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KM Rover Logger Hints / FAQs
Q: When I downloaded the KMRover32 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.
Q: KMRover 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 does not find the station band, station grid or grid square map lookup datafiles {cklist.dat, ck2list.dat, vhf4k.adi etc.} Why?
A: If are running the logger from an .exe shortcut that you just 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 all files. 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.
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].
Important Hints:
Entering QSOs into the log:
All of my loggers use the [Enter] and [Space] keys to accept QSO data in all fields.
You need a way to move from field to field without using the mouse. The [Tab] key is
used to move between fields.
2500 QSOs per log:
This logger has a 2000 QSO limit, which
should be sufficient.
Changing the last QSO in the log:
If you just [Entered] a QSO into the log on the wrong band for example,
make a mental note of the station`s grid first. [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.
Working the last station(s) in the log:
As you work stations up the bands, use `S` for same call. When working a
station and tailgaters up the bands use `L` or `L1`, `L2`, `L3` and `L4` to recall
the last, next to the last, 3rd and 4th callsigns respectively.
This is a great time saver, without re-typing callsigns.
Q: I downloaded the latest KM Rover revision file and extracted the files, but I still have a previous version - Why?
A:
The default folder to KM Rover is c:\kmrover32, 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 and web pages so they can be re-used for faster screen displays. Unfortunately this process often re-uses the older KM Rover update file as well.
First, you can try {Ctrl} + clicking the link which sometimes will download the file, instead of using the saved file.
Or - In Internet Explorer`s Tools, Internet Options menu - delete all the temporary files. If necessary: Do Start, Search, For files and folders - look for rov32upd.exe (in this case). Select the option to search `Hidden` files and folders. Delete all instances. Then download the new file again.
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 just dragging the .exe to the desktop can certainly cause this problem. Use {Ctrl + Shift} and drag to create shortcuts - read how to make
shortcuts.
Q: How do I see / edit the Log, the
Cabrillo Log and summary files?
A: You can edit the log file while in KM Rover by clicking the {Edit/Change Log}
button. In Explorer (My Computer), log files have the extension .rlg, Cabrillo file 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 double click
the file and select one of the above 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,
KM Rover will open [urCall.log] and [urCall.sum] when you write these
files if you have either NOTEPAD.exe or EDITPAD.exe copied to the c:\KMRover32 folder.
Note:
To run the HELP files or to open any of the ASCII data
files in your logging folders, you probably 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.
Q: When a grid square map is displayed, why is it empty?
A: Grid map datafiles [*.map] must be in the logging folder. Filenames are nthamer.map, eastgrid.map, midgrid.map and westgrid.map. These files are available in the KMRover upgrade file or in this
zipped archive. Select by `Type` and extract the file(s) you want to the logger`s folder.
Q: Why can`t I resize the Windows in the logger?
A: In the newer versions, you can! Microsoft`s VB doesn`t allow resizing Windows, but I use a third party
resizing control that allows this. The size/position settings are saved on most screens.
Q: I did not have the UTC hour offset set correctly. All the QSOs in my log
are off by 1 hour. Is there an easy way to edit the times?
A: Yes. Use the supplied application UTCTime 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. New logger versions have an auto UTC offset.
Q: Can I use KM Rover in the Multi-Op category?
A: KM Rover 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.
Exporting the file:
Use the menu {Log} {Save file to diskette} to save the currently being used log
file to a diskette that can be shared between computers periodically. The keyboard
shortcut [SF] will also activate this function.
Importing the file:
Use the menu {Log} {Merge 2 log files} to merge a second file (from different bands)
with the log file currently being used. The keyboard shortcut [MF] will also activate
this function. Navigation is then possible using the {Tab} and arrow keys. The header
of log file#2 is parsed before being imported and merged. QSOs in file#2 are compared
to QSOs in file#1. Only the non-matching QSOs (QSOs not merged before) are written to
the end of file#1. This allows the files to be merged as many times as necessary during
the contest. After a file is merged, re-load the file into the logger by clicking the
filename in the files box. Merge verification can be done by looking at the last QSOs
in the log. They should be the same as the log in the other PC, for example.
Read more in KM Rover`s HELP file under {Merging log files}.
Q: Why not have an interface between the station and KM Rover to automatically
change bands?
A: Done!
Many stations have multiple radios and many use transverters with or without
transverter switchboxes. Stations may have separate radios for FM or single band
stand-alone radios that don`t get switched.
I decided to provide computer control in the direction that would get the widest
usage, from the computer to the station. A BCD band decoder is connected to the LPT
port of the computer, that `switches in` the transverter of choice. When you change
bands in KM Rover, the decoder`s output will also change. This type of switching is
used by HF contesters to automatically switch antennas when changing bands. KM Rover
will control all bands with the appropriate decoder/switchbox.
Note: Damage can occur if you hot-switch your equipment without proper sequencing.
Read this about hot-switching (#4).
I tested the band-switching function with the
Top Ten Devices band decoder
[for a Yaesu rig]. For alternate, more flexible BCD decoder/interfaces that you can build, see
N3FTI`s decoder.
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, Microsoft Explorer (My Computer). In Explorer, View |
Folder options | View tab, uncheck `Hide file extensions` so you can view the file
extensions. Then click [OK]. Go through the folder tree and find the KMRover32 folder.
In this folder find the file(s) you want to delete and delete them. You can also delete
the log files with .RL1 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: What is a Cabrillo file and when is it used?
A: The ARRL requires computer generated LOGs to be submitted electronically instead
of on paper. The file must be the
Cabrillo format. The Cabrillo file contains both a
summary and the log file. KM Rover writes the Cabrillo LOG file and uses { urCall.log } as the filename. The 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. Using this file, the log checkers figure out the points/QSO, add up the grid multipliers and cross check logs for accuracy.
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 { W3KM/R.log } is an illegal filename in Windows. Change the filename if necessary post contest. Substitute - or _ for the slash when writing files, w3km-r.log for this example. Post contest, use the find & replace function of NOTEPAD to change urCall to urCall/R in the sent callsign column of your Cabrillo log. 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: Can I use long log filenames in the logger?
A: Yes, you can - but keep them simple so the text fits in the existing display fields.
Using names that tell you what the contest is {2004janvhfss.rlg} {arrl_sept_qso.rlg} is
helpful.
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.
[file.RLG] is the normal logging file. Each QSO saved immediately after entering it.
[file.BAK] is the manually saved BU file, rename to [file.rlg] to re-load.
[file.RL1] is the logging file saved before editing in KM Rover, rename to re-load.
The auto-saved file [file.rlg] is written to the back-up drive you
selected in the set-up screen 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 KM Rover.
Make sure you know how to use the back-up files and procedures BEFORE a contest!!
Q: Why is the CW irratic and garbled.
A: 1) When the mouse is moved during CW, the CW timing can be irratic while Windows completes the mouse move function.
2) Other applications and firewalls can cause the same problems. I disconnect from the Internet and turn off other programs when necessary.
3) Do you have the keying weight set near 1.00 - it does not need to be set too far from 1.00 to work correctly.
4) RF can get into the PC and keyboard via the connecting cables, which will trash the CW keying.
5) You are using a CW/PTT interface connected to the COM port - right? You cannot just connect the COM port pins to the CW key jack and PTT line! See CW interfaces in the HELP file.
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.
COM1 connections are:
CW - DB9-7
PTT - DB9-4
Common/Grnd - DB9-5
COM2 connections are:
CW - DB25-4
PTT - DB25-20
Common - DB25-7
LPT1 connection:
CW - DB25-17 and ground.
As always, please ask me if you have any questions about my loggers.
Thanks, Dave, W3KM.
w3km at verizon dot net
