[WriteLog] Features and Modules

[Roger P]

It was nice to get a response to my message!

Yes, Writelog does contain a lot of contest modules. My sums may be slightly 
wrong here, but only 13 of the modules are not for North American contests, 
and of those 6 are RTTY. 13 of the modules are for QSO parties rather than 
contests. I have no idea how many different contests are staged each year, 
but would guess that it runs into the thousands.

Some of the contests which I would like to see supported include IOTA, BERU, 
European Field Day and the RSGB 21/28 MHz. With the probable exception of 
IOTA, which is clearly a major international contest, I doubt that Wayne has 
great demand for these. Although I have not yet used any of the additional 
modules which have been shared recently, I too am sure they are of decent 
quality and are certainly much appreciated. But unless somebody is kind 
enough to write one for my particular interests I cannot fully use Writelog. 
It is clearly impossible to include all conceivable contests, but it is 
quite realistic to include a built in wizard.

The IC970 is not supported by Writelog, despite a request having been made 
well before the release of V10. Probably an oversight.

Wayne has a very difficult task in balancing the different demands made upon 
the time he has available for Writelog. Of course PSK is a 'new, hot' mode 
and of course people are keen to try it. At the moment, however, it is very 
much a minority interest. Are there any PSK contests, and if not why should 
it be in a contest programme? The huge majority of amateur activities and 
contests are on SSB or CW.

73 Roger
VE3ZI


>From: "Bruce Lifter" <wt4i@brevard.net>
>To: "Roger P" <ve3zi@hotmail.com>, <writelog@contesting.com>
>Subject: RE: [WriteLog] Features and Modules
>Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 17:01:35 -0400
>
>
>Roger writes :>
> >
> > Many mainstream (particularly non North American) contests are not
>directly
> > supported. The new Wizard is an improvement for those able to use it.
> > Surely, however, it should be the first priority to provide facilities,
> > accessible from within Writelog, and not requiring programming skills, 
>to
> > add other contest modules. I am sure that this would require very
> > considerable effort and time, but without it Writelog is not a complete
> > contesting package.
>
>New contest modules are added all the time. I count more than 45 modules in
>the latest release. I personally am very happy to see others pitch in and
>add additional modules. From the feedback, it appears that the new modules
>are of decent quality and are appreciated by others. Given the ground
>swell of the use of the existing tool, I would rather see Wayne's effort
>expended other places.
> >
> > Similarly, it should be possible to use all mainstream radios. At least
>one
> > Icom model is not supported. This could be remedied either by including
>all
> > models as they are introduced or by providing generic (Icom) support. (I
>am
> > not sure of the situation regarding other manufacturers.)
> >
>Which radio is not supported? I count 18 different Icom models including 
>the
>latest 756 Pro and the 706. If a new radio is delivered from Icom, Wayne
>usually has it in the next update. In the short duration before the update
>comes out, you can always change the address in the radio to that of
>another more recent Icom and it should work fine.
>
>I think Wayne has done an excellent job balancing the priorities of the new
>features for the program. I believe the swell in interest of the PSK mode
>is why all the comments on the PSK features. It is new, it is hot and
>Writelog seems to have the best solution for PSK contesting.
>
>73, Bruce
>

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