[WriteLog] WL Rare Mult ID Enhancement

[Eric Hilding]

I realize it's too late to implement this in WL before SS 2006, but firmly 
believe a tweak herein can help more folks achieve Clean Sweeps in SS 
2007.  There would be benefits to be realized in other contests where 
callsign prefixes actually identify the mult or zone involved.

Experience has shown that there will be some who will yell and scream 
"don't change anything", so what I am about to offer here would be simply 
additional configuration "options".  If people don't want them, don't turn 
'em on and proceed in your comfort zone.

IMHO, the more contest logging software features move along a timeline from 
non-computer hand/paper logging toward complete artificial intelligence on 
the other end, the more potential contest operator efficiencies can 
result.  This can translate to more QSOs and more Mults for a bigger 
score.  It's fascinating how this can work!

Here's the general picture...

When a new Mult does show up, have the callsign BLINK on & off (slowly) in 
the bandmap (config option).  This is much more "alertive" than simply one 
"static" color out of many to look at.

It would also be helpful to have the same feature (as a separate config 
option) for the Packet Spots window in WL (some people use this instead of 
bandmaps).  Yes, I know there is an "M" to the left of some callsigns, but 
after a while, the same black type seems to blurrrrrrrr together.

Not everyone includes a SS Mult ID when they make a packet spot.  But many 
of us know the typical last 5 most difficult, pesky mults that are mostly 
the same ones each year.

A helpful feature would be to have the ability (as a config option) for 
those interested to have the same slow BLINK on & off occur when a callsign 
from a special "hit list" shows up in a packet spot.  The "hit list" would 
simply be a designated .txt file containing all the callsigns for the 5 or 
10 generally most needed mults culled from the last 3 or 5 years of SS log 
entries (as posted on the ARRL website) for these mults (or from non-SS log 
submitters who were posted & ID'd but you never work 'em before the final 
bell rings...you would append these to the "hit list" for next year 
:-0)  This "hit list" could be used in DX Contests for known hard to work 
rare mult or Zone stations, or perhaps State QSO parties to ID the 
callsigns of County Expeditions to rare mults.  There are numerous 
possibilities.  Trying to memorize rare mult callsigns and remember them 
drains the brain during a contest.

All WL needs to do is scan the "hit list" .txt file in a similar manner to 
the way the "friend.ini" system works :-)

Since some folks don't use packet fully until the 2nd day of a contest, the 
other cool config option would be to ONLY have callsigns from the "hit 
list" show (config option), and NOT display all other callsign posts (if 
desired).  I'd sure hate to miss one of my usual "rare mults" during the 
1st day if I didn't want to be bogged down with packet for its general 
intended purposes.

Config options for turning various features on & off as desired is the key.

Scoff if you will, but I see contest operational efficiency value to the 
above enhancement suggestions and possible variations thereof.

Tnx (Wayne) & 73...

Rick, K6VVA