Menu:Commands

Menu:Commands

QSY

One band down

Modify the band of the current QSO (logging field), to the nearest lower band (vs frequency). While on 160m, the nearest "lower band" will be 10m. Shortcut: Alt-F1. You can also directly type the desired band (if the logging field is empty, of course), and even a frequency in kHz (such as 14265).

One band up

Modify the band of the current QSO (logging field), to the nearest upper band (vs frequency). While on 10m, the nearest "upper band" will be 160m. Shortcut: Alt-F2. You can also directly type the desired band (if the callsign field is empty, of course), and even a frequency in kHz (such as 14265).

Keyboard mode

Allows you to use the keyboard to generate CW or RTTY text. This is needed in unusual situations, for example to say a few words to your old contesting friend before you send him a report or to manage a DX station to QSY to another band. This feature has no meaning on SSB.

Keyboard Mode

You have to type blind - you will only hear (or see in the RTTY monitor) what you have typed when it's being transmitted.

Note that in keyboard mode you have the usual function keys available, so instead of typing your callsign, you may simply press [F4].

Keyboard mode can also be started with the shortcut Alt-K. To exit keyboard mode, click on the Stop button, or press [Return] or press again Alt-K. Note that on CW [Escape] will also exit the Keyboard mode, but it also aborts the transmission if remaining data are still in the buffer. On RTTY, [Escape] empties the TX buffer, but leaves the PTT ON, so you can continue typing until you close the window (which resets the PTT).

By the way, you can exit the Keyboard mode with Alt-K when you are done typing - you do not need to wait until the transmission finishes.

CW Speed...

Shortcut: Alt-V. Opens the CW speed dialog box:

Entering the CW speed

In this dialog you also can use :

• Up arrow: Increases the speed by 1 WPM
• Page up: Increases the speed by 2 WPM
• Down arrow: Decreases the speed by 1 WPM
• Page down: Decreases the speed by 2 WPM

The CW-Speed can also changed via Alt-F9 (decreases by 2 WPM) and Alt-F10 (increases by 2 WPM) while operating.

Finally, you can also directly enter a speed (in WPM) in the callsign field and hit Alt-V.

CW Weight...

Open the CW weight dialog box:

CW weight dialog box

This is the weight (ratio) of dashes to dots - the default value (3.0) should be fine for most people.

Carrier

Sends a carrier to the CW output. You can choose a plain carrier or pulses (in order to take care of the PA while tuning ...). Shortcut Ctrl-T, or enter TUNE in the main window.

Tuning carrier

To exit this mode, click on the Stop button, press [Return] or [Escape].

Split frequency

Allows to directly adjust the split frequency of the current radio.

Split frequency adjustments

A direct access to this dialog box is also possible by typing [Minus] from the numeric keypad, as well as the text command SPLITFREQ in the QSO logging field.

Note that you can enter only the kHz part of the current band, and that entering an empty field cancels the split mode if it was engaged (as well as the NOSPLIT text command).

QSY frequency

Allows you to adjust directly the QSY frequency on the current band.

QSY Frequency

In the dialog box, you can also use and save the current frequency as a the QSY frequency, by clicking the central button.

You can also have a direct access to this dialog box by using QSYFREQ or PASSFREQ text commands.

This frequency will then appear in the status window.

QSY to run frequency

This command will bring you back to the last frequency and mode on which you hit [F1] (=CQ, your last run frequency). It is accessible with the shortcut Alt-F4.

Swap the frequency on both radios

Shortcut: Ctrl-S

After typing SWAP or pressing Ctrl-S, the frequency of the primary radio is swapped with the secondary radio frequency, and this radio now becomes the primary radio. Imagine Radio2 is primary radio on 21025 and Radio1 is on 7001 After typing SWAP the primary radio is Radio1 on 21025. Secondary radio is now Radio2 on 7001.

This is slightly different to pressing the [*] key, where only primary and secondary radios are swapped.

One of the possibilities that is offered by this command, is to be able to work with a single automatic amplifier (for example ACOM 2000A) with two radios. With Win-Test and EZMaster this is possible.

The scenario is as follows:

• Radio1 running, calling CQ (high power)
• Radio2 looking for multipliers (low power)

If Radio2 locates a multiplier you try to work him, but if the pile-up is too bad this is the moment to type SWAP and WinTest and EZMaster will do all the changes of frequencies and antennas. The amplifier automatically tunes to the antenna of Radio2, you work the multiplier (now with high power), while Radio1 continues calling CQ with low power maintaining the frequency (nobody will take it away). Once you have worked the multiplier on Radio2, type SWAP again and Radio1 will continue to CQ with high power and you continue looking for multipliers on Radio2.

Another application is looking for a clear frequency with the secondary radio on a new band, while keeping the CQ going on the primary radio. Once you find a clear spot, type SWAP and start CQ-ing on the new band without delay.

Take a sked

Shortcut Alt-E. To take a sked with a station, the following dialog box appears :

Taking a sked

You must write down the callsign of the station you want to take a sked with (the current callsign in the logging field will be taken by default), the time of the sked (possibly specifying if this time must shifted + 24h, see comment below), the frequency, the mode (only in a multi mode contest), and an optional comment. Once recorded, the sked will appear in the skeds window.

Remark about the time of the sked : checking the "+ 24 h" box does not always mean that the sked will be taken for "tomorrow", but that the time must be shifted by + 24 hours.

Example 1 : It is Saturday 1000z. You take a sked for Sunday 0600z : do not check the "+ 24 h" box.

Example 2 : It is Saturday 0400z. You take a sked for Sunday 0600z : you must check the "+ 24 h" box, otherwise the sked will be taken for saturday 0600z !

Pass a station

Shortcut Alt-D. To pass a callsign to another operating position (multi operators), the following window appears :

Pass a station

You must write down the callsign of the station you want to pass (default: the callsign in the logging field), the frequency, the mode (only during a multi mode contest), and an optional comment. Once OK is pressed, the infomation will appear in the skeds window.

To make it easier passing a callsign in a multi operating environment, the lower part of window lets you know, by means of filters (combo box), what station is on the band where you wish the calling station to be, and the frequencies of the radios being on that band.

Copy-paste the previous QSO

Shortcut Alt-[UP]. This copies the callsing from previous QSO to the QSO edit field. Useful for passed stations or after QSY.

Receive QTC

Shortcut Alt-L.

Only for WAEDC contest and for European stations. Opens the QTC RX dialog box

QTC RX dialog

See WAEDC for more information.

Transmit QTC

Shortcut Ctrl-L.

Only for WAEDC contest and for DX stations. Opens the QTC TX dialog box where you can select how many QTCs you want to send:

Selecting the number of QTCs to transmit

After pressing ENTER or selecting 10 You will get something like this:

Transmitting QTCs

See WAEDC for more information.

DX-Cluster

Shortcut Alt-T. This window allows you to send commands to the DX cluster you are connected to. These commands are then forwarded either to a TNC physically connected on a COM port, a DX Cluster connection established via the wtDxTelnet application or a remote TNC in a multi computer network.

Sending commands to the DX cluster

The buttons below the entry line of that window are pre-defined commands that can be activated by clicking with your mouse.

The DX Cluster Shortcuts dialog

The count of DX spots and solar data can be set in the Options | DX Cluster Shortcuts menu. This menu also allows you to select which familiy of DX Cluster you are connecting to, either DXNet/AK1A/ARcluster type or the DX Spider type, where command syntax is slightly different.

Additionally, there are five macro buttons that allow you to store often used commands or sequences. They come in handy for setting up the connection over a flakey or unstable link.

The DX Cluster Macros dialog

Since pressing [Escape] would close the current window, you can use Ctrl-E to send an Escape character to the TNC (if it is in WA8DED host mode) to generate commands like

* I DL6RAI
* S1
* CDB0IGL

All entered commands are stored in a 10-slot recall buffer, in which you can navigate with the [Up] and [Down] arrow keys.

Spot

Shortcut Alt-[F3] Sends a DX spot with the callsign of the current call in the callsign field or the previously logged QSO to the DX cluster you are connected to. The frequency is the active frequency of the current radio or the frequency on which the QSO was logged. This even works correctly when the cursor is positioned on a previous QSO.

Spot a station on a DX cluster

You can also modify the command (by adding a comment for example), before sending the spot. To cancel sending a spot, close the dialog box or press [Escape].

If you have no computer control for your transceiver, you will have to manually enter the frequency before the spot can be sent.

The context menu of the Band Map lets you select the policy after which time (if at all) spots entered by the operator are deleted from the band map.

Propagation forecast

Shortcut Ctrl-P.

This function will be activated only if:

• HamCap (by VE3NEA), and its pre-requisite VOACAP, are installed on your computer

and

• a CALLSIGN is typed in the entry field

This is a sample of a Propagation Prediction Map you can get.

Propagation prediction map.

Clicking on the Chart Tab this is what will appear:

Point-to-Point Prediction Chart.

This is a very comprehensive and useful representation.

The red curve shows the statistical median MUF (50% Maximum Usable Frequency), while the yellow boxes mark the best hour for each ham frequency.

For more information refer to:

• Menu Options HamCAP

Insert into BandMap

Shortcut Ctrl-[Enter]. Inserts - into the band map of the active radio - the callsign captured in the logging field. This is very useful, especially while hunting for multipliers, to quickly detect a station in the band when you turn the VFO knob.

Active Radio

Switches the active radio. A double-click on one of the VFOs of the corresponding Bandmap will provide the same result. The "*" key also swaps the 2 radios (useful for SO2R operation).

Station Type

Indicates the station type for the current QSO. This command is useful for multi operators set-ups (M/S or M/2), if the contest rules make a difference between these status for the current category. If not, only the RUN (or RUN / SUPPORT) status can be used. At the end of each QSO line (or in the Status Window), you can see:

• R : RUN
• M : MULTI
• R1 : RUN 1
• R2 : RUN 2
• R+ : SUPPORT

The + indicates that the station is a SUPPORT. The type can be made sticky for a computer so that on a newly created log, the setting is correct from the beginning.

A SUPPORT station has the same settings as the MASTER station it refers to. It allows to have a RUN station, which runs the pile-up, and a RUN SUPPORT station (R+) which searches for multipliers on the same band as the RUN station (usually called INBAND station). As well, there can also be several MULTI, RUN1 stations ...

CW/RTTY Messages

Sends the CW and RTTY messages [F1]...[F7], [Insert] and [+]. See Keys for more information.

You can also open and modify the additional messages-dialogue (which may be opened any time with the shortcut Alt-C).

Additional CW/RTTY messages dialog

Please pay attention to the fact that the Message Variables (beginning with $), like $MYCALL, $SERIAL, etc. DO NOT work within these additional messages.

Remote commands...

Allows you send forward text commands to all other stations connected to the network. For example to restart the log on all stations, use the REOPEN text command in this window.

This menu item only available if more than one station is available on the network.

Use with great care!

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