DX4WIN

Application Notes

DX4WIN Application Notes

• Why do we have callsign exceptions? - 10 March 2005
• Printing Directly on QSL Cards with DX4WIN - 5 June 2005
• Using the Dymo 310/330/400 Label Printer - 5 April 2006
• Label Formats for A4 Paper Size - 15 April 2006
• Using QRZ and QRZ.COM with DX4WIN - 13 June 2006
• DX4WIN Data Protection Strategies - 11 October 2006
• Managing Multiple Callsigns - 13 November 2006
• Working with LoTW - 1 December 2006
• MMTTY - 7 December 2006
• Master Calls - 18 December 2006
• Upgrade Tips - updated 3 August 2009
• Counting Entities in DX4WIN - 17 January 2007
• Contest Log Conversion - 21 February 2007
• Adding a New Entity - 27 December 2007
• How to Import a File into DX4WIN with a Custom Filter - 13 November 2008
• DXCC Award Tracking - 11 January 2009

Combining Logs/Groups/QSLs

Kostas, SV1DPI sends this procedure for merging two logs but making it easy to separate the two come QSL time:

1. Open the logbook containing the QSOs you want to merge (import) from
2. QSO -> Multiple QSO Operations -> Set Group Number, and set all QSOs to the next unused group number in your main log (see step #6 below)
3. Save the log
4. Open the logbook containing the QSOs you want to merge (import) into
5. File -> Import/Export -> File -> Merge DX4WIN log, and choose the logbook from step #1 above
6. Filter -> Edit Group Names, create a new group number (should match #2 above) and give it a unique name. Now all the QSOs from step #1 above will have a unique group name and number, so you can tell them from your main log
7. File -> Preferences -> Rep/Lab, add the text "%%" in a row. This will print the group name on your labels
8. Labels -> Print QSL Labels and check the Print Group Names box
9. Save your new log

The most common mistake is to forget step #8 above.

How to Clear Upload Date

Kostas, SV1DPI suggests, "In the QSO window, navigate to QSO -> Multiple QSO Operations -> Set Upload Date. Put spaces in the date field and press OK! Maybe neither Paul knows it (hi hi). I was waiting that the known trick 01/01/1901 would work but spaces works OK."

Find Unanswered QSLs

To search for QSLs you've sent but have not received, use F8 to search for "Conf" = "N" and "QSL Date" = "01/01/1902" (or any date which is the earliest date for which you want to search). This will ignore QSOs where the QSL Date is blank (no QSL sent).

This may depend on the setting of one of your preferences. File -> Preferences and click on QSO tab. Under Searching -> QSO Date, make sure it's set to "Greater Equal".

Print Address Labels for Direct QSLs

When printing QSL labels, DX4WIN can also print address labels in-line. To print address labels for stations with no QSL manager, the QSL "Method" field in the QSO record must be set to "Direct" and the "QSL Mgr" field in the QSO record must be set the same as the "Callsign" field. DX4WIN will not print "CALL via CALL" on the QSO label, but it will print a corresponding address label for the callsign.

Picking a Subset of Labels to Print

Dick Flanagan K7VC suggests, "Give the QSOs you want to print an immediate label for a different QSL Method. It doesn't matter what that method is (Direct, Ignore, $$$$, etc.) so long as it is unique to those QSLs you want immediate labels for. Then specify that method when you go to print labels. Those will then be the only labels that will be printed and all other label flags will be left untouched."

ADIF Import Populates "Recvd" Field

DX4WIN can only import received serial numbers from an ADIF file into the logbook "Recvd" field. If you want to import other received contest information to that field, you will have to edit the ADIF file in a plain text editor (like Notepad or Write) before importing the file. For example, you can modify an ADIF file from the ARRL DX SSB contest (where transmit power is sent by DX stations) by doing a search-and-replace. Change all occurrences of "RX_PWR" in the ADIF file to "SRX" and then save the file. When you import this file into DX4WIN, the received transmitter power will be stored in the "Recvd" logbook field. See the ADIF specification to determine the name of the field that you want to change.

Installing and Running DX4WIN on Windows Vista

You can install DX4WIN on Vista as a user (not administrator). The first time you run DX4WIN, run it as an Administrator by right-clicking on the program icon and choose "Run as Administrator". DX4WIN will then be able to copy the vichw11 driver into the Vista driver directory. Now you can run the program normally without administrator privledges.

Quick Tips

• In Packet1 preferences, add your callsign to "Callsign Alert". When someone tries to "talk" to you via a DX spot (by spotting your callsign), the spot will be highlighted. (Jim AD1C)
   
• Edit the DX4WIN.TCP file to put your favorite node at the top. Then when you start DX4WIN, just a couple ENTER keys in the Packet Window will start the connection. (Jim AD1C)
   
• In Packet 2 preferences, under warning patterns, ON4MA has ""yourcallsign  de *.* ""  in the first warning pattern box, so it looks like "ON4MA DE *.*". If someone sends you a talk over the cluster, a warning window is opened.  In the second, he has "NEW MAIL HAS *", the same warning window  is opened and shows you when new mail has arrived. Handy if you are not in the shack. (Marc ON4MA)
   
• To make the radio frequency appear in the "Notes for this QSO" field, go to the QSO window, then select QSO -> Contest Mode. Put the text "$$" (no quotes) in the "Text to add to QSO note" field. Now the frequency of your computer-controlled radio will be logged with your QSO.