Introduction
CQ/X is a GPS-enabled logging program developed for use
by mobile operators in state and regional QSO parties. It can,
of course, also be used by fixed station operators both inside and
outside of the state or region but the features
that differentiate it from other contest logging programs are
those that benefit the mobile operator. These
advantages are best described by considering the three phases of QSO
party operation:
- Pre-contest Planning
- Contest Operation
- Post-contest Reporting
Pre-contest Planning
During the pre-contest planning phase the operator performs route
planning using CQ/X and a mapping program such as Microsoft
Streets & Trips or, if an internet connection is available,
Google
Maps:
- CQ/X presents an
outline map of the state and a list of
counties from which a preliminary sequence of counties can be easily
selected. As each county is selected the list presented for the
possible next counties are only those counties that are adjacent to the
most recently selected county.
- Once a
preliminary sequence of counties has been
specified a sequence of polygon models of the selected counties
is exported for importing into the mapping
program
- A detailed
road-by-road route development is prepared in
the mapping program.
- Once the route is
developed a text file sequential list of
county line crossing points is developed using any of three possible
methods: using the location tool in Streets & Trips, using the
county overlays on the
County Overlays,
page,
or using the County Line Locator tool in CQ/X to analyze a Google Map
and automatically locate the county line crossing points.
- The list of county
line crossing points is then imported
into CQ/X and once validated by CQ/X will form the
basis of calculations of the distance and time to the next county once
the trip is underway.
- Following validation
CQ/X provides a means
of connecting and uploading this information to the County
Hunter websites
- Also following
validation CQ/X provides a means of
using the county line
crossing file to
create a KML file for Google Maps. Placing this file on a
webserver allows distribution of the route on the internet
using
Google Maps and, if it is planned to use APRS, a network link for
including real-time APRS information on the map is inserted.
See
the Route
Plans page for an example.
Contest Operation
Once it is time to begin the contest and CQ/X is receiving data
from the GPS the program provides the following GPS-enabled
functions updated on a default ten second period:
- Automatic detection of
the current county
- Modifying all
of the messages that are county
dependent
- Calculation of the
distance and time to the next county line
- Calculation of the
distance to any waypoints that
the user has defined
- Calculation of the
accumulated time in each county
- Calculation of
progress against any goal of a
specified
number of QSOs in each county and a recommendation on whether to speed
up, slow down, or stop in order to reach the goal.
- If desired, logging of
the latitude and longitude at which each QSO was
completed. This is useful in preparing any GPS-enabled QSLs. See the QSL Gallery
for examples.
- Pass through of GPS
data to a mapping program for real-time
tracking of location
Post-contest Reporting
Following completion of the contest the program provides a means of
performing the following activities
- Preparing statistical
results including time in each county
- Ten-minute hourly rate
at each county crossing
- Connection to 3830 for
posting results
- Preparation of logs in
either Cabrillo or ADIF format
- Preparation of summary
sheets in those contests requiring
them
- Preparation of
GPS-enabled QSLs when requested.
Other Features
CQ/X also includes a number of other capabilities that are not
dependent on the use of a GPS. These include:
- Ability to configure
all function keys and their
combinations with Alt, Ctrl, and Shift keys to
minimize use
of the mouse
- Ability to
emulate many of the keys used by the
logging program NA
- Ability to enter QSO
information in any order in a single
field
- Ability to
sequence through the QSO using only the
Enter key
- Ability to define your
own help information and link it
into the
help menu including information on speed trap areas, reservation emails
for Saturday evening lodging, etc
- Ability to efficiently
operate on county lines
Some of the above features are described in more detail and with
selected screen shots on the
Features
page. All of the features are described in detail in the on-line help
file which can be accessed both from the
CQXClient.pdf
link on the
Documentation
page and from the Help menu once the program is downloaded and
installed.
Copyright: C.W.
Sanders, NO5W
Last Updated: 20-April-2011