+ AA6YQ comments below
Just one.
+ Then your system is likely broken. After you discover the root cause and correct it, let me know and we'll determine what - if anything - is necessary to restore DXLab functionality. ? ? ? 73, ? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ
|
+ AA6YQ comments below
The real question is whether doing this "extra" stuff fits into DXLabs' charter. On occasion, Dave has denied other "improvements," saying DXLabs is intended for chasing DX. ?So does POTA/SOTA really help in one's quest for DX?
+ Over the past 24 years, I don't recall anyone objecting to DXLab's support for IOTA, even though not everyone pursues IOTA awards. How are POTA and SOTA different than IOTA? + The "problem" with DXCC awards is that there are only 340 current DXCC entities, and not all of those are typically QRV. The 40 WAZ zones don't help much; an HF DXer seeking to continuously improve his or her skills must pursue a wider array of targets: DXCC Challenge, WAZ-bands, WAZ-modes, WAZ-band-modes, DX Marathon, and/or IOTA.? + In 2016, the ARRL hosted a one-year "National Parks on the Air" (NPOTA) activity based on LoTW confirmations. Though implementing the required Leaderboard slowed down our effort at the time to improve LoTW's reliability and availability, the activity was unexpectedly popular. NPOTA was followed by the one-year Centennial and Grid-chase activities, which were also popular. Sadly, the ARRL discontinued these annual activities without converting one or more of them into permanent awards. POTA and SOTA filled the void they left. + Each QSO in DXKeeper has a dedicated SOTA item, which consumes 16 bytes. For POTA, DXKeeper refers to the "user-defined item whose caption is POTA", so no additional space is consumed. Each Spot Database Entry has dedicated POTA, SOTA, and WWFF fields that total 34 bytes - out of an average of ~2000 bytes per Entry. SpotCollector was already inspecting spot notes for IOTA tags; given today's CPU speeds, having this function detect and extract POTA, SOTA, and WWFF tags didn't significantly increase the time required to inspect notes. No one reported any perceived reduction SpotCollector performance after these fields and the process of populating them were added 5 years ago. + DXLab's Realtime Award Tracking (RAT) for DXCC is always enabled, but RAT for IOTA, Marathon, VUCC, WAS, WAZ, and WPX awards are all disabled by default. Maintenance of the database tables required to track progress for one of these awards and realtime checking for needed active stations only occurs if the user enables RAT for that award, minimizing any performance penalty for users not pursuing that award. The same design pattern would be applied to POTA and/or SOTA if RAT were extended to support them. + Increasing DXLab's support for POTA and SOTA could be accomplished via a series of steps: 1. extend DXView to enable the user to download the current POTA and SOTA lists and create/update a searchable database for each so that specification of a POTA or SOTA code in DXView's Main window would enable DXView to display the name and location of the specified park or summit, with short-path and long-path headings and rotator control 2. extend DXView to accept a directive from another application to "lookup" a specified POTA or SOTA tag, displaying the name and location of the specified park or summit, with short-path and long-path headings and rotator control
?
3. extend SpotCollector to respond to new right-mouse menu commands? to "lookup" a Spot Database Entry's POTA or SOTA tag by sending that tag to DXView and directing it to perform the appropriate lookup operation
4. extend DXKeeper and SpotCollector to support RAT for POTA and SOTA
+ Yesterday's poll shows that 50 users here are pursuing POTA, and 29 are pursuing SOTA.? Given the modest development effort required, that seems like more than enough to justify steps 1, 2, and 3.
+ As always, comments, suggestions, and better ideas are welcome.
? ? ? 73,
? ? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ
?
|
Just one.
On 05/19/25 2:35 PM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
+ AA6YQ comments below
Clicking the Launcher's "C nfig" button does not
bring up any window.
+ How many monitors do you have?
? ? ?73,
? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
|
I was thinking of giving Log4OM a try until i read your post. I would welcome your insights and discoveries that influenced your decision. ?If you prefer not to post please PM me.
?
w6my@...
|
I chase SOTA and sometimes POTA because it gives me something to do while waiting?for the DX to show up. To each his own.
The real question is whether doing this "extra" stuff fits into DXLabs' charter. On occasion, Dave has denied other "improvements," saying DXLabs is intended for chasing DX.? So does POTA/SOTA really help in one's quest for DX?? Dave will have to make this call.? I don't do either one.
--
Tom-KQ5S
|
The real question is whether doing this "extra" stuff fits into DXLabs' charter. On occasion, Dave has denied other "improvements," saying DXLabs is intended for chasing DX. ?So does POTA/SOTA really help in one's quest for DX? ?Dave will have to make this call. ?I don't do either one.
--
Tom-KQ5S
|
+ AA6YQ comments below
Clicking the Launcher's "C nfig" button does not bring up any window.
+ How many monitors do you have? ? ? ?73, ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
|
Clicking the Launcher's "C nfig" button does not bring up any
window.
On 05/19/25 1:28 PM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
+ AA6YQ comments below
I thought I'd seen this issue (COMDKG32.ocx missing)
discussed in the past, but it doesn't come up when I searched
the archives.
I'm seeing this error all of a sudden when either trying to
start a DXL app from? it's exe file in C:\DXLab\DXKeeper (for
example), or when trying it from the launcher.
The launcher start buttons are currently red for installed
apps. One other odd thing is the config button in the Launcher
lower left has the "o" whited out like C nfig.
Any clue would be appreciated!
+ Files only disappear when you delete them or when a hardware
or device driver failure causes them to be lost. In combination
with the display problem your report above, I'd be concerned
about the integrity of your system.
+ On the "DXLab Apps" tab of the Launcher's Configuration
window, click DXKeeper's Restore button. Can you now start and
run DXKeeper?
? ? ?73,
? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
|
Exactly! I really do not understyand why some people are so closed-minded to anything new. If you are not into POTA, then you would not use the new features. Depending upon how it was implemented, the lookup of each POTA entity would not have to be processed that much to get the park location, grid square, state, coordinates, etc. As many of the POTA spots I use to feed SpotCollector come from dx.cqspot.com:1234, that is the only one that gets hit heavily with spots but one that did not connect there would only see potentially the RBN for CW/FT8, etc.
?
It would also be a reasonable thing to add a simple 100 entry cache as many of the park spotsa are repetitive for a given duration. A cache would save doing the lookup (with a small tradeoff in nowadays ubiquitious memory). But those are implementation details...
?
As a use case, it would be great to have this not only for the beam heading but when I click on a spot, the state, section and grid could be put into into the Capture window. I always have to update that info before I save the QSO when I click on a POTA spot even though the park is in the comment from dx.cqspot.com:1234. Granted it gets fixed in the LOTW download, but it would be nice to do it up front.
?
73,
?
Tom
NY4I
|
Re: DXKeeper 18.1.4's new ability to QSL via the Windows Clipboard...
Tnx the add. It works AOK. I reworked my QSL template to accommodate the vertical output.
73 Ron K3LUE
|
If you prefer, this link returns a JSON file:
?
Tom
NY4I
|
+ AA6YQ comments below
I thought I'd seen this issue (COMDKG32.ocx missing) discussed in the past, but it doesn't come up when I searched the archives.
I'm seeing this error all of a sudden when either trying to start a DXL app from? it's exe file in C:\DXLab\DXKeeper (for example), or when trying it from the launcher.
The launcher start buttons are currently red for installed apps. One other odd thing is the config button in the Launcher lower left has the "o" whited out like C nfig.
Any clue would be appreciated!
+ Files only disappear when you delete them or when a hardware or device driver failure causes them to be lost. In combination with the display problem your report above, I'd be concerned about the integrity of your system. + On the "DXLab Apps" tab of the Launcher's Configuration window, click DXKeeper's Restore button. Can you now start and run DXKeeper? ? ? ?73, ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ
|
Correction: COMDLG32.ocx
On 05/19/25 1:04 PM, Steve Maki wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I thought I'd seen this issue (COMDKG32.ocx missing) discussed in
the past, but it doesn't come up when I searched the archives.
I'm seeing this error all of a sudden when either trying to start
a DXL app from? it's exe file in C:\DXLab\DXKeeper (for example),
or when trying it from the launcher.
The launcher start buttons are currently red for installed apps.
One other odd thing is the config button in the Launcher lower
left has the "o" whited out like C nfig.
Any clue would be appreciated!
-Steve K8LX
|
I thought I'd seen this issue (COMDKG32.ocx missing) discussed in
the past, but it doesn't come up when I searched the archives.
I'm seeing this error all of a sudden when either trying to start a
DXL app from? it's exe file in C:\DXLab\DXKeeper (for example), or
when trying it from the launcher.
The launcher start buttons are currently red for installed apps. One
other odd thing is the config button in the Launcher lower left has
the "o" whited out like C nfig.
Any clue would be appreciated!
-Steve K8LX
|
David
Thanks for the info, I will check it out!
On Mon, May 19, 2025 at 7:43?AM David Westbrook via <dwestbrook= [email protected]> wrote: >?Is there a way to find a Maidenhead grid or beam heading for a park easily? The POTA app does not provide that info.
Kent -- If you use the "POTAPlus" Chrome Browser extension [I'm the author], it adds the bearing & distance (and a lot more information, including?ATNO's for you based on official?hunter log) into the POTA spots page.? It's also possible to integrate it with Commander and DXKeeper,? so you can QSY and also log directly from the spots page, including the park info, with just a button click, and no copy/paste needed.? ? ?
73 --david K2DW
I have to agree with Bob. The thing that people might want to track for POTA is the park from which they operated?from. You can do that currently with "my QTH's". If people did it correctly, their uploads to LotW would show the correct location. I use "my QTH's" to track my SOTA activations.
The other thing you might want as a chaser of POTA or SOTA is a beam heading of the park or summit. I currently do this for chasing SOTA by opening the ?(you have to be?logged?in to get the correct heading) and then click on the summit to get the heading. I then enter the heading manually?into DXView. I don't know how to find?the heading for a park. Is there a way to find a Maidenhead grid or beam heading for a park easily? The POTA app does not provide that info.
The current way SpotCollector displays SOTA info is great, you click on the spot and the summit reference?is entered into the DXK capture window and logged. I think DXLabs is the easiest?way to chase SOTA.
I dont understand why you would even think about extending support
for pota
The pota folks contacts are all tracked on the pota data system
activators have to submit logs, those chasing them dont have to do
anything...
73
Bob, KA9JAC
PS way to dang many of them upload garbage to lotw...
On 5/18/2025 2:55 AM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:
A new poll has been created:
Do you pursue POTA and/or SOTA awards?
1. I'm pursuing POTA awards but not SOTA awards
2. I'm pursuing SOTA awards but not POTA awards
3. I'm pursuing both POTA and SOTA awards
Click Here To Vote
Do not reply to this message to vote in the poll. You can vote
in polls only through the group's website.
|
>?Is there a way to find a Maidenhead grid or beam heading for a park easily? The POTA app does not provide that info.
Kent -- If you use the "POTAPlus" Chrome Browser extension [I'm the author], it adds the bearing & distance (and a lot more information, including?ATNO's for you based on official?hunter log) into the POTA spots page.? It's also possible to integrate it with Commander and DXKeeper,? so you can QSY and also log directly from the spots page, including the park info, with just a button click, and no copy/paste needed.? ? ?
73 --david K2DW
I have to agree with Bob. The thing that people might want to track for POTA is the park from which they operated?from. You can do that currently with "my QTH's". If people did it correctly, their uploads to LotW would show the correct location. I use "my QTH's" to track my SOTA activations.
The other thing you might want as a chaser of POTA or SOTA is a beam heading of the park or summit. I currently do this for chasing SOTA by opening the ?(you have to be?logged?in to get the correct heading) and then click on the summit to get the heading. I then enter the heading manually?into DXView. I don't know how to find?the heading for a park. Is there a way to find a Maidenhead grid or beam heading for a park easily? The POTA app does not provide that info.
The current way SpotCollector displays SOTA info is great, you click on the spot and the summit reference?is entered into the DXK capture window and logged. I think DXLabs is the easiest?way to chase SOTA.
I dont understand why you would even think about extending support
for pota
The pota folks contacts are all tracked on the pota data system
activators have to submit logs, those chasing them dont have to do
anything...
73
Bob, KA9JAC
PS way to dang many of them upload garbage to lotw...
On 5/18/2025 2:55 AM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:
A new poll has been created:
Do you pursue POTA and/or SOTA awards?
1. I'm pursuing POTA awards but not SOTA awards
2. I'm pursuing SOTA awards but not POTA awards
3. I'm pursuing both POTA and SOTA awards
Click Here To Vote
Do not reply to this message to vote in the poll. You can vote
in polls only through the group's website.
|
On 2025-05-19 10:16 AM, Kent N6WT via groups.io wrote: I don't understand your concern. The SOTA, POTA and WWFF fields have
been part of SC for about 5 years now. And processing that data takes a finite additional time for each spot. It represents an unnecessary degradation in performance for the vast majority of users who do not engage in SOTA/POTA/WWFF/LH/CASTLES, etc. and for SOTA/POTA/etc. users who use the proprietary tools when dealing with those arbitrary patches of dirt. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2025-05-19 10:16 AM, Kent N6WT via groups.io wrote: On Mon, May 19, 2025 at 6:38?AM Joe Subich, W4TV via groups.io
Here, I would object to POTA/SOTA specific fields with their associated
overhead in SpotCollector. The improvements in SC 9.9.2 are great and
SC appears to be processing spots almost twice as fast as previous
versions.
Joe
I don't understand your concern. The SOTA, POTA and WWFF fields have been
part of SC for about 5 years now.
Thanks
73
Kent
N6WT
On Mon, May 19, 2025 at 6:38?AM Joe Subich, W4TV via groups.io <lists=
[email protected]> wrote:
On 2025-05-18 11:18 PM, Tom ai4th via groups.io wrote:
POTA and SOTA seem to be polarizing to some parts of the ham
community. Live and let live. If Dave is gracious enough to put
fields in Spotcollector to support these public-facing parts of the
hobby, good on him. Here, I would object to POTA/SOTA specific fields with their associated
overhead in SpotCollector. The improvements in SC 9.9.2 are great and
SC appears to be processing spots almost twice as fast as previous
versions.
This version actually appears to run reasonably on a "toy" system -
an 800 MHz Intel N100 (four cores, four threads) with 16 GB single
channel RAM. It can "keep up" with four clusters (each with open
skimmer feeds) plus IRC during normal operation (I have not tried
to benchmark it during a major contest) with sufficient CPS cycles
to support normal WSJTX and DXKeeper operation. That was not the
case with previous versions of SpotCollector.
I would hate to see anything that would result in any degradation
in performance for the majority of users to support niche operation
- particularly since DXLab can never fully support POTA/SOTA due
to their closed data systems and unique operating paradigm.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 2025-05-18 11:18 PM, Tom ai4th via groups.io wrote:
POTA and SOTA seem to be polarizing to some parts of the ham community. Live and let live. If Dave is gracious enough to put fields in
Spotcollector to support these public-facing parts of the hobby, good on
him. I will strain my few remaining brain cells to make use of the new
tools. (Mainly PoTA. I'm too out of shape for summits, even in Va.)
Tom ai4th
|
On Mon, May 19, 2025 at 6:38?AM Joe Subich, W4TV via Here, I would object to POTA/SOTA specific fields with their associated
overhead in SpotCollector.? The improvements in SC 9.9.2 are great and
SC appears to be processing spots almost twice as fast as previous
versions.
Joe I don't understand your concern. The SOTA, POTA and WWFF fields have been part of SC for about 5 years now.
On Mon, May 19, 2025 at 6:38?AM Joe Subich, W4TV via <lists= [email protected]> wrote:
On 2025-05-18 11:18 PM, Tom ai4th via wrote:
> POTA and SOTA seem to be polarizing to some parts of the ham
> community. Live and let live. If Dave is gracious enough to put
> fields in Spotcollector to support these public-facing parts of the
> hobby, good on him.
Here, I would object to POTA/SOTA specific fields with their associated
overhead in SpotCollector.? The improvements in SC 9.9.2 are great and
SC appears to be processing spots almost twice as fast as previous
versions.
This version actually appears to run reasonably on a "toy" system -
an 800 MHz Intel N100 (four cores, four threads) with 16 GB single
channel RAM.? It can "keep up" with four clusters (each with open
skimmer feeds) plus IRC during normal operation (I have not tried
to benchmark it during a major contest) with sufficient CPS cycles
to support normal WSJTX and DXKeeper operation.? That was not the
case with previous versions of SpotCollector.
I would hate to see anything that would result in any degradation
in performance for the majority of users to support niche operation
- particularly since DXLab can never fully support POTA/SOTA due
to their closed data systems and unique operating paradigm.
73,
? ? ... Joe, W4TV
On 2025-05-18 11:18 PM, Tom ai4th via wrote:
> POTA and SOTA seem to be polarizing to some parts of the ham community. Live and let live. If Dave is gracious enough to put fields in Spotcollector to support these public-facing parts of the hobby, good on him. I will strain my few remaining brain cells to make use of the new tools. (Mainly PoTA. I'm too out of shape for summits, even in Va.)
> Tom ai4th
>
|
On 2025-05-18 11:18 PM, Tom ai4th via groups.io wrote: POTA and SOTA seem to be polarizing to some parts of the ham community. Live and let live. If Dave is gracious enough to put fields in Spotcollector to support these public-facing parts of the hobby, good on him. Here, I would object to POTA/SOTA specific fields with their associated overhead in SpotCollector. The improvements in SC 9.9.2 are great and SC appears to be processing spots almost twice as fast as previous versions. This version actually appears to run reasonably on a "toy" system - an 800 MHz Intel N100 (four cores, four threads) with 16 GB single channel RAM. It can "keep up" with four clusters (each with open skimmer feeds) plus IRC during normal operation (I have not tried to benchmark it during a major contest) with sufficient CPS cycles to support normal WSJTX and DXKeeper operation. That was not the case with previous versions of SpotCollector. I would hate to see anything that would result in any degradation in performance for the majority of users to support niche operation - particularly since DXLab can never fully support POTA/SOTA due to their closed data systems and unique operating paradigm. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2025-05-18 11:18 PM, Tom ai4th via groups.io wrote: POTA and SOTA seem to be polarizing to some parts of the ham community. Live and let live. If Dave is gracious enough to put fields in Spotcollector to support these public-facing parts of the hobby, good on him. I will strain my few remaining brain cells to make use of the new tools. (Mainly PoTA. I'm too out of shape for summits, even in Va.)
Tom ai4th
|
Re: DXKeeper 18.1.4 and SpotCollector 9.9.2
Tnx Dave
?
very happy with this upgrade!
?
73,? Aart PA3C
|
Kent N6WT
Tom Schaefer - NY4I
Ron T
aart wedemeijer PA3C