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Not until the ARRL puts it back online.

Now that things have (hopefully) settled down, does LOTW accept submissions from DXKeeper? I tried yesterday (6/20/2024) and it gave me back a failure. Is there somsthing new?


Thank you in advancce,
Chris---AJ8Q

Now that things have (hopefully) settled down, does LOTW accept submissions from DXKeeper? I tried yesterday (6/20/2024) and it gave me back a failure. Is there somsthing new?


Thank you in advancce,
Chris---AJ8Q

+ AA6YQ comments below

I am trying to send e-mail alerts to myself using the setup in SpotCollector. The outgoing gmail server requires OAuth authentication. This is not available as an option in the setup window. Is there any way to get around this, or am I out of luck?

+ SpotCollector does not support OAuth authentication.

? ? ?73,

? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ

+ AA6YQ comments below

In the DXKeeeper pdf manual it says on page 10:

"In fields containing dates, the year must be 1930 or later, if you do
not include time separators in the begin or end fields, DXKeeper will
insert them appropriately"

and says that if while manually entering a QSO with realtime optimised
disabled I enter eg 1239 it will automatically change this to 12:39. It
does not seem to, I have to manually type in the semi colon.

Is this a bug or am I misreading.

+ That's an inadvertent regression. I'll send you a corrected version later this evening

? ? ? ? 73,

? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ

I am trying to send e-mail alerts to myself using the setup in SpotCollector. The outgoing gmail server requires OAuth authentication. This is not available as an option in the setup window. Is there any way to get around this, or am I out of luck?
--Jeff, K6JW

In the DXKeeeper pdf manual it says on page 10:

"In fields containing dates, the year must be 1930 or later, if you do
not include time separators in the begin or end fields, DXKeeper will
insert them appropriately"

and says that if while manually entering a QSO with realtime optimised
disabled I enter eg 1239 it will automatically change this to 12:39. It
does not seem to, I have to manually type in the semi colon.

Is this a bug or am I misreading.

Thanks
73 Dave G3YMC

Thanks Dave.? I will contact Google support.

# more AA6YQ comments below

+ With VUCC realtime award tracking for 6m enabled, this SQL filter will highlight active stations in grid squares in the contiguous 48 US States that are un-worked or worked-but-not-confirmed: >
(dxccprefix='K') and (Band='6m') and (GridBandProg in ('U','W'))

This filter will also "miss" VE1,VE2,VE3,VE7 and XE stations in
border grids that "count" for FFMA because the grid is, in part,
located in the continental US.

The "shared" border grids are: CN78, CN88, DM12, DM22, DM31,
DM32, DM41, DM51, DM61, DM70, DM71, DL79, DL88, DL89, DL98, DL99,
EL06, EL07, DL15, EN29, EN38, EN48, EN57, EN76, EN85, EN86, EN81,
EN82, EN92, FN02, FN03, FN13, FN24, FN25, FN34, FN35, FN45, FN46,
FN56, FN57, FN65, FN66, FN67

# Thanks, Joe!

#The corrected FFMA filter is

((dxccprefix='K') or (DXGRID in ('CN78', 'CN88', 'DM12', 'DM22', 'DM31', 'DM32', 'DM41', 'DM51', 'DM61', 'DM70', 'DM71', 'DL79', 'DL88', 'DL89', 'DL98', 'DL99', 'EL06', 'EL07', 'DL15', 'EN29', 'EN38', 'EN48', 'EN57', 'EN76', 'EN85', 'EN86', 'EN81', 'EN82', 'EN92', 'FN02', 'FN03', 'FN13', 'FN24', 'FN25', 'FN34', 'FN35', 'FN45', 'FN46', 'FN56', 'FN57', 'FN65', 'FN66', 'FN67'))) and (Band='6m') and (GridBandProg in ('U','W'))

? ? ? 73,

? ? ? ? ? ? Dave, AA6YQ

+ With VUCC realtime award tracking for 6m enabled, this SQL filter will highlight active stations in grid squares in the contiguous 48 US States that are un-worked or worked-but-not-confirmed: >
(dxccprefix='K') and (Band='6m') and (GridBandProg in ('U','W'))

This filter will also "miss" VE1,VE2,VE3,VE7 and XE stations in
border grids that "count" for FFMA because the grid is, in part,
located in the continental US.

The "shared" border grids are: CN78, CN88, DM12, DM22, DM31,
DM32, DM41, DM51, DM61, DM70, DM71, DL79, DL88, DL89, DL98, DL99,
EL06, EL07, DL15, EN29, EN38, EN48, EN57, EN76, EN85, EN86, EN81,
EN82, EN92, FN02, FN03, FN13, FN24, FN25, FN34, FN35, FN45, FN46,
FN56, FN57, FN65, FN66, FN67


73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 6/19/2024 5:35 PM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:

+ AA6YQ comments below

Come to think of it, it might be helpful if I had the option of showing
the grids I haven't worked in the FFMA report, too

+ FFMA is a "6m contiguous US grid squares only" subset of VUCC. Thus if you enable DXLab's VUCC realtime award tracking for 6m, SpotCollector will highlight active stations in needed 6m grid squares.
+ With VUCC realtime award tracking for 6m enabled, this SQL filter will highlight active stations in grid squares in the contiguous 48 US States that are un-worked or worked-but-not-confirmed:
(dxccprefix='K') and (Band='6m') and (GridBandProg in ('U','W'))
+ See

73,
Dave, AA6YQ

+ AA6YQ comments below

Come to think of it, it might be helpful if I had the option of showing the grids I haven't worked in the FFMA report, too

+ FFMA is a "6m contiguous US grid squares only" subset of VUCC. Thus if you enable DXLab's VUCC realtime award tracking for 6m, SpotCollector will highlight active stations in needed 6m grid squares.

+ With VUCC realtime award tracking for 6m enabled, this SQL filter will highlight active stations in grid squares in the contiguous 48 US States that are un-worked or worked-but-not-confirmed:

(dxccprefix='K') and (Band='6m') and (GridBandProg in ('U','W'))

+ See

? ? 73,

? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ

# more AA6YQ comments below

Dave, I understand that you may not be familiar with Google Drive. Perhaps I should try to locate a group that is dedicated to Google Drive much the same way that this group is dedicated to DXLab. I think I have taken up too much bandwidth on this subject here.

# I'm not, but others here may have relevant experience.

# My advice is to contact Google support. If they need more information about the applications you're running, don't hesitate to provide them with my contact information.

73,

Dave, AA6YQ

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+ AA6YQ comments below

I am having trouble creating a DXLab file Sync with Google Drive. I am getting a Google Drive error list for 3 files that I have been unable to correct. The troublesome files are: Translation.mdb and Overrides.mdb in DXView and Spots.mdb in SpotCollector. Looking in the DXLab files I see that there are duplicate files in DXView with the dupes having the same file name but with a (1) after the file name ie. Overrides.mdb with 528 KB and Overrides (1).mdb with 0 KB. Translation.mdb is similar. In SpotCollector, Spots.mdb is not duplicated with a (1) copy but will also not sync with Google Drive. I tried deleting one of the files that had a 0 size but it made no difference. I also reviewed the permissions for the files in Google Drive but again no joy. Hopefully someone on the reflector is also using Google Drive and has an idea how to correct this issue. Any help would be appreciated. 

+ The only way those duplicate files - with a (1) appended to the file name - could come into existence is if you created them.

??? ??? **I am not aware that I created them.? I seldom dive into the DXLab files.? As stated above, Spots.mdb never had a (1) appended to its file name but it was flagged as an error along with the other two with (1) appended.?

??? ??? **When Google Drive finishes syncing, if there are problems a window opens containing an Error list.? The error for all three items is "can't locate some files in the cloud" Google provides three choices to investigate the issue. "Open file", "Retry" and "learn more".? I used "Retry" after deleting the zero-length duplicate files with no effect. " Learn more" choice brings me to a help window entitled "Fix problems in Drive for desktop".? Under the heading "Fix error messages"? one of the errors listed is "can't locate some files in the cloud".? The advice is:

??? ? Changes can’t be synced because the file has been deleted or unshared with you in Drive.

??? *To sync changes, ask the owner to reshare the item with you.

??? *If the item has been deleted, remove it from the syncing folder and add it back.

+ I suggest that you terminate you DXLab applications, and then delete the zero-length duplicate files.

+ What is a "Google Drive error list"? If it's a list of error messages, please post those messages here; you'll have to type them in, as screenshots are not supported.

??? **See above.

Dave, I understand that you may not be familiar with Google Drive. Perhaps I should try to locate a group that is dedicated to Google Drive much the same way that this group is dedicated to DXLab.? I think I have taken up too much bandwidth on this subject here.?

       73,

             Dave, AA6YQ

+ AA6YQ comments below

The slow startup could be waiting for TQSL to contact the mothership if he didn't stop that as you recommended previously.

+ On startup, DXKeeper directs Windows to start TQSL with a command line argument that directs it to place "LoTW News" in the file

LoTWNews.txt

+ in your DXKeeper folder, and then continues with its initialization.

+ Four times per second, an event fires that causes DXKeeper to check for the creation of the LoTWNews.txt file. If the file exists, DXKeeper displays its contents; otherwise, DXKeeper increments a counter. If that counter reaches 120 (after 30 seconds), DXKeeper informs you that TQSL is unable to contact LoTW, and stops checking for the creation of the LotWNews.txt file.

+ I don't know why those 120 checks for the existence of a file over the course of 30 seconds would prevent Windows from conveying a message from Pathfinder to DXKeeper, not do I understand why it would cause an observable slowdown in DXKeeper's startup. I see neither of those effects here, so it must be specific to particular versions of Windows and/or differences in operating environment.

73,

Dave, AA6YQ

+ AA6YQ comments below

I am having trouble creating a DXLab file Sync with Google Drive. I am getting a Google Drive error list for 3 files that I have been unable to correct. The troublesome files are: Translation.mdb and Overrides.mdb in DXView and Spots.mdb in SpotCollector. Looking in the DXLab files I see that there are duplicate files in DXView with the dupes having the same file name but with a (1) after the file name ie. Overrides.mdb with 528 KB and Overrides (1).mdb with 0 KB. Translation.mdb is similar. In SpotCollector, Spots.mdb is not duplicated with a (1) copy but will also not sync with Google Drive. I tried deleting one of the files that had a 0 size but it made no difference. I also reviewed the permissions for the files in Google Drive but again no joy. Hopefully someone on the reflector is also using Google Drive and has an idea how to correct this issue. Any help would be appreciated.

+ The only way those duplicate files - with a (1) appended to the file name - could come into existence is if you created them.

+ I suggest that you terminate you DXLab applications, and then delete the zero-length duplicate files.

+ What is a "Google Drive error list"? If it's a list of error messages, please post those messages here; you'll have to type them in, as screenshots are not supported.

73,

Dave, AA6YQ

开云体育

I am having trouble creating a DXLab file Sync with Google Drive. I am getting a Google Drive error list for 3 files that I have been unable to correct. The troublesome files are: Translation.mdb and Overrides.mdb in DXView and Spots.mdb in SpotCollector. Looking in the DXLab files I see that there are duplicate files in DXView with the dupes having the same file name but with a (1) after the file name ie. Overrides.mdb with 528 KB and Overrides (1).mdb with 0 KB. Translation.mdb is similar. In SpotCollector, Spots.mdb is not duplicated with a (1) copy but will also not sync with Google Drive. I tried deleting one of the files that had a 0 size but it made no difference. I also reviewed the permissions for the files in Google Drive but again no joy. Hopefully someone on the reflector is also using Google Drive and has an idea how to correct this issue. Any help would be appreciated.

73...Bill...W1GY

开云体育

a cloud storage application like OneDrive or GoogleDrive. While cloud storage applications may be problematic when attempting to switch from one PC to another immediately after logging a QSO, they are reliable when the switch is made between operating sessions.?

Agreed! These cloud services are file-share services designed for file sharing across multiple devices not for multi-client concurrent database sharing which is what some are trying to achieve using cloud-based sharing of an open DXKeeper log across devices.


For the non-DBA users of the group this is part of an article I penned recently about file-replication cloud services.

Sharing a database with multiple clients via a file-share service (like Dropbox and OneDrive) is a very bad idea. With a file-share service and say 2 clients (PCs) you can have potentially 3 versions of the database file in different states. Local PC copies and the remote (Cloud) copy.

Typically multi-client access to a database is controlled by the database engine itself using row-locking such that when a row is being added or updated the engine puts a lock on the row or the entire database to prevent reading of the row or database while the update transaction is being processed.

The correct approach for simple file database sharing is to have the database file shared via network sharing, either via drive mapping or using a UNC path, This way there only exists the one database file that is being controlled by the database engine itself (not the cloud-service). Avoiding potential database corruption or reading/writing old stale data.

A cloud-based file-share system has no concept of database locking.

In my experience with simple file-sharing of source code files while concurrently accessing the files from different PCs, Dropbox is still problematic, but much better than OneDrive. Problems occur when the file is shared to multiple PCs AND the file is actively being updated or read from from each PC. File-sharing is typically not a problem when only One PC (client) is actively using the file. Don't forget network/internet latency and reliability? have to be considered.

Multi-client concurrent database access is not a trivial technique and not all database types fully support it. Trying to introduce concurrent database access file a cloud-based service is not the answer.

A cloud-based share service is designed for file-backup and replication across multiple devices, not for reliable concurrent read/writes of a database.

de Laurie VK3AMA
(JTAlert author)

+ AA6YQ comments below

If you're going to keep score +1 for being able to run multiples of DXK at any time.

Preface:
My shack is a room built inside the (large) garage and it has two operating positions (each with it's own computer or sharing one).? I also can operate from a kitchen workstation or my 'office' upstairs.? Plus I operate remotely at times (not at home). Not operating from the shack is more comfortable at certain (COLD or HOT) seasons.? [And just for completeness, K4-K4 can happen too.]

Using the LAN, I can connect apps to the shack (either/both rigs) but a simple KVM switch is out of the question (too far away).? I have to remember to not run DXK when not active, so I can use any node.? While my preference is to keep apps (and MOST of the station) running, simply to avoid delay time of bringing them up (at least in the shack).? Even on my fastest computer, bringing up any database app (not just DXK) takes time (nature of the beast apparently).

All nodes are set to read from the same logbook file, living on the NAS (network drive) so all can update it as needed (only one active at any time).? (The NAS allows access when I'm not operating from home too.)

When I get an alert, I can go to the shack or operate from the nearest node (depending on my current activity or expectations of ease of contact, or seasonal comfort).? So being able to operate without concern for what other node/s are running DXK; would be a wanted feature.

+ With a NAS (or cloud storage), you need not terminate the DXKeeper and SpotCollector instances that you aren't using; simply direct DXKeeper to open a dummy log (so that it closes your actual log). Configure SpotCollector to automatically open the same log that DXKeeper has open. Using this approach, switching from one operating position to another should be quick.

?

-=-=-

A thought:
I may misuse or mix terms trying to explain this; please bear with me.

I have WSJT-X sending a broadcasts (254.0.0.1 address, not unicast 127.0.0.1) so it works with both JTAlert and/or GridTracker and/or SC (at the same time).?

+ That's an unsupported configuration. DXLab applications do not currently support broadcast UDP.

?

And/or, other logging apps.? (I'm in a transition state, mix and match, trying to evolve to one station system, else it's too complicated.)

Could it be made possible that one DXK node (the main shack computer) could act as a database server and each other node (running at the same time) are read only clients?? (Ditto the spot database, but we'll focus on logbook.)??

+ With software, pretty much anything is possible.

+ The question is whether implementing a requested enhancement a good use of time. Time spent on task A is time not spent on tasks B, C, and D. Thus the "opportunity cost" of task A is the delayed availability of the benefits that would have been generated if tasks B, C, and D had implemented instead of task A. As you can see in "Enhancement Logs" column of this table

+ there are *many* submitted enhancement requests that have yet to be implemented. I also have several infrastructure improvements in mind.

+ When considering an enhancement request, I consider the likely time required to implement it, the value it would generate, and the fraction of the user community that would benefit from that value. Assuming that all questions posted here have been answered and all reported defects have been repaired, I react immediately to enhancement requests that can be implemented quickly and generate significant value for must users. I decline idiosyncratic requests that would only benefit a small number of users.

+ To your question: years ago, I extended SpotCollector with a web server so that users could remotely monitor and control their Spot Database Display on any device capable of hosting a web browser:

+ DXKeeper could be extended in the same way, enabling remote access to your Log Page Display from any device capable of hosting a web browser. Enabling new QSOs to be logged from this web-based mechanism is also feasible. Given the existing Remote Desktop and File Server (Cloud or NAS) alternatives, however, my impression is that these capabilities would only be exploited by a handful of users, yielding a low ratio of benefit to cost.

? ? ?73,

? ? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ

开云体育

+ An alternative would be to replace the laptop with a third keyboard, monitor, and mouse all connected to your shack PC via a "KVM" switch. 

Dave,

If you're going to keep score +1 for being able to run multiples of DXK at any time.

Preface:
My shack is a room built inside the (large) garage and it has two operating positions (each with it's own computer or sharing one).? I also can operate from a kitchen workstation or my 'office' upstairs.? Plus I operate remotely at times (not at home). Not operating from the shack is more comfortable at certain (COLD or HOT) seasons.? [And just for completeness, K4-K4 can happen too.]

Using the LAN, I can connect apps to the shack (either/both rigs) but a simple KVM switch is out of the question (too far away).? I have to remember to not run DXK when not active, so I can use any node.? While my preference is to keep apps (and MOST of the station) running, simply to avoid delay time of bringing them up (at least in the shack).? Even on my fastest computer, bringing up any database app (not just DXK) takes time (nature of the beast apparently).

All nodes are set to read from the same logbook file, living on the NAS (network drive) so all can update it as needed (only one active at any time).? (The NAS allows access when I'm not operating from home too.)

When I get an alert, I can go to the shack or operate from the nearest node (depending on my current activity or expectations of ease of contact, or seasonal comfort).? So being able to operate without concern for what other node/s are running DXK; would be a wanted feature.

-=-=-

A thought:
I may misuse or mix terms trying to explain this; please bear with me.

I have WSJT-X sending a broadcasts (254.0.0.1 address, not unicast 127.0.0.1) so it works with both JTAlert and/or GridTracker and/or SC (at the same time).? And/or, other logging apps.? (I'm in a transition state, mix and match, trying to evolve to one station system, else it's too complicated.)

Could it be made possible that one DXK node (the main shack computer) could act as a database server and each other node (running at the same time) are read only clients?? (Ditto the spot database, but we'll focus on logbook.)??

Then, any log entry made from any (client) node, any mode, would send a similar (WSJT style) broadcast to the server; which would log it into the one common logbook.? That broadcast would also tell the other (client) node/s "Hey, reload/update the logbook display, it's been updated" so each node displays log and spot (worked/needed) status correctly (everyone synched to the same page).

While I do not contest, if this could be done, it would appeal to that group as well (and the non-contest contest, Field Day).? Plus there is a fair amount of other activity based on HOA or other limitations; remote is popular; station sharing is real.

Comments:
There are also times that I operate both seats in the shack at the same time (different computer, bands and modes, i.e. a 6M opening while chasing HF DX); a server based model would more easily allow that too.??

Since WSJT-X doesn't require a rig control app, I can run it (same computer or not) while operating elsewhere, relying on the broadcast feature to update the log.? But that limits me to WSJT-X plus one (Commander managed) mode.

[And as pointed out, commander can only deal with one rig at any moment, so a second computer for other modes in those times, is the clear answer to that limitation.]

I have NO clue just how much effort that would be to allow mutli-point operations simultaneously, all synched; that's your arena.? Yep, I want it all hi hi and would urge your consideration of this.

Thank you for your help and rapid responses.

73,
Rick nk7i

On Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 04:51 PM, Dave AA6YQ wrote:

+ An alternative would be to replace the laptop with a third keyboard, monitor, and mouse all connected to your shack PC via a "KVM" switch.

Or log in N1MM and upload to DXK via N1MM-DXK gateway. Works with me on 2 seperate computers with N1MM and a third (small) computer which runs DX-Lab apps.

73

Aart PA3C

# more AA6YQ comments below

+ For what fraction of the current and prospective user community?

I don't know but given the increasing number of questions concerning
the matter I would suggest it is no longer a trivial fraction. In
addition, given the number of users that are known to use multiple
radios for contesting the percentage that would use the capability
if it was available is probably even higher

# Contesting is not DXing or general operating. I have yet to encounter a DXer or general operator who makes simultaneous QSOs in SSB, CW, RTTY, or PSK on two different radios.

?

+ Note that the DXLab's direct interoperation with WSJT-X supports multiple instances of WSJT-X running on multiple computers controlling multiple transceivers.

But that is limited to WSJTX direct and does not even support JT Alert
(which I find superior to "bare" WSJTX) not to mention other modes or
simple phone/CW operation from a second station (e.g., in a home
office or family room).

# The "second station" scenario can be accommodated with a Remote Desktop Application

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/RemoteControl

# or with a cloud storage application like OneDrive or GoogleDrive. While cloud storage applications may be problematic when attempting to switch from one PC to another immediately after logging a QSO, they are reliable when the switch is made between operating sessions.?

? ? 73,

? ? ? ? ? ?Dave, AA6YQ