[UK-CONTEST] Software for Data Contests

[Nigel Newby]

 A big thank you to Tim John and David, plus all the others who have helped 
me out with this data question.
 I think that most of the problems were self made.
 IE I ain't got a clue what I am doing, and the documentation was a cross 
between double Dutch and Gobbledegook to me.
 Still we have something up and running and look forward to the next Data 
contest to try it out. When I am sure yet again the chain saw will come out 
to attack the computer, with the famous saying. "Compute this you stupid 
basket"
 Look forward to seeing you all on the bands
 Nubsey G0VDZ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <tim.trew at btinternet.com>
To: <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 9:28 AM
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Software for Data Contests


>> Nigel G0VDZ said.....
>> I was wondering what programmes people use in the data contest.
>> In have tried several but to no avail.
>
> I have only ever tried the PSK modes with Digital Master 780 (DM780), part 
> of Ham Radio Deluxe. It covers a large number of data modes and is quite 
> satisfactory for logging in the CC. A few "gotcha's" (all covered 
> somewhere in the extensive documentation):
> - It can be run independently of HRD, but then it will not log the band 
> correctly, which it reads from HRD. Apparently, this limitation is 
> intentional. However, you can just select all the QSOs at the end of the 
> contest and change the band for all of them in a single bulk edit.
> - If you are going to run DM780 with HRD, HRD has to be connected to a rig 
> via its CAT interface or you can select a simulated rig (Dem-o-matic) on 
> which you can set the current band. You have to start the IP Server 
> (Tools->IP Server in HRD) for DM780 to be able to communicate with it.
> - By default DM780 will send a fixed exchange (e.g. for an ITU zone), but 
> if you put your first serial number in [], e.g. [001], it will 
> autoincrement thereafter.
> - There are two views onto your logbook (quick log and main logbook). The 
> Cabrillo export only works from the main logbook
>
> As well as the waterfall display, which works in all modes, it also has a 
> "superbrowser" for the PSK modes. This simultaneously decodes all stations 
> in the audio passband, which might re-open Steve's original question about 
> whether PSK should be used in contests, but I won't pursue that! If you 
> double-click on the decoded text in the superbrowser, it switches back to 
> the normal QSO display, with the callsign already entered in the logging 
> window.
>
> At the end of the contest you can go to 
> http://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html, enter your callsign and see where you 
> were heard. If you enable the PSK reporter in DM780, you will also see 
> which stations your rig copied, but which you missed!
>
> You probably want to try all this more than 10mins before the beginning of 
> the contest.
>
> 73, Tim
> G8JXV
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