To find a topic on this page, use the Edit | Find feature of your browser.
VHFLOG Hints / FAQs
Q: When I downloaded the VHFLOG32 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: VHFLOG 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 dragged to the desktop - this is 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 wonderful 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? With the logger not running, right-mouse the log file in Explorer and Select Properties and change it.
Important Hint:
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.
This logger has a 2500 QSO limit, which
should be sufficient. If more space is needed for multi-op log merging, let me know.
Hint: 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.
Hint: 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, 3nd to the last and 4th to the last callsigns respectively.
This is a great time saver, without re-typing callsigns.
Q: Can I delete the first QSO (a test QSO) at the beginning of a contest, then continue without program problems or errors?
A: In versions v3.53 and later you can. I coded the logger so you can now do this without problems.
Q: Why do Num Lock and Caps Lock change states when I am logging?
A: Something in Microsoft`s VB code. Fix: Turn off Num Lock and Caps Lock before running the logger and it works OK.
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.LGG] is the normal logging file. Each QSO saved immediately after entering it.
[file.BAK] is the manually saved BU file, rename to [file.lgg] to re-load.
[file.BU1] is the logging file saved before editing in VHFLOG, rename to re-load.
The auto-saved file [file.LGG] is written to the back-up drive you
selected in the set-up screen (or under the {File} menu while logging) - before starting
to log. If a glitch erases or corrupts your normal LOG file, you should have no problem
using a back-up file or re-naming a file and reloading it into VHFLOG. Know how to use the back-up files and procedures BEFORE a contest!
Q: When I click a log file in the setup screen, why is a {file/path error 75} or similar generated ?
A: If the log file somehow gets set to `Read Only` - this causes an error when VHFLOG tries to read it. Right-mouse the log file in Explorer and Select Properties and change it.
Hint: making shortcuts:
Do not drag the logger`s exe icon to the desktop - this will cause problems. The logger will use the desktop as the startup folder - Ugh!
Right-mouse click an empty spot on the desktop. Select New, Shortcut. Browse to the
logging folder and find the executable file. Click it and click OK. Rename the
shortcut if you wish. Make a folder in the same manner, that you can place all
your logging shortcuts into, if you wish. This will unclutter your desktop.
Q: How do I see / edit the Log, the
Cabrillo Log and summary files?
A: You can edit the log file while in VHFLOG by clicking the {Edit LOG}
button. In Explorer, log files have the extension .lgg 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,
VHFLOG will open the Cabrillo [urCall.log] and summary [urCall.sum] files
when you write them, if you have either NOTEPAD.exe or EDITPAD.exe
copied to your VHFLOG32 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`s {Tools}
{Folder options} {View} screen. 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: I downloaded the latest VHFLOG revision file and extracted the files, but I still have a previous version - Why?
A:
The default folder to VHFLOG is c:\vhflog32, 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 VHFLOG 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 vhf32upd.exe (in this case).
The temporary download files are normally stored in the c:\windows(or c:\winnt)\Temporary Internet Files folder.
You may need to select `show hidden files and folders` to find the temp folder. Delete all instances. Then download the new file from my web site.
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: Why not have windows that can be resized?
A: In versions 3.5 and higher 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. Grid square maps also have a font change feature. All the support applications that come with VHFLOG32 have the resize control.
Q: Why is the grids worked grid square map empty?
A: An empty grid square map screen means the datafile is missing (or is empty). VHFLOG uses the EastGrid.map, NrthAmer.map, MidGrid.map and WestGrid.map datafiles - which are available in the VHFLOG32 update file.
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 versions have an auto UTC offset.
Q: Can I use VHFLOG in the Multi-Op category?
A: VHFLOG 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.
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
postioned 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 VHFLOG and a Cabrillo file written for log submission. Edit the
Cabrillo file as needed to follow the Multi-Op category criteria for that contest.
Q: Why not have an interface between the station and VHFLOG 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 VHFLOG, the decoder`s output will also change. This type of switching is
used by HF contesters to automatically switch antennas when changing bands. VHFLOG
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 cheaper and more flexible BCD decoder/interface that you can build,
see N3FTI`s decoder.
Q: Is there an HF version of VHFLOG?
A: Yes, use GenLog to log in the
more than 305 HF contests and activities.
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 VHFLOG32 folder. In this folder find the file(s) you want to delete and delete them. You can also delete the log files with .BU1 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`. Files that could be deleted within VHFLOG are not `restorable`.
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. VHFLOG 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, I assume using software written for just that purpose. Be sure your mail program can send ASCII files as attachments.
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/4.LOG is an illegal filename in Windows. Substitute - or _ for the slash when writing files, w3km-4.log for example. Use the find & replace function of NOTEPAD to change W3KM in the Cabrillo file to W3KM/4 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.
Hint: Using VHFLOG`s default grid from datafiles:
VHFLOG uses several data files to bring up the default grid square. It is up to you to
[Enter] the correct exchange. When you QSL a message, it is understood that you received
the correct grid square, not just [Entered] the default. If you [Enter] the wrong grid
the first time you work a station, VHFLOG will continue to use that grid on other bands.
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 {2007janvhfss.lgg} {arrl_sept_qso.lgg} is
helpful.
Hint: COM port wiring connections:
I wrote my first logger with CW keying in 1983. It used RTS for CW and DTR
for PTT. In v3.2 and later, you may use the option that swaps these
lines for CW and PTT.
Hint:
When the mouse is moved during CW, the CW timing can be irratic while Windows completes the mouse move function. Don`t use the mouse during CW transmissions. For the same reason, the UTC clock display update is suspended during CW transmissions. I noticed that my Zone Alarm firewall application interrupts CW transmission also - so I disconnect from the Internet and turn off Zone Alarm when necessary.
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.
I don`t know if CW keying via the USB port works or not. Let me know if a
Serial to USB converter works. I know that LPT to USB will not work for the band decoder connection - since multi-function outputs are not supported (only standard LPT to printer converters work).
Questions, comments or problems:
w3km at verizon dot net
Do [ right mouse, Back ] or click your browser`s [ BACK ] button to
return.
