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1.    1157 km JN76AA 15  7  S52A 599   599    S52AL S52AU S52AW       SSB 14 186 000  000  59 59               cw z  14 036 143 14 036 143 Cape Breton Islands NA010 NA 5 9 287   4688 km FN84EP       VE1DT 599 599 449 NA010          12    Key    Contest type   Search field   Log table   Sent exchange prompt including next serial number  Receive Frequency display   Transmit Frequency offset   QSO Information line    Entity  Prefix  Continent  CQ zone  ITU zone  bearing  distance  Grid square  points value  8  Run Data Entry fields   9  Callsign Matching panel   10  Pounce Data Entry fields   11  Edit Data Entry fields   12  Individual Data Entry Fields    DLO gi  eS    Page 43 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    FAQs  1  What is assisted versus unassisted     Contest sponsors group entrants into numerous categories  based on various things such  as transmit power level  One common category is based on whether or not the entrant  makes use of information from internet spotting networks  those that do are    assisted     while those that do not are    unassisted     In SkookumLogger  if you use the Internet  preference pane to connect to either a DX Spider Node or the Reverse Beacon Network   you are in the assisted category     2  Please explain pounce frequency     Contest operating involves two modes  In the Run mode  you CQ and exchange  information with stations who answer your CQs  In the Search and Pounce mode  you find  others who are CQing and exchange information w
2.    Single Sideband   Morse code  CW   Continuous Wave  and data modes  RTTY    Radio Teletype  PSK   Phase Shift Keying  etc      Contests range in duration from an hour or so through to 48 hours  and some are arranged  in regular repeating championships or tables  Each contest has specific objectives for the  participants to achieve  For example this can include just working as many stations as  possible in the time period allowed  but is often augmented with attempting to work as  many countries  zones  regions  islands  kilometres or other groups  perhaps members of  particular clubs or societies for instance   All events however require the operator to make  contacts swiftly but also copy the information required accurately  This minimum  information required to be passed between contacts is known as the exchange     After the contest event  participants submit their logs of contacts with the exchanges in a  required format to the contest sponsors or organisers for subsequent adjudication     Computer support for contesting   In the past  operators in contests would typically record all the contacts in a paper log   This often required lots of work checking and preparing the entry afterwards  In most  contests  working the same station twice is not allowed  subsequent repeated ones being  known as duplicates or dupes  This also had to be monitored by the operator in the past  using checksheets of one sort or another     Over the years  the personal computer has increasing
3.   SkookumLogger provides a dedicated window shown in Figure 13  available by hitting  Cmd L  in a WAEDC contest setup  for logging the QTCs received from Non European  stations  It allows the Sender   s ID  QTC series number and Length to be recorded  as well  as a table of time  HHMM   Callsign  and Serial number for each QTC  In addition for the  CW WAEDC event  SkookumLogger also automatically sends the required QTC  acknowledgements     ANOA Receive QTCs  Sender  LU3RT Needed  10    QTC Series  1 QTC Count  10    HHMM Call Serial  0001  0002  0003  0004  0005    9086  0007  0008  0009  0010      Cancel    Figure 13  The Receive QTCs Window    The Sender call is copied from the call field in the active data entry well of the logging  window when you focus the Receive QTCs window  The QTC series number and count   are pre filled by SkookumLogger but may be overtyped  The    Needed    value is the  number of QTCs that you may still take from that sender  the maximum being ten     The steps for receiving CW QTCs are           Focus the Receive QTCs window  Cmd L      lt   TAB between the Sender  Series and Count fields  updating them according to the  information received      To send    QRV    to tell the sender you are ready  TAB from the Count field into the body  of the table  Pressing TAB again in the first cell of the table focuses it for data entry     lt   Complete the table row filling in the Time  HHMM   Call  and Serial as received  tabbing  between the fields  If 
4.  37  37    38  38  38  38  38    39  39  39  40    41    42  42  42  43  44  45    46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Introduction    About this guide    This guide is intended to help people who do Amateur Radio Contesting using an Apple  Computer running Mac OSX 10 6 or later and the software package SkookumLogger  SL    It is not meant to be a user manual for the software as such  since like most well designed  OSX software  SL is rather intuitive in terms of use  Rather  it attempts to show how the  features included in SL may be exploited by contest operators to develop and improve  their performance     It should be noted that at the time of writing  the software is not a finished product  In fact  it is not a product at all  It is a personal project  undertaken by Bill Myers K1GQ  an  experienced HF contester  which is constantly developing and being enhanced to include  more features and add support for more contest events etc  Some of the extensions Bill  has kindly included were in order to support hardware   contests that other people have  asked for and therefore required those other folk to test  This guide will therefore be  updated as necessary to include new features as they are added  Please direct any  comments about the content to the author  GODVJ     In this guide     Cmd A    means press the Command key together with the A key  Similarly    Alt Cmd D means press the Alt and Command keys plus the D key  Alt may be marked as  the Option key on some k
5.  band  switching strategy accordingly  The grey line is also a useful time to observe especially on  the LF bands     Page 34 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    SkookumLogger provides for overlays to be displayed on top of the Great Circle Map   available from the SkookumLogger View menu  that it can draw of the world centred on  you QTH  Figure 23   based on the locator grid square specified in the Exchange  preference panel of SkookumLogger  The default map supplied is suitable for east coast  USA but visit the SkookumLogger website for information about how to obtain a map  centred on your own location if needed  The map is a TIF format graphics file stored in the  user   s home Library Application Support SkookumLogger folder                 Figure 23  The SkookumLogger Great Circle Map display  The map also optionally displays a red dot where the station being worked is located     Antenna coverage patterns may also be superimposed on this map as an overlay  This  requires communication between the antenna rotor and the computer  see Chapter 10      Page 35 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 9  Analysis and Log Aggregation   SkookumLogger provides a number of features that allow you to analyse your log during  and after the contest which may assist in understanding how to improve your performance  next time  This chapter covers these features together with how to export your individual  SkookumLogger contest logs into other software to aggregate
6.  it  by tuning the radio to the correct frequency for example   A feature known as band mapping is extremely useful bringing together information about  activity on the band s  of interest in a particular event from a variety of sources     For some of the features already mentioned above as well as other reasons  a contest  logger should connect to the CAT  Computer Aided Transceiver  port of the radio s  used  by the operator and exchange at least frequency and mode information with them  There  are also other pieces of hardware which the software can usefully connect to  One is the  keying circuit of the radio for CW so that memories of required Morse messages can be  quickly  easily and automatically sent  letting the operator concentrate on receiving  often  at high speeds in contests  rather than constantly switching their brain from sending to  receiving and vice versa  Although some software attempts to generate the keying signal  from the computer itself  this is often problematic in achieving reliability of timing due to  variation in the computer internal clock speeds  Therefore one common hardware box  which has almost become a de facto standard  the WinKeyer by K1EL is often supported  by loggers  Additional interfaces to hardware in the contest operator   s shack that a contest  logger can usefully connect to include antenna switches  linear amplifiers  and antenna  rotors     To cope well with both HF and higher band contests  a contest logger needs to understa
7.  station ends his CQ  hit F4 to send your callsign     2  If the station picks you out  hit Space and enter the exchange information they send  you  If not  wait your turn and repeat step 1 above  Hit F7 if you need to ask the station to  repeat the information     3  When they finish sending their exchange and you have it entered  do one of the  following    a  hit F2  to just send the exchange   normal     b  hit F3  to acknowledge  followed by F2  to send your exchange     c  hit F4 followed by F2  If the other station had your callsign incorrect      4  Hit Return to log the QSO     5 Make sure they acknowledge and then either continue S amp P or hit F12 to return to your  run frequency and make the upper data entry well active     These sequences may seem complex but actually you soon get used to the routine and  are able to concentrate more on receiving incoming CW     If at anytime you need to stop a CW message being sent  either hit the Escape key or  touch a paddle connected to the WinKeyer unit     Page 17 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    If you need to add any un programmed CW information you can use a connected paddle   key to do this  Alternatively you may hit the SkookumLogger CW Keyboard Mode special  key  user selectable in Logging Preferences  and simply type what you want sent  Hit the  same key again to end CW Keyboard mode     Entering contacts in a VHF UHF contest   The steps when entering contacts in a contest on the higher bands  VHF UHF  are
8.  the contest rules  SkookumLogger can  also collect global Skimmer information from the Reverse Beacon Network  RBN  to  populate Activity windows  These may also be grabbed during S amp P operation as already  described in earlier sections  RBN spots are denoted in Activity tables by          appended  to the source ID  The notes column shows the signal strength in decibels and speed in  WPM read from RBN     To activate the RBN source  select the Internet panel of the SkookumLogger Preferences  window   Figure 13  and click the Connect button at the bottom right of the pane     You may also open the RBN window from the SkookumLogger View menu to see the raw  data connection to the Reverse Beacon Network  This window also allows you to send  commands to the node to activate filtering for example  A link to a reference that describes  the filter commands is provided on the SkookumLogger Help menu  However once set up   you will usually just open relevant Activity windows for the contest you are using     Note  Due to the high volume of data sent by RBN nodes  you should disconnect from the  Reverse Beacon Network in SkookumLogger Internet Preferences when not using the  feature  to reduce processor load     Networked SkookumLogger spots   There is one additional way to add information to Activity windows not already covered in  this chapter  You can run another instance of SkookumLogger on another Mac on the  local network  perhaps operated by a second human operator listenin
9.  them into a single QSO  database for subsequent analysis     Using Search Log to analyse contacts   During the contest  the Search feature in SkookumLogger may allow you to check more   information about the stations you have worked  The Search box is located towards the   top right of the main SkookumLogger logging window  Figure 24   Clicking the Magnifier  icon in the search box allows you to list and select the log table field to search on  Then   you can type into the search box and hit Return to start the search     1 of 10  Q        Band  Mode  Notes  Received  Sent   Y Call    Figure 24  The SkookumLogger Search Log feature    There are many examples of how you can use this search  First it can be of use to quickly  find all instances of working a particular station by their callsign  This will enable you to  either check what band modes you have already worked them on  or in the case of a  duplicate being flagged allow you to tell the station what exchange or serial they gave you  in the previous contact  Choosing Find QSO in the SkookumLogger Log menu  Cmd F 12   does this search using the content of the call entry field  Repeating this or Escape undoes  the search     A second way to use the search is for contests where the multiplier is based on some  unusual detail of the received exchange which is not covered by SkookumLogger   s  standard country  zone or multiplier tables  One example of this is the number of Club  Stations worked in the RSGB Club Calls conte
10.  very  similar to those already described although some features of SkookumLogger allow  additional techniques to be employed     When a station calls you on a run frequency  it may be advantageous as soon as a locator  is received to check the bearing information at the top of the QSO Information window and  tweak the antenna rotor to peak up the signal before completing the contact  Figure 11    This is especially true when the locator square database is being used  see Part Il      02 08 2011 21 22 43 2 SSB M1GE0 P 57 101 J0 20D 53 016 JO 1FN WU  02 08 2011 21 23 40 2 SSB GD8EXI 57 102 J0 20D 57 099 1074PC v A  02 08 2011 21 26 40 2 SSB M1MHZ 59 103 J0 20D 59 109 IO92WV v    G4IRC RS T  104 J0020D       SSB 144 285 000  000 JOO  EU 14 X 5      227  55 km Jora     f  G3YDY 59 JOO1FQ Run                               SSB 14 196 000  000  59 59       Pounce       Figure 11  Using the bearing information derived from a locator square lookup    Also it is customary to send and receive genuine RS T  reports on the higher band  contests and so it may be better to TAB between the fields to include the report entry fields  rather than using the Spacebar which skips straight to the other fields     Note When you Tab into a Report field  the second digit  signal strength  is highlighted by  default so that the S  strength  component may be simply overtyped if that is the only   often  edit required  Should you need to replace the entire report with a new one  Cmd A  will select the w
11.  which colours are used by SkookumLogger  Open the SkookumLogger  Preferences and select the Logging panel  There are four settings you can customise     Log Font allows you to select colour and font for the contacts as listed in the logging table   It is a good idea to use a font which distinguishes the letter O from zero  0  especially by  putting a slash through the latter  Monaco and Menlo are examples of such fonts  Menlo  also has bold  italic and bold italic faces  Black is a good colour to use for the Log Font     As the names suggest  Needed Multiplier determines how callsigns that would be a new  multiplier in the contest are highlighted  A medium green colour is one option to use for  this  Similarly  the Needed QSO setting determines how callsigns that are still required   valid and not duplicates  are highlighted  Blue might be a good choice for this as  hopefully many calls typed in will fall into this category   Suggestion  Can use Menlo bold  to emphasise needed calls and or italic  with grey  to de emphasise worked calls       The Worked Before setting allows you to customise how potential duplicate contacts are  shown  A good colour for this is red  Having set up the colours in Preferences  you are  now ready to see how and where they are used throughout SkookumLogger to provide  instant information about the contacts you may make     Where colours are used   The first place that you will see the colour preferences reflected is in the callsign data entry  fi
12. 11 For SL v1 0 1   0 6 16 Feb 2011 For SL v1 0 2   1 1 10 Apr 2011 For SL v1 1 0  version number harmonised with SL   1 2 29 July 2011 For SL v1 2 0  added WAEDC support etc    1 2 3 7 Aug 2011 For SL v1 2 3  added Mode IOTA databases  FAQs  etc   1 3 20 Sep 2011 For SLv1 3  Ul changes  guess file update  serial refs     Page 46 of 46    
13. SkookumLogger  for Dummies          by Jonathan OPW    Table of contents    Introduction  About this guide    Acknowledgements  Radio Contesting  Computer support for contesting  Features of good contest logging software    SkookumLogger Overview    Part I  Getting going with SkookumLogger    Chapter 1  Setting up for your first contest  The first time you ever run SkookumLogger  Connecting your Radio  Configuring a specific contest event  Customising SkookumLogger windows for the specific contest  Setting up a contest where there are required off periods  Setting up extra items for a CW contest  Chapter 2  Entering contacts in your contest log  Entering contacts for a SSB contest  Entering contacts in a CW contest when using the keyer messages  Entering contacts in a VHF UHF contest  Entering QTCs in WAEDC Events  Chapter 3  After the contest is over    Creating the Cabrillo entry file    Part Il  Improving your contest operation with  SkookumLogger    Chapter 4  Making Colours work for you    A    o    oo CO N wo oa Oo    12  12  15    15    18  18    22  22    23  23    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Setting up colours in SkookumLogger    Where colours are used    Chapter 5  Using Databases    DXCC Countries Database   Super Check Partial  SCP    Mode Frequency Database   VHF UHF locator grid square pre population  IOTA Reference pre population    RSGB Club Calls   full club names  amp  autocompletion    Chapter 6  Using Activity Windows    Unassisted S amp P   Radio f
14. These include CQ  My Call  His  Call   Exchange  Acknowledge   Log  Magic Message  see vcore a  Chapter 7  and Keyboard Mode  A key to Toggle Spot Tone His Call   Exchange     is also available for those radios that support it  This Acknowledge   Log     customisation allows for convenient special shortcut keys to          f Magic Message  Ig    be chosen regardless of which  international  keyboard is    being used  These special keys are not set by default  An Reon eee N    example set of key allocations suitable for a UK keyboard are Focus Activity Table     shown in Figure 8  Toggle Spot Tone        Figure 8  Special Key Preferences  Note  You should avoid keys whose character can legitimately appear in the data entry    fields  Special keys are recognised by SkookumLogger only when typed into a QSO data  entry field     Page 14 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 2  Entering contacts in your contest log  SkookumLogger is designed to make it simple and fast to enter contacts  Information is  entered in the two sets of data entry fields at the bottom of the main logging window   Figure 9   For now  assume that all data entry takes place in the upper  Run  set of data  entry fields  Use of the other set of fields is covered later in Chapter 8        SSB 14 285 000  000             59 59 Run  SSB 14 196 000  000  59 59    Pounce    Figure 9  The SkookumLogger upper  amp  lower data entry fields    Entering contacts for a SSB contest  For the purposes of an ex
15. all Messages   FS   F2 Radio   Band   15m    F      Messages    Message 6 Ps Radio   Band   10m    iE Messages   Message 7 Radio   Band   6m Radio    Show Activity    6m  FFB   Messages    Message  amp  Radio   Band   4m Radio    Show Activity    4m  T       Radio   Set Frequencies Antenna p Select Receive Radio   Band   2m Log   Grab Pounce Radio    Show Activity   2m  Antenna from QSO Information aa Frequencies Ea      me o eee into T Sis iad  Information  EE aaa Log   Clear QSO Log   Edit Selected QSO Log   Delete Selected QSOs Log   Delete Last QSO    O DO  n  C pew ee e o  EN E a T terre a n aa a   s B             Useful Web URLs    SkookumLogger  http   www k1gq com SkookumLogger about html    This Guide  http   www k1gq com SkookumLogger Resources SL Guide pdf    SCP Database  http  www supercheckpartial com        Country Database  http  Awww country files com     RBN Filtering  http   www ab5k net ArcDocsVer6 UserManual ArcDx htm    Page 42 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Logging Window Reference diagram       epo  amp  amp  M4U iota2011 copy sl binary 2     _  Beacon CQ 1   Islands On The Air Contest 1 of 514    J Ba alisign  31 67 2011 11  y W K3IPK  31 07 2011 11  DLOYLV  31 07 2011 11  DL6ZFG  31 07 2011 11  N8BJQ  31 07 2011 11  VE1DT  31 07 2011 11  N4ZZ  31 07 2011 11  UX5VK  31 07 2011 11  S52AU  31 07 2011 11  K12Z  31 07 2011 11  K4BAI  31 07 2011 11  F9KP  31 07 2011 11  SP6LV    M4U RS T  515 EU005  4       cw5 5  000  Slovenia S5 EU 15 28 120
16. ample  we will assume the contest is again the CQ WW DX SSB  Contest  as in the previous chapter when discussing set up and configuration     Enter a callsign in the field to the right of the Run QSO label  denotes a run frequency  explained later in Part II   Hitting Space bar will move the cursor to the location field   skipping over the report fields  so that you can enter the Zone number  As the zone  number may usually be determined from the callsign prefix  SkookumLogger will fill a Zone  number in for you  To accept it and log the contact  simply hit the Return key     Pressing the TAB key will cycle through adjacent fields from left to right while SHIFT TAB  will do the same but from right to left  Tabbing or shift tabbing beyond the end of the fields  will cycle back to the other end of the well  In this way  you can easily edit any details  before committing the contact to the log table     In HF contests  people normally give only 59 9  reports  as a cue for the other information   rather than genuine variable reports  Using Space to move between fields skipping the  report fields is therefore useful  In higher band contests  reports are more variable as  discussed in a later section below     For contests where the exchange includes a serial number  the number to give the station  you are working is always shown above the QSO data entry area  as well as the other  exchange information     Note that as you leave the callsign entry field  SkookumLogger will immediat
17. ams  contest loggers need to be optimised to facilitate quick  and accurate entry of only the information which is required per contact  Much of this  information is ideally presented by the software so that minimal keying is required to enter  or edit the exchange received  This may include pre populating or auto completion of  some information fields  Since different contests have different exchange requirements   the data entry fields must be customised accordingly  Duplicates must be flagged as soon  as possible to the operator  and ideally any specific objectives such as new countries   regions  islands worked should also be highlighted  Information tables should ideally allow  the operator to easily see which stations are required or most valuable for points   Essentially  the software must understand the rules of each contest supported     Contesters often employ two modes of operation  known as running and S amp P  search and  pounce   When running  the operator stays on one frequency and calls CQ  letting other  stations answer  In S amp P  the operator tunes up and down the bands and answers others  who are running  Good contest loggers will understand these two modes and support  ways to switch between them  Some contests allow operators to be assisted by using  information from the DX Cluster network or CW Skimmer nodes to find stations  The  contest logger will ideally support sensible presentation of such information and allow the  operator to easily make use of
18. arate rows  It is  located in the user   s Library Application Support SkookumLogger folder     Note that support for this contest is customised to the extent that spaces and other  characters such as ampersand   amp   are allowed within the club name data entry field  This  use of space overrides the normal action that space moves to another field     Also note that unlike most contest loggers  SkookumLogger also presents full club names  in the Cabrillo export for RSGB Club Calls contest     Page 26 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 6  Using Activity Windows   SkookumLogger provides Activity Windows per band which operate like a kind of band  map  You can use these Activity windows in a variety of ways  which are described in this  chapter     Unassisted S amp P   Some contests or entry categories require that the operator doesn   t use any externally  provided information to find stations to work  generally known as    unassisted    categories   In SkookumLogger  you disconnect DX Spider and Reverse Beacon Network in the  SkookumLogger Internet Preference panes to ensure that these external systems do not  add entries to the Activity windows     The Activity windows can still be used in unassisted contest efforts though  When running   you may decide to do some S amp P in between calling as discussed in Chapter 8  When  simply conducting S amp P  Activity windows can be used to provide a map of stations you  hear  work and perhaps come back to later  For 
19. ars as  lt subrx gt  and source     radio        DX Cluster   If the contest  category  allows assisted entries  and your Mac is connected to the Internet   you can use information taken from the global public DX Cluster network to populate the  SkookumLogger Activity windows  First you should use the Internet SkookumLogger  Preference pane to select a DX cluster node and set your login callsign  Figure 17   Then  click the Connect button      00 Internet      IR n  D 2   amp  gq m    Me Logging Exchange Messages Serial WinKeyer       Login Call  GODVJ      DX Spider Node    GB7MBC FA Li Connect        Reverse Beacon Network    Connect      mi Ignore band edge DX announcements    Figure 17  The Internet Preference pane    You may also open the DX Spider window from the SkookumLogger View menu  Alt Cmd   d  to see the raw data connection to the cluster network or to set filters for the data you  want to receive  e g  band mode   Usually  once set up though you will simply open  relevant Activity windows for the contest you are using     Activity spots from the Cluster may be selected for S amp P as described in the previous  section of this guide     Of course  you should always check that Cluster provided spots are actually readable by  you at your shack  since there is no guarantee of this unlike activity you have inserted  yourself     Page 28 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Skimmer  amp  Reverse Beacon Network   For CW contests  where assistance is permitted by
20. board System Preferences and check the Show  Keyboard  amp  Character Viewer box     Page 44 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Serial Port Settings    The correct serial port settings for the various radios supported by SkookumLogger can be  found by hovering the cursor over the radio type drop down menu with the required radio  selected in Serial Settings  These are summarised below     FT100 4800  8N2  FT1000 4800  8N2  FT2000 9600  8N1    FT817 9600  8N2  FT847 9600  8N2  FT897 38400  8N1  FT950 19200  8N1  IC7000 19200  8N1   amp 70    IC756 Pro 19200  8N1   amp 5c  IC756 Prolll 19200  8N1   amp 6e    IC7600 19200  8N1   amp 7a  IC7700 19200  8N1   amp 74  IC7800 9600  8N1   amp 6a  IC9100 19200  8N1   amp 7c  K2 4800  8N2   K3 38400  8N1    Omni VII 57600  8N1  TS590 115200  8N1  RTS CTS    TS850SAT 4800  8N2  RTS CTS  TS950SDX 4800  8N2  RTS CTS    The following serial port settings are required for other devices     Winkeyer 2 USB 1200  8N1  Green Heron Rotator 4800  8N1  Sartek Rotator 1200  8N2  Alpha 87A Amplifier 4800  8N1  KPA500 Amplifier 38400  8N1    Page 45 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Version History of this Guide       Version Date SkookumLogger version based on   Update summary  0 1 18 Jan 2011 Initial draft for SL version 0 11 4   0 2 21 Jan 2011 For SL v 0 11 6 after initial review by Bill K1GQ   0 3 27 Jan 2011 For SL v 0 11 8  amp  after review by G4FTP   0 4 1 Feb 2011 For SL v1 0 0  amp  after review by JHSGHM 1   0 5 7 Feb 20
21. d to participate in  in the Cabrillo Category Items drop down menus  to the right hand side  The Cabrillo header Items shown on the left should be completed  for you from the Me preferences pane  Make any necessary changes to these for this  contest     Contest Name  CQ World Wide DX Contest   2011 10 29 0000Z SSB HF   Show Rules  Contest Sent Exchange  Call Report CQ Zone   copy   rsm  14      Morse Exchange Template  Ta 14                Cabrillo Header Items Cabrillo Category Items  Name   Jonathan Mitchener       Mode  sse  Email    me my email     Band  Three Bands  Location  SFK Transmitter  One  Address   My address Power  High  City   My city Operator  Single Op  State Province   My state   Assisted  Assisted  Postal Code   My Postal   Station  Fixed  Country  United Kingdom Time  Not Applicable  Club Name    Club Name   Overlay  None  _ Cabrillo Operator List _ _ Cabrillo Soapbox _  Operators Host Station  GODVJ M  GODVJ O        FIE      Done    Figure 4  Editing the exchange setup for the CQ WW DX contest    When all the selections are as you want them  Click the OK button  The normal Mac save  file dialogue box appears  Choose a location and name for your log file and Click OK    Note if you cancel that Save option  SkookumLogger will force you to name and save it as  soon as the first contact is logged  which may not be convenient     After saving  the contest name will now be displayed in the main SkookumLogger logging  window under the radio mode and frequency 
22. de Frequency Database   SkookumLogger also uses a database to try and cope with the fact that DX Cluster spots  from DX spider nodes don   t specify mode  This allows grabbed items from activity tables  to take mode into account  which helps ensure that in mixed mode events where  multipliers are allowed per mode  in both CW and SSB for example  that needed  multipliers are correct per mode  The database used to suggest mode built into  SkookumLogger is based on the ARRL bandplans  This can be overridden by a file for  other    local    bandplans put in the home Library Application Support SkookumLoger folder   An example is provided at http   www k1gq com SkookumLogger User 20Notes   phonebandedgetab html Users may install such a file to suit their    local    bandplans  The  database file  which specifies the lowest frequencies of SSB sub bands per band  is called  PhoneBandLowerEdgeFrequencies txt    VHF UHF locator grid square pre population   SkookumLogger also includes support for some local databases for specific contests or  groups of contest types  One of these is for contests on bands above HF where six  character locator grid squares based on the Maidenhead system are exchanged and used     Regular participants in VHF UHF contests over time accumulate knowledge of where other  regularly participating stations are located  This can be important for identifying and  searching out multipliers when these form part of the scoring in such events   SkookumLogger supports 
23. ds on the Air  IOTA  contest  The IOTA_calls txt call history file used by the  N1MM logger can now be read by SkookumLogger to provide pre populated IOTA  references for countries that are islands and also for island expeditions in any particular  year  For this reason it is prudent to update this file  located in the home Library   Application Support SkookumLogger folder  from the N1MM yahoo group prior to each  year   s contest     Page 25 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    RSGB Club Calls   full club names  amp  autocompletion   Another example of a database used to support a specific contest type is that optionally  used for the annual RSGB Club Calls contest which has a particularly long and complex  exchange involving full length club names  This can lead to a great deal of complex typing  to ensure that the name is precisely correct as required by the rules     SkookumLogger is possibly the only contest logger to support these full length names  It  does so by optionally loading a database compiled and maintained by the user which  maps callsign to club name  Matching club names are subsequently either entered into  the corresponding field or used with Alt Escape to provide an optional auto completion list   similar to how the Safari browser offers auto completion of URLs typed     The database file used for full club name auto completion is called RSGBClubCalls txt and  takes the form of  lt callsign gt     lt club status gt     lt full club name gt  on sep
24. e  1 cQ TEST   TEST  2 Exchange  amp   3 Acknowledge TU  5 His Call z  6 Call  CALL   7 Again AGN  8      _ Magic Messages m    Run Pounce  Begin  1 te  Continue   amp   3  amp   End  3              CQ Message Repeat Interval  2 0  M Send leading zeros in serial numbers  mi Cutify leading zeros in serial numbers    Figure 6  The SkookumLogger Messages Preferences panel    Note  You may need to open Mac OSX system preferences and check the option in  Keyboard preferences to use F keys without pressing the Fn key  see Figure 7   You can  still use the function keys for the special features marked on them  e g  system sound  volume adjustment  by holding the Fn key down while pressing the relevant key  Without  checking this option  you will need to press the Fn key to access SkookumLogger   s F key    features     vi Use all F1  F2  etc  keys as standard function keys    When this option is selected  press the Fn key to use the special  features printed on each key     Figure 7  Setting the F Keys for use by SkookumLogger in System Keyboard Preferences    Page 13 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    It is recommended that you don   t change the complete purpose of all the main message  memories since this will allow other automatic features to work correctly  See Magic  Message in Part Il  for example         Finally  you may also customise a number of special keys Special Keys    shortcuts  relating to CW operation in the SkookumLogger co     Logging Preferences Panel  
25. e  as  shown in the WAEDC example above   may show country and area prefix together as the  entity  e g     BrazilPY2      The QSO info line contents are described in the Reference  section in Part III of this guide     Page 21 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 3  After the contest is over  This section deals with how to generate the entry file you will need to send to the contest  adjudicators in the standard Cabrillo format     Creating the Cabrillo entry file  Once you have finished operating in the contest  you are ready to create the file you will  send to the contest adjudicators  It is recommended that you first sort the log on the S   suspect  column and deal with any QSOs that are being flagged as suspect  Then re sort  by Date Time column before selecting Export Cabrillo from the SkookumLogger File menu   Figure 15     Edit View Font Log Rac    New N  Open    o  Open Recent be  Close W  Save aS  Save As    TES    Revert to Saved    Update hange Archive    Export Cabrillo    Vu    Export ADIF       Download Countries Database  Download SCP Database    Figure 15  The SkookumLogger File menu    A standard OSX File Save dialogue box will appear and you should choose the name and  location that you wish to save the Cabrillo file     After the file is written  you should open it with a text editor such as OSX   s TextEdit  program to just check that all the header declarations are as you would want them  these  will have been generated from your SkookumL
26. e initial things to enter are your personal  details in the Me preferences panel  see Figure 1         SF a a  amp    gq  gt      Logging Exchange eae Serial WinKeyer    Name     Call              Email        Location           Address   City   State Province        Postal    Country     Club                  Figure 1     The Me Preferences    Panel    It is also worth completing the default information you will send in your contest exchanges   using the SkookumLogger Exchange preference panel  Figure 2      80C Exchange       OE   ps   vs        Me Logging Exchange Messages Serial WinKeyer Great Circle Map          These items provide default values for the Sent Exchange fields in the Log  Settings sheet for new logs  Many contests require other information in the  exchange  which you set by editing the Sent Exchange Info field in the Log    Setting sheet   Contest Call     GODV    Locator     JOO2MA   Power  100 SS Check  56   Name  Jon SS Precedence     Age  45   RSGB Club Status   c       RSGB Club Name   Harwich Amateur Radio Interest Group    Figure 2  The    Exchange    Preference Panel    Page 8 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Connecting your Radio   Before any contest  ensure SkookumLogger is set up to work with the radio you will use    If your computer is in the shack and permanently connected to the radio then the settings  should be remembered for you      Connect your radio using a suitable cable  perhaps via a Serial to USB converter  to a  USB por
27. eld itself  As you move out of this field  the colour is set according to the preferences for  the rules of the particular contest selected  since duplicates may be counted per band or  mode for example   This gives you instant feedback as to the importance of this particular  contact in terms of the points it is likely to be worth     If the callsign typed matches an entry in the SCP database  see Chapter 5   then you will  see the colour reflected in the SCP pane under the data entry fields even before leaving  the callsign entry field  Note that the SCP pane also shows calls that are already in the  current log  since it is often likely that in a multi band contest you may already have  worked the same call on other bands  The same colour rules are applied to all items  displayed in the SCP pane     The other obvious place that the colours are used is the Activity Windows  Glancing at    these windows is a good way to see if you are missing any multipliers which have been  spotted on other bands for example     Page 23 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 5  Using Databases   SkookumLogger incorporates a number of database tables in order to determine  information about contacts made and for some types of contest to pre populate some data  entry fields for the operator to check prior to committing the QSO to the log  This can  significantly reduce the amount of typing  and potential keying errors  during contesting   leading to better accuracy  For the more 
28. ely flag at the  upper rightmost end of the data entry well if the contact will be a new Multiplier or a  Duplicate     Contacts which will be worth zero points are also flagged  which is particularly useful in    contests where the aim is only to work stations from a specific set of entities  e g  Polish  stations in the SP contest or Dutch stations in the PACC event      Page 15 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    To clear any contact details partially entered in the data entry fields  if the entered call  would be a duplicate and you decide not to work it again  for example  Press F11   SkookumLogger is then ready to accept a new contact   s details     Should you wish to edit any details of a committed contact  simply double click anywhere  except the Notes column in the relevant log table row  or Press Cmd F11 when it is  highlighted   An extra set of editing data entry fields will appear and be filled with that  contact   s information which you may edit  You may switch between logging and editing  mode  Shift F12  to continue entering contacts until you are ready to finish the edit  Hitting  the Return key in the Edit data entry fields commits the change and exits edit mode   Alternatively  you may double click another QSO in the table to edit  in which case the  current edit is saved and the new one loaded for editing  There is no need to save the log  after editing as this is done automatically after each contact is entered  Any multiplier or  score changes a
29. ency unnecessarily  After working a station recalled from  the Activity window  simply hit F12 to re tune back to the original frequency you were on in  the Run data entry well     Note that should the lower  Search  data entry well be collapsed when you either grab an  activity or use F12 to change the active well  the well will automatically be enabled   displayed     The Activities pane in SkookumLogger Preferences allows you to set frequency matching  tolerances and time limits for the entries in the Activity windows     The Activity windows can also be sorted by callsign  frequency  age  and source by clicking  the relevant column  The most useful sort option for S amp P is probably by frequency     Page 27 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Entries may be deleted by highlighting them and hitting the delete  backspace  key   although colouring and other filters  using the drop down filter menu at the top left of the  window  can also help hide or highlight those stations worked or still needed  Figure 16         ae 80m Activity  80m SSB    All Activities S    Call Freq  amp  Age Source    SP20FP 3 710 000 20 SPB8RHL    DX WINDOW 3 795 000 8 DX  FAN  IOMPF 3 795 000 10 IK1JU0  7P8JW 3 795 000 17 ZS2SL    Figure 16  Sorting and filtering Activity window entries    Radio frequencies in Activity Tables   Your radio   s current frequency also appears in the Activity tables as  lt rx gt   and source     radio     For radios with a sub receiver  its frequency also appe
30. er File menu  A new logging window opens and the  settings panel is immediately automatically displayed  On the left  you will see much of the  information you originally entered in the Me preferences panel  If any of this information is  incorrect for the contest you are configuring  alter it at this stage     Note  It is essential to set Call to the callsign to be used in the contest if different from    your  call    set in Preferences     At the top  select the contest name  in this case  CW World Wide DX Contest    SkookumLogger populates the next drop down list to the right with all the known matching  events for the current year for the Contest chosen  The button to the far top right will bring  up the rules for the selected contest in a browser window if you need to consult them     Page 9 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Next  make sure the Sent Exchange for the contest is correctly stated  The required  exchange is printed above this field in small letters  SkookumLogger displays the required  fields for this contest   s exchange and tries to populate them correctly for you  Change the  fields    contents if necessary   Special character    tokens    such as   denote report  RST   and   for serial number are used in the Morse Exchange Template field   In CQ WW Dx   the requirement is RS T  and CQ zone  Figure 4 shows how it would be set up for me in  zone 14  Notice how   have also selected the mode  SSB  and sections  High power   Assisted  which   inten
31. es not switch to it     3  Cmd double click an entry in an Activity window   sets the radio subreceiver  if supported  frequency to the activity   s frequency     4  Opt double click an entry in an Activity window   deletes that activity without moving keyboard focus away from QSO data entry     5  Double click in a row  except the Notes field  in the main log table to bring it to the edit  data entry well to make changes to a committed QSO     6  Double click in the notes field in a row of the main log table to enter note text for the  QSO     7  Click in the Run data entry fields and type something to focus that upper set   8  Click in the Pounce data entry fields and type something focus that lower set   9  Click in any row of the QTC Receive Window table to focus that row for editing     10  Click the circle map to select the receive antenna with bearing closest to the point  clicked  where the necessary switching hardware is available      Page 40 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Ten SkookumLogger preference options to tailor how you log contacts  This section highlights and briefly summarises ten preferences within SkookumLogger     1  Cutify leading zeros in CW serial numbers    Leading zeroes in serial numbers are sent as T  abbreviated form      2  Send leading zeros in CW serial numbers    Leading zeroes for 3 digit serials are sent     3  Refuse to log incomplete QSOs    Contacts are not committed to the log table by hitting Return if elements of the exc
32. example  say you tune in carefully to a  station calling CQ but he is either busy with a pile up or too weak due to perhaps beaming  in a different direction at that moment  Instead of waiting on his frequency and wasting  time  having added the callsign of the station in the data entry field  you could use the  SkookumLogger    Insert in Activity Table    feature on the SkookumLogger Log menu  or user  selectable special key in Logging Preferences  to add him to the table  The entry is  marked as sourced    by you    in the table  You can continue tuning the band  either working  people or adding them to the table in the same way     When you want to go back and try one of the inserted stations again later  simply double   click the entry in the Activity window  The radio will be set to the remembered frequency  and his callsign is put back into the callsign entry field in the Pounce data entry well so that   assuming he has stayed put  you are ready to call him and enter the rest of the exchange     Holding Shift while double clicking an Activity entry also moves the call details to the lower   Search  data entry well  but without making this well active and hence without re tuning  the radio  Using Shift also doesn   t interrupt any CW currently being sent enabling you to  load a spot while a CQ call is being made on your run frequency for example     Using the Activity Table when trawling a band can save substantial time retuning stations  in and avoids waiting on a frequ
33. eyboards  Ctrl refers to the Ctrl key     This guide begins with a brief introduction to Amateur radio contests in general and then  provides an overview of the desirable features of good contest loggers     Part   then looks at setting up for a contest event and the general way to log contacts  quickly  efficiently and accurately     Part II looks at how to use additional features in SL to improve your performance as a  contest operator and techniques for optimising contest logging     Part III is the usual part of tens  summarising ten tips for how to get the most out of SL     Acknowledgements   The author would like to thank Bill K1GQ  other reviewers and all contributors to SL  of  which there are many   see About SkookumLogger on the    menu for details  for the  various constructive ideas to make it better than it was previously    Throughout this guide  all trademarks and copyrights are acknowledged  Errors and  omissions are excepted  No responsibility is taken by the authors for any issues  associated with contest entries as a result of following the advice given in this guide     Version 1 3  Copyright    2011  Jonathan Mitchener GODVJ    Page 4 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Radio Contesting   Amateur Radio contests are one of the more competitive aspects of the Ham Radio hobby   There are a very large number of contests organised by sponsors in different countries  around the world  They cover the HF bands  VHF UHF bands and modes such as Phone   SSB
34. face can also be used to point the transmit antenna towards the  current QSO for Green Heron or SarTek rotor systems     With internet access  you can connect to a DX cluster node for sending and receiving DX  announcements  You can also connect to the Reverse Beacon Network to receive CW  skimmer announcements  Local spots added from another instance of SkookumLogger  running on a locally networked machine will also appear in the activity window  uniquely  labelled  Separate activity windows tabulate announcements for each contest band     You can export a log document in the Cabrillo format for submission to contest sponsors or  for log analysis  in the ADIF format for import into other logging software  and in comma   separated value  CSV  format for import into spreadsheet analysis tools like Numbers    You can also use paper logging mode after a contest to produce an electronic version of a  log kept on paper     Page 7 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Part    Getting going with  SkookumLogger    This part of the guide provides information about how best to quickly get going with  SkookumLogger to set up before a contest  enter basic information about contacts during  the contest  and produce the contest entry file after the event     Chapter 1  Setting up for your first contest    The first time you ever run SkookumLogger   The first thing to do after starting SkookumLogger for the first time is to complete some  basic information in the Preferences panel  Th
35. focus the Transmit QTCs window  The QTC series number and count     7 10    in  Figure 12  are determined by SkookumLogger  The table lists information from the  chronologically ordered QSOs in your log that have not yet been sent as QTCs  excluding  the receiver   s callsign  The    Available    value is the number of QSOs in your log that have  not been sent as QTCs     The steps for sending CW QTCs are         Focus the Transmit QTCs window  Cmd L         Press F5 to send the preamble message  his call  QTC serial     QRV       This also clears  any selection in the table        Press down arrow to select the first table row and send that QTC      If necessary  press F6  F7  or F8 to resend parts of the selected QTC  HHMM  Call  or  Serial respectively      Press down arrow to send the next QTC  When you reach the last QTC in the table   down arrow does nothing        Single click on any row in the table to select it and send the entire QTC        Click the Done button or press enter to save the QTC series in your log file and return  keyboard focus to the logging window     As usual  Escape cancels sending  but you can toggle keyboard mode  F9  or use the  paddle to send other CW to the receiving station      Each time you enter a call and tab or spacebar out of the call field  SkookumLogger  displays    Needs n QTCs    at the end of the QSO Information line  unless n is O     Page 19 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    European Station Support for Receiving QTCs 
36. g to a second  receiver  To enable this feature  set the IP address for UDP broadcasts on your local  network and check the box    Broadcast inserted activities    at the bottom of the  SkookumLogger Preferences Activities pane  Figure 18   UDP broadcast addresses have  the form a b c 255  where a  b  and c must match the corresponding fields for your local  network     Note  You will need to restart SkookumLogger after making a change to this preference       Activities      EZ A  Age zZ WG       Me Logging Exchange Messages Serial WinKeyer       Frequency Matching Tolerance  100 Hz      Entry Age Threshold  20 min  __  Remove entries within tolerance of new entries  __  Clear removes entries near current receive frequency  vi Broadcast inserted activities    UDP Address  192 168 0 255    Figure 18  Enabling broadcast activity inserts    Page 29 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 7  Advanced CW features    SkookumLogger provides some specific features for CW contest operators  This chapter  describes how these features can be used     Acknowledgement after callsign correction   When running CQ in CW and being called by a station  you will normally type their call and  include that in the exchange message sent  If you have to correct the callsign before the  contact is completed  and you have checked the    Correct Mode    preference in Logging  Preferences  SkookumLogger will automatically send the corrected callsign before the  Acknowledgement message when 
37. ger for Dummies v 1 3    Entering contacts in a CW contest when using the keyer messages  Lets suppose you are running a frequency in a CW contest  You will typically follow these  steps     1  Hit F1 to send your CQ message   When someone answers  type their call in the Callsign entry field of the upper  Run  data  entry well  and hit F5  His call  then F2 to send the exchange     Hint 1  hitting    Hls Call   Exchange     a user selectable key in Logging Preferences  will  send both F5  amp  F2 in one action for you    Hint 2  you can hit F5 or the Shortcut key before finishing entering the call  you only  need to type each callsign character just before  a letter space  it is to be sent      2  If they answer with their exchange  hit Space and enter the received information  If they  ask for your exchange info again  hit F2 for the complete exchange or Cmd F2 if they just  ask for the serial number again     3  To complete the contact hit F3 and Return to commit the QSO    Hint  Hitting Acknowledge   Log  a user selectable special key in Logging Preferences   will do both of these for you in one action      4  Return to step 1 above     Now let   s assume you are conducting a S amp P exercise using an Activity Table  Suppose  you have double clicked an Activity entry in the Table  The radio tunes to the correct  frequency and the callsign is inserted into the call entry field of the lower  Pounce  data  entry well  Typically you will then follow these steps     1  When the
38. hange  are missing  blank      4  Automatically turn rotator    Optionally automatically point a serial connected rotator  see chapter 10  to the direction  of the contact according to callsign or locator square  if part of the exchange      5  Correct mode    If acall has been changed after being sent  it is re sent as part of the CW  acknowledgement message     6  Beep for Duplicate QSOs    Make a sound to warn when duplicate contacts are flagged     7  Serial Number Precision    Set how many digits are displayed for serial numbers in the log table and the next serial  field     8  Show Target Point  on map     Show the contact   s position as a dot on the Great circle map     9  Remove entries within tolerance of new entries  Activity windows     Prevent long lists of calls being shown within a certain delta of the same frequency in  Activity windows     10  Clear removes entries near current receive frequency  Activity windows       Using F11 to clear a QSO   s details from the data entry fields also removes the entry from  an Activity window     Page 41 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Reference  This section provides a table of shortcut keys and modifiers together with some web  references relevant to the material in this guide     Shortcut keys  amp  Modifiers Table      Default ER Function Key Bindings for Menu Items    E      m  Messages   CQ Radio   Band   160m cae   Show Activity    DO NOT USE             aa Messages   My Call Radio   Band   20m  2 His C
39. hanging the potentiometer  on the front of the WinKeyer unit should cause this speed to change     Next select the WinKeyer panel of the SkookumLogger Preferences  Most of these host  mode settings will be as you already prefer them  but any of the parameters may be  changed and saved by SkookumLogger in this preference pane     Next check that the Messages assigned to the Function keys are customised for the  particular contest exchange needed     Note  These will be initialised from the Messages pane of the SkookumLogger  Preferences  Figure 6  for new logs  You can also customise the text for any of the  messages for existing logs using Edit Messages on the SkookumLogger Morse menu  see  Chapter 7      The entries in Messages preferences for Magic Message are described later in Chapters 7   amp  8     Check that the correct morse message is played when you press function keys  Note that  the four buttons on your WinKeyer are associated with messages 1 through 4     Page 12 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    000 Messages    T    vs  gt     Me Logging Exchange Messages Serial WinKeyer       These message fields provide default values for the CW messages for new  logs  To edit messages for a specific log use Morse P Edit Messages       Message Tokens         sent call   amp  sent exchange    sent serial      received call   n message n    log QSO    A sent report          _ Function Key Messages                                              Menu Title Tokenized Messag
40. hole content of  any  current field for this purpose     Entering QTCs in WAEDC Events   The Worked All Europe DX Contest  WAEDC  events include the feature that non   European participants can  in addition to making a normal QSO  send reports of QSOs  already made  QTCs  to European participants  which offers the chance for both sides to  achieve additional points  This is supported by SkookumLogger in two different ways  according to whether the callsign used in Log Settings for this contest type denotes a  station inside or outside Europe  This section describes this QTC support     Non European Station Support for Sending QTCs   SkookumLogger automatically selects QTCs from your log in sets of up to 10 for each  station you work  tracks how many may be sent to a particular station  numbers the groups  of QTCs and writes QTCs to the Cabrillo Log post contest  In addition for the CW WAEDC    Page 18 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    event  SkookumLogger also automatically sends the required QTC exchanges  This is  done through a dedicated window shown in Figure 12                 Transmit QTCs  To  GODVJ 7 10    HHMM Call Serial  1425 SPSL 1415  1428 OK6D  218  1429 YLOY 3235  1430 DLI1JSO 160  1431 SSOXX 1309  1432 DRLIBUGA 1434  1436 OKIJL 210  1438 OL4M 625  1446 OL7C 2257  1558 F6HKA 462    Available  283   Done         Figure 12  The Transmit QTC Window    The To call is copied from the call field in the active data entry well of the logging window  when you 
41. information     SkookumLogger is now configured to know the rules of this particular contest  including  what the exchange is  what multipliers if any are involved  what constitutes a dupe and  what the scoring is for the contest     Page 10 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Customising SkookumLogger windows for the specific contest   The next step is to open and lay out the SkookumLogger windows that you prefer as an  operator  This can be largely a matter of personal preference  For most contests you may  want the Score  and Rate Tracker windows open  There are also windows for the various  multipliers etc  In part Il of this guide we also discuss use of Activity tables  For now   choose the extra windows you want displayed from the SkookumLogger View menu  shown in Figure 5  below      LEJ Font Log Radio Antenn Inthe case of the CQ WW DX contest  we would also    Activity Table  gt  want to open the Zones Checksheet since CQ zones are  Great Circle Map xG multipliers and part of the exchange     Since DXCC countries are also important in CQ WW  DX  we would also want to open the Countries  Checksheet too     DX Spider X D  Reverse Beacon Network   B  Morse Message Editor XE  Pass Information HI As CQ WW DX is a multi band contest  you may also    su Hamel bse want to open the Pass Information window  This tells  wama ee treat you instantly for callsigns entered which bands modes    you have had or need that entity so that you can decide  Country Checksheet XC whe
42. ith them  Pounce frequency refers to  the transmit frequency of a station that you have found in the Search and Pounce mode     3  Please explain focus in the context of focus log and focus activity table        Focus    is a computerese term that identifies which user interface element in an  application handles keyboard entries  So    focus log    means    I want to type into the log   QSO data entry fields    And     focus activity table    means    I want keystrokes to be  handled by the Activity table for the current band     In the latter case  keystrokes affect the  selected row in the table     4  Please explain pass information     In multiband contests  a common strategy is to ask high point value stations that you are  working to QSY to another band where they are needed  That strategy is called    passing      The Pass Information window shows you the bands where you need the station being  worked  so you know whether or not to ask for a QSY and where to go     5  Please explain keys based on symbols  e g  delete last QSO    which key is control and  which is alternate     The symbols on the menu items are Apple defined standards  A quick way to discover the  association between the symbols and the keys on your particular keyboard is to open the  Keyboard Viewer  That tool is available in the Keyboard menu near the right end of your  menu bar at the top of the screen  If    Show Keyboard Viewer    doesn   t appear in that menu   then visit the Keyboard pane in Key
43. its Radio  menu to control aspects of controlling two types of linear amplifier  the Alpha 87A and the  KPA500  To initiate this interface  use the relevant drop down menu options on the Serial  pane of the SkookumLogger Preferences window to select the correct device type and  port     Green Heron Everyware   The Green Heron Everyware product provides a way of switching antennas based on  serial port computer control  SkookumLogger supports this product  using a specific  hardwired addressing mechanism  Should you also have this hardware and wish to  understand more about it  please contact Bill K1GQ for further information     Page 38 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Part Ill  The Part of Tens    This is the traditional chapter in Dummies books with groups of ten things that are useful  for reference purposes     Ten great SkookumLogger keyboard shortcuts to remember  Note that all keys may be redefined using System Keyboard Shortcuts     1     2     8     9     F10   Focus log    F11   Clear QSO      Alt Cmd F 11   Delete last QSO in log table     Shift F12   Toggle Logging Editing mode     Cmd Return   Insert in Activity table     F12   Toggle Run Pounce Data Entry fields       Alt F9   Copy Pounce to Run  sets your Run frequency to the Pounce frequency      Cmd F10   Set rotor from QSO information    Cmd F12   Find QSO  if a call in the entry fields  displays all QSOs with that call     10  F9   Set frequencies    Ten ways SkookumLogger features can improve yo
44. kumLogger provides a feature to  export individual contest log data to ADIF for this purpose  Simply choose Export ADIF  from the SkookumLogger File menu  Figure 25   A standard File Save dialogue box will  appear and you should choose a name and location to save the file     Edit View Font Log Rac    New  N  Open     0  Open Recent bh  Close W  Save aS  Save As    THES    Revert to Saved    Update Exchange Archive  Expo brillo    Export to Numbers  Export ADIF    Download Countries Database  Download SCP Database          Figure 25  The ADIF and Numbers Export options    Using SkookumLogger to computerise an existing  paper  log   Choosing Paper Logging Mode from the SkookumLogger Log menu adds a time and date  field to the top of the main logging window  This allows you to use SkookumLogger after a  contest  which was logged on paper for example  to computerise the log and generate the  same entry file  analysis and statistics that you could if the log was entered    live    at the  time of the contest  The SkookumLogger Log menu also contains commands  with  keyboard shortcuts  for adjusting the UTC time of when the subsequent contacts are  logged     Page 37 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 10  Controlling hardware from SkookumLogger    Additional radio control features   In Chapters 1 and 8 we discussed some basic radio control features in SkookumLogger   The Radio menu also contains some other radio related controls such as VFO switching   RIT XIT adj
45. ly been used by contest operators to  record the contacts made and to prepare the entry for submission to the organisers  As  the technology has progressed  such contest logger software has begun providing  additional facilities of use to the contest operator  including real time analysis of how far  the specific objectives are being met  sending Morse code or audio calls  analysing which  stations are active on the bands and others  Additionally  some software specifically  supports teams of operators taking part in one event and allows for communication  between them and synchronisation of logged contacts by them     Many contest loggers have been produced over the years  most of the best ones being  produced by experienced contest operators themselves  who understand the precise  requirements that contest operating puts on the software  Most of the well known  packages have been written for Microsoft Windows operating system  They include CT   G3WGV  N1MM  WinTest  WriteLog  SuperDuper  Minos  and TAClog  Until now users of  the Mac OSX operating system have had a more limited selection to choose from   including RumLog  Aether  and MacLoggerDX combined with Cab Converter  Now there is  another alternative  offering a more comprehensive set of facilities over general logging  software or aimed at certain types of contest  called SkookumLogger  SL      Page 5 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Features of good contest logging software   Unlike general logging progr
46. n the Messages preferences pane are editable  Text that you enter  here also appears for the corresponding function key in the Messages menu  The labels  in the Morse Messages Editor window are not editable     All message definitions in SkookumLogger can contain plain text and tokens  The plain  text is case insensitive  and may include any characters recognised by the WinKeyer   Unrecognised characters are ignored when sending a message  In the table  WinKeyer  output shown as two letters is sent using the merge feature  which omits the character  space between them  Merged characters shown in italics are created by SkookumLogger     the others are built into WinKeyer     Page 31 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Keyboard WinKeyer Keyboard WinKeyer Keyboard WinKeyer  Key Output Key Output Key Output    x   gt    gt     x  Goma  5 A A   gt     A   Z  A  Z    O     gt     gt   N N        N      N  J   gt     4   gt     za nm      02  Pas      gt   n  Az     gt x lt    gt   nv     gt  A       Table of WinKeyer Characters    Tokens are placeholders for information that depends on your log  such as the received  call or the sent serial number  When you trigger sending a message  SkookumLogger  quickly scans the definition for tokens and replaces them with suitable plain text before  passing the message along the the WinKeyer     There are a few simple rules to be aware of when defining messages     e      Message 1 is assumed to be a CQ message  it is the message that 
47. nd  and reflect the ways that operators of each persuasion typically work  Given the difference  in distances and propagation modes worked  signal reports in contests on HF tend to be  given consistently as 59 9  for each contact  whereas on the higher bands more genuine  reports tend to be used so that there is some indication given to the other party about the  number of times the exchange may need to be given to successfully copy it under the  prevailing conditions  e g  of aggressive fading   The upshot is that the sent report field is  not usually needed for HF contest exchanges whereas for higher band events it is  For the  latter  the scoring is usually based on some element of distance calculation between 6  character locator grid squares  based on the Maidenhead system   whereas for HF the  scoring is typically based on country  continent or other fixed points per band mode   contact  This is another example difference which the logger needs to accommodate     Page 6 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3  SkookumLogger Overview    SkookumLogger is an amateur radio contesting application for Mac OS X 10 6  Snow  Leopard  or later     SkookumLogger supports participation in CW SSB Data contests on the six HF contest  bands  plus 6m  4m  2m  and 70cm  All information for a contest is stored in a single file  called a log  There is no limit to the number of QSOs in a log     QSOs are tabulated in the Log window  New QSOs are added by filling in data entry fields  and 
48. ogger Me Preference information and the  options selected in the Log settings for this contest   Also perform a quick check that the  total number of contacts in the Cabrillo file is as you would expect from what you worked in  the contest     If all seems well  you can submit this file to the contest sponsors adjudicators  Some  require you to email the file to a specific address  whilst many provide a web page based  upload facility for submission  If you are unsure  check the rules website for the contest   This is usually available within the SkookumLogger Log Settings panel by pressing the  button under the Contest name drop down selector     In Part Il  we will cover other things you may want to do after the contest  including  analysis of your performance and how to aggregate individual SkookumLogger contest  logs into a single main logging program such as MacLoggerDxX or Aether  for reference   e g  QSL and statistical tracking for example      Page 22 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Part Il  Improving your contest  operation with SkookumLogger    This part of the guide goes beyond the basics to explain how features provided in  SkookumLogger can help develop and improve your contest operation     Chapter 4  Making Colours work for you  SkookumLogger provides considerable information through the use of colour across its  various windows  This chapter looks at how to set up and exploit this during a contest     Setting up colours in SkookumLogger  To choose
49. plays when Beacon  CQ mode is active         When the Correct mode logging preference is checked and the content of the call data  entry field differs from the call that was in the field when the exchange was sent   message 3 includes the corrected received call before the the rest of the message  definition       The token for received call must appear no more than once  and must be the first  character in a definition       The token for message n must not be used in the definition for message n  or in any  other message referenced by message n     Page 32 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Chapter 8  Advanced Techniques  This chapter discusses the use of some additional techniques supported by  SkookumLogger which can add to your contest performance     Setting frequencies for split operation in phone contests   You can set the radio   s frequency directly from SkookumLogger  using Set Frequencies   F9  on the Radio menu  including different frequencies for transmit and receive  where  split is supported via CAT control for a radio type  This can be useful for working split in  phone contests     Providing you do not change the Transmit field  SkookumLogger assumes you want to  transceive on the Receive frequency  When the transmit and receive frequencies do differ   SkookumLogger shows the TX label in yellow to remind you  If the entered frequency is  less than 1000  it is treated as an offset from the band edge for the current band     You can use the same Set F
50. pressing return  which automatically saves the log  A panel just above the data entry  fields lists calls in the log and in SCP that match the entered call     A Log window has several possible utility windows     Pass Information  showing bands where the entered call  or the multiplier of the entered  call  has been worked before    Countries Checksheet  showing DXCC countries    Locators Checksheet  showing Maidenhead Locator  4 character  square multipliers   Multipliers Checksheet  showing domestic multipliers    Zones Checksheet  showing CQ or ITU zones    Other Checksheets to show regional or additional multiplier information    Time Tracker  showing on time and off time data    Rate Tracker  showing QSO rate statistics    Score  showing per band and total QSOs and multipliers  and score     You can connect a radio to provide frequency and mode for each QSO record  You can  connect a K1EL WinKeyer USB ASCIll to morse generator to send CW from the keyboard  or from customisable stored messages  With a radio that has voice keyer functions  you  can trigger voice messages from SkookumLogger     SkookumLogger can display a global great circle map with overlays showing the solar  terminator  receive antenna pattern  transmit antenna pattern  and location for the current  QSO  The receive antenna pattern orientation is determined by a Green Heron Everyware  interface  The transmit antenna pattern orientation is determined by a Green Heron rotator  interface  The rotator inter
51. pter 7  support for  the pounce operation in between CQ calls from the lower data entry fields  Instead of the  sequence that was described in chapter 7 for Magic Message from the upper data entry  well  using it from the lower well results in the following     With a callsign in the lower well call field  pressing Magic Message sends the  PounceBegin sequence to throw in your call after the other station finishes his CQ   Subsequent presses repeat this until he has picked you out for a QSO     After you move from the call field  to enter the exchange sent to you  Magic Message will  then send the PounceContinue message which acknowledges and sends your exchange   If any repeats are needed  use the normal F keys to send the required information again     A subsequent press will send the PounceEnd sequence which commits the QSO and thus  clear the lower data entry fields    contents     PounceBegin  PounceContinue and PounceEnd sequences are defined in the Messages  Preference pane or the Morse Messages Editor window     Pressing Magic Message with the focus in an empty lower well callsign field does the  equivalent of F12  toggles focus back to the upper  run  well   which makes it slick to  return immediately to your run frequency during SO2V operation     Using propagation information on the Great Circle map   The experienced HF contest operator will take note of likely variable propagation on  various bands at various times during a 24 or 48 hour contest and organise their
52. repeats are required  pressing the same magic message key allows a    complete CW contact to be completed  Magic message can also provide support for S amp P  within Single Operator 2 VFO  SO2V  operation     see Chapter 8 for details     Page 30 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Customising CW Messages per Contest Log   In part I  the Morse Messages preference pane was introduced as a method of how to set  up the CW sent by SkookumLogger  There is a second way to change the CW messages   the Morse Messages editor window  opened by the Morse  gt  Edit Messages    menu item   Changes you make to definitions in this window are stored in the log and do not affect the  initial definitions  nor the definitions in other logs     Morse Messages    Message Tokens      sent call    amp  sent exchange    sent serial   A sent report      received call   n message n    log QSO       Label Morse Message  1 cQ CQ TEST      2 Exchange  amp   3 Acknowledge TU    4 My Call    5 His Call s  6 Call  nr   7      8 Again AGN  9 Magic Run Begin  1  10 Magic Run Continue   amp   11 Magic Run End  3    12 Magic Pounce Begin    13 Magic Pounce Continue  3  amp   14 Magic Pounce End      Figure 21  Morse Messages Editor window    Note  If you open this window for a log created before version 1 2 of SkookumLogger   some or all of the messages numbered 9 through 14 may not appear in the table  They will  be created automatically when you use the Magic Message command     The Menu Title items i
53. requencies feature to set frequencies when radio type is set to  None  If you are not using CAT control  this allows you to set the frequency for the log  manually     Run and S amp P modes   Traditionally  operators in a contest are either operating in run mode  calling CQ ona  frequency  or S amp P mode  where you trawl the band searching for new stations to work    An advanced technique is to combine the two  so that you use gaps when calling doesn   t  return any replies to pounce on stations calling elsewhere on the band  This can either be  done using the controls on the radio or from features in logging software or a combination  of the two     You can use the S amp P Activity table techniques described in Chapter 6 in between calls  made on your run frequency  SkookumLogger maintains both your Run frequency in the  upper data entry fields as well as the S amp P frequency for when you are ready to pounce in  the lower Pounce data entry fields  Figure 22      SSB 14 283 000  000                   59 59 Run  SSB 14 196 000  000  39 39 Pounce             Figure 22  The Run and Pounce data entry field fields     There may be some occasions when you need to grab the frequency you acquired in the  lower data entry well into the upper well to run from  In this case  use    Copy Pounce to  Run    from the SkookumLogger Log menu  or any keyboard shortcut you may have  assigned to this     Page 33 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Operating SO2V   There are two main wa
54. requencies in Activity Tables  DX Cluster   Skimmer  amp  Reverse Beacon Network    Networked SkookumLogger spots    Chapter 7  Advanced CW features    Acknowledgement after callsign correction  Beacon CQ  Using Magic CW Message    Customising CW Messages per Contest Log    Chapter 8  Advanced Techniques    Setting frequencies for split operation in phone contests  Run and S amp P modes   Operating SO2V   Magic Message support for S amp P during SO2V    Using propagation information on the Great Circle map    Chapter 9  Analysis and Log Aggregation    Page 2 of 46    23  23    24  24  24  25  25  25  26    27  27  28  28  29  29    30  30  30  30  31    33  33  33  34  34  34    36    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Using Search Log to analyse contacts  Numbers export  ADIF export    Using SkookumLogger to computerise an existing  paper  log    Chapter 10  Controlling hardware from SkookumLogger    Additional radio control features  Antenna Rotor  Alpha 87A  amp  KPA500 Linear Amplifiers    Green Heron Everyware    Part Ill  The Part of Tens    Ten great SkookumLogger keyboard shortcuts to remember  Ten ways SkookumLogger features can improve your contest operating  Ten useful mouse click gestures in SkookumLogger    Ten SkookumLogger preference options to tailor how you log contacts    Reference    Shortcut keys  amp  Modifiers Table  Useful Web URLs   Logging Window Reference diagram  FAQs   Serial Port Settings    Version History of this Guide    Page 3 of 46    36  37 
55. riodic voluntary log submissions by contesters around  the globe to the maintainer of SCP  Bob WA1Z     You should regularly force an update of the latest SCP database by choosing the  Download SCP Database option from the SkookumLogger File menu  The current version  of this database being used by SkookumLogger is shown by hovering over the menu item     The SCP database matches are automatically displayed in the white callsign matching  pane of the SkookumLogger logging window between the Run and Pounce data entry  fields  after at least 3 characters of a callsign have been typed  Note that the partial nature  of the match means that entering GOD will typically match with both calls starting GOD   e g  GODWV  and those including the pattern such as DGODRF  If you hear only part of a  callsign after calling CQ  a glance at the SCP will often give a good hint of what to suggest  to the station for confirmation along with his exchange  rather than requiring several more  overs each to get the call correct  If you miss a character in a callsign type a         alpha   numeric wildcard in its place for SkookumLogger to match with     Experienced contesters will typically type any partial call they hear and pursue it  rather  than simply wait and call again whilst entering nothing in the logger  The whole callsign  can always be easily selected and overtyped  using Cmd A  should an initial partial hunch  have been an error     Page 24 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Mo
56. s a result of the edit are updated     Double clicking in the Notes column of the log table allows you to type in a note against  the contact in that row     If you ever need to delete a contact from the log table  pressing Alt Cmd F11 will remove  the last contact from the committed log  It also decrements the sent serial number     As you enter callsigns  you may see possible calls appear in the white panel above the  data entry wells  This is Super Check Partial  SCP  covered in Part II     In order to take advantage of all the SkookumLogger Keyboard shortcuts you may need to  disable some of the system shortcuts such as the default function keys for Expos   and  Spaces  By default in Mac OSX  F11 invokes the Desktop Expos   feature for example   The defaults can always be easily restored later using a button at the bottom of the OSX  Keyboard Shortcuts preferences window  Figure 10       l Keyboard  To change a shortcut  double click the shortcut and hold down the new keys    M Dashboard  amp  Dock E  Expos    ttj Expos    amp  Spaces   All windows F9   amp  Front Row E Application windows F10  Keyboard  amp  Text Input B Desktop F11   Y Screen Shots B Spaces  ib Services   Activate Spaces F12    Spotlight mM Switch to Space 1 el      Universal Access z Saien to Space 2  2  A  Application Shortcuts a Switch to Space 3 3  mi Switch to Space 4    4            Restore Defaults  gt     Figure 10  The Mac OSX Keyboard Shortcuts Preferences window    Page 16 of 46    SkookumLog
57. st  Club stations are logged as C before the  club name in the exchange  Therefore searching the log for the pattern     C    in the  Received field returns the required analysis  The number of results returned is instantly  displayed to the right of the search box     A final example of how to use the search feature is to search for specific contents in the    Notes field  in cases where you want to flag particular issues  and have entered a  comment or flag of some sort in the Notes field of the relevant contacts in the log table     Page 36 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Numbers export   SkookumLogger provides a means to export all the log table data for a contest in comma  separated values  CSV  format typically facilitating import into spreadsheet software such  as Apple   s Numbers or Microsoft Excel  Further sorting and analysis is then possible using  such software  To do this  choose Export to Numbers from the SkookumLogger File menu   Figure 25   Astandard File Save dialogue box will appear and you should choose a name  and location to save the file     ADIF export   Many contest operators will want to amalgamate or aggregate their individual contest logs  into a single large database of contacts made  This may be for analysis purposes or for  award or QSL tracking for example  Several OSX general logging programs exist to do  this including MacLoggerDX and Aether which will import standard Amateur Data  Interchange Format  ADIF  data  Accordingly  Skoo
58. t on your Mac and turn it on   The communications parameters such as baud rate  are preset per radio type   a list can be found in the SkookumLogger Help Menu  Reference section   Open the SkookumLogger Preferences and select the Serial  Preference pane  Figure 3   First select your radio type from the Type drop down menu   Then select the appropriate Port number which is connected to the radio in the  corresponding Port drop down menu  Then click the corresponding Connect button     eoc Serial    Ak S oO O     O    Me Logging Exchange Messages Serial WinKeyer Great Circle Map Activities Internet       Type Port  Radio    FT 2000 b gt    usasow26212P1 1 F    Connect             Keyer  WinKeyer 2 USB B usbserial A8007UJo a   Connect          Rotator  Green Heron HA None HJ   Connect                Amplifier  Alpha 87A B None a   Connect             Figure 3  The Serial Ports Preference pane    The current frequency and mode of the radio should be displayed above the upper set of  data entry fields at the bottom of the main SkookumLogger logging window  Changes to  the radio should be reflected in this information     Configuring a specific contest event   The next step is to configure SkookumLogger for the contest you will participate in  In this  example we will assume this to be the CQ DX SSB contest  but the process is very similar  for other contests  Additional guidance for contests which involve CW are given ina  separate section below     Select New from the SkookumLogg
59. technically minded  databases are stored in the  user   s Library Application Support SkookumLogger folder     DXCC Countries Database   The most fundamental database is the one mapping callsign prefixes to country names   continents  zone numbers and other entity information for the derivation of approximate  bearing and distances  The de facto standard database used by most logging software   so called cty dat  maintained regularly by Jim AD1C is used by SkookumLogger     You should always force an update of the latest countries database in SkookumLogger by  choosing the Download Countries Database option from the SkookumLogger File menu   This ensures that any prefixes changes  e g  for DXpeditions or new countries  are  reflected in the scoring applied by SkookumLogger  The current version of this database  being used by SkookumLogger is shown by hovering over the menu item  Note that old  logs may score differently with a newer database version     The countries database in conjunction with the Needed QSO colour preference setting is  of particular value in contests where contacts are only permitted with certain countries or  regions of the world for example     Super Check Partial  SCP    The Super Check Partial  SCP  database has also become a de facto standard used by  contesters worldwide and so SkookumLogger supports this too  SCP is a database of  thousands of stations which have been active in recent past contests  This database is  compiled and maintained from pe
60. th year  in the Flnder and rename the  copy  Then open the copy and choose Reset from the SkookumLogger Log menu  This  clears all QSOs from the log but preserves settings including CW messages  Then save  the log    Page 11 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Setting up a contest where there are required off periods   Some contests or sections within contests specify that the operator may or must take  some time off periods during the event  SkookumLogger provides a Time Tracker window  associated with a log so that you can track how much time has been used and how many  off periods have been taken  Choose Show Time Tracker from the SkookumLogger Log  menu     For contests involving CW  read on to the next section of this guide  else you are ready to  skip to Chapter 2 and start logging     Setting up extra items for a CW contest   If the contest involves CW  you will want to additionally configure SkookumLogger to use a  Winkeyer USB unit to send CW automatically  as well as customise the messages that  need to be sent for the particular contest in question     Having connected your WinKeyer unit to the computer using a suitable USB cable  open  the SkookumLogger Preferences again and select the Serial pane  Against the WinKeyer  2 USB serial device type select the appropriate port for the hardware in the Port drop down  menu  Then click the Connect button  The current speed setting should be displayed at  the top left of the main SkookumLogger Logging window  and c
61. the F3 message is initiated  This confirms that you  have made the correction in your log to the other station without requiring an additional  over  thus saving time     Beacon CQ   When calling CQ on CW  SkookumLogger provides the facility to automatically repeat the  CQ call after a specific period of time  This is known as Beacon CQ  It is enabled by  checking the box at the top left of the main SkookumLogger logging window  Figure 19      00o    vi Beacon CQ  Figure 19  The SkookumLogger Beacon CQ checkbox    The period  in seconds  before the CQ message repeats when in Beacon CQ mode is set  within the Messages pane of the SkookumLogger Preferences window  Figure 20      CQ Message Repeat Interval  8 0    Figure 20  Setting the CQ Beacon repeat interval    Using Magic CW Message   When running a frequency on CW  SkookumLogger can select the right sequence of  messages from what has been entered in the data entry fields and what has already been  sent  This allows the operator to press the same Magic Message key and have the right  message played automatically in turn to complete a QSO     The process is as follows    While the callsign data entry field is empty  pressing Magic Message plays the  MagicRunBegin  CQ  message  When a callsign has been entered  Magic Message plays  the RunContinue  His Call   Exchange  message  Once the previous step has been done   a further press of the Magic Message key plays the RunEnd  Acknowledge   Log   message     In this way  if no 
62. ther to ask the station if they can be on another  needed band too     You may then position the various windows around the  iat era sez main logging window on your screen so that the  information is all easily seen    The last part of customising SkookumLogger for a  contest is the main logging window itself  You can drag  the columns of the log table into any order from left to right across the table     You can also choose to hide or show many of the available log table columns  You do this  by right  or control  clicking in the column headings of the log table and a list of all the  possible columns will be shown  Check against those you need and uncheck those that  you don   t need  Columns flagging multipliers relevant for the particular contest chosen are  automatically displayed and may not be removed     The    S    column of the log table is useful to display in any contest as this will flag any  contacts logged which SkookumLogger cannot match with the rules of the contest  missing  or mis formatted information in the exchange for example  For any such contacts  highlighted  choosing the Explain Suspect item from the SkookumLogger Log menu will  cause SkookumLogger to explain why it thinks the contact details are suspect     Now SkookumLogger is set up and customised for your contest     Setting up a contest from an earlier log  One way to quickly setup a contest log type is to duplicate a previous log for the same  contest  perhaps the same event in a previous mon
63. this by optionally utilising a simple database table  complied by  the user  which maps callsign to locator square and displays the matched square in the  appropriate data entry field as you exit the callsign entry field     Note that it is important to log what is heard rather than simply believing the database but  in the case of a match then it can save typing effort and improve accuracy by avoiding  data entry errors  It additionally means that if there is a match  accurate rather than  approximate beam heading information is calculated and displayed in the QSO Information  allowing the antenna direction to be optimised quickly to derive a better received signal  and thus copy the rest of the exchange more easily  This alignment of antennas is  particularly important for higher band contest operation     The database file used for locator square pre population is called LocatorForCall txt and  takes the form of  lt callsign gt     lt locator gt  on separate rows  It is located in the user   s  Library Application Support SkookumLogger folder  At the end of such a contest  choosing  Update Exchange Archive from the SkookumLogger File menu  will add any calls and their  respective locators to this file which are in the current log but not in the database  Note  that any entries already in the database with different locators are not updated     IOTA Reference pre population   An example of a database used to support a specific contest type is that used for the  annual Islan
64. ur contest operating           8     9       Practice and use Magic Message in CW contests      Tailor your own database files for auto completion of some exchange information      Get slick with using S amp P while running a frequency via Activity info and F12      Use the rate information during the contest to remind you when to adapt strategy      Use the Numbers export to analyse performance post contest for next time      Use appropriate filters on the DX Cluster and RBN facilities to target spots needed       Keep an eye on the terminator line on the great circle map in appropriate contests     When applicable  check information windows for obvious missing multipliers and search     Use SCP information to narrow down likely callsign options on a busy noisy band     10  Use the pass information window to identify key stations to try moving to other bands  for multipliers     Page 39 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3    Ten useful mouse click gestures in SkookumLogger   Ok so during a contest we don   t want to resort to the mouse or trackpad very often  but  there are cases where it is the best user interface  Here is a list of ten ways to use it if  needed        1  Double click an entry in an Activity window   Load activity call to lower call entry field  amp  frequency to the radio   s current VFO RX    2  Shift double click an entry in an Activity window   sets the radio subreceiver frequency to the activity   s frequency and loads the lower  data entry but do
65. ustment  and spot tone triggering  These commands are primarily aimed at the  Elecraft K3  but are also implemented for some other radios whose CAT command  protocols allow it  They are greyed out if the connected radio does not support them     Some radios also have built in voice memories  for CQ calls for example   In cases where  this can be computer triggered  SkookumLogger provides this through the F keys  similar  to for CW memories  but when in SSB mode     Antenna Rotor   SkookumLogger provides for computer control of the direction of a rotor controller to point  the antenna system automatically according to the current station being worked and also   displays the directional coverage of the antenna on the Great Circle Map centred on your  location  see Chapter 8  where the rotor provides sufficient information     Two rotor types are currently supported  the Green Heron controller  which supports both  features above  and the SarTek controller  which supports just the first auto pointing  feature      To connect to such a device  use the relevant drop down menu options on the Serial pane  of the SkookumLogger Preferences window to select the correct rotor type and port     There is also an option in Logging Preferences for the Rotor to be auto pointed when a  Callsign or  if applicable  Locator square is entered based on the bearing of the station     Alpha 87A  amp  KPA500 Linear Amplifiers   SkookumLogger provides a feature through a nested sub menu of options on 
66. you need a repeat then press F7  AGN   or F8      Note that the  time of the previous QTC is copied for the next one to save typing should the times be  the same  Further  if only the minutes  MM  part of time differs from the previous QTC   you may enter just the two digits for the minutes and SkookumLogger will assume the  hour  HH  part is the same and insert it for you        Press TAB at the end of a row to send    R    to tell the sender you have that QTC ok and  move to the next row  When you reach the last QTC  equal to the Count value  in the  table  TAB sends    R    but does not move the cursor     Page 20 of 46    SkookumLogger for Dummies v 1 3     lt   When you are ready to tell the Sender that you have everything ok and to commit the  QTC series to your log  Press TAB once more       Keyboard focus returns to the logging window     As usual  Escape cancels any of the CW  but you can toggle keyboard mode  F9  or use  the paddle to send other CW to the sending station      Each time you enter a call and tab or spacebar out of the call field  SkookumLogger  displays    n possible QTCs    at the end of the QSO Information line  unless n is 0  This  alerts you to perhaps ask the station being worked for QTCs   see figure 14     SSB 14 196 000  000 BrazilPY2 PY2 SA 11 15 223   9595 km GG66QK   10 possible QTCs  PY2AC 5 59    3 Run    Figure 14  Possible QTCs shown on the Info line       Note For contests where multipliers are areas of some countries  the QSO info lin
67. ys to synchronise when to make the call on the pounce frequency   The first is to use the Toggle Active Entry Well  F12  command to frequently switch  between the two  The second method is to utilise the second receiver on a Transceiver  that offers the chance to listen to two receivers simultaneously  perhaps one in each ear of  the headphones  In this case  SkookumLogger automatically sets the subreceiver  frequency to the frequency for the inactive well  so that you can monitor what is happening  on the    other    frequency while you work somebody or CQ  You can then swap VFOs when  the time is right to make the quick QSO before swapping back and calling again on the run  frequency  This use of 2 VFOs is known as Single Operator Two VFO  SO2V  operation     SkookumLogger provides for exchanging the contents of VFO A  amp  B via a command on  the Radio menu  Cmd    for radios that support this  SkookumLogger also allows any  item in an Activity Window to be loaded into the Pounce Data Entry Well by Shift double  clicking it  so that it can be monitored simultaneously before a pounce swap operation  takes place  F12 switches between the two wells  Alternatively  Cmd double clicking on an  Activity window item will load the frequency into the second receiver VFO on radios which  support the feature  You can then choose when to make the switch by switching VFOs     Magic Message support for S amp P during SO2V   In CW events  SkookumLogger also provides Magic Message  see Cha
    
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