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GenLog Hints /
FAQs
Q: When I downloaded the GenLog32 installation file and ran it, another software package was opened for installation - maybe the last program that was installed. I am using the FireFox browser. Why?
A: When downloading files, try setting the browser option to `download in the browser window` and then select File > Save As and know the path/folder that you are saving it to.
If you are using a browser other than IE (ex: FireFox, Mozilla etc.) this can happen - this is a browser setup problem. The browser puts download files in a default folder and runs the default {setup.exe} file. Be specific when you download and run installation files - know where you save the file and know how to run it from that path/folder.
I saw this web page that may help change the setup in FireFox for example.
Q: GenLog does not open under Vista OS, instead `The requested operation requires elevation` message is displayed. Why?
A: You may need to right-click the executable and select "Run as Administrator" explicitly. Even though your account is an administrator, by default Windows Vista UAC will not run some programs under the administrator account for security.
Read more about UAC.
Q: The logger just doesn`t seem to work right. It doesn`t score properly and does not find the lookup datafiles
{dxcc_pre.dat, counties.txt, all_coun.dat etc.} Why?
A: If are running the logger from an .exe shortcut that you dragged to the desktop - this may be the problem.
The logger uses the application startup folder (where the .exe resides) as the default folder for the dozens and dozens of datafiles that GenLog uses. All your log files are also written there. When you make a shortcut by dragging the .exe to the desktop, the logger uses the desktop folder as the startup folder. No datafiles are found in the desktop folder - Ugh! This is another of Microsoft`s features of the newer OS`s.
Use {Ctrl + Shift} and drag to create shortcuts - read how to make
shortcuts. You can delete the NOTEPAD type datafile icons that appeared on your desktop as the result of your dragged shortcut.
Q: When I enter a QSO, I get a `Run-time error 70 - permission denied` Why?
A: Is your log file set to read only? Right-mouse the log file in Explorer and Select Properties and change it.
Q: Why am I getting the `Can`t load or register custom control threed32.ocx’ or similar error ?
A: VB`s custom controls can get corrupted or changed by software. You can re-`register` the file by doing: Start, Run, regsvr32 filename.ocx [Enter].
Hints:
5000 QSO limit.
GenLog32 is intended for the casual contester, and has a 5000 QSO limit per log.
Make a dummy logfile with 5000 QSOs by pasting lines in an existing logfile. Then load it and make sure all functions work correctly. When you load a logfile with more than 5K QSO, the file load stops after the 5K are loaded.
Entering data into the log:
All of my loggers
use the [Enter] and [Space] keys to accept QSO data
in all fields. [Tab] is only used to move between fields. Special routines that are called
when the [Enter] and [Space] keys are hit will not be done when the [Tab] key is used. This
can show up as the dupe function not working, miscalculated points, errors in multiplier
tags and counts, and other unknown errors. Using [Tab] to enter data just won`t work correctly !
Changing the last QSO in the log:
If you just [Entered] a QSO into the log on the wrong
band for example, [Enter] `DL` to delete the last QSO. Change to the correct
band. [Enter] `L` for last, and continue. `DL` and `L` are commands you will use
often.
Q: I downloaded the latest GenLog revision file and extracted the files, but I still have a previous version - Why?
A:
The default folder to GenLog is c:\genlog32, but you may have installed it elsewhere. So, if you extracted the update files to the correct folder and have this version problem - ugh! - this is why.
The new OS`s save temporary Internet download files/web pages so they can be re-used for faster screen displays. Unfortunately this process often re-uses the older GenLog update file as well. In Internet Explorer`s Tools, Internet Options menu - delete all the temporary files. If necessary: Do Start, Search, For files and folders - look for gen32upd.exe (in this case). Select the option to search `Hidden` files and folders. Delete all instances. Then download the new file from my web site.
The temporary download files are normally stored in the c:\windows(or c:\winnt)\Temporary Internet Files folder. Trash all files in this folder.
Also - Using a desktop shortcut that you made by dragging the .exe to the desktop can certainly cause this problem. Make a proper shortcut.
Q: When a grid square map is displayed, why is it empty?
A: Grid map datafiles are used for US, EU, SA, SA2, Alaska, Canada and Central America maps - these files must be in the logging folder. Filenames are nthamer.map,
europe.map, sthamer.map, sthamer2.map, alaska_bc.map, canada.map and centamer.map respectively. All files used by GenLog are available - get this zipped
data file and extract
the file(s) you want.
Q: How can I back-up my LOG files during a contest?
A: There is no reason why you should ever lose contest
LOG data. You can have several files available that contain your QSOs.
The auto-saved file [filename.LOG] is written to the drive/path you selected in the set-up
screen (or under the {View} menu while logging) - before starting to log. If a glitch
erases or corrupts your normal LOG file, you should have no problem using the back-up file
or re-naming a file and reloading it into GenLog.
[filename.LOG] is the normal logging file. Each QSO saved immediately after
entering it.
[filename.BAK] is the manually saved BU file, rename to
[filename.log] to re-load.
[filename.BU1] is the logging file saved before
editing in GenLog, rename to re-load.
[urCall.LOG] is a manually saved file,
either in standard ASCII or in the Cabrillo format.
An ADIF file can be saved at any time also. These files are saved to your
logging folder.
If you associate the .BU1 .BAK .ADI and .LOG extensions with NOTEPAD, you can
easily view or edit them. Back-up files with .bak and .bu1 extensions can be deleted
from the logging folder after you are finished with that contest.
Hint: Logging screen setup, QTH specific contests,
etc:
There is an important setup mechanism that all
users should understand. Rather than using a config file for each contest,
GenLog uses your DXCC prefix, section/province, county, State, contest option
number, Zone etc. to setup the logging screen. For example, your state is the
key to setting up the State QSO Parties. Some contests have different message
sequences that are sent and received based on your QTH. Ex: in the Dutch PACC
Contest, sent and received messages and multipliers are different for PA
stations than non-PA stations.
Before operating in a contest, run a dummy
contest first to make sure it is setup properly from your QTH. You can delete
the dummy file later in Explorer. See question on temp/dummy files below. A very
important setup key is your DXCC prefix: W, PA, UA, G, LU .... The DXCC prefix for your
country can be looked-up in the {dxcc_pre.dat} file.
See the contest hints and simplified rules for the loaded contest - {Menu}{About this Contest}.
Q: Why can`t the user resize the screens to fill the video display?
A: Sorry, I cannot use the third party VB re-sizing control like
my VHFLOG, CabEvaluator and KMRover.
Reason: The input boxes, labels and controls on the logging screen are re-sized
and re-positioned for each contest selected. The re-sizing control software only resizes
the initial screen - when it is first displayed.
In new PC`s (XP, Win2K etc) you can easily change to 800 x 600 video size.
Right-mouse on the desktop, Properties, Settings Tab, change screen resolution size
to 800 x 600.
Q: Why not allow the user to add a contest?
A: If I added code to allow users to configure a new contest, it
would be very limited in what it did. It would only allow normal exchanges like
RST and Serial # and DXCC mults, and the score would not be calculated by
GenLog. These input fields can be handled by the General Logging function.
I would never attempt to write code that would take all the variables
input by the user and have GenLog input all the fields, calculate the score
correctly and write the output file so it conforms to the sponsors directives.
Also, the input fields, QSO points and multipliers are often different
from opposite ends of the QSO. This would be difficult to code with user inputs.
GenLog works correctly for all contests from both ends of the QSO.
Many contests have complicated multiplier and scoring
requirements. For example: In a few contests the multipliers are DXCC countries,
plus each call area of W(0-9), VE(0-9), JA(0-9), VK(0-9) and TA(0-9). The first
W, VE, JA, VK and TA count as two multipliers, one for the DXCC country and one
for the call area, on each band. Currently, GenLog scores these contests correctly.
Other than using the general
logging function, you can arrow << >> thru the Contests.hlp file
looking for contests that have the same exchange as the contest of interest.
After logging - in NOTEPAD - change the ASCII log file header and put the log
file in the proper format for log submission.
Q: Can
I use GenLog in the Multi-Op category?
A: GenLog does
not have networking capability, but you can merge several log files (from other
PCs) post contest and submit a Multi-Op Cabrillo log to the contest sponsor.
Start with one log file. Copy it and re-name it to a new file, which
will be file1 and will contain all the QSOs for the contest. Using NOTEPAD, copy
the QSOs from file2, file3, etc. and paste them at the end of file1. File1 needs
the original 2 line contest header. The header is not copied from the other
files. Note: Be careful when doing {Save As} because Windows may save your ASCII
text file as {filename.log.txt}, then GenLog can`t find it in the logging
folder.
When adding the QSOs to the end of file1, maintain the columar
format, with one QSO per line. At the end of file1, there should be no blank
lines. When the cursor is positioned at column1 on the line after the last QSO,
there should be nothing to the right or below the cursor. Delete any spaces or
blank lines after the cursor. File1 can be loaded into GenLog and a Cabrillo
file written for log submission. Edit the Cabrillo file header as needed to
follow the Multi-Op category criteria for that contest.
Q: Is there a VHF/UHF version of GenLog?
A: Yes, use VHFLOG to log in
ARRL VHF/UHF/microwave contests and Sprints. Use KM Rover to log these VHF/UHF
contests as a rover, w/GPS.
Hint: UTC offset:
GenLog checks the system clock at program start-up for the UTC hour and changes the UTC
offset for you. If necessary, use the supplied application `Gen Time` post contest to adjust the log by X hours, either plus or minus. Sorry only the hour can be changed (NOT THE DATES - manual edit in NOTEPAD). Before a contest, go to the
US Naval Observatory
website to get the correct UTC offset, then set the pc clock. Click your browser`s `Refresh`
button to update the time.
Q: How do I view / edit the Log and summary files?
A: For most contests, you can edit the log by clicking the
{Edit/Change Log} button. In Explorer (My Computer), log files have the extension .log and
summary files have the .sum extension. Double click the file in Explorer. If the
file extension is associated with NOTEPAD, EDITPAD or WORDPAD (for examples), it
will open. If not, then select one of the above applications from
the [Open with] dialog box. The log files are in space delimited format with
columns and must be in the same format after editing/saving the file.
Alternately, GenLog will open [urCall.log] and [urCall.sum] when you write these
files if you have either NOTEPAD.exe or EDITPAD.exe copied to your GenLog
folder.
Note: While in MS Explorer, to open
the HELP files, Cabrillo or ASCII data files in your logging folder, you need to
uncheck the `Hide file extensions` checkbox in Explorer (My Computer) - {Tools} {Folder options} {View} menus. This will allow you to see the filename and the extension, since many files can
start with the same filename but have different extensions depending on the file type.
Examples are: {urCall.log} {urCall.sum} {urCall.mlt} and {urCall.txt}.
Q:
Why don`t you use the cty files that CT and other loggers use?
A: I use my {dxcc_pre.dat} DXCC lookup file that I developed when writing my first logger in DOS in the 80`s. Many GenLog functions use this file as do some support applications and I don`t want to re-write software that I developed years
ago. It doesn`t have all the extra callsigns that the CT files have, but is much easier to keep updated. However, recently I did add the {DXCC_Exceptions.dat} file that allows lookup for stations not operating from their `home` DXCC country. If you work an exception station that is not in the file - add it. Each entry has the same format as the {dxcc_pre.dat} file.
Q: How can I delete the
temporary/dummy log files that I don`t want?
A: As with
any applications software, file maintenance is best done in the file manager, Explorer (My Computer}. In Explorer, View | Folder options | View tab, uncheck `Hide file extensions` so you can view the .LOG file extensions. To finish the options setup, click [Apply] and [OK]. Go through the folder tree and find the GENLOG32 folder. In this folder find the files you want to delete and delete them. You can also delete the log files with .BU1, .BU2 and .BAK extensions when you are finished with them. Remember, deleted files are put in the Recycle Bin. If you
want them back, open the Recycle Bin, click the file(s) you want restored and do
`Undo Delete` or `Restore`.
Q: When I edited my log file and tried to re-load it, I got an
error: [ Input past the end ] [ No such band ] or other. Why?
A: When editing your log file in NOTEPAD or EDITPAD for example,
be careful not to disturb the columnar format of the data file. The file is
Space delimited, not Tab delimited. This means you must use spaces when editing
the file, not tabs. Also be sure that there are no empty lines after the last
QSO.
Note: If there are blank
QSO lines at the bottom of the log file, you can delete them by [Entering] DL at
the callsign input prompt. When viewing the file in an editor, there will be a
carriage return after every line, so when you place the cursor at the end of the
file (and do page down a few times), the editor`s cursor should flash at column
1 on the line just below the last QSO line, with nothing below. Also note that
when you edit a log file within GenLog, a backup file [filename.BU1] is saved
before you do any editing. Rename to [filename.log] to re-load it.
Q: Can I use long log filenames ?
A: Yes, in all my 32-bit loggers you can - but keep them simple so the text fits in the
existing display fields. Using names that tell you what the contest is
{2004cqww_cw.log} {scarolina_qp.log} is most helpful.
Q: What is a Cabrillo file and when is it used?
A: Most contest sponsors require that computer generated LOGs to be
submitted electronically instead of on paper. The Cabrillo file format contains both a
summary and the log file. GenLog writes the Cabrillo file for selected contests
and uses { urCall.log } as the filename. If the pull-down menu does not say `Write
Cabrillo...`, then - in that contest, the Cabrillo output may not be supported. Re-load
the log file to reset the menu to double-check.
See my
Cabrillo Evaluator that loads and scores Cabrillo log files.
The Cabrillo file must be checked and possibly edited before you E-mail it. Check the
rules for submissions for the contest in question. Unlike other electronic LOG files, the
Cabrillo file does not contain QSO points, nor indication of when mults were worked. In
CQ-DX for example, the LOG file does not contain the country multipliers. Using this file,
the log checkers figure out the points/QSO, add up the country multipliers and cross check
logs for accuracy, I assume using software written for just that purpose.
File write error?
Do not use a slash in your callsign in the setup form. The
logger uses the callsign to name files. The file { VE/F5LEN.log } is an illegal
filename in Windows. Change it if necessary post contest. Substitute - or _ for the slash when writing files, ve-f5len.log for this example. Use the find & replace function of NOTEPAD to change F5LEN in the Cabrillo file to VE/F5LEN in the sent callsign column, post contest. Use the appropriate number of spaces in the `Find` field and the corresponding number of characters in the `Replace` field so the columns remain unchanged.
Q: My Cabrillo file output has
the wrong date format. What caused this?
A: If your PC
system date format is set to DDMMYY, you must select the same format in GenLog`s
setup screen, otherwise the month and day in your Cabrillo file will be reversed
and could be rejected by the sponsor`s server. Unfortunately, you cannot just
change GenLog`s format and expect the Cabrillo file to be correct, since your
contest LOG file was written in the previous date format.
You can fix your current LOG file by using the `Find & Replace` function in NOTEPAD or
other editor. For example: find 30/07/04 and replace with 07/30/04. After you
select the correct date formats in the PC and in GenLog and re-load the LOG, the
Cabrillo file you write now will be correct.
Hint:
Using GenLog`s default exchanges / mults / files:
GenLog uses several data files to display default exchanges like ITU or CQ
zones, DXCC countries, etc. No one knows what zone a station may be located in
until he sends his message (in particular US stations). It is up to you to
[Enter] the correct exchange information. When you QSL a message, it is
understood that you received the correct info. Same with the signal report. The
default is 59(9). If you were sent 559 (God forbid), then you need to change the
report to 559, not just hit [Enter].
Since many contest sponsors use the Cabrillo format file for log submissions,
using GenLog`s default QSO points is a non-issue. The contest sponsor uses the
Cabrillo to calculate the points per QSO and your score. The points values
do not appear in the Cabrillo file. So - if points are wrong due to rules changes or calculation error, this does not affect your log submission.
Check your Cabrillo (or ASCII LOG file) before E-mailing it to the sponsor. Make
sure it is correct. View/edit the file in NOTEPAD or EditPad etc.
Hint:
Displaying the total summary and score can be done at any time,
so you can see the results of each band during a contest. Use the pull-down menus:
Log | Write More Files Menu | Write summary [urCall.sum].
GenLog writes an ASCII file, then opens the file in NOTEPAD or EDITPAD. Either
NOTEPAD or EDITPAD must reside in your logging folder. For contest sponsors requiring
a summary, this file can be edited to contain your entry class, power levels or QTH
before E-mailing it along with your ASCII log file [urCall.log].
In contests with Bonus points, click the [Mult/Bonus] button to enter bonus points,
bonus mults, etc. Then re-load the log file to update the score. A log file can be re-loaded
at anytime. This can be used as a reset, if something isn`t quite right when you initially
start a contest. Make a few contacts, then re-load the file.
Q: Why not have an automatic partial callsign search?
A: Done! v5.34 and higher have this selectable function. You make
your own master datafiles using GenSort.exe and select the file to be used
during logging. After 2 or more characters are entered into the callsign field,
the matching calls from the current log and the master datafile are displayed.
You may click a callsign in either output window to insert that call into the
callsign input field. If you don`t want to use this feature, turn it OFF.
Hint:
COM port wiring connections:
I wrote my first logger
with CW keying in 1983. It used RTS for CW and DTR for PTT. You may select the option that swaps these lines for CW and PTT (required for RIGblaster interfaces).
I don`t know if CW keying via the USB port works. Let me know if a Serial to USB
converter works.
Hint:
When the mouse is moved during CW, the CW timing can be irratic while Windows completes the mouse move function. For the same reason, the UTC clock display update is suspended during CW transmissions. My firewall application interrupts CW transmission also - so I disconnect from the Internet and turn off Zone Alarm when necessary.
DB9 COM1 connections are:
CW - Pin 7
PTT - Pin 4
Ground/Common - Pin 5
DB25 COM2 connections are:
CW - Pin 4
PTT - Pin 20
Ground/Common - Pin 7
DB25 LPT1 connection:
CW
- Pin 17 and ground.
As always, please ask me if you have any questions about my loggers.
Thanks, Dave, W3KM.
w3km at verizon dot net
