[WriteLog] Setting up Writelog for the DMC contest

[Gary AL9A]

Ross,

See my comments inserted at appropriate places below.

73,
Gary AL9A


-----Original Message----- 
From: Ross Biggar 
Sent: July 12, 2015 12:31 PM 
To: writelog at contesting.com 
Subject: [WriteLog] Setting up Writelog for the DMC contest 

I am trying to learn how to use  Writelog and I would like to use it in the DMC contest next weekend.
So I need some help with the following queries.

(a) I understand that if I have a call in rittyrite, which is in the normal grey print (or even highlighted) , I should be able to click on it to put it into the log sequence. Howver this does not happen, at the moment the only way I can get a call into the log sequence is to type it in. 
So what am I doing wrong.?

Where is your Rttyrite window located?  If you have an extended desktop with a second monitor be sure to keep Rttyrite on the main monitor.  If the Rttyrite window is on the extended desktop clicking on a call won’t work.  With Rttyrite on the main monitor a left click should work as follows.  Left click anywhere on a highlighted call to auto enter it into the CALL field.  If the call is not highlighted you can left click on the first letter of the call and everything up to the next space in that line will be entered into the CALL field.  Be sure there is a space after the call letters with no gibberish or you will get the gibberish too!

There is a special key for use with RTTY in the Rttyrite window.  If a call is highlighted a press of the “Insert” key will auto enter it into the CALL field AND start sending your exchange message immediately.  Use this only if you are running a frequency.  Also, be aware that if there are multiple calls that are highlighted the Insert key will pick a Yellow (new mult) highlighted call first.  If the calls are the same color, say green, then “Insert” will pick the last one decoded, not the first.  If you don’t want this to occur just click on the first decoded call, then the second, etc.  The calls will not be inserted into the log until you press Enter.

(b) In the block with seq, rcv,  etc there the space for power. Where in Writelog do I set that power so it fills this space it self without me having to type in 1000 for every call?

What module are you using to see these field headings?  Settings like your power, zone, etc. are usually defined in Contest/Parameter Setup...  The parameters to be set are defined in the contest module design, but I’m not sure where the Power field you mention is coming from.  In looking at the DMC rules for the exchange I see no mention of Power being part of the exchange as it is in the ARRL DX Contest for DX stations.  You usually provide the power level as part of the Cabrillo log header.

(c) I am using MMTTY, with XMMT.ocx, is it possible to also have a 2Tone display as well as MMTTY (so I can compare the 2  decodes and if so how do I do it.?

Yes, I do this all the time!  Here again though, be careful if you are using an extended desktop.  You should set up separate folders for multiple copies of 2Tone.  For example C:\2Tone_1 and C:2Tone_2.  Copy the 2Tone exe files into both folders.  Now in the main Rttyrite window running MMTTY click on File/Clone (Receive only) and a new Rttyrite window will open.  This clone window is a receive only window.  Setup the TU type and TNC setup using 2Tone.exe from 2Tone_1 folder.  If you want a second clone again click on the main Rttryrite window and setup another one using a different path to the second 2Tone.exe folder.  Each of these clone windows can now be configured to use a different set of receive settings making it possible for one window to decode an incoming signal while another prints only garbage or many missing characters.  However, the “Insert” key mentioned above only works in the main Rttyrite window, not the clones.  A left click on a call in a clone window will work, but only if the clone window is also on the main monitor.

(d) Is there a contest setup for the DMC contest, and if not how do I set up the contest "header" so the cabrillo file will have all the necessary information.?

I don’t see the DMC contest in the standard list of WriteLog contest modules.  Given that you will be operating from a “DX” country I would recommend using the ARRL RTTY Roundup module.  The exchange for a “DX” station is RST and serial number which the DMC contest requires.  Also the scoring will be somewhat close – 1 point per QSO plus multipliers.  The score may not be exact, but the contest sponsors robot will score your submission correctly.  After the contest use the built in Cabrillo generator from the WL contest module to create the file.  Then use a text editor to go into the header lines of the Cabrillo and make changes as required by the contest sponsors rules.

I am gradually learning Writelog, but as you can see I have a long way to go, so I am sorry but there will be more questions I am sure.  One of the major advantages I see so far with Writelog, is that the information coming in on Rittyrite, scrolls down the screen, making it easy to see what is happening.

Thanks
Ross
ZL1WN
_______________________________________________
WriteLog mailing list
WriteLog at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/writelog
WriteLog on the web:  http://www.writelog.com/