VKCL Version 3.4a

CORRECTION for 2012 80m VK/trans Tasman Contest: (You can ignore all this if you were a single operator and did not work any F-calls.)

A debug failure, caused by not repeating the checklist from the beginning after a problem was found and "fixed". The fix broke code that was previously tested and "passed".

For single operators, down load Ver 3.4a and install over the previous Ver 3.4. On start, points and groups should be recalculated including the F-calls that were previously discarded, but in case that does not happen, perform a dummy edit, that is, open a contact for edit and save without changing anything to force a recalculation.

For multi-operator stations, it is best to create a new contest directory set up as necessary, and import ADIF files from all computers used for logging. Again, if necessary, perform a dummy edit to force a recalculation.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

This version of VKCL implements the totally revised VK/Trans Tasman contest, which is now under new management. Both the 80 m SSB contest in May and the 160 m SSB contest in July have been revised. The July contest also contains CW and Digital aspects. So please read the rules here and use this version of VKCL.

Many people had problems with the previous version of VKCL implementing new scoring rules for the John Moyle Memorial Field Day contest last month. The problem was that VKCL crashed as soon as an attempt was made to log a contact. That problem is still unresolved, as I cannot reproduce it, but the lesson is to try the new version of VKCL as soon as you can, and not leave it for the night of the contest. If a similar problem occurs with this version, please let me know and I will send you a debug version to try to identify the problem.

A slash-0 font is now available which differentiates letter-O and digit-0 more unambiguously.

The installation process for the new version is identical to the previous version. The new version installs into a different folder, C:\VKCL3 by default, and a shortcut labeled VKCL3 will appear on your desktop. The two versions can co-exist in the same computer, and if necessary, run at the same time without interference to each other.

The help files for Version 3 are still a work in progress, but the operation of the new version is very similar to the previous version, except that it is no longer limited to a fixed size and does provide a few additional auxiliary windows that can be used during the contest. Their intent and use was described on the Preview and Beta and Beta 1 pages. It may be worth perusing those pages if you have not seen them before. The help files even though not updated at this time are still included as most of the information in them is still relevant. Additional pages has been prepared describing the logging of portable stations and the contents of the worked station list display. These pages will be moved to the help files eventually.

After several requests, a very simple "station log" has been implemented in VKCL. The page here describes what is implemented and how it works.

As always, please report any problems in installation or use of VKCL.

Download VKCL Version 3.4a as an .exe or as a .zip file. Check for viruses (unzip if necessary), and run the file to start the installation.

Please email comments and suggestions to

(The email address is an image file to prevent harvesting of email addresses - sorry for any inconvenience.)

(Your default email agent already addressed may be launched from the VKCL About page.)

(You can check for new versions of VKCL from there too.)

Contests omitted from VKCL Version 3:

1. National Field Day -This is not really a contest and I have never seen any reference to any results from the previous couple of years. It also requires a lot of special handling, as it includes bands and modes not used in any other contest.
2. Westlake Cup: The last copy of the rules I have is for 2006, and I have not been able to find any newer rules or any reference to any results or intention to hold the contest again.
3. Athol Johnson Memorial contest in Tasmania: As with the previous contest, no reference to any new rules since 2008 or any intention to hold the contest again.

If I am wrong in any of the above, I would appreciate receiving information from the contest managers about their intentions for the future.