[TRLog] Release notes - version 6.29

Tree N6TR n6tr@teleport.com
Fri, 24 Jul 1998 06:11:12 -0700 (PDT)


          Release notes for TR Logging Program - Version 6.29
                               24 July 1998

Version 6.29 - 24 July 1998

 - Added MY IOTA - needs to be set to make QSO points work.
 - Fixed QSO points for IOTA for working own island.
 - Fixed ROPOCO QSO POINT Method.
 - Fixed 80 characater limiation to ARRL Log format.
 - Added CQ VHF back to contest prompt list.
 - Moved YT from NW to YU in P12.DOM.
 - Added summary sheet for ROPOCO contest.

Version 6.28 - 5 July 1998

 - When using the TRMASTER update from a log (POST U E F F), the procedure
   would hang if a callsign was found with a lower case character.

 - Made Digital mode and radio interfaces work together.

 - Added ARRL FD QSO point method.  1 for SSB, 2 for CW, zero for D to D.
   Use MY FD CLASS to indicated your FD class (i.e., 1D).

 - Added ROPOCO contest (UK Rotating Postal Code).  Added MY POSTAL CODE
   which is used in the ROPOCO contest as the first postal code sent.
   Added RST AND POSTAL CODE exchange type.  Also added TEN POINTS PER QSO
   as a QSO POINT METHOD.

 - Made POST's L C command process WARC and VHF/UHF logs (would only do
   the standard six HF bands before).

 - Improved Icom interface to handle Transceive mode input.

 - Fixed bug with dupesheets not being done for all bands.

 - Added PORTTOFILE start up command.  Takes input from a serial port and
   saves it in a file.

 - Added IOTADomestic multiplier type.  This doesn't use a .DOM file,
   but it does look at the syntax of your IOTA designator and makes
   sure it is in the correct format.  For example, if you enter EU5,
   the program will convert it to EU005.  If you enter something that
   doesn't look at all like an IOTA number, it will not let you log it.

 - Made the time display get updated when sending from keyboard.

 - Fixed up the QSO points in the Region One Field Day for OZ and the U.K.

 - Fixed bug with super check partial not working all the time.

 - You can now move the grid map sideways without having to adjust the
   GRID MAP CENTER parameter.  The Control-Left and Control-Right keys
   will move it left or right.  Sorry to say that the keyboard doesn't
   generate a keystroke when Control-Up or Control-Down is pressed.

 - Made date work back to 1900 (was 1988).  TR is now year 1900 compliant!

Version 6.27 - 11 June 1998

 - Added MULTI PORT BAUD RATE command.  Default and max value = 4800.

 - If you are using a radio different than a Kenwood and have SHIFT KEY
   ENABLE = TRUE, the shift keys will always move the VFO frequency
   instead of doing nothing in the CQ mode (which is when the Kenwood's
   RIT is adjusted).

 - Added BAND MAP ALL BANDS (contro-J, default = False).  Lets you configure
   the band map to show you all spots, not just the ones for the band you
   are on.

 - Fixed bug with callsigns sometimes disappearing when pressing SPACE BAR.

 - Made Region One Field Day in UK count double QSO points for 160 & 10.

 - Fixed problems with lower case in grid squares.

 - Made TR READ not make dates in upper case.

 - Fixed possible dupes in partial call list.

 - Added LOGLASTCALL CW function key command.  Allows you to log the last
   station you worked.  This can be combined with the BANDUP or BANDDOWN
   commands to log QSOs on different bands quickly.

 - Fixed display of prefixes during get zone routine.

 - Fixed bug with > 6 character calls not working with partial calls.

 - Fixed bug with beeping computers when calling CQ and network.

Version 6.26 - 24 May 1998

 - Fixed packet spots not being passed around network.
 - Enhanced ARRL log format to allow you to enter sent information.

Version 6.25 - 5 May 1998

 - Attempted to make POST run on 300 MHz Pentium-II.

 - Updated CTY.DAT file.

 - The menu of contests that comes up if you start without a LOGCFG.DAT
   file now allows you to use the arrow keys to select the contest you
   want.

 - Added WARC bands to POST's continent report.

 - Added RUSSIAN DX contest and RUSSIAN DX to QSO point methods.

 - Eliminated QRP adder for JA INTERNATIONAL DX test.

 - Added DIGITAL MODE ENABLE (Control-J - default = False).

 - New ARRL Field Day rules implemented.

 - Improved POST L M (multiplier check) for Helvetia contest.

 - Change RSTQSONumberAndPossibleDomesticQTH to ignore a QTH entry for DX.
   This fixes TR READ for the Helvetia contest.

 - Added PACKETFILE startup command.  This allows you to take a file and
   have it processed as if it was text being received from a TNC.

 - For Region 1 FD, made any "unknown" country act like DL 2/3 4/6.  This
   means it works for the UK now.

 - Bugs fixed:

    - Super check partial bug - if you typed JA1, then delete three times,
      then JA1, no partial calls would be displayed.

    - If you did Alt-D for a dupecheck, the band map wasn't updated properly.

    - Fixed POST crash during mult check.

    - Fixed QSO number not updating when QSO NUMBER BY BAND and band change.

    - Fixed multi network communication bug resulting in crashes in high
      error environments.

    - Fixed ZoneMode for JA INTERNATIONAL DX (uses CQ zones, not ITU).

    - Fixed clean up of country name and insert windows if dupe checked.

    - Fixed crash of ControlJ if use PageDown at end of list.

    - Fixed tuning (shift/control keys) bug due to uninitialized CWBuffer.


Version 6.24 released on 23 March 1998.

 - Fixed distance error introduced in 6.23 (larges distances were negative).
 - Fixed total score always being zero.
 - Fixed the beam heading window format problem.

Version 6.23 released on 21 March 1988

 - Made the ? character work during tail end process.  Also improved
   support of QUESTION MARK CHARACTER during tail end and start sending.

 - Memory consumption reduced by 32K from version 6.22.  We believe
   performance has only been sacrificed at non critical times.  Also,
   if you don't send any CW with the program, you gain an addition 3K.

 - Added new feature to flag callsigns in the bandmap that are either
   country, prefix or zone multipliers.  Note that the status is marked
   when the callsign is added to the band map - or updated after you
   work that station.  The QSO is flagged with a happy face.

 - A number of numeric overflows were detected and fixed.  These were
   a result of saving some memory and allowing me to enable range
   checking.  Normally, these would have just given bogus results, but
   are now "fixed" so they won't happen.  A good example is checking the
   beam heading for an unknown country.  Other examples include reading
   in a LOG.DAT file with bogus data.

 - If you use the DEBUG option (so the simulator works itself) and have
   the CW TONE = 0, the program will now run much faster.  No CW messages
   will be sent.  You should see rates around 4,000 per hour.  Also, the
   band will change from time to time to beter simulate actual activity.

 - The TRMASTER database had some problems when it didn't have enough
   memory to continue.  When your free memory got down below 5K, the
   TRMASTER feature (Super Check Partial) feature was supposed to turn
   itself off.  Well, it partially did, but part of it (the possible call
   routine) kept running.  This created some real problems as the program
   tried to read pieces of the TRMASTER.DTA file that were not there.

   This has all been cleaned up and the TRMASTER feature totally disables
   itself when memory gets low.

 - Some work has also been done when you run out of memory again - after
   the TRMASTER.DTA file has been disabled.  A few rough edges have been
   sorted out and the program should behave well when running out of
   memory.  In fact, you should be able to continue working people
   forever.  They just won't be added to the dupesheet or partial call
   & initial exchange memory.

 - When sending or receiving a QTC for the WAE contest, the function key
   messages are now disabled.  This was necessary during one of the
   exercises to decrease memory use.

 - Fixed bug where FreeMemory display didn't update with ESCAPE in SSB mode.

 - Some delays had been added to the TR READ feature to do some testing
   in the previous version.  These should have been removed before 6.22
   was released, but I forgot.  They are now gone.

 - Fixed bug with not reading in QSO points correctly from LOG.DAT file.

Version 6.22 released on 6 March 1998

 - Fixed band changes this hour for multi network.

 - No overwrite of ? characters in INSERT mode.

 - Cursor always goes to ? when moving to call window, even if INSERT mode.

 - Added FINDFILE start up command - shows which directory TR will file the
   specific file you type in (i.e., TR FINDFILE TRMASTER.DTA is interesting).

 - Added HELP start up command.  Shows all the commands for reference.

 - Allowed ESCAPE to exit you from blank packet edit entry.

 - Increased stored size of prefixes that appear CTY.DAT to 7 characters.
   Fixes problem with SM1TDE matching SM1TDE/4U.

 - Fixed flaky DVP init bug.  Sometimes when starting TR, it wouldn't
   get the proper shared memory address from the DVP.

 - Made ` (packet spot) use last QSO's call if the CALL WINDOW is blank.

 - Fixed bug with wrong CW Speed being used for Control-A prefixed CW
   messages (sent on inactive radio).

 - Fixed bug with distances in European DX contest.  This was a new bug
   in version 6.21.  A new routine was added that had better accuracy,
   but it wasn't protected from the lower case characters.

 - Allowed DownArrow to be used to enter exchange before call in CQ MODE.
   When you UpArrow back into the call window, you can then type the call,
   press RETURN and the station's call and CQ EXCHANGE will be sent.

 - Fixed memory dump of TRMASTER.  While it appeared that the memory
   was freed up (based upon the free memory displayed), the feature
   kept working.

 - Changed to S48P13DC.DOM for CQ 160.  Counts DC mult now.

 - Fixed bug with / stations not being called by name.

 - Allowed editable window changes to affect initial exchange and
   possible calls.

 - Initial exchanges are now loaded from LOG.DAT files if the parameter
   PARTIAL CALL LOAD LOG ENABLE is true.

Version 6.21 released on 16 February 1998

 - Added BAND CHANGES as a legal value for HOUR DISPLAY.  This can be
   used to count how many band changes have been made in each hour.

 - If you started the program without a LOGCFG.DAT file and set up the
   ARRL DX contest, the remaining multiplier display might be in the
   wrong mode until you exited the program and restarted.  This is now
   fixed so the proper remaining display comes up at the start.

 - Made PACC QSOByMode = FALSE and MultByMode = FALSE.

 - Improved sprint parser to handle 4 or 5 entries.  You can now enter
   the following exchanges in addtion to the old ones.

             NAME QTH # NAME QTH  (uses the second name and QTH)
             # NAME QTH #         (uses the second number)
             NAME # NAME QTH      (uses the second name)
             QTH # NAME QTH       (uses the second QTH)
             NAME QTH # NAME      (uses second name)

   You can still put a callsign in any of the above if you have
   UPDATE CALLSIGN ENABLE = TRUE and it will remove the call before
   processing the rest of the exchange.

 - Added sunrise/sunset times.  They show up with the beam heading display
   when enabled with the MY GRID command.  Made Sunrise/Sunset use MyGrid
   for the QTH if the the call in the call window = MyCall.  This allows
   you to know your own sunrise/sunset time.

 - Changed default background color for beam heading window to white.
   Also, extended the beam heading window to the left 10 spaces to make
   room for sunrise/sunset times.

 - Added RADIO ONE ID CHARACTER and RADIO TWO ID CHARACTER parameters.
   Works similar to the COMPUTER ID, except the letter shows which radio
   was used.  Do not use this and the COMPUTER ID feature at the same
   time.

 - Fixed problem with improper QTH showing up in some cases during the
   the sprints and NAQP.  This typically happened in when switching
   from S&P to CQ mode and working a DX station.

 - Fixed JST as a radio type for radio two.  We have a report that the
   program doesn't work with the JST145.  Investigation in process.

 - Fixed bug with Alt-D QSO leaving cursor in call window when pressing
   the space bar.

 - Made Alt-D work on SSB even if the DVP is not enabled.

 - Tried to make the program less memory hungry.  It uses about 5K less
   than the previous version.

 - Went to more accurate distance calculator.  Now matches some of the
   popular programs in Europe.

 - Fixed BROADCAST ALL PACKET DATA not supported in LOGCFG.

 - Made Packet Window and Control-J timeouts only work when using multi
   port.


Version 6.20 released on 5 January 1998

 - Fixed callsign you answered in CQ mode not being sent.

 - Added COUNTRY INFORMATION FILE parameter (control-J).  This allows you
   to name a file that has information for different countries in it.  This
   information will be displayed in the editable log window at the same
   time you are shown other information for that country (i.e., mult status
   or beam heading).

   The file would have the country ID (use the one shown in the CTY.DAT
   file) by itself on a line, then up to five lines of data afterwards.
   A blank line indicates that there is no more data for that country.
   There is no limit on the file size.

   For example:

   JA
   This will be displayed when working a station in Japan.
   So will this.

   HL
   This will be displayed when working a station in Korea.

 - Removed beep when sending radio information to other stations on multi
   network.  This was put in during testing and I forgot to remove it.

 - Made ESCAPE in CQ MODE with no entry in call window repaint editable log.
   This means you can recover from having something else in the editable
   log window like the country information or multi messages.

 - Added ControlHome to view last five multi talk messages.

 - Made multi message aborted with ESCAPE key not get sent.

Version 6.19 released on 4 January 1998

 - When using the multi network, the program can now update the remaining
   multiplier display without doing anything.  Before, this was disabled
   as it took a long time on some of the slower computers.  The new
   parameter is MULTI UPDATE MULT DISPLAY and the defaul is TRUE.  You
   can change it with Control-J.  When it is FALSE, the remaining multiplier
   display isn't updated until another QSO is made, or a band/mode change
   is executed.

 - There is now a 20 second timeout when using the multi network and you
   leave the computer in a mode that doesn't allow it to process network
   traffice (i.e., packet window, keyboard CW or view log).

 - Added new footswitch mode to act like the F1 key (FOOT SWITCH MODE = F1).
   This works for both CQ and S&P modes.

 - A check has been added when using CQ zones and the RST ZONE exchange to
   make sure the zone you have entered isn't over 40.

 - Some changes have been made to make the super check partial feature
   more responsive on slower computers.

 - Made POST's R Q case sensitive.  Before, PA and Pa would be counted
   as the same multiplier.

 - Allowed DUPECHECK or DUPE CHECK for footswitch mode.  It was one way
   on the control-J menu and the other in the manual.  Either one will
   work now.

 - When selecting a spot from the bandmap, you will now be left in a
   state so you can call the station with a RETURN.  Before, the initial
   exchange had already been filled in and pressing RETURN would try to
   log the QSO.  Also, if you try to select a spot while in the middle
   of a CQ mode QSO, the program will ask you to either log or abort the
   QSO first.

 - Fixed dualing CQs on CW.  A bug was introduced where the radio that
   had the CQ stopped on it might be left key down.  This was a problem
   only if using different ports for your CW (as opposed to using a
   single port and a relay).

 - Added CROATIAN contest and CROATIAN QSO point method.

 - Added TEN MINUTE RULE (NONE, TIME OF FIRST QSO).  This is intended to
   show you how long it has been since you made your first QSO on whatever
   band you are on.

 - Fixed FT1000MP again.  Beta tested this time and guaranteed!

 - Added SKIP ACTIVE BAND (Control-J - false).  When TRUE, doesn't allow
   you to move your active radio to the same band as your inactive radio
   when using the Alt-B or Alt-V commands.

 - Added SPEED command to Function Key Message.  Needs the Control-C at
   the start of the command and Control-D at the end.  Either put a
   numeric speed (1 to 99 WPM), or any number of + or - characters to
   make relative adjustments.

 - Allowed W M and R in "power" for ARCI contest (used for decimal power
   or milliwatts).  The W is required to indicate that the entry is not
   an ARCI member number.

 - Improvements to DVK operation:
     o Escape will abort any message (not just F1).
     o DVK0 now works in message (was broken).


Version 6.18 released on 6 December 1997

 - Enhancements to ARCI contest. Added RST POSSIBLE DOMESTIC QTH AND
   POWER exchange.  The power gets used for ARCI numbers as well, but
   put a W after power levels sent by non members.  The W will be logged.

   Added ARCI QSO POINT METHOD for ARCI.  If a no W found in the "power",
   the full 5 points will be scored.  If a W is found, you get 2 points
   for the same continent, or 4 points for DX.

 - Switched mode and frequency for MP back the way it was (freq then mode).

 - Prevented possible crash if packet frequency > 2,147 MHz.

Version 6.17 released 23 November 1997.

 - Reversed the order of sending the mode and frequency to the FT1000,
   FT920 and FT1000MP.  This means your mode will be set before setting
   the frequency.  Under some radio configurations, this could result
   in an error equal to the CW offset.

 - Fixed Dualing CQ process on SSB when using the DVP.  Also, some minor
   clean up of DVP sequencing when using two radio mode.  Pressing F1
   to resend your callsign while a dummy CQ is in progress works quicker.

 - In the S&P mode, if you use F2 to resend your exchange just after
   logging a QSO, it will send the SEARCH AND POUNCE exchange even if
   you have a REPEAT SEARCH AND POUNCE exchange programmed.  Furthurmore,
   it would set the "ExchangeHasBeenSent" flag so that when you make
   your next S&P QSO, it will send the REPEAT S&P EXCHANGE.  This has
   now been changed so that if you press F2 with no call window or
   exchange window entry, the REPEAT S&P exchange is sent and the
   ExchangeHasBeenSent flag is not set.  If you don't have a REPEAT S&P
   exchange programmed, you won't notice this as the S&P exchange gets
   sent all of the time.

 - The CONTEST NAME is now part of the RESTART.BIN header.  This means
   if you change the contest you are operating in your LOGCFG.DAT file,
   the program won't try to use the RESTART.BIN file that might already
   be in the directory.  This eliminates any possible problems with
   incorrect configurations which could cause strange behavior (i.e.,
   missing remaining multiplier info).

 - Some people have seen a negative number appear in some log entries
   when displaying frequency.  Two changes have been made here.  First,
   a band-aid has been added so that if for any reason a negative
   result appears for the frequency, it will be set to zero.  This
   happens with we don't get frequency data from the radio and then
   subtract out the megahertz.  Secondly, an improvement has been made
   in how I filter the frequency data in an attempt to use the previous
   non-zero frequency when I come up with zero.


   This list stops at the version covered by the latest release of
   the manual.  You can view previous release notes on the web at
   www.contesting.com/_trlog/.


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