AN INTRODUCTION TO THE

DXLAB SUITE

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OCNovember, 2014

Why Use A Computer Logger, Why DXLab Suite?

Simpler, Accurate Logging

Find and Work More DX

Better QSOs

Make QSL’ing Simpler and Faster

Focus On The Contact, Automate Your Station

Work Towards and Apply for Operating Awards

More Flexible CW and SSB Keying

Operate Using (Advanced) Digital Modes

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WinWarblerCW, RTTY, PSK

SpotCollector

DX Spots

CommanderTransceiver Control

DXLab Suite Components

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3.7

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DXView

DXKeeper

PropView

CW Skimmer

Location Control

Logging

Propagation

Pathfinder

QSL Routes

FLDigi WSTJ-X

DX Atlas

Google Earth

From AA6YQ’s Presentation – “DX’ing with DXLab”

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Common Operating and Use Scenarios

Casual Contacts and Rag Chewing

Finding and Working DX

Operating using Digital Modes and CW

QSL’ing On-line or via Cards (Direct, Buro or EFT)

Tracking Progress and Applying for Awards

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Casual Contacts and Rag Chewing

Call CQ or tune the band to find a contact

Capture the Callsign of the station you are working

• Validate Callsign in real-time (QRZ.com)

• Enter/confirm contact details

Turn your antennas as necessary

Lookup your contact on QRZ.com

• Learn something about the person that you are

talking with to spark a conversation

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Finding and Working DX

Use SpotCollector to find a DX Station to work

• Real-Time award tracking to find spots needed for awards

• Extensive filtering

Double-Click on DX spot to load Callsign and tune your rig (enables split QSX if appropriate)

Look up the DX station’s info on QRZ.com

Use PropView to get a propagation prediction

Turn your antenna with DXView

Call the DX, enter additional info.into the logger

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Operating CW and Digital Modes

CW, RTTY, PSK, JT’ modes

Digital and CW CODECs (COder/DECoders) and Keying

• RTTY via MMTY and 2Tone (suggest installing both)

• PSK modes built-in

• JT65, JT9 via WSJT-X and JTAlert alert bridge

• CW via built-in keyer, can use CWSkimmer for decoding with appropriate bridge

• Voice Keyer also available

Macros and/or direct entry via keyboard

Waterfall Display for digital modes

Broadband decoder and multiple decodingwindows for digital modes (PSK and RTTY)

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QSL’ing

Automatic upload to ClubLog when you log

Simple upload to LoTW and eQSL

• At end of each operating session, also during if someone wants to confirm right away

• Automated updates to capture confirmations in log

QSL’ing via cards

• Add requested and needed contacts

• Use PathFinder to lookup routes (including addresses) and set Direct, Buro or EFT

• Print cards (labels or blank-back), envelopes/SAE’s

Postage Printing Programs can complete the job

Stuff the envelopes and automatically update your log

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Track and Apply for Awards

DXKeeper generate a variety of award status reports

• DXCC, VUCC, WAS, WAZ, Marathon, WPX, WAE, US-CA, …

You can specify how you want to apply (ex LoTW vs Cards) and generate to prepare submissions

Tracking of contacts you’ve submitted and later received award credit for

• Interface to track “Verified” contacts

Card aging to handle contacts that don’t confirm

• Also a good way to review outstanding QSL requests

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Other Useful Tools Can export and import many file formats - adif, cabrillo, TDF …

• Lookups for missing data and setting of various log fields on import

• Great of loading/QSL’ing contacts if you use another logger (ex N1MM+) for contesting

Plotting QSOs – Google Earth

Multiple Computers and Dropbox• Store your log database in your Dropbox

• Consistent installation and file paths on all computers

• Golden Rule! – Only open a given log on one computer at a time

Operating Mobile/Portable, Multiple Callsigns, Multiple operators• Separate logs for each Callsign

• Use Launcher workspace feature (Workspaces can be linked via Dropbox) to configure personal information, on-line QSL information, award tracking, … for each Op/Callsign

• Useful to have a Guest operator setup for when friends operate from you station

Complex stations with multiple rigs and operating positions/computers• Use workspace feature to modify configuration for each radio/operating position

• Useful to have a Log/QSL only setup for the computer where you do your QSL’ing10

Getting Started

What You Need –

• A Windows computer with an internet connection (Mac with Parallels or VMWare will also work)

• CAT, PTT, CW Keying and Audio Interfaces (for digital modes) between your PC and your rig

• Computer interface to your rotator if you have a directional antenna

Configuration Steps –

• Basic information about you and your station – Name, Callsign, QTH Info, ...

• Connect your equipment – Radio (CAT + PTT), rotator, interface for digital modes, CW keying

• Callsign Lookup - QRZ.com, LoTW, eQSL, ClubLog, setups for printing cards, labels, and envelopes

• Spotting Cluster – add DX Cluster, CW and Digital Cluster/RBN linkages

• Awards you are working on – DXCC, WAS, WAZ, IOTA, Marathon, VUCC, .. Including bands, modes and real-time tracking

• Load additional programs/bridges as desired – MMTTY, 2Tone, WSJT-X, CWSkimmer, DXAtlas, Google Earth, …

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Other Useful Information

Software is free! Frequent updates provide enhancements and bug fixes via the internet

• Launcher checks for and handles updates

• Key databases are updated via Launcher/DXView

DXLab Suite Wiki (good intro presentation and “getting started info”) –http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/GettingStarted

DXLab Overview, Documentation and Download - http://www.dxlabsuite.com

List of bridges, gateways and extenders-http://www.dxlabsuite.com/download.htm#Bridges, Gateways, and Extenders

DXLab Yahoo Support Group - https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dxlab/info

Dropbox and Dropbox Folder Sync –http://www.dropbox.comhttp://satyadeepk.in/dropbox-folder-sync/

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Thank You!

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