ARRL Sweepstakes (SS) Program Version 1.2 - September 1990 NOTICE: The original version of SSLog was developed by George R. Leone, K6SG, and Walker L. Ayres, both members of the Sacramento Amiga Computer Club (SACC). K6SG, also member of the River City Contesters, developed original versions of SSPrt and SSScrn. The updated and improved versions were prepared by K6SG. These programs are in the public domain and may be freely copied and distributed for non-profit purposes only . The developers assume no responsibility for any losses incurred by the use of these programs nor are they responsible for debugging or maintainance of the programs. Use them at your own risk! Have fun! GENERAL: For those who have an earlier version of SSLog, note that there has been a COMPLETE REVISION of the function keys, shifted numeral keys and their associated messages. This was done to bring them somewhat into agreement with the K1EA Contest Program. This will make it a little easier if you have to use either program at one time or another. In addition, a number of program changes have been made to improve on line operation. The two principal parts to this program are: SSLog_v1.2, a logging, duping and message sending program; and SSPrt_v1.2, a printing program, which prints out all required reports. An additional program, SSScrn_v1.2, will allow viewing all reports on the screen instead of printing them out. Henceforth in this document version numbers will not be used. Operation can be started with the SSBoot program or by opening any one of the programs. These three programs are chained so that you can go from one to another by making a selection from the Main Menu. SSLog permits the usual contest logging functions and sends your preprogrammed customized contest exchanges. Several other features are included. Continuous display of sections yet to be worked, running score, QSO rate, number of stations and sections worked, sending speed, and the amount of operating time used and remaining. Provision for sending a partial call with your exchange and entering the complete call when copying the other station's message as well as asking for and giving fill-ins. The computer can be toggled from Contest to Chit-Chat mode if you want to chat with an old friend during the contest. Each QSO is logged in a random access file on a disk so that data cannot be lost in the event of a power failure. A hard copy temporary log can be produced on line if so desired. This temporary log is not suitable for submission to ARRL. SSPrt permits correction to any log entry and will print a complete log, summary report, and dupe sheet in accordance with the contest reporting requirements as well as print individual or all QSL labels as desired. Aside from the customized information you entered at the prompts, the label format can be changed by loading the program, find the label sequence, change the format to suit you, and SAVE. OPERATION: Put AmigaBASIC and the three SS programs and SSBoot on a disk and make a copy for a working disk, or, better yet, put these programs on your hard disk. Operation of the programs is relatively simple. Just follow the prompts and provide information reqested which will personalize the preprogrammed messages and printing of reports. Contents of preprogrammed messages, other than information provided at the prompts, can be changed by loading the programand stopping it with the mouse after it is completely loaded. Locate the text of the message you want to change, put in your own text, and then SAVE the program. The three programs are DIMensioned for 2000 QSO's. If you plan to execeed this number, you must redimension the arrays in the three programs to meet your requirements. Just load the program, find the array dimensioned 2000, change, and SAVE. THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW: It takes several seconds for the logging program to load and present the first prompt. Be patient. It takes about 4 minutes for the print program to sort 1000 calls to print the dupe sheet which isn't bad at all. You must sign "ON" at the beginning of each operating session and sign "OFF" only when you are going to be off for more than thirty (30) minutes. DO NOT Sign "OFF" for less than thirty minutes since this violates contest rules. The computer will then keep track of the operating time in accordance with the rules of the contest. The transmission of messages is accomplished by an outboard "black box" which contains an audio amplifier, rectifier, and keying transistor. You have to build it! A schematic is yours for a SASE. If anyone out there can make the serial port key a transceiver, I would appreciate knowing how it's done! If you choose not to build the "black box" and use a keyer or bug to key your rig, you can still use the program "as is" except for the transmitting feature. When you correct the call sign by using the backspace key, the error will be transmitted followed by the error signal and the corrected call. If you remember the correct call, you can DELETE the screen and enter the correct call which will then be transmitted without the error signal. Sometimes an incorrect call or only two or three letters of the call will be copied due to poor receving conditions. You can send your message with an incorrect call or with the portion of the call you got, and when you receive his exchange with his call, you can correct it at the prompt 'Correct call or press RETURN'. Subsequent transmissions will contain the corrected call. The print program was written for the Epson EX-800 and should work with other Epson printers. You may have to modify it to work with your printer. It is easier to make log changes with SSScrn and view the log on the screen before printing hard copy. If a change is made in the New section field, the proper insertion is an X and NOT a numeral to indicate a new section. The print routine converts the X to a numeral. To clear a field in the QSO record, enter spaced quotation marks, " ", at the prompt. HELPFUL HINTS: To facilitate operating, you can make a template of heavy paper or light white cardboard marked with the information given below until you learn it. The following keys send the message once for each time you tap the key or combination of keys, e.g. tap F4 and F5 to send his call followed by your call. F1 - CQ SS F2 - His call + your exchange F3 - R + your call F4 - Your call F5 - His call F6 - His call + QSO B4 + your call F7 - NR? F8 - PREC? F9 - CK? F10 -SEC? SHIFT 1 - His call + R + your call SS. Use when you corrected his call. SHIFT 2 - R + your exchange. Use when you copy his message first. SHIFT 3 - QRL? + your call SHIFT 4 - QRL QSY + your call SHIFT 5 - ? General query or repeat signal SHIFT 6 - (vacant) SHIFT 7 - Your NR SHIFT 8 - Your PREC SHIFT 9 - Your CK SHIFT 0 - Your SEC These keys perform the functions indicated. CTRL K - Toggles the keybord from Contest Mode to Chit-Chat Chat mode SHIFT + - Clears Section Listing at top of screen of blanks. This is done automatically at the start of each operating session. Up and Down arrow keys increase and decrease sending speed only when not in sending mode. To override the dupe routine when someone insists he hasn't worked you when he is already in the log, add a / at the end of his call which will get him in the log and work him. After the contest this call is easy to find, and you can resolve the problem. This is a good way to mark any contact which may require your attention after the contest. Even though the slant sign is transmitted, it shouldn't bother the other operator. MISCELLANEOUS: The two files generated from information entered are SS(yr)(mode) and SECDAT(yr)(mode). These files may be left on your working disk since new files will be set up when you use the disk next year. Of course, the files may be copied to a separate data disk which can be used to save logs for several years and act as backup for your hard disk, should it crash! The programs have been generously annotated for those interested in what is going on. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. George R. Leone K6SG 3631 Kiekebusch Ct. Carmichael CA 95608