W3KM GenLog - Initial Use

            Step-by-step hints to evaluate GenLog

1. After installing the logger, run it from the Start | Programs menu.

° Note: Do not drag GenLog32.exe to the desktop to
make a shortcut - the correct procedure is {Ctrl + Shift} and drag.

Or - make one by right-mouse clicking an empty spot on the desktop. Select New,
Shortcut. Browse to the GenLog32 folder and find the executable file. Click it,
click OK. Re-name it if you wish.
 
2. First time: For right now, enter your Call Sign into the setup field
and your DXCC prefix. Your zone and other info, used to setup GenLog for
various contests, can be added later. Continue.

3. Load an existing file from the files list-box by clicking the filename.

° Note: A second more descriptive list of log files is displayed when clicking
the yellow {Contest name} label.

4. Click the various green labels on the right see their functions.

5. Select the HELP pull down menu. The first help selection is basic GenLog
help. Use the `Index` to search for a particular topic. The `About this Contest`
selection is basic rules and some hints to use GenLog in the contest being run.
This alone can be most helpful, especially for different input techniques.

6. Try the other pull-down menus. Write some files.
Note: If you copy (not move) NOTEPAD.exe from the Windows folder into the
c:\genlog32 folder, the files you write will open in NOTEPAD automatically.

7. The `TX exchange` fields are what you transmit during a contest.
The data in these fields comes from the set-up form. Sometimes you may be
required to change the displayed TX field to the correct value. Always check
the sponsors rules before operating in a contest, as the logger`s contest rules
or HELP file may not be up-to-date.

8. Add a QSO. Click the call field or [TAB] to the call field to start.
[Enter] a call sign.

° Note: Using the [Tab] key to input logging data just won`t work !
You must either hit [Enter] or the [Space] bar to accept the data typed in.
[Tab] is only used to move between fields. GenLog handles some very complicated
multiplier and scoring requirements only when data is [Entered] at the callsign
field or at the exchange fields. [Tabbing] over to the next field will skip these
functions. This means multipliers, duping, scoring and log formatting may be
incorrect.

9. Depending on the contest, type in the next part of the QSO exchange.
Some contests make use of multiple inputs in one field. See #5, and select
Nov SS in the Contests HELP index. The ARRL November SS contest help
shows an example of multiple inputs.

10. After you enter each field, the cursor goes to the next until all
fields are filled. Hitting [Enter] or [Space] again will accept the
QSO into the log.

° Note: Depending on the contest and where you live, a particular exchange
field may not be used - just hit [Enter] to bypass the input. GenLog uses
the blank field to format the log or to calculate the QSO points. Learn how the
logger works for the intended contest - before the contest. Help on each contest is
available using the Help pull-down menu. You can always delete the dummy log when done.

° Note: You can select QSO Accept(Auto) using the pull down menu. This 
skips the extra keystroke by accepting the QSO into the log automatically
after entering the last field. Hit [Enter] on the last field only after
hearing `QSL` from the station being worked.

11. Enter another QSO. After entering this one, [Enter] DL into the call
input to delete the last QSO. This is a command you want to remember since
you will use it often. It is much easier to delete the last QSO right away
if you accepted it by mistake, rather than editing it in the edit form.

° Note: In serial number contests, you should not Delete or Add QSOs in the
Edit form. Delete QSOs entered by mistake before going to the next QSO.

Adding QSOs in the edit form has limitations anyway. It is easier to add a QSO
in NOTEPAD. Copy a QSO line, insert it where you want the added QSO. Edit
it and re-save the file. Re-load the file to see the added QSO and to have
the score re-calculated.

° Note: Duping, mult counting and re-tagging mults in the editor screen is limited. 
Basic edit can be done - some contests will re-format and re-tag the #mults column -
but do not expect the editor to handle all functions and reformat the QSO line in
all contests. Make sure the QSO is correct before you QSL and before you `enter it`
into the log.

12. Change bands by entering 16, 20, 15, 144, etc. See the HELP file on 
`band changes` since there are more ways available. If you entered a QSO on
the wrong band by mistake, [Enter] DL and delete the QSO. Change to the
correct band. Then [Enter] L for `last` callsign. The last callsign is inserted
and you can continue logging the QSO. [Enter] PH or CW to change modes.

° Note: Logging is done without using the mouse. See the `Keystrokes`
section of the HELP file. [Esc] clears all QSO inputs.

13. Use the {Log} pull-down menu and write each of the files available.
Cabrillo, ADIF, summary etc. VB`s menu memory allocations forced me to use
a secondary `Write menu` for some write commands.

° Note: The date format in GenLog must be the same as your PC system`s date format, 
otherwise your log submission will be in the wrong format and may be rejected 
by the log submission server. If using DDMMYY in your PC, then select DDMMYY 
in GenLog`s setup screen. Default at GenLog installation is MMDDYY.

° Note: If you copy (not move) NOTEPAD.exe from the Windows folder into the
c:\genlog32 folder, the files you write will open in NOTEPAD automatically.

EDITPAD is the best replacement for NOTEPAD and could be used as the file
open application by copying EditPad.exe to the logging folder (remove NOTEPAD).
EditPad shows row and column cursor placement values which is very handy 
when editing the files generated by GenLog, which are space delimited, not tab
delimited.

14. Different color schemes are provided. Try them using the {View}
pull-down menu. Some users operating in long contests prefer to turn off
the bright colors to reduce eye strain. I`m just a casual contester and
prefer the bright colorful display, with functions being verified by the
changing colors.

15. Start a new contest. Use the {File} pull-down menu or click the green
`Contest` label next to your call sign up top. Select a contest by using either
the contest group buttons - or use `Search`. Double clicking works here.

° Note: The UTC offset should be automatic, but if you don`t have the correct
UTC offset set before starting a new contest, you can change the UTC hours in
a log (post contest!) using the included application GEN_TIME.exe. Check and
edit the dates near midnight after the UTC hour changes.

Changing the UTC offset during the contest can be done too. First - save the existing
log to back-up. Then change the existing QSO hours using Gen_Time, re-save the log,
re-run the logger and change the UTC offset to the correct value, then continue.

16. Enter a filename using the {File} pull-down menu or click the blue
`Enter new file` label to the left of the files box. Long filenames are OK, 
but keep them simple so they fit in the display windows.
Hint: use a name that tells you what the contest is. i.e. 2007novssph.

17. Enter QSOs and try the green labeled functions on the right.

18. Use the {View} menu to turn on the partial search function and select a
data file to search. Enter a few characters in the callsign field. Matches
found in the log or search datafile are displayed. You make your own master
datafile(s) using the included application GenSort.exe.

19. Since some contests use US states, RAC provinces and DXCC country
prefixes as multipliers, DXCC prefixes that are the same abbreviation as
states/Prov are followed by ! in the [dxcc_pre.dat] data file. ex: HI! LA! ON!

20. If your pc has a sound card, click `DVK ON` mid-screen. Select the DVK
setup from the {DVK} menu. Try playing a sample wave file. Double click an
F-key message key on the right. To set a wave file to an F-key message, click
an F-key on the right side, then select a wave file from the files list at the
left. 

If you have the `RIGblaster` interface, you can try the DVK on the air. The DVK
has an over-ride function - select `RIGblaster` mode in the DVK setup screen (even
if not using a RIGblaster unit). [Esc] [Space] [Enter] (and mic click and footswitch
- if using the appropriate RIGblaster) all cancel the wave file being played.
Hitting the same or different F-key will also cancel the current wave file when it
plays the new selection. The original non-over-ride wave file player is still
available, but you need a PTT over-ride switch in your setup.

21. Select `CW ON` and select the CW setup screen using the {CW} menu.
Hit `Calibrate` to calibrate the speed to your pc`s processor speed. While
listening to your rig`s CW monitor/sidetone, adjust the weight for best CW
keying (usually ~1.0-1.15). Only small changes are required. No side-tone or
tune is provided since all radios have these features.

Want to use the USB port for CW/PTT ? Tell me if a USB to COM converter works.

22. Automatic logfile back-up is available. Select the drive/path in the setup
screen or while logging under the {View} menu. USB flash-drives work too. Backup
can also be selected and turned ON/OFF in the {View} menu. If you turn on the
back-up after entering some QSOs, the initial QSOs are also saved to back-up.

Windows application .exes used with GenLog:
GENSORT - make your own partial calls master datafile(s).
GEN_TIME - change the UTC hours in you log, if you logged using the wrong offset.

Windows application .exes available from my web site:
ALARM - single alarm and count-down timer.
Cab2ADIF Updater - Updates/creates master VHF ADIF file from your Cabrillo logs.
CabEvaluator - Scores and evaluates Cabrillo log files.
COUNTIES - look-up and display US counties during QSO parties.
Excel Import - imports ASCII log and text files and outputs to Excel.
KMROVER32 - VHF/UHF contest logger for rovers, w/GPS.
PREFIXES - callsign look-up and display of country/continent/zone info.
SKEDULER - multiple alarms (40 +) for scheduling, w/count-down timer.
SQUARES - Grid square calculator, w/6-digit database.
VHFLOG32 - VHF/UHF contest logger.

Make shortcuts for the applications you want to run - explained in #1.

Questions and comments to:  w3km at verizon dot net     73, W3KM.