VKCL Version 3.8

7th April 2013

This version of VKCL updates the logging for the VK/trans Tasman contest for 2013, for both 80m phone contest in May and 80 and 160m contest in July. The rules are here on the WIA web page.

Digital modes are becoming more popular in some contests and is one of the main modes in July for this contest. However, not all transceivers report the mode correctly when OmniRig is used. In fact sometimes SSB is used to operate modes such as PSK31, although it would be still desirable to log the contact as DIG(ital). To overcome the problem, a checkbox labeled "Dig" appears above the mode displayd by OmniRigl. Checking this box overrides the mode reported by the transceiver and the contact is logged as DIG(ital).

Logging for the VK/trans Tasman contest in July has been somewhat re-arranged. Category selection has been moved to the end of the contest, so that now everybody starts essentially in the 'Both Bands - Multi Mode' category. After the contest, you are given a choice for which category to create a log, and you can create logs for many categories. All contacts that you have made are listed in each log, but contacts not relevant to the selected category are assigned zero points and do not participate in group formation for bonus points. See contest rules for details about submitting multiple logs.

All the logs are stored in the contest folder and are identified with your call sign and category abbrievation.

Very conveniently, the Harry Angel Sprint, a short contest on 80m for CW/SSB, is on a week before to test your equipment.

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 3.8 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, suggestions, and problems 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.