5MHz Log - An introduction
This logging application has been developed as part of a two stage process to improve the accuracy of the data being captured for the 5MHz Experiment. Whilst up-to-now people have been keying in their 5MHz logging data to EXCEL spreadsheets, this provided very little by way of checking the data against the required format and gave no checks at all to key bits of data such as QTH Locator. This application has been written to improve the accuracy of all of the data and as an extra benefit provide a better interface to logging than EXCEL and a means of exporting the main 5MHz QSO information to your favourite station logging software.
The second stage of the programme to improve data accuracy will be to take the main validation core from the 5MHzLog application and add further checks so that it can be applied to the main data tables within the 5MHz database. Thus, the 5MHzLog clears many of the errors at source, and the database validator will then be a second-stage process to attempt to clean out the remaining data errors that are amenable to computer based correction.
Features
- Unified interface to capture all required 5MHz data.
- All data formatting done for you. No more putting the wrong data in a column.
- Simple and quick operation, all QSO data can be entered with the keyboard only, or with mouse and keyboard.
- Enter data for contacts already made in Historic Mode.
- Enter data while making contacts in Live Mode, where date and time is automatically captured.
- Optional calculation of Overall for SiNPO reception reports.
- Only enter transmitting station information once, these details are then stored.
- Used callsigns and locators stored, enabling single click entry of QSO details for repeat contacts.
- Map showing location of stations worked, colour coded to Overall from the SiNPO reports.
- Support for SOTA and Cadet operations.
- Simplified data entry for the 5MHz beacons, either in Historic or Live Modes.
- Transceiver control - the rig follows the mode and channel chosen in 5MHzLog.
- Distance, bearing and estimated F-layer angle of incidence shown for each QSO
- Allows entry and recording of data not used in the UK 5MHz Experiment, e.g. RST reports.
- Export of data in ADIF 2 format for use with other logging systems.
- Create new logs each time, or continue with an existing log file.
- Simple statistical analysis of log data.
- Log files uniquely identified.
- Data validated where practical on entry of each QSO.
- Your locator is verified against UK National Grid or longitude / lattitude.
- Data checksums incorporated to ensure data uploaded to the main database is the same as when you logged it.
Interface
Logs
UK 5MHz Experiment Database Integrity
Operating system compatibility
5MHzLog is written in Microsoft Visual Basic 6 Professional, and is for 32 bit Microsoft Windows only (except NT and Server 2003). This application will not run under DOS or Windows 3.1 and earlier. It has been tested on W98SE, W2000 and XP and should run fine on W98 and WMe, although is untested on these systems. It has not yet been tested on Windows Vista, nor running under WINE on Linux. It is unsuitable for Apple Mac systems.
It has been briefly tested on W95(OSR2) and seems to work, although there are font, display and other cosmetic issues. It is definitely not suitable for Windows NT. Please note that these Operating Systems are too old for me to support them.
It uses the MS Windows Installer Service (MSI). On uninstall it completely cleans up after itself, and uses the current Microsoft Help system. W95, W98 or W98SE systems require a Windows Installer 2.0 patch. If you try to install 5MHzLog on an unpatched machine you will get an error. The necessary patch can be downloaded from the Microsoft website.
Generally
This Release will expire on 30th June 2010.
Please do not attempt to alter any of the output files in another application as this will corrupt the file and it will not validate when uploaded. Any changes should be made from within 5MHzLog by deleting the affected record and then re-entering the correct data.
If you have feedback or a bug report a feedback document in *.rtf format is provided for you to complete as an attachment (don't forget to rename it before uploading to the Yahoo Group files area!!), otherwise please provide broadly the same information in the body of any feedback email. All feedback will be read, but I can't promise to incorporate any or all suggestions that might be made.
Download link:
3rd March 2007 - Version 1.0.5. Full Release.
Known Issues:
- Updating - please uninstall any existing copy before trying to install the new one.
- There are limitations in using the Statistics page - please see the Help file for details
- Please read the Important Note and Disclaimer regarding Transceiver Control - see the Help file for details