Version 6.23 has been sent to the update list. If you don't get it in
a few days and are a current subscriber, let me know (sometimes it takes
a little extra time for the big file to make it).
There is also an XT version of this release available on the BBS only.
Here are the release notes. I hope to be updating the manual soon (i.e.,
before Dayton).
Release notes for TR Logging Program - Version 6.23
21 March 1998
Version 6.23 released on 21 March 1988
- Made the ? character work during tail end process. Also improved
support of QUESTION MARK CHARACTER during tail end and start sending.
- Memory consumption reduced by 32K from version 6.22. We believe
performance has only been sacrificed at non critical times. Also,
if you don't send any CW with the program, you gain an addition 3K.
- Added new feature to flag callsigns in the bandmap that are either
country, prefix or zone multipliers. Note that the status is marked
when the callsign is added to the band map - or updated after you
work that station. The QSO is flagged with a happy face.
- A number of numeric overflows were detected and fixed. These were
a result of saving some memory and allowing me to enable range
checking. Normally, these would have just given bogus results, but
are now "fixed" so they won't happen. A good example is checking the
beam heading for an unknown country. Other examples include reading
in a LOG.DAT file with bogus data.
- If you use the DEBUG option (so the simulator works itself) and have
the CW TONE = 0, the program will now run much faster. No CW messages
will be sent. You should see rates over 2,000 per hour. Also, the
band will change from time to time to beter simulate actual activity.
- The TRMASTER database had some problems when it didn't have enough
memory to continue. When your free memory got down below 5K, the
TRMASTER feature (Super Check Partial) feature was supposed to turn
itself off. Well, it partially did, but part of it (the possible call
routine) kept running. This created some real problems as the program
tried to read pieces of the TRMASTER.DTA file that were not there.
This has all been cleaned up and the TRMASTER feature totally disables
itself when memory gets low.
- Some work has also been done when you run out of memory again - after
the TRMASTER.DTA file has been disabled. A few rough edges have been
sorted out and the program should behave well when running out of
memory. In fact, you should be able to continue working people
forever. They just won't be added to the dupesheet or partial call
& initial exchange memory.
- When sending or receiving a QTC for the WAE contest, the function key
messages are now disabled. This was necessary during one of the
exercises to decrease memory use.
- Fixed bug where FreeMemory display didn't update with ESCAPE in SSB mode.
- Some delays had been added to the TR READ feature to do some testing
in the previous version. These should have been removed before 6.22
was released, but I forgot. They are now gone.
- Fixed bug with not reading in QSO points correctly from LOG.DAT file.
Version 6.22 released on 6 March 1998
- Fixed band changes this hour for multi network.
- No overwrite of ? characters in INSERT mode.
- Cursor always goes to ? when moving to call window, even if INSERT mode.
- Added FINDFILE start up command - shows which directory TR will file the
specific file you type in (i.e., TR FINDFILE TRMASTER.DTA is interesting).
- Added HELP start up command. Shows all the commands for reference.
- Allowed ESCAPE to exit you from blank packet edit entry.
- Increased stored size of prefixes that appear CTY.DAT to 7 characters.
Fixes problem with SM1TDE matching SM1TDE/4U.
- Fixed flaky DVP init bug. Sometimes when starting TR, it wouldn't
get the proper shared memory address from the DVP.
- Made ` (packet spot) use last QSO's call if the CALL WINDOW is blank.
- Fixed bug with wrong CW Speed being used for Control-A prefixed CW
messages (sent on inactive radio).
- Fixed bug with distances in European DX contest. This was a new bug
in version 6.21. A new routine was added that had better accuracy,
but it wasn't protected from the lower case characters.
- Allowed DownArrow to be used to enter exchange before call in CQ MODE.
When you UpArrow back into the call window, you can then type the call,
press RETURN and the station's call and CQ EXCHANGE will be sent.
- Fixed memory dump of TRMASTER. While it appeared that the memory
was freed up (based upon the free memory displayed), the feature
kept working.
- Changed to S48P13DC.DOM for CQ 160. Counts DC mult now.
- Fixed bug with / stations not being called by name.
- Allowed editable window changes to affect initial exchange and
possible calls.
- Initial exchanges are now loaded from LOG.DAT files if the parameter
PARTIAL CALL LOAD LOG ENABLE is true.
Version 6.21 released on 16 February 1998
- Added BAND CHANGES as a legal value for HOUR DISPLAY. This can be
used to count how many band changes have been made in each hour.
- If you started the program without a LOGCFG.DAT file and set up the
ARRL DX contest, the remaining multiplier display might be in the
wrong mode until you exited the program and restarted. This is now
fixed so the proper remaining display comes up at the start.
- Made PACC QSOByMode = FALSE and MultByMode = FALSE.
- Improved sprint parser to handle 4 or 5 entries. You can now enter
the following exchanges in addtion to the old ones.
NAME QTH # NAME QTH (uses the second name and QTH)
# NAME QTH # (uses the second number)
NAME # NAME QTH (uses the second name)
QTH # NAME QTH (uses the second QTH)
NAME QTH # NAME (uses second name)
You can still put a callsign in any of the above if you have
UPDATE CALLSIGN ENABLE = TRUE and it will remove the call before
processing the rest of the exchange.
- Added sunrise/sunset times. They show up with the beam heading display
when enabled with the MY GRID command. Made Sunrise/Sunset use MyGrid
for the QTH if the the call in the call window = MyCall. This allows
you to know your own sunrise/sunset time.
- Changed default background color for beam heading window to white.
Also, extended the beam heading window to the left 10 spaces to make
room for sunrise/sunset times.
- Added RADIO ONE ID CHARACTER and RADIO TWO ID CHARACTER parameters.
Works similar to the COMPUTER ID, except the letter shows which radio
was used. Do not use this and the COMPUTER ID feature at the same
time.
- Fixed problem with improper QTH showing up in some cases during the
the sprints and NAQP. This typically happened in when switching
from S&P to CQ mode and working a DX station.
- Fixed JST as a radio type for radio two. We have a report that the
program doesn't work with the JST145. Investigation in process.
- Fixed bug with Alt-D QSO leaving cursor in call window when pressing
the space bar.
- Made Alt-D work on SSB even if the DVP is not enabled.
- Tried to make the program less memory hungry. It uses about 5K less
than the previous version.
- Went to more accurate distance calculator. Now matches some of the
popular programs in Europe.
- Fixed BROADCAST ALL PACKET DATA not supported in LOGCFG.
- Made Packet Window and Control-J timeouts only work when using multi
port.
Version 6.20 released on 5 January 1998
- Fixed callsign you answered in CQ mode not being sent.
- Added COUNTRY INFORMATION FILE parameter (control-J). This allows you
to name a file that has information for different countries in it. This
information will be displayed in the editable log window at the same
time you are shown other information for that country (i.e., mult status
or beam heading).
The file would have the country ID (use the one shown in the CTY.DAT
file) by itself on a line, then up to five lines of data afterwards.
A blank line indicates that there is no more data for that country.
There is no limit on the file size.
For example:
JA
This will be displayed when working a station in Japan.
So will this.
HL
This will be displayed when working a station in Korea.
- Removed beep when sending radio information to other stations on multi
network. This was put in during testing and I forgot to remove it.
- Made ESCAPE in CQ MODE with no entry in call window repaint editable log.
This means you can recover from having something else in the editable
log window like the country information or multi messages.
- Added ControlHome to view last five multi talk messages.
- Made multi message aborted with ESCAPE key not get sent.
Version 6.19 released on 4 January 1998
- When using the multi network, the program can now update the remaining
multiplier display without doing anything. Before, this was disabled
as it took a long time on some of the slower computers. The new
parameter is MULTI UPDATE MULT DISPLAY and the defaul is TRUE. You
can change it with Control-J. When it is FALSE, the remaining multiplier
display isn't updated until another QSO is made, or a band/mode change
is executed.
- There is now a 20 second timeout when using the multi network and you
leave the computer in a mode that doesn't allow it to process network
traffice (i.e., packet window, keyboard CW or view log).
- Added new footswitch mode to act like the F1 key (FOOT SWITCH MODE = F1).
This works for both CQ and S&P modes.
- A check has been added when using CQ zones and the RST ZONE exchange to
make sure the zone you have entered isn't over 40.
- Some changes have been made to make the super check partial feature
more responsive on slower computers.
- Made POST's R Q case sensitive. Before, PA and Pa would be counted
as the same multiplier.
- Allowed DUPECHECK or DUPE CHECK for footswitch mode. It was one way
on the control-J menu and the other in the manual. Either one will
work now.
- When selecting a spot from the bandmap, you will now be left in a
state so you can call the station with a RETURN. Before, the initial
exchange had already been filled in and pressing RETURN would try to
log the QSO. Also, if you try to select a spot while in the middle
of a CQ mode QSO, the program will ask you to either log or abort the
QSO first.
- Fixed dualing CQs on CW. A bug was introduced where the radio that
had the CQ stopped on it might be left key down. This was a problem
only if using different ports for your CW (as opposed to using a
single port and a relay).
- Added CROATIAN contest and CROATIAN QSO point method.
- Added TEN MINUTE RULE (NONE, TIME OF FIRST QSO). This is intended to
show you how long it has been since you made your first QSO on whatever
band you are on.
- Fixed FT1000MP again. Beta tested this time and guaranteed!
- Added SKIP ACTIVE BAND (Control-J - false). When TRUE, doesn't allow
you to move your active radio to the same band as your inactive radio
when using the Alt-B or Alt-V commands.
- Added SPEED command to Function Key Message. Needs the Control-C at
the start of the command and Control-D at the end. Either put a
numeric speed (1 to 99 WPM), or any number of + or - characters to
make relative adjustments.
- Allowed W M and R in "power" for ARCI contest (used for decimal power
or milliwatts). The W is required to indicate that the entry is not
an ARCI member number.
- Improvements to DVK operation:
o Escape will abort any message (not just F1).
o DVK0 now works in message (was broken).
Version 6.18 released on 6 December 1997
- Enhancements to ARCI contest. Added RST POSSIBLE DOMESTIC QTH AND
POWER exchange. The power gets used for ARCI numbers as well, but
put a W after power levels sent by non members. The W will be logged.
Added ARCI QSO POINT METHOD for ARCI. If a no W found in the "power",
the full 5 points will be scored. If a W is found, you get 2 points
for the same continent, or 4 points for DX.
- Switched mode and frequency for MP back the way it was (freq then mode).
- Prevented possible crash if packet frequency > 2,147 MHz.
Version 6.17 released 23 November 1997.
- Reversed the order of sending the mode and frequency to the FT1000,
FT920 and FT1000MP. This means your mode will be set before setting
the frequency. Under some radio configurations, this could result
in an error equal to the CW offset.
- Fixed Dualing CQ process on SSB when using the DVP. Also, some minor
clean up of DVP sequencing when using two radio mode. Pressing F1
to resend your callsign while a dummy CQ is in progress works quicker.
- In the S&P mode, if you use F2 to resend your exchange just after
logging a QSO, it will send the SEARCH AND POUNCE exchange even if
you have a REPEAT SEARCH AND POUNCE exchange programmed. Furthurmore,
it would set the "ExchangeHasBeenSent" flag so that when you make
your next S&P QSO, it will send the REPEAT S&P EXCHANGE. This has
now been changed so that if you press F2 with no call window or
exchange window entry, the REPEAT S&P exchange is sent and the
ExchangeHasBeenSent flag is not set. If you don't have a REPEAT S&P
exchange programmed, you won't notice this as the S&P exchange gets
sent all of the time.
- The CONTEST NAME is now part of the RESTART.BIN header. This means
if you change the contest you are operating in your LOGCFG.DAT file,
the program won't try to use the RESTART.BIN file that might already
be in the directory. This eliminates any possible problems with
incorrect configurations which could cause strange behavior (i.e.,
missing remaining multiplier info).
- Some people have seen a negative number appear in some log entries
when displaying frequency. Two changes have been made here. First,
a band-aid has been added so that if for any reason a negative
result appears for the frequency, it will be set to zero. This
happens with we don't get frequency data from the radio and then
subtract out the megahertz. Secondly, an improvement has been made
in how I filter the frequency data in an attempt to use the previous
non-zero frequency when I come up with zero.
This list stops at the version covered by the latest release of
the manual. You can view previous release notes on the web at
www.contesting.com/_trlog/.
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/trlogfaq.html
Submissions: trlog@contesting.com
Administrative requests: trlog-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-trlog@contesting.com
Feature Wishlist: http://web.jzap.com/n6tr/trwish.html
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