or Alt l or Alt L respectively See section 9 1 on lookups below 23 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Enter the grid square of the station you are contacting in the Recd field You may use a six digit grid square in this field for a more precise bearing and distance calculation see below Scoring is based only on four digit grid squares and the Cabrillo standard allows six digit grids in the log The bearing and distance calculator and map functions are described below If the Calc button text is red this means that you commanded the rotor to move but no Rotor Module was contacted Click the Calc button to clear this indication Click the Map button to see a grid square map of your contacts To Log a QSO press Enter or click the Log QSO button 7 3 The Log Area Once you log a QSO it is entered in the Log Area You may enter the current QSO into the log or edit or delete a QSO selected in the log See Logging QSOs below To scroll through the log use the scrollbar to the right of the log To modify the Cabrillo log header click the Log Header button The log header is saved every time you save the log or it is saved automatically by RoverLog The score in the header is updated whenever the score changes The number of QSOs in the log are reported in fields in the bottom of the Log Area Sort t
59. our operating system It is highly recommended that you use a fixed width font to maintain a zd RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 readable display The size is a pitch such as 8 10 or 12 The Face can be omitted for normal face or set to bold or italic for example Default Font used for the log and most other display fields Entry Font used for fields that collect your input Main Entry Font used for the important QSO fields Log List Height controls how many lines of history you will see in the log display Clear Entry After Logging if set to 1 instructs RoverLog to clear the Call and Received Grid fields after logging a QSO This is familiar for some users You may or may not find this useful Allow Grid Lookup For Unworked Stations if set to 1 RoverLog will fill in the grid square for any station it knows of If set to 0 RoverLog will only fill in the grid square if you worked the station during this contest Check Callsign Before Logging if set to a value besides none RoverLog checks callsigns as you log them Lax checking makes sure the callsign consists of letters and numbers and strict checking insists on valid Canadian US or Mexican calls Allow Compass Display enables or disables the display of the compass on the Calculator window Some users find it distracting but others especially Rovers may find it useful when using an actual compass to align antennas Allow Log Sorting if set to 0
60. port enter the serial port mode and desired line control settings for the serial interface you use to connect to the controller For more information consult the manual for your controller For controllers accessed via DDE Rotor Type DDE enter the DDE Service and Topic names and leave the serial port options blank Enter an IP port number that the main RoverLog program will use to contact the Rotor Module Port numbers above 30000 are generally safe to use If in doubt try to telnet to the port to see if a server is listening before running the Rotor Module e g telnet localhost 33333 If you change the port number you can press the Start Restart Server button If a non zero polling interval is set and the rotor controller supports status queries the Rotor Module will request the position from the rotor periodically 32 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Select the Rotor Type from the menu button The different types supported are listed in the following table Rotor Type Polling Query Response Format Rotor Position Bump Stop Command Supported Command Command Command NO ie __ tf l RC2800DC CR A TTR RC2800DC EN CR alt CR or CR p e MEN Hygain N All TE AP H H AM1 DCU 1 0x02 A CR 0x02 A R B CR 0x02 AG CR 0x02 AG997 CR Bump for rotors not intrinsically supporting this function is accomplished
61. red if you want to start others by hand If the IP port is not zero RoverLog contacts the Module on that port number to obtain information about the current IF frequency and calculates an operating frequency The LO frequency for a Rig Band employing a Rig server is added to the Rig s indicated frequency to obtain the actual operating frequency For example if you use an IF of 145 0 for 903 0 use 903 0 145 0 758 0 for the LO frequency On the other hand if you use a radio capable of operating on the exact frequency for the band set the LO frequency to zero This is frequently the case for the lower bands unless you use transverters An IP port of zero indicates that no server is contacted and instead the LO frequency is used verbatim as the operating frequency when you QSY to the given band This is like a run frequency 15 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Note that IP ports may be duplicated in other words if multiple bands use the same IF radio just fill in the same port number for each band For example if you use the same IF radio for 902 1 2G 2 3G 3 4G 5 7G and 10G each of these settings will list the same IP port This tab in the Ini File Editor is also used to configure interfacing with external band switching programs using the QSY Command at the end of each field See section 9 10 on using an external band switching aid below 6 1 7 Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup n m Ini File Editor
62. resses to specific contests RoverLog can be used for the distance based 10 GHz contests by selecting 10g ini as the lt contest gt ini file 13 2 CQ World Wide VHF Contest CQ encourages you to send electronic logs instead of paper logs via e mail attachment to cqvhf cqww com with subject line Callsign used in the contest only See http www cq amateur radio com awards html for more information 13 3 Sprints Some of the sponsors of Sprints have been e The Southeastern VHF Society http www svhfs org e The East Tennessee DX Association http www etdxa org e Central States VHF Society http csvhfs org https sites google com site springvhfupsprints Please consult the appropriate web site for rules and the submission process Sprint Sprint rules have recently been distance based RoverLog is up to the task There are several example contest ini files for these contests See lt contest gt ini files with dx in the filename 60
63. rk message history 18 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 My Peer Name Enter the name to which your network seat will be referred Peer n For each network seat enter a name for the peer its IP address and port and which bands the seat controls These settings control how RoverLog looks up and communicates with the stations in your RoverLog network Each station is a Peer Each Peer has an IP host name or numeric address and IP Port Number The port number 3677 has been reserved with the IANA for RoverLog use so it is a safe number to use If the IP Port Number is set to zero RoverLog will not attempt to contact a Peer for that Peer number Following the IP Port Number specify all the bands that Peer will operate This allows RoverLog to identify which peer to send to by default for a given band This is used for scheduling for example 6 2 contest ini Each lt contest gt ini file is named for the contest it supports Examples of lt contest gt ini files are provided with the RoverLog distribution You may use a text editor to tailor each file to support the specifics of your station just be careful as errors can cause RoverLog to stop working Rover rules work as follows New rules count grid squares worked once each per band regardless of where you were when you made the QSO They also generate a new multiplier for each square you activate Old rules count each from to combination as a separate multiplier but
64. rmation and then clicking the Add Record button Any changes you make are committed to the active mk database file when you exit the program unless you choose the Exit No Commit menu pick 9 1 5 Web Lookup If you click the Web lookup button on the main RoverLog window the web service you configured in the Ini File Editor will be contacted to lookup the current callsign This works with exact callsigns only 28 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 2 Using the QSO Map Alt M Center Map Band mz 1 2G Redraw Sent Recd Use the QSO Map Alt M to see what grid squares you have worked on the current band The number of QSOs made on that band for a given grid influences the highlight color for that grid The colors used for cold gt 1 QSO warm gt 2 QSO and hot gt 5 QSO can be set in the Ini File Editor see above Change bands by using Alt and Alt or clicking the Map Band button while viewing the map to see the coverage for that band The map updates automatically This only affects the map display not the band in the main RoverLog window Change the center of the map to see your coverage for different areas Click the North East West or South button to move the center in the corresponding direction To enter a new map center manually type the grid square you want in the center of the map and click the Redraw button or press Enter The map is allowed to re center so that only
65. rom the PC clock plus the UTC offset adjustment that it calculates based on your operating system time zone setting 45 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 10 Networking with Other RoverLogs Alt N 10 1 Setting up Your RoverLog Network Here is an example of a network setup from the Ini File Editor inied tcl IE ini File Editor rov TOT x File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Net Enable 1 Message Popup 0 Pass Prompt 0 0 Return to Call Entry After Net Message 1 Verbose Logging 8 Network Log Height My Peer Name 144 Peer 1 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands 50 192 168 1 1 3677 50 Peer 2 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands 144 192 168 1 2 3677 144 Peer 3 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands 222 192 168 1 3 3677 222 Peer 4 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands 432 192 168 1 4 3677 432 Peer 5 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands 902 1296 192 168 1 5 3677 902 1 2 Peer 6 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station6 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 7 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station7 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 8 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station8 127
66. s and scoring for each different contest Examples are provided with RoverLog Auto Save Interval the number of QSOs that RoverLog allows to occur before saving the log If performance is lagging try setting this to a higher number like 5 or 10 This causes RoverLog to save the log only after 5 or 10 QSOs instead of after every one If you do set this number higher be aware that you must save the log from within RoverLog before exiting to ensure all QSOs are saved 6 1 3 Display Ini File Editor roverlc File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Default Font Font Size Face courier8 Entry Font Font Size lt Face gt courier8 Main Entry Font Font Size lt Face gt courier 8 bold Main Window Stays on Top 0 Log List Height lines 8 Clear Entry After Logging Allow Grid Lookup For Unworked Stations Check Callsign Before Logging Allow Compass Display Allow Log Sorting Warn When Logging Manual Times Return To Call Entry After Lookup Copy Sound Bell For Annunciator Messages Supress response for Super Lookup Map Width Map Height The Display settings control RoverLog s appearance Each Font setting is specified by Font Size and optional Face The Font may be courier fixedsys or other fonts allowed under y
67. sked list s Peer and Start Date and Time on the top row of the window You can type in a date or time and click Redraw or click one of the time adjust buttons Enter the information for a sked in the next row on the Sked window Click on a particular time slot in the Sked List to select the date and time for the sked Make sure the Peer Band Frequency and remote station information are correct The Band can be changed with the Alt and Alt shortcuts You can also add notes at the end of the sked entry line to alert the other operator to particular details for the sked or to indicate who made the sked To commit the sked press Enter or click the Add Sked button 40 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 When a sked comes due RoverLog will move the sked information to your WIP list You can have multiple stations in your WIP list to work From the main window the Alt A shortcut will copy the first WIP list entry into your QSO fields The number of stations in your WIP list shows up on the main window below the Skeds button You can set a WIP limit that restricts other peers in your multi operator group from making passes to you If you have reached your limit the peer will be told to schedule the QSO later instead of making a pass In the Ini File Editor you can set RoverLog to mark you busy for a number of minutes upon accepting a WIP list entry You can also set this Busy timer with a button click Your Busy timer counts dow
68. uares visited when roving Each profile gets its own settings and voice keyer messages You can set the speed in WPM and the pitch in Hz of the CW generated The speed can be throttled up and down with Page Up and Page Down but not during playback except with a WinKey The text fields are received by the Keyer Module from RoverLog s main program but may also be saved in rlk files Up to three voice messages can be recorded and saved for playback as well The voice messages are saved on disk and reloaded each time you start the Keyer Module 36 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 9 6 2 The Main RoverLog Interface to the Keyer Module The interface between RoverLog and the Keyer Module is displayed from RoverLog by using the Alt Y shortcut hello chief The CW and voice messages can be sent with the Alt n shortcut where n is the number of the message to play Messages 1 through 5 are CW and 7 through 9 are voice Message 6 is reserved for a real time typed message entered in the field at the bottom of the Keyer window Send this message by either clicking the Play 6 button or by pressing enter within the message entry field Clear the typed message with Alt W The custom message can contain macros 9 6 3 Keying Modes The RoverLog Keyer supports a few different modes of operation Make sure you save your settings and restart the Keyer if you change the way you set these modes Rank Voice Settings External Hardwar
69. ul if you are a Rover for example Others may wish to disable changes to these values Band Lock controls whether or not QSYing is permitted This setting may be changed when RoverLog is running by selecting the radio button on the main window Buddy Calls can be looked up all at once using the lookup feature of RoverLog See section 9 1 2 on Partial Callsign Lookup below Declination used to assist RoverLog in calculating the bearing to the other station using the Calculator This can be obtained from the GPS receiver if it is attached to your PC and the RoverLog GPS Module is running Antenna Offset see section 9 3 on the Compass function for information 6 1 2 Files WM Ini File Editor rover File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Log File Name nlmu log Lookup File Name nimu lup Web Lookup Service Buckmaster Contest ini File cqvhf ini Auto Save Interval QSOs 10 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Log File Name controls the name of the file RoverLog stores all of your QSOs and contest entry information in Cabrillo format Lookup File where RoverLog saves and loads information about known stations Web Lookup Service the service to connect with when clicking the Web lookup button Select QRZ Buckmaster or ARRL Contest ini File contains settings specific to band
70. umber of minutes you will be busy on each QSO here Transmit on Minute used by RoverLog s Clock module to change its color based on whether you should be transmitting or receiving during the current minute Advanced Warning For Skeds min RoverLog will alert you to skeds this number of minutes prior to the sked time Automatically reap skeds when QSO made If set RoverLog will mark skeds made automatically if you ever work the station in the specified grid even outside the sked process See section 9 8 on scheduling below for more information EAS RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 6 1 9 Networking File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Net Enable Message Popup Pass Prompt Verbose Logging Return to Call Entry After Net Message 1 Network Log Height 8 My Peer Name Istationl Peer 1 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port lt Bands gt stationl 192 168 1 80 3677 50 144 Peer 2 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port lt Bands gt station2 192 168 1 81 3677 222 432 Peer 3 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port lt Bands gt station3 192 168 1 82 3677 902 1 2 Peer 4 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr gt IP Port Bands station4 127 0 0 1 0 Peer 5 Peer Name Host Name or IP Addr IP Port Bands station5 127 0 0
71. uper GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Default Post Sked QSY Action Return to Call Entry After Making Sked or Pass Default Time Increment minutes Limit of queued stations to work Minutes to Mark Me Busy After Accepting WIP Transmit on Minute Advance warning for skeds min Automatically reap skeds when QSO made The Sked Setup tab is used to set up how RoverLog handles scheduling later QSOs Default Post Sked QSY Action if 1 causes RoverLog to QSY up after a sked is created If 1 QSY down and if O stay on the current band Return to Call Entry After Making Sked or Pass if 1 instructs RoverLog to go back to the Callsign entry after making a sked or pass if you do not frequently enter many skeds or passes in a row Default Time Increment sets how far apart skeds will be in minutes This cannot be changed during a contest without losing skeds that do not occur at the specified interval so change this only before the contest starts Limit of Queued Stations to Work sets the maximum number of stations you will accept into your Work In Progress or WIP list If you make QSOs very quickly this number can be high if not it should be low For example if 10 stations will not get bored waiting to work you if you are working a pileup set this number to 10 Minutes to Mark Me Busy After Accepting WIP RoverLog can automatically mark you as busy upon accepting a sked Set the n
72. x digits are used The Net button is described in section 10 below You may view the run frequencies for the bands comprising your station and other operating information in the Station Info window by clicking The Station Info button See section 9 9 on Station Info below If the Station Info button text is red this means RoverLog has lost touch with one or more of the networked peers Click the button to review which peers are not connected Enter the callsign of the station you are working in the Call field If the station is a Rover enter the callsign as CALL R If the station is operating portable in another area enter the callsign as CALL AREA N1MU VE3 for example If the station is operating as a Rover in another area enter the callsign as CALL AREA R N1MU VE3 R for example This format allows maximum benefit of RoverLog s lookup features When you tab from the Call field to the received grid square field RoverLog will check its database of known stations and grids and fill in the last known grid square for the station If RoverLog finds a grid square for the station when you press tab a message is generated You may enter question marks in the Call and Recd fields Pressing spacebar in these fields toggles between them and the first question mark in each field is highlighted with each press of the spacebar A callsign and grid square stack keeps track of calls and grids each time you log a QSO If you wish to cycle thr
73. xer Program If you intend on using a microphone attached to your PC to send audio to your radio for transmission over the air this section is for you RoverLog s Keyer can execute a command when keying and de keying This can be used for example to set your computer s mixer to mute the microphone input during keying and un mute the microphone when dekeyed This would be useful if you want to use a single microphone through your logging PC to operate your radio but still allow the keyer to take over the output audio during voice keying The example program use to accomplish this is QuickMix a freeware mixer controller by Martin Saxon Systems http www msaxon com quickmix This program allows you to save and recall mixer settings Here are the steps used to setup the RoverLog keyer to take advantage of QuickMix 1 Set your mixer as you want it during keying microphone muted volume adjusted to send the correct level through your audio interface to your radio for transmit 2 From a command line run quickmix s key This saves a file called key qmx 3 Set your mixer as you want it during idle dekeyed times microphone enabled and level set to properly drive your audio interface to your radio using the microphone 4 From a command line run quickmix s dekey This saves dekey qmx 5 RoverLog s Keyer uses two parameters to determine the commands to execute on keying and de keying The key command exec quickmix key runs
74. y and eventually 2 seconds max RoverLog s Station Info window should show this too Now use RoverLog to go to the 144 MHz band Similarly manually tune the radio to 144 200 or something Watch the Rig Server and RoverLog s Station Info window catch up to this frequency 43 RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 Now RoverLog knows what frequencies you are using on 50 and 144 Change bands back and forth between the two bands and make sure the radio goes to the last tuned frequency per band This works this way because there s a bit of a paradox in where your desired frequency enters the RoverLog Radio system 9 10 Using an External Band Switching Aid When changing bands RoverLog can control devices such as those that operate via your PC s parallel port The RoverLog distribution includes a program called iopwr that can poke values to the parallel port It requires the inpout32 dll file that is included as well The iopwr program accepts a hex base address and a hex value to write This can be used with N3FTI s Pack Rats interface board as shown in the following table Band A B C D Binary Binary Hex Command DCBX XXXA o o o j0000 0000 0 iopwr3780 jo o fo o0o00 000 1 iopwr378 1 jo 1 O o o o 0010 0000 20 iopwr37820 o 0010 0001 21 iopwr37821 o 0100 0000 40 iopwr378 40 1 o fotoo 0001 4 iopwr378 41 1 o otio 0000 60 iopwr378 60 o foro 0001 61
75. you are not allowed to modify the contents of the log by sorting The log in this case remains a chronological log of what happened during the contest unless entries are edited If set to 1 you can sort by band callsign grid sent time or grid received Warn When Logging Manual Times if set to 1 RoverLog is instructed to pop up an alert if you log manual times perhaps unintentionally Return to Call Entry After Lookup Copy if set to 1 returns focus to the Call Entry after copying information from the Lookup window Sound Bell for Annunciator Messages If set to 1 the PC s bell will be used when RoverLog has an important message for you If you are using RoverLog s voice keying you will probably want to disable the annunciator bell Suppress Response for Super Lookup If set to 1 RoverLog will not fill the Call and Recd fields with the response from Super Lookups If set to 0 those fields will be filled in with the first database entry matching your query Map Width selects a number of grids to show horizontally Map Height selects a number of grids to show vertically RoverLog User Manual Tom Mayo N1MU 06 23 14 6 1 4 Colors If Ini File Editor ro File Help Station Information Files Display Colors Modules to Start Rig Setup Keyer Super GPS Rotor Setup Sked Setup Networking Log Foreground black Log Background white Log Foreground for New Mults red Log Background for New Mults white

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