W3KM Cabrillo Evaluator - Initial Use    
           Step-by-step to learn the use of Cabrillo Evaluator

° Software Description:
This SW loads and scores Cabrillo format logs for 328 contests, with auto load
of contest profile Ini. For sponsors/log checkers: SW will automatically evaluate up to
1500 logs with duping, claimed score, actual score, cross checking, N-QSO rule, 5-min QSO
rule and 2 profile Ini files support for `home` and `away/DX` log submissions.

° Note: A problem users may have is the column format of the log files - but is handled
by the re-format function. Read the help file about re-formatting to see how to do it.
CabEval was written in 2000 when contests used specific column templates. Additionally,
during re-formatting, the logs are also checked for date, contest name, invalid modes,
slashed zeros(Ø), non-US keyboard characters (diacritic combinations like Â Ã Ê and É),
missing EOL terminations and other quirks.

The re-formatting function is accessed in the `Sponsor` form.
Contesters can make a `temp` folder to put your contest log to be re-formatted. Point the
re-formatter to this `temp` folder path. The newer Ini files in my zipped archive have the
re-format Ini included with a folder named for that contest. If you wish, make a folder by
that name. Then after formatting, move the log file to the main folder to run it.

Another program Contest LogChecker by Igor Tolmachev, UU0JC can also be used to column
re-format Cabrillo logs. 


° After installing Cabrillo Evaluator, run it from the Start | Programs menu.
Note: Do not drag CabEvaluator.exe to the desktop to make shortcuts - use <Ctrl> + <Shift>
and drag. Or - make one using the wizard.

° The list of contests supported is in the combo-box list up top. This list does not open
any files - it`s just a display of which contest Ini is loaded.

° Load an Ini profile automatically by doing <Ctrl> and clicking a Cabrillo log file
in the Cabrillo files list-box, center screen. If two Ini files exist for that contest,
the first one found is loaded. Hit <F7> and click the log file again to load the next Ini.

Or via standard Windows `File Open` dialog:
- by using the {File, Load} menu.
- by right-mouse clicking the Cabrillo files box.

° When exiting the software, the contest profile in use (and other Ini files used) will
be re-loaded the next time the software is run.

° After the Ini file loads, click the Cabrillo file to evaluate it. Turn on the auto
open of the results file in the {Include} menu - or use <F9> to toggle this function.
If you copy NOTEPAD.exe (or EditPad.exe) to the CabEvaluator folder, the results file
and other files written by the software will open for viewing.

° Cab Eval writes summaries of all logs evaluated. Generic summaries, plus 2 preferred
table formats are available in the {Summary} menu. The Table1 summary can be exported
to Excel to sort on Country or Continent for example. The cross check summary puts all
log CC results in one file.

° <Esc> or <F3> stops the evaluation being run. <F1> opens the HELP file. If my WinHelp
file does not open, get the WinHlp32.exe file from Microsoft`s WinHlp32 page. Or - Select
the HTML help format from the {Help} menu. The WinHelp file is nicer and easier to
navigate than the newer HTML format.

° Left-mouse click a {Set} button to set the datafile to be used. Right-mouse clicking
the {Set} button opens the file in NOTEPAD (or EditPad). If the selected file does not
exist, that filename opens in a blank editor screen.

° Hundreds of sample Cabrillo files, plus the Ini file and datafiles are available
on my web page. Viewing the WinZip dialog window by `Name` shows the files for a
contest. Unzip the files you want to use to the Cab Eval folder. Verify the files
against current contest rules before use.

° Some contests use `extra` Ini setups for scoring not handled in the main setup. Under
the {File}{Extra setups} menu, a check-mark highlights the `extra` setup being used.
If the profile Ini files are re-saved with the `extra` setup files loaded as necessary,
the extra files will load the next time the main Ini file is loaded.

° Optional folder paths are set for (1)Cabrillo logs and (2)`results` files, in the
{File}{Sponsor Setup}. Intended for use by log checkers, but can be used by contesters
as well.

Sponsors evaluating log submissions:
° If not using my profile ini files, setup the main screen to score the mults and QSO
points first. Set the columns and field widths based on the Cabrillo file template.

° Even though log submissions should follow the Cabrillo template for that contest,
log submissions cannot be used that are not in the proper column format. To handle
this, a re-formatting function puts the log in proper columns, assuming the log has
the required fields to start.

The re-format function performs other functions during the column re-formatting. Logs
are checked for date, contest name, modes, slashed zeros(Ø), non-US keyboard characters
(diacritic combinations - Â Ã Ê É), missing EOL terminations and other quirks. The
re-format function fixes what it can and flags the logs that it cannot. If your contest
just started receiving Cabrillo logs for submission, be aware that you can receive logs
not in Cabrillo format - logging software`s native format, Excel logs and `roll your own`
Cabrillo files. 

° The 2-Ini option allows 2 different scoring Ini files to be used - {`Home` and DX or
`Home state` and `Non-home state`} - and are loaded automatically based on DXCC prefix
or ARRL section/State. The section or state is taken from the ARRL-SECTION: or LOCATION:
tag of the Cabrillo. The county cannot be used to identify the QSO party `home` station
logs. Use the {Summmary}{Write Cabrillo files list} to see that all `home` stations have
their state or section identified in the Cabrillo header.

Make 2 contest profile Ini`s - one for `Home` stations and another for `Away` stations.
Use descriptive filenames that contain the contest name and their use. {COQP_CO_Stns.ini
and COQP_nonCO_Stns.ini} are examples for the Colorado QSO Party.

When 2 Ini files are used for a contest, you can initially load either Ini to score logs.
When you run the batch or single-score a log, the appropriate Ini will load.

Some State QP`s have hard coded scoring for bonus points added to the total score for
mobiles/portables working a specified number of QSOs in activated counties. However, the
software cannot determine a `home county` from the Cabrillo log file.

° Select `Setup for Sponsor` in the {File}{Sponsor Setup} menu to activate the `Batch`
evaluation sequence.

° In the `Sponsor` setup form - setup the folder path to the Cabrillo logs and the
folder path to the `results` files. This is a must, instead of using the default folder
(Application startup folder).

° Turn off the `auto open` of the Results/CC files in the {Include} menu, otherwise all
these files will open in multiple instances of NOTEPAD while running the `batch`.

° If being used, turn on the Cross Check function and load the CC Ini file for that
contest. Select whether to re-score the log based on CC results - error in received
message = 0 points and 0 mults. In the Sponsor setup you can also select the use of
the N-QSO rule.

° Cross checking cannot be done in contests like State QSO parties that require a log
from each county activated, or accept callsign entries related to the county - call/HUD
for example.

° Hit {Click to Run Batch} to run the log evaluation on all logs at one time. 

° In the {Summary} menu, several summary files can be written to document and further
evaluate the log submissions, including 2 user defined Preferred Table outputs. The
Table1 summary can be exported to Excel to sort on Country or Continent for example.
Table2 can be used to write sorted text files. Writing the list of Cabrillo logs using
{Summary}{Write Cabrillo Files list} is useful to see that all logs have a QTH identifier,
required when using 2-Ini files, especially in state QSO Parties. A detailed UBN report
is available after `batch` run - when CC is selected.

° Copy NotePad.exe (or EditPad) to the CabEvaluator folder to have files automatically
opened after being written. To have Excel export files opened after write, put the path to
Excel.exe in the contest Ini file. Close CabEval, find Excel.exe in MyComuter (Explorer),
copy the path from the address bar. Paste the path into the [Path to Excel.exe] field near
the end of the actual contest Ini file, not CabEvaluator.ini. Run CabEval and re-load the
actual contest Ini file. Done.

° If you want a complete setup for a contest, let me know. I can send a zipped file with
sample logs and the required folders etc. There are a dozen reasons why logs will not
re-format or score - I found many examples so far. If you need help with re-formatting
logs or working with Cabrillo files that do not score or re-format, read the `Invalid
Cabrillo formats` section of the HELP file - or let me know. You can even send me the logs
and I will find the problems.

Questions and comments to:  w3km at verizon dot net   Dave, W3KM