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Text File | 1990-01-04 | 12.6 KB | 266 lines

FIELD DAY CALLS (CALLS.EXE) Version 2.0 1Apr90 *by Stan Kaplan, WB9RQR 11541 N. Laguna Drive Mequon, Wisconsin 53092-3119 (414) 242-6966 *With many thanks to Mr. Mark Siegesmund, Systems Analyst, who did much of the original programming and worked over the years with WB9RQR to fully develop the program. WHATS NEW --------- This is a major re-write of the previous version. However, there is no substantial difference in the way the program handles data files, and you can list, resort save or add to datafiles created under Version 1.95 with this new release. Major changes: 1. This version has been renamed CALLS.EXE to distinguish it from the previous version. 2. A new working (main) screen which should make it substantially easier on those bloodshot eyes at 3:00 am during Field Day. The filename, number of calls it contains, and the last 7 calls you entered are constantly on screen and updated as they change. Here is what it looks like, minus a couple of blank spacing lines: ┌────────────┐ ┌────┐ filename >│░░░░░░░░.░░░│ │░░░░│< calls in file └────────────┘ └────┘ Last calls entered from keyboard ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ 1│ │ 2│ │ 3│ │ 4│ │ 5│ │ 6│ │ 7│ │ └───────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ WORKING MESSAGES ╔═══════╗ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║ ║ │ │ ╚═══════╝ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ 3. In the previous version, after entering a call, the operator was asked if the call should be entered in the call list or not. The purpose was to give the operator a chance to abort entry if the call was typed incorrectly. On the other hand, this required an extra keystroke, which WB7WTD suggested was unnecessary. Accordingly, the new version defaults to a NO PROMPT condition, but for those who like the prompt, it can be selected at the second opening screen. Use it the way you like it best. 4. The new version is substantially smaller. CALLS.EXE is now only 9,889 bytes long, as compared to 13,504 bytes for FDCALLS.EXE. This is a 27% reduction in size, and really helps with floppy based systems where space is at a premium. It will occupy less than 3% of the space available on a 360k floppy; the rest is for your data. Thats it for the changes. The remainder of this updated DOC file explains the program for you who have not used it before. Have FUN at Field Day! PUBLIC DOMAIN ------------- Yes. Copy it, share it, modify it, etc. Do anything you want with it, EXCEPT: 1. Don't sell it (you can charge a nominal fee for the disk that its on, but that's all). 2. Do give credit for it - don't remove the author's call from the program or this DOC file. OK? FILES ----- There are two files in this package: CALLS.DOC 12928 bytes 1Apr90 00:00:00 CALLS.EXE 9889 bytes 1Apr90 00:00:00 If your source of these two files was FDCALLS.ZIP, the ZIP file itself should show: FDCALLS.ZIP 15566 bytes The date and time of the ZIP file will vary depending upon when it was copied. However, when you unZIP the DOC and EXE files, DIR should show the date but no time stamp OR 00:00:00 (00:00:00 is reflected as a blank, at least under MS-DOS 3.3). The DOC file is the file you are reading now. The EXE file is the program iteself, compiled with Turbo PASCAL Version 5.5. PURPOSE AND GENERAL FEATURES ---------------------------- FDCALLS is a FAST, efficient Field Day Logging program. It has been in use by the Ozaukee Radio Club, PO Box 13, Port Washington, Wisconsin 53074, for over 5 years with excellent results. There is NO waiting; a call is logged practically instantly when the ENTER key is hit. No visible time span can be detected between the ENTER and the next prompt or DUPE beep until there are well over several hundred calls in a file. You will be pleased with its speed. It can be used when Field Day is over, to log each tent or transmitter site into a separate file. Alternatively, it can be used at Field Day, if a portable or laptop MS-DOS computer is available, to log each site into a separate file. This is what we do (Ozaukee Radio Club) each year. Another alternative, for clubs that have several portable MS-DOS computers available, is to use it at each site; the no-wait feature makes dupe sheets obsolete, provided you have a reliable source of power. One caution that should be self-evident. If you are using generators at your Field Day site, SAVE THE DATA OFTEN. Also, work up some system of notifying all power users when the generator is going down for refueling. Don't just kill it, because all data will be lost that is not saved on disk! RUNNING THE PROGRAM ------------------- To run, type CALLS <ENTER>. (Note that <ENTER> means pressing the ENTER or RETURN key. A banner will be displayed showing the program name and version number, as well as the upper limits for variables (number of calls that can be placed in a file, prefix first letters allowed, etc.). An explanation of filenames will follow, followed by: Enter the filename now, or press the ENTER key without entering any characters to quit the program: ==> Make up a standard filename and extension. Some examples are: 80PHONE.RQR 40PHONE.RXJ 20CW.CAN NOVICE.TNT SOLAR.CW You need not use an extension, but its better if you do. In the first three examples above, the extension consists of the call letters of the head of that tent or site. Novice tent and solar CW are the last two. Let us assume you wish to work with a new file, NOVICE.TNT; type it in followed by ENTER. You will see: Enter the filename now, or press the ENTER key without entering any characters to quit the program: ==> NOVICE.TNT NOVICE.TNT was not found. Create this file (Y/N)? Respond with a Y (upper or lower case), and you will see the next screen, shown below, which gives you a choice of NO PROMPT (default) or PROMPT. PROMPT OR NO PROMPT (that is the question): ------------------- This is the second screen you will see: When using the program, you will type a call, then press the ENTER key. At that point, the call is accepted with no further prompt and the program is ready to take the next call. Many operators prefer this NO PROMPT option for speed. Some operators prefer a prompt, which gives them a chance to check the accuracy of what they have entered. In this case, the prompt will be: ...Not yet logged. Add to the file? (Y/N) In either case, corrections can always be made by typing a call previously entered incorrectly, then selecting the delete option when the program finds it is a dupe. The NO PROMPT option is the default! Press the ENTER key now to keep it that way, or press P, then ENTER, to change to the PROMPT option. ENTER = NO PROMPT or P, ENTER = PROMPT. Make your choice: --> No further explanation is needed. Choose it the way you like it. If you are not sure, create a junk data file and try it both ways. Each time you enter the program, you are asked to make this choice, so it is easy enough to try it one way for a bit, then the other way. ENTERING CALLS -------------- Calls may be entered in UPPER, lower or MiXeD case - case does not matter. The following will appear in the MESSAGE box when the program is ready for a call entry: Enter a call, or L)ist, S)ave, R)esort or Q)uit Type the call, which will appear in the double-line WORKING box. If you have chosen the NO PROMPT option, pressing the ENTER key will add the call to the list in memory. If you have selected the PROMPT option, the following will appear in the WORKING box: ...Not yet logged. Add to the file? (Y/N) Typing Y or y followed by ENTER will log the call in the list in memory, IN ITS SORTED ORDER. That is, the program puts 9s after 8s, and WB8ABC before WB8XYZ, at the moment you press ENTER. Therefore, the list is sorted as it is being built. That is why dupes are caught so fast; they are looked up in a presorted list. Now is the time to make a point. It is very important for you to press the letter S every now and then at the main prompt. Until that is done, the data is not saved on disk. If the power goes down, you loose the calls. It is suggested that you save after every 20-25 calls. The number is not important, but that you do it is. SAVE OFTEN. It takes very little time, a few seconds with even 500 calls in the file. Do it; you will be glad that you did. (Just in case you forget, the program will automatically save all the calls after somewhere around 50 are entered, depending somewhat on how long the calls are, so don't panic if you suddenly get a "Saving the data....." message without requesting it. However, you are urged to save more often than this.) DUPES ----- Let us suppose you type a duplicate call, followed by ENTER. You will see: DUPE: Do you wish to delete it from the file? (Y/N)? and you will hear a beep. Answer N (or n) to this question and continue with your next entry. This is also the mechanism for deleting a call from the file, for example, one you entered before you discovered it was typed incorrectly. In this case, retype the incorrect call to get the DUPE prompt shown above. Then answer Y or y to the question, and it will be deleted from the list. IMPROPER ENTRIES ---------------- The program will accept calls which begin with W, K, N, A or V. If you miss the W and hit an E, entering a call such as EB9RQR, you will see: *** IMPROPER ENTRY *** in the message box (if you look quickly!). A beep will sound and the main prompt will again appear. Type the call correctly and proceed. Note that each call may contain up to 7 characters. A single data file (80PHONE.RQR, etc.) may contain up to 3,000 calls. LIST ---- This command (L) at the main prompt will list the contents of the calls, in columns of four across. Each call is numbered. Following the screen list, you will see the prompt: Send to printer as well? Enter Y)es for hard copy --> Entering any character other than Y or y will get you back to the main prompt; yes will list the calls to the printer, along with space to write in your club name and a heading showing the filename. This hardcopy is ready to go to ARRL. SAVE ---- This command saves the call list to disk, as mentioned above in ENTERING CALLS. Save often! RESORT ------ This is a command which you will probably never use. As mentioned previously, each call is inserted in its proper position in the whole list, when first logged, the instant you press the ENTER key. However, should some error cause a call to be inserted out of order, this command will resort everything. QUIT ---- Returns you to DOS, after first S)aving everything to disk (nice safety factor). LAST SEVEN CALLS ---------------- This new feature is quite simple. Calls typed move through the seven screen boxes, in order, just as they were typed (correctly or incorrectly). The 8th call you type will be shown in box 1; the one that was in box 8 is replaced by the one in 7, and so on. It is hoped that this feature will help you to spot errors, when there is time to glance at the boxes. We all hope there is not - that the calls come too fast and thick for you to take the time! ENJOY FIELD DAY. 73, WB9RQR <<<<< END OF DOCUMENT >>>>>