Hi All,
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In 1976 at 14 years old, a local family friend took my Dad and me to a Field Day?site and started this wonderful adventure, so it is with special excitement that I share the announcement for this upgrade:
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Field Day Contest Log 4.0 is Now Available!
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This program is the next in the series of C#.NET rewrites, is networkable?and replaces both Field Field Day Contest Log 3.0 and Field Day Network Log?2.7.?
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You'll find the new Field Day?Contest Log software on the Field Day link at .? As always, upgrades are free to registered users.? This includes either the previous contest or network versions and of course our N3FJP Software Package users!
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Until Field Day Contest Log 4.0?has a contest under its belt, you'll find both the new version
and the older, tried and true VB6 versions on the website. Field Day Contest Log 4.0 is
brand new, better, has additional features not found in the VB6 versions and
represents the future of N3FJP Software. It is also completely new code - every
single line of it!? While the template has been tested extensively and the new,?C#.NET?versions for
NAQP, CQ 160 and International DX?performed very well during those contests, this will be
the first use as applied to Field Day. It is quite possible that a
contest specific bug or two remain to be found, so I want to give you the option
of using the VB6 version if you prefer.
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Here are a few considerations to help you decide:
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- For networking, everyone in your group must all either use
the old VB6 version, or the new C# version. You will not be able to mix and
match and update a single common data file in a networked environment. The old,
VB6 version will not be able to update the .MDB log file used by the new
version, and vice versa.? If you do run a combination, you'll have to transfer your data via ADIF.
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- The new version will not run on Win 95 and operating systems prior to XP have been minimally?tested. The C#.NET template from which the
new Field Day software was created also produced programs for NAQP, CQ 160 and
ARRL International DX so far this year. The programs ran with great success in
those contests, but I suspect any operating systems used prior to XP were
extremely limited. Given the minimal testing on pre XP systems, I would
recommend staying with the VB6 version if you are still running an older
operating system, prior to XP.
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- The new rewrite screen layout is very similar to the old version, but it
was designed with wide screen monitors in mind. It looks okay on the older,
narrow width format monitors, but shines on the newer ones. Check it out on
all the PCs you plan to use in advance, just to make sure it plays well with
your screen size and resolution.
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- The new version will key your CW interface by your serial port or USB to
serial adapter (or Winkeyer), but since parallel ports are now extremely rare, parallel ports are not currently supported in the new version.
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- If you plan to interface directly with K7RE RTTY, you must use the VB6
version.? C#.NET no longer supports the communication protocols we used in VB6 that allow
the programs to talk to each other. If you would like to help make K7RE RTTY
compatible with the new, C# versions of my software, please contact Brian, K7RE
here: briank7re@.... Brian would love to hear from you and really
appreciate your help!? If you will be using another digital program, you can transfer your
contacts to the new version via ADIF, provided your digital program exports all
the necessary fields.
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-? The new rewrite requires Microsoft .NET 4.0 client or later.? If you have an operating system later than XP, or if you have been keeping up with Windows XP updates, you likely already have what you need.? If you haven't, when you install the software, if it doesn't find .NET 4.0 Client or later, it will install it for you automatically from Microsoft's website, but this will require an Internet connection, so don't wait until you are at your Field Day site, without Internet, to do the installation!
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Whether you ultimately decide to use the new version this year or stick with the old for one more year, please?download the new version, install it on all the machines you use for Field Day each year (well in advance of the contest) and give it a try, so you can have a good sense of the program for the future!
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And in response to the questions we always receive when we neglect to
include the following in our e-mail announcements...
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Package Upgrade Information...
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If you have registered one or more individual programs and would like to
upgrade to N3FJP's Software Package or N3FJP's Software Package and CD for full
use of all our Amateur Radio software, we would be glad to apply the amount that
you have registered so far as a credit towards that purchase. Please send us an
e-mail directly and we'll let you know your balance.
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N3FJP's Software Package includes approximately 50 programs for contesting,
net management, general logging and other Amateur Radio related applications. In
addition to full use of all these programs, registered package customers are
also entitled to receive free passwords for any new software that is added to
the package and free upgrades to existing programs. You'll find all the details
on the Register Now page at
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Donations are Gratefully Accepted!
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And in response to the often asked question for which Kimberly and I are
very grateful...
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"I know your upgrades are free, but I also realize how much time and
effort coding these enhancements and new programs take and that your pricing
policy doesn't fully reflect that. Can I send you something to show my
appreciation for your continued efforts?"
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Yes, thanks so much, your continued support in any amount is very welcome
and deeply appreciated! You can use this page:
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or send your contribution by mail, payable to Affirmatech Inc.,?to:
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G. Scott Davis
118 Glenwood Road
Bel Air, MD 21014-5533
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Thank you so much for your continued support!
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Thanks!
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As always, thanks for your kind words, support, linking to our website and
spreading the word about our software. Kimberly and I really appreciate it!
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73, Scott
N3FJP
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Serving the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.