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, be used in mobile operation without a GPS and also by fixed
station operators both inside and
outside of the target state or region but the features
that differentiate it from other contest logging programs are
those that benefit the mobile operator when utilizing a GPS.
These
advantages are best described by considering the three phases of QSO
party mobile 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, if a GPS is to be used, mapping
programs such as Microsoft
Streets & Trips and Google
Maps provide additional tools that can be integrated into the route
planning:
- 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 the County Line Locator
tool in CQ/X to analyze the output from a Google Map
and automatically locate the county line crossing points.
- Once the list of county
line crossing points is validated by CQ/X they will form the
basis of calculations of the distance and time to the next county once
the trip is underway.
- A Timing Analysis can
be performed of a proposed trip to estimate whether there is adequate
time based on average driving speed, desired minimum time in each
county, number of miles between refueling, amount of time required for
refueling and lunch/dinner breaks, etc.
- Once the trip is finalized CQ/X provides a means
of connecting and uploading this information to the County
Hunter websites
- CQ/X also 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 examples.
- If the user supplies a list of waypoints the Waypoint Tracker provided by CQ/X
will update distance and time to next waypoints on each cycle of the
GPS and can provide this information to the driver over a wireless
connection to an Android phone or tablet to implement a small display
for the driver. Typically this display shows distance and estimated
time to the next highway change or other user-defined waypoints.
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
- Modification of 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
- Supplying driver information to an Android phone or tablet
via the CQX-Driver interface
- 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.
- Logging of
the latitude and longitude at which each QSO was
started. This is useful in preparing GPS-Enabled QSLs (see the QSL Gallery
for examples) and/or for publishing the Log
on a Map.
- 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.
- Web publication of the Log
on a Map
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 assign most tasks to 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 various pages of this site. 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 installed.
