[WriteLog] WL S&P plus Run modes?

[Dennis Mowers]

Recently there has been another series of emails, asking for Run mode, 
and a separate S&P mode to be included in Writelog.

Wayne, there are many CW contesters waiting for you to add this feature, 
so they can switch to a Windows logging program, and get away from 
trying to control their SO2R stations, antenna switches, filters, 
connect to packet, etc., while dealing with the DOS serial/parallel mish 
mash of jumpered COM and Serial port cards, that are getting harder to 
locate these days, running on old, and unreliable computers.

Along with adding a S&P Mode, that operates with the Enter key, as the 
existing Run mode does in the  "Enter sends exch/QRZ", WL needs to 
minimize the key strokes required for the CW contest operator.

"Enter sends exch/QRZ"  has the following problems:

1.  After a call is entered, and the exchange is sent using "enter", the 
cursor needs to move to the next field that an entry will be made in.  
Or, it needs to be made an option, for those who prefer to keep the 
cursor in the call field in case a correction needs to be made.  I 
prefer to move automatically to the next field, instead of hitting the 
space bar several thousand times during a contest.

2.  If there is an improper entry in any field, WL gives an error 
message in red.  Yet, hitting the enter key, sends the QRZ message, 
telling the other operator that you are done, and he can move on, while 
the QSO is not logged.  This isn't as important in a contest such as the 
IARU, with such a simple exchange, but in a contest like SS, if there is 
a problem in the more complicated exchange, missing number in the call, 
check entered in wrong field from tired thumbs missing the space bar, 
etc.,  the QRZ message should never be sent until the exchange is 
complete.  Sending the other operator away with the QRZ message, while 
one or more fields have problems, is not good.  I need to know that I 
have a problem, and the way I know is that the QRZ message doesn't get 
sent, and I can look at the exchange window and see what is wrong.

3.  I keep my fingers on the keyboard as much as possible during 
running.  I use a keyboard with a Mouse wheel to tune the receiver for 
off frequency callers.  There needs to be a way to return the receiver 
to the CQ frequency when the next CQ is iniatated.  I do it now by 
hitting  the F12 key (return to 0.0 KHz).  We need a % command to place 
in the CQ message to do this automatically.

73, Dennis - K5YA



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