KG5VK: WriteLog The Contesting Software at KG5VK

WrietLog is powerful software

set-up can be complicated because of it's many features
Contest OPS need not worry about set-up of the software
I have already done that :)

However I will share a few how to get the most out of the program while operating the contest
here in the BLOG over the next few weeks before the 18th

I will start with Editing a log entry
yes simple old back space or delete buttons work
but there are more tools like adding a note to a QSO logged enrty for later review
like was his call bzf for blooming zipper flipper or was that something else ?

This will help me when "cleaning" the log prior to submission

here we go.............................

Editing in the QSO Entry Window

Here is what the QSO Entry window looks like:

The character editing capabilities of the QSO Entry Window are extensive and follow:

BACKSPACE deletes the character to the left of the cursor.

CTRL+D and DELETE are identical and delete the character under the cursor.

CTRL+A moves the cursor to the beginning of the first (left most) field in the entry window.

HOME moves the cursor to the beginning of the current field.

CTRL+E moves the cursor to the end of the last field in the entry window.

END moves the cursor to the end of the current field.

CTRL+F (or right arrow) moves the cursor one character to the right.

CTRL+B (or left arrow) moves the cursor one character to the left.

ALT+W (or CTRL+BACKSPACE) clears all the fields in the Entry window, and places the cursor in the CALL field.

CTRL+W clears the current field.

ALT+T brings up the timed CQ dialog and turns timed CQ on or off.

ALT+C brings up the Rttyrite call queue, if you’re running RTTY. Otherwise it does nothing.

ALT+L forces a switch to LTRS if you’re running RTTY. Otherwise it does nothing.

Keypad * clears the RIT setting on your rig if it is attached and if it supports such an operation.

CTRL+K clears the current field to the right of the cursor.

TAB exits the current field and moves the cursor to the next one to the right, unless there isn't one. SHIFT+TAB goes to the previous one to left.

ENTER causes the current values in the Entry Window to be entered in the log at the end. (See also Special Message Accelerator Keys. If you are calling CQ, you want may turn on the preference that causes ENTER to simultaneously send CW, move the cursor through the entry fields, and log QSO's.) WriteLog can refuse to enter the QSO if there is something wrong with the entry. If so, it presents a message just below the CALL field saying what its complaining about.

The QSO fields configured to not accept the SPACE character (i.e., the callsign and numeric fields) usually respond to SPACE by moving the cursor to the beginning of the next field. However, SPACE from the right most field always goes to the CALL field. Typing a SPACE to the CALL field in the rare case (Sweepstakes only) where it is not the left most field goes either to the right, or to the first field whichever is opposite from the way it went the time before.

A right mouse click in this window brings up a menu of items that affect the window, or the radio it controls.

Editing in the QSO Log window

Let's assume that the call in the QSO Log window at number 5 below, JY/K9JY, is incorrect in that K9JY is really in the United States and not in Jordan as shown in the log. Before realizing the mistake in the heat of battle, the operator presses the Enter key and stores the QSO in the Log:

It would be great to have Jordan as a multiplier, but, unfortunately, K9JY is just another one of those 'W' contacts in the CQ WW SSB contest. To edit the contact in WriteLog is simple and follows normal Windows conventions.

First, double clicking on the QSO and the field to be corrected (in our example, the Call field containing JY/K9JY) opens a Log Edit window automatically as shown below:

You will notice that the Log Edit window automatically pops to the top of the QSO Log window. As a result, there is no need to position it on your screen; it pops up, takes the correction, and then politely goes away until needed again.

You will note that the field clicked is what is available to you. If you noticed an incorrect zone in the log, double click on the incorrect Zone to make the zone field available for edit.

Once you correct the call, press the Enter key. Your screen will now look like this:

Note two items: first, the Log Edit window politely went away. Second, note that WriteLog also corrected the country and country prefix with the edit so that the 'new country' multiplier is no longer in the log and the score has been corrected.

However, WriteLog does NOT correct the Zone for the contact for those contacts that use zones as a multiplier. For those situations, follow your editing process again and double click on the zone number for the K9JY QSO to bring up the Log Edit window, correct the zone, and press the Enter key to update the log.

Editing the time, date, or frequency of a QSO will produce a little dialog box that will allow you to either type or mouse click in the correct information.

Adding a Note to a QSO

WriteLog allows you to append a note to a QSO on the fly. Notes can be used for commentary (you're writing an article for National Contest Journal and want to remember what happened during a contest), or for reminders to you (check this station for proper country), or your own commentary about this contact. To do so, add a note to the QSO.

Once a station is in the QSO Entry window, simply type Alt-N (as in NOTE...). A mini window will pop up allowing you to type your note about the contact. All of these notes are stored in a separate file with your WriteLog contest and can be viewed with Notepad or WordPad. The popup window looks like this: