Normal logging
During normal logging get used to just typing the call and hitting space to get to the exchange field. In many contests this will pre-fill the received exchange and save typing. But always be sure to check the exchange even if the logger fills it in for you.
Things to beware of in automatic exchange entry.
In some contests the logger will automatically fill in the exchange information other than the 59/599 it normally does. When the station’s exchange has been copied on another band or can be determined from callsign or call history database the logger will usually fill it in for you. Beware though, it is not always correct!
Not all Russian CQ Zones will be filled in correctly… usually because the Russian station doesn’t know what zone they are in.
In ARRL DX stations can change power between bands. If you get a different power than what was logged on another band it may be a good idea to query the station about changing power just to be sure you didn’t bust it or the other band didn’t get it wrong.
Normal f-key setup
See the keyboard template. This may change for specific contests, especially RTTY.
TODO: add f-key info for normal setups
OPON or CTRL-O
During multi-ops it is important to do either OPON or CTRL-O when you sit down to get your call in as the operator. For SSB this gives you access to your recorded voice messages on that station. For CW and RTTY it just helps keep track of who is operating where.
Recording voice messages
I recommend recording messages on the station on the fly. Pre-recorded files may sound pretty, but they probably won’t match the live voice sound which can confuse some stations. Learn to use the CTRL-SHIFT-Fx keys to start and save recordings, and watch the bottom status bar on the entry window to be sure it is saved. You can call CQ with the VOX or PTT and record at the same time, this is handy on 40m and 80m if running split.
Changing cw messages
I try to make the messages generic enough to handle just about any situation. I don’t recommend changing things on the CW messages during a multi-op, especially if it affects ESM mode or changes the function of a key. Not only does this take time when you sit down that you should be running, but it could confuse whoever sits down after you.
Restarting
If it stops talking to the radio first try right clicking in the bandmap and doing a reset on the radio from the item near the bottom of the menu.
In the rare instance that the logger has to be restarted just kill it however you can and reboot the machine. When the desktop comes up there are usually a couple icons near the top left, the ‘MM’ one is for most multi-op contests, the ‘SO’ one is for single ops, and the ‘RTTY’ one is for multi-op RTTY. If you are doing a SO2R be sure you know which one you need, there are different ones for SO2R SSB/CW and RTTY.
Multi-op special stuff
Passing
Call for help
Network status
Call stacking, 2 stations on a band, etc.
Real time score
For multi-ops the VHF station is the one that uploads the score to the real time scoreboard. For single op or single band contests the individual station computer has to do it. In most cases I will start the upload automatically when I set up the log.
DX Spots: getting, using, cleaning up
In multi-user setup the VHF station computer is the one that connects to the cluster node. It then feeds spots to the other computers. If you notice that you aren’t getting spots on any of the other machines it has to be fixed on the VHF station. If I’m not around do Ctrl-Tab to bring up the packet window and click on the bottom right button that should log back into the node. If that doesn’t work, try to close the connection then open it again.
If you go to a spot and the station isn’t there, alt-d or right click and delete it from the band map/available window. If it is a busted call DON’T spot the bad call with any comment like ‘bust’ on it, just spot the correct call and delete the bad one.
DX Spots: sending
Alt-P or Ctrl-P will send a spot for the call in the entry window, or the last qso you logged if the entry window is empty. I recommend that if you type in a call while doing S&P and it’s a dupe, spot it. If its not a dupe work it, then spot it.
I don’t recommend using the ‘Spot all S&P QSOs’ feature. If you do it incorrectly you end up spotting stations calling you in a run… not a good thing.
During s&p if you type in a call to check if we need it, and we don’t, don’t wipe it, use Alt-P to spot it then just turn the dial, all the loggers are set to wipe the call when you QSY away from the frequency and put it in the band map anyway.
Bandmap vs Available window¶
The only good use for the band map is while dialing around the band. To do this you need to keep the band map expanded so you can see the arrow for the current frequency lined up with the calls, if the lines are so crowded that you can’t tell who you are dialing past it isn’t working right. Use the keypad + to expand and – to shrink the scale. The available window is where to watch for new multipliers to be listed, not by crunching the band map down.
To work your way up and down the band from spot to spot use ctrl-uparrow/downarrow, this steps from spot to spot up or down the band. Ctrl-alt-uparrow/downarrow steps from mult spot to mult spot up or down the band.
If you want to click on spots use the available window, don’t change the default sorting of it by clicking on the column headers, leave it so the most recent spots are on the top of the list, those further down are more likely to be gone already.
Clicking on spots too quickly can cause the mp to not keep up so you may think you are qsying to a new spot where really you aren’t.
The 2nd vfo band map is a handy thing to help dialing that vfo around for using the dual rx feature, but keep the 2nd entry window closed or it messes up the grabbing of spots and other stuff.
Bringing your own configurations
It is possible now for each operator to save and restore their own screen settings fairly easily with N1MM Logger. You can also set up the screen you like at home and bring a copy of the setup file with you to have it duplicated here. The logging computer screens are 1024x768 LCD monitors so don’t try any super high resolutions.
You can also setup and bring your own function key setups for S/O contests. I usually prefer to keep all the stations the same for M/M contests to make it easier for operators to move from band to band as needed. If you really need to change a function key for some reason be sure to make a note of it on the station so anyone sitting down knows what is different.
Misc Notes