There has been no change in the rules for the Remembrance Day Contest for some time, so in theory, if you were happy with what VKCL did last year, there is really no need to update it. The rules are at the usual place, www.wia.org.au/members/contests/rdcontest/.
Reminder about a few facilities that you may find useful:
- If you like to enter both section of the contest, i.e. HF and VHF/UHF, you can now do that without having to load VKCL twice onto your computer. .You select the sub-section for each section on the configuration screen, and you will see all bands available for selection on the logging screen. You choose the section you wish to participate in by selecting an appropriate band. Separate serial numbers are maintained and separate logs are generated for each section.
- You can now use two transceivers with VKCL. Both can be HF, VHF, or one of each. You can switch between them or select manual operation where VKCL does not track the frequency on the transceiver.
- For multi-operator category stations with all operators using VKCL on PCs or laptops that are networked, it is possible for each operator to monitor what bands and frequencies are being used by other operators in the group, so that they may switch to an unused band, for example, or announce on air what other bands or frequencies are in use by the multi-operator station.
VKCL can still only log for one call sign with one installation, so if you wanted to operate with more than one call sign, it is back to multiple loading of VKCL, or consider using one of the other logging programs available for the RD Contest. I am not sure how often multiple call signs are used in the contest, but if you would like that facility in VKCL, please let me know. If I get a few requests, it may provide enough motivation to include it for next year.
Links to other logging programs that support the RD Contest:
VK6FJA RD Contest Logging WinRD+
Brief tutorial on RD Contest logging using VKCL.
The exchange of RS(T) is optional, but if given, they should represent a true estimate of the conditions. The logging of contacts in VKCL with or without RS(T) is very easy, as the following brief tutorial shows.
In the image above of the logging area of VKCL, the input cursor is in the Call Sign: field, the normal resting place for the cursor. If you were lucky enough to work VK3AVV in the contest who gave you 7 as his serial number in return for your serial number of 11, the entry sequence to log that contact, without exchanging RS(T), would be just:
3AVV<Enter>7<Enter>
The VK prefix would be assumed and added to the display in this case, as only VK, ZL, and P2 stations can participate in the RD contest. ZL and P2 call signs must be entered in full. Of course you can enter VK call signs in full as well if you like, and you have to for special VK prefixes such as AX or VI.
If you did want to record say 57 in each direction as the readability and signal strength, the entry sequence would become:
3AVV<Enter><Enter>57<Enter>57007<Enter>
The double <Enter> after the call sign moves the input cursor to the empty Exch Sent: field which holds the sent 57. The following <Enter> moves the cursor back to the Exch Rcvd: field, where the received RS(T) and the received serial number are entered. At least 5 digits for SSB and 6 for CW must be entered here for the leading digits to be recognized as RS(T), so the serial number of 7 must be zero extended to the left to make up the required number of digits. It is not necessary to record both, you may record the sent or the received RS(T) only if desired. Using the mouse or the function keys, you can also go back to any field to add RS(T) before saving the contact.
To record a comment or a name in the last field, it is necessary to put the cursor in that field before hitting the final <Enter>. You can do that either by a left click with the mouse pointer in that field or (to comply with my requirements that all logging operations must be possible just from the keyboard) by pressing F8 function key, hitting the <Enter> after finishing the comment or name. If you put a check in the check box above the start of that field, the cursor will always move to that field after the last <Enter> above, and another <Enter> is then needed to log the contact.
Page last updated: 28/11/2010