As part of my MiniLog project, I made a very simple telnet DX Cluster window which allows you to monitor DX spots from users worldwide.  I decided that it should also be available as a standalone application.  The program is very simple to use - the supplied INI file is ready for use with GB7DXE, just enter your callsign when it connects the DX spots will appear as they are posted.

ClusterClient in "Smart Mode" - running on Vista

Features:

• Automatic login (callsign+password) to telnet cluster
  Set your callsign/password and ClusterClient will automatically log you in

• Multiple DX Cluster Presets
  Supports up to 10 DX Cluster addresses (surely that's enough?!)

• Spot Stats
  Spots counts are shown to give you an idea of most popular/open band

• Filtering of DX Spots
  DX spots may be filtered by band - show only the band/s that interest you

• Simple command interface
  Type some text, press enter!

• Works on all screen resolutions
  Re-sizable and movable window - size and position remembered between each session

• No installer
  Simple standalone EXE - just un-zip and run!

Although my MiniLog and PZTLog projects feature a DX Spot sharing system - I *may* write a telnet server into ClusterClient so that other platforms can telnet into it and receive DX data without making subsequent internet connections... Your thoughts ?

Using ClusterClient
You can enter normal commands such as sh/dx on 6m using the Comments/Commands textbox (and pressing enter).  If you want to post a DX "spot", you can just fill in the boxes and press enter, saving you the hassle of remembering the actual command.

Uploaded v1.6 build 101... Removed pop-up "private talk message" alert - this would appear EVERY time traffic was received from the Cluster if you did not have your callsign stored in the INI file.  I have removed this feature for now and will clean the code up shortly ;)
Download ClusterClient v1.6 build 101 [3rd October 2009]

Updates for v1.6... The FontName/Size can now be defined in "Smart Mode"...

Download ClusterClient v1.6 [23rd September 2009]

AR-Clusters appear to send extra data (such as state/country codes) which DXSpider does not.  At some point I will add a column to include a country code for DXCC purposes.

These messages have recently arrived at my inbox...

Ben, M0GKY has written a "how-to" guide to running ClusterClient under Linux (specifically, Ubuntu 8.04).
 
Oliver, OE5OHO writes: "Found your little tool "DX Cluster Client" very helpful. THANKS a million for sharing it!"

Nick, N3AIU asks: "Nice little piece of software that ClusterClient. In a future release, I would ask for the capability to pass only selected DXCC entities (perhaps even on a per band per mode basis) with an audio alarm if one appears."

My reply: "I had actually thought about some sort of DXCC filter so I shall certainly add that onto my "to do" list.  It will almost certainly be a part of my PZTLog project and providing the code is not too bloated, I could easily merge it into ClusterClient."

Jeff, N8NOE said: "I'm a Mac guy, but ran this in Windows and thought it to be very nice. Thanks for the Work and I did pass it to my Local Group and a Contest Club I belong to..THANKS!..."

Dave, KB9KTD wrote: "Very good client.  I like the automatic log in..."

Simon HB9DRV (off of HamRadioDeluxe) said: "looks very good..."

If you find it useful, please let me know ;)

Love it or loathe it, EchoLink is very popular - with around 4,000 stations connected at any one time, you can be sure of a QSO with somebody.  It is essentially and telephony system whereby you dial into another link (which could be a simplex gateway, repeater or multi-user conference) using DTMF tones.  The software then patches you in and you talk just like a normal RF QSO.  The author of EchoLink, K1RFD, has allowed software developers access to much of EchoLink's features and settings via simple API calls within Visual Basic or VBScript.

Events such as RF Receive, EchoLink Receive, DTMF Receive can be read externally.  You can also make EchoLink do things from your program - such as send text to the connected station, transmit a WAV sound file or manage automated (dis)connections during peak-hours for mobile users.

Repeater VBScript for EchoLink
This is a simple repeater script that runs "invisibly" with EchoLink

Download M0PZT Repeater VBScript [March 2009]

EchoFan
One of the first EchoLink add-ons that I wrote - It monitors the PTT status of EchoLink and, after a given time, will switch the DTR pin of your COM port "HIGH".  This will stay on whilst your radio is transmitting and for a pre-determined amount of time thereafter.  The idea was to provide some cooling for my TK-805 UHF radio which used to get quite warm during long QSOs (even though it was only putting out 5watts).

EchoFan allows 30sec of PTT before activating the fan (it ignores CW IDs and short CQ calls/blips) and then gives an additional 2 minutes (or longer) cooling time once the PTT has dropped. The timings are totally user-configurable but pre-set to 30s/2mins as they seemed to work for me.

Download EchoFan [March 2009]

EchoRepeat - The features of EchoRepeat will be built-into EchoSysop2009 in due course...
This turns your EchoLink gateway into a duplex repeater without the need for any external repeater controller logic.  This program is nowhere near as complicated or advanced as K1RFD's excellent EchoStation software, but is designed as a very basic add-on to EchoLink.  This script is a re-work of the one from the EchoLink Yahoo Group.  I've added a Courtesy ID and Closedown ID (they can be CW or WAV files) to the script.  Simply router your RX audio into your Line Input and TX audio to the transmitter as usual - Ensure that the Line In is set to "play through" on the Mixer Playback Settings (ie: line-in is heard on the speaker outputs).  This ensures that when the transmitter is keyed, the audio from the receiver is passed to EchoLink and heard on RF.

Obviously you'll need a dedicated RX+TX (or talk-through station) to operate this application - A normal radio will not work!

You may wish to visit Peter, EI4JR's site which has links to many excellent EchoLink add-ons.

Download EchoRepeat v1.1 [November 2008]
This is essentially a Repeater Controller for your EchoLink system.  There is a CW ID, Closedown CW ID, Speech ID, IP + RF Courtesy IDs, HangTime, DTR Cooling Fan, and the Timeout can be reset by clicking the "T.O." button.  The INI settings file now resides in the main program folder - you'll find your existing INI file in your Windows folder.

Download EchoRepeat Source Code [November 2008]
Your chance to learn from my work and possibly improve upon it!  The INI settings file now resides in the main program folder - you'll find your existing INI file in your Windows folder.

EchoSysop - EchoSysop is undergoing a re-write and will feature some new features (plus the old ones but more reliable!)
This utility was written to add some extra functionality to K1RFD's excellent EchoLink software.  Using the in-built API, a variety of features and options can be controlled from external applications.  I wanted a long CW Ident when the link was idle, but a shorter one when it was in use.  I also wanted the name of my link spoken when the frequency was clear.  EchoSysop achieves that.

You may also wish to visit Peter, EI4JR's site which has links to many excellent EchoLink add-ons.

UPDATE: March 2009 - I am currently working on re-writing EchoSysop...  Keep a lookout for MB7ICF-L on EchoLink ;)  The new version of EchoSysop will feature:

• Active and Idle CW Idents
  with unique left/right outputs for crossband links and dual callsigns

• Audio Processing
  A simple AGC to keep the varying levels constant

• Speech / WAV IDs
  Speech Ident, Station Information and Top of Hour WAV Information Files

• DTR Cooling Fan Control
  Keeps the radios cool

• CTCSS Control
  Enables silent monitoring during CW IDs

• RF and Internet Courtesy CW IDs
  Easy to determine when an RF or internet user has finished their over

• FTP Website Updater
  Useful to show the status of your link via a website

• Favourite Connections
  Shortcut keys allow sysop to connect to popular links/servers

• Built-in Duplex Repeater Logic
  Simple repeater without hardware logic

• Chat Message Window
  Featuring remote sysop chat over network - ie: monitor from the house PC!

EchoSysop (main screen) running on Vista

EchoSysop (settings) running on Vista

EchoSysop (messages) running on Vista

This version is still being written and tested...

Download EchoSysop2009 v1.0 [April 2009]
Initial release of the revised EchoSysop utility

EchoSysop2009 running on XP

Download EchoSysop v1.2 [November 2008]
Minor changes made since last release - no more registration!  The INI settings file now resides in the main program folder - you'll find your existing INI file in your Windows folder.

Download EchoSysop v1.9 [November 2008]
This is the earlier version, you may prefer it although there are a few niggles with the IDs which I've not had time to fix!  The INI settings file now resides in the main program folder - you'll find your existing INI file in your Windows folder.

When I operate /P "in the field", I usually scribble my contacts into a small lined notebook for typing-up later - this is something I refer to as "post-it-note logging"...  There is no longer a requirement to keep a log of contacts for UK radio amateurs, but I think it is a good idea if the contact is special, unique or worthy of record (and/or QSL card).  With the amount of netbook/laptop computers on the market for a reasonable price - I decided to create a simple logging application that would run under WindowsCE, XP and Vista for use on a cheap netbook.

The initial need of a small logbook GUI has now evolved to include additional (but optional) windows that can be opened during use.  The main MiniLog screen is a small window that requires the basic elements of a QSO to be entered (date/time, callsign, report, band, mode etc).  Options exist for automated date/time stamping for rapid-entry of QSOs (eg: during contests or pile-ups).  A CAT interface is planned which will be able to read your radio's settings and automatically fill those logbooks fields in.

Features:

• Simple 'n' Small GUI
  Ideal for netbooks

• Save QSO log to CSV format
  Can be imported into Excel or uploaded to a logbook server

• DX Cluster interface via telnet
  with spot filtering

• Networked DX Cluster Interface
  MiniLog can send DX Spots across the LAN to other MiniLog stations - useful when running a multi-op /P station and there is only 1 laptop with internet.

• Text-chat between MiniLogs
  DX spots can also be retrieved from an internet-enabled MiniLog

• Auto Date/Time stamp for rapid entry of QSO details
  Only worry about entering the import QSO data

• Serial-numbers for optional contest exchanges*
  Allows you to include serial exchanges for contest QSOs

• Duplicate QSO and new locator square alerts
  MiniLog will tell you if the QRA is a new one for you

A free-form entry text-box will also be added, allowing QSO details to be added using a single text-box - This is a useful facility for contest logging and can save time "tabbing through the boxes" if you need to make a correction.  It will be able to distinguish from the following: a) callsign, b) sent/received reports, and c) locator.

* With regards to serial numbers - I have NOT designed MiniLog as a contest logger - There are others out there that would be far more suited than my humble efforts!  I have already had a user request for a "59" default RST value ;)

The latest update (v1.5) includes the ability to filter DX spots, auto serial numbers for contests and my personal favourite: the ability to slave off another MiniLog in order to retrieve DX Cluster data - perfect if several stations are running and there is only mobile dongle to hand ;)

Download MiniLog v1.5 [11th August 2009]

NOTE: Some users have reported a "Runtime 380 Error" when loading MiniLog for the first time.  This is most likely due to the INI file having a height/width setting that your screen doesn't like.  You may delete my sample INI file as MiniLog creates it's own when you run it.

MiniLog Main Screen - running on Vista

The last few contacts are shown on the main screen but a separate viewer window may be opened which lists all previous QSOs:

MiniLog Logbook Viewer - running on Vista

If you have internet access, the DX Cluster window can make a telnet connection to your preferred cluster node.  Not only that, but it will also broadcast DX spots across the LAN so that other instances of MiniLog can slave off the single connection - this is useful for a /P contest situation where a single mobile broadband dongle is used to connect to the cluster and other operators wish to view the DX spots.  This is similar to the facility provided by G7RAU's LiveMUF program - it offers a telnet server that the clients can connect into.

The facility to send a DX spot to the cluster is also available.

MiniLog DXCluster Window - running on Vista

Simple text messages can be sent across the LAN to other MiniLog operators - for skeds, warnings etc...

MiniLog Chat Window - running on Vista

At present, the QSO log is saved as a CSV (comma separated value) file for importing "back home".  The MiniLog application will be smaller version of PZTLog, which is also being written - PZTLog Screenshot and is based on Tucnak, our contest logger for the Colchester Contest Group.

...more to follow

Having got the MiniLog project underway, I decided that I could use much of the code to produce a shack-based logging application.  I presently use HamRadioDeluxe which is a fantastic program but the only part of it I actually use is the logbook!  Wanting to conjure-up my own logbook program, I have started work on PZTLog (unless a better name is thought of) and much of the code is derived from MiniLog - plus some additions to gear it towards full-blown logging, maintenance and analysis of QSO data.

The aims of this project are to:

• Produce a custom logging application for myself

• Increase my programming skills

• Put some more free software "out there"

I don't expect it to become another HamRadioDeluxe but I shall certainly add any feature to PZTLog that I see as being useful to me.  The primary aim is to have something that *I* get along with as I'm luckily enough to be able to write my own software solutions when I don't like the existing offerings!

Features to include:

• QSO Log
  Save to CSV with export to: ADIF, Cabrillo, REG1TEST, RSGB Standard and HTML formats

• Free-entry textbox
  Allows quick QSO entry (useful for a contest)

• QRA lookup
  Distance/bearing calculation

• Serial-numbers for contests, dupe checking etc
  Easily determine if you've work that station before

• DX Cluster via telnet
  With simple spot filtering on a "per band" basis

• Networked DX Cluster Interface
  MiniLog can send DX Spots across the LAN to other MiniLog stations - useful when running a multi-op /P station and there is only 1 laptop with internet.

• Chat facility with other PZTLoggers
  Talk to other operators within your LAN (or /P site)

• "Best Band" Indicator
  Based upon DX data from cluster, MUF calculation

• MP3/WAV Voice Keyer for CQ'ing via COM port
  Saves the vocal chords during long operating periods!

• CAT interface
  Obtains the radio settings and/or change bands when clicking a DX spot

Plus whatever else I can think of!

Although I will add some "contest-style" features, I do not expect it to become a full-blown contester's application!

PZTLog under Vista in Colour Mode

PZTLog under Vista in Monochrome Mode

to be continued...

PZTPack is an AX25 BBS application designed to replace aging MS-DOS based software. It runs under the AGW Packet Engine (or BPQ32 via it's BPQ2AGW.dll) enabling a range of TNC hardware to be used - including KISS TNCs or your computer's soundcard.

The need for a reliable (yet easy to configure) Windows-based BBS program has become more urgent as older PC equipment fails (or becomes harder to source).  What with the rather laborious task of configuring DOS ethernet drivers, serial interrupts, hex addresses and so forth makes the Windows front-end a rather attractive alternative!

So far, I've only seen (and used) 3 Windows BBS applications: AIZBSS, FBB16 and FBB32.  I won't could SallyPMS as it's really a PMS although it can be "tweaked" into a BBS.  Unfortunately, AIZ and FBB seem to have lay dormant for a number of years and it's for this reason - along with my desire to write something useful - that I've attempted an AX25 BBS for Windows.

The main screen of PZTPack is not a screen-hogging beast but a simple medium-sized window with a select amount of "clutter".  A row of buttons access the commonly-used sysop functions, whilst other actions such as manual forwarding, advanced configuration and help files are available from standard drop-down menus.

So... what does it do ?

Features

• AX25 Packet BBS to run under AGW and/or BPQ32 - multiple ports etc

• Internal telnet port for user/BBS connections

• No complex installation or drivers - Just a simple INI file for all settings

• Plain-text forwarding via AX25 or Telnet

• Supports MBL import/export, FBB/NNA compression - allowing it to forward with all FBB, NNA, PZT, XServ BBS systems

• Can optionally hold locally-entered bulletins for review by sysop - SP mail is un-affected unless caught by the word-filter!

• E-Mail can be sent to alert the sysop that mail is pending release

• Sends UI message headers and "Mail For" beacons to PMS users who update their bulletin lists "offline"

• Font names, sizes and styles can be tailored via INI file

More features to be added as the feedback rolls in!

Current status: No AGW interface yet, but it's talking to BPQ32 and doing some neat stuff... more soon.

Download
First-time users will need the "Full ZIP" which contains all the files required to run and configure the BBS.  Existing users will need only the latest "Update" file.  As of v1.0(b), a "Check for Updates" feature is available from the "Help" menu - this will inform you of a software update.

UI-TX is a very basic APRS beaconing application that sends a periodic positioning beacon (and status text).  There are 5 presets available for a variety of configurations.  If you run an EchoLink gateway on the same computer you may also run the UI-EL add-on which reacts to DTMF commands from your EchoLink receiver and instructs UI-TX to either send a beacon/status text or change to another preset.

This is a simple program to assist with the calculation of basic wire aerials, verticals and loops.

It offers simple dipole, inverted-v, vertical and loop measurements and can even tell you how many turns of wire (of a given thickness) you need for a certain diameter coil.  It can tell you how much room an Inverted-V will take up - both in height and distance between the base and wires.

Download WireCalc v1.1

If you find it useful (or find a major problem with it's numbers) - please let me know.