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Hi All,

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I have quite a list of exciting N3FJP Software and related announcements.? If you are interested in the future of N3FJP Software, but not necessarily everything in between, please be sure?to skip down to the bottom!

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Amateur Contact Log 3.1 is now ready for download from the AC Log page at !? Enhancements to the software include:

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- Updated for new QRZ lookup spec.? (The spec that 3.0 currently uses is still supported by QRZ, but may eventually be phased out).? No changes?have been made to the actual download data format.

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- Better display for larger, wide screen monitors.? You won't notice much difference on old style monitors, but the software now scales much better for new ones!

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- LoTW, QRZ and Buckmaster Passwords hidden by default.

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- Copy LoTW download to clipboard for easy transfer to a spreadsheet such as Excel.

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- Better LoTW download form column widths for larger displays.

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- LoTW column widths and order can be user customized.?? Just drag the columns in the order you like, adjust their widths as you prefer and click the Save Column Settings button on the LoTW form.

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- Files commonly edited by users are saved in your User Profile directory instead of working directory, in better compliance with Vista, Win 7 and future operating systems.

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- Create Backup now exports in ADIF.? ADIF is the most universal format and the best option for user saved backups.

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- Country files (Arrlpre2.txt and ADIFcnt.txt) are written to program files on install, but Shared, then User and thirdly Program Files are accessed on load, for easier user updates (click File > Show File Locations for details.)

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- Users can now change main form label fonts and sizes by clicking Settings > Appearance > Label Font

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- Users can now choose if they want to carry the comments data forward from a previous contact by clicking Settings > Carry Comments Data Forward.

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-? Users can easily see the location of all relevant files by clicking File > Show File Locations.

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-? For country lookup, Guantanamo bay only returned with 2X2 calls (this still needs to be incorporated into the contesting software).

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-? If users ever have a need to reindex their log, they can easily do so by clicking File > Reeindex log

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To upgrade to version 3.1, please do the following:

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-? Download and run the installation file from the AC Log page at .? Let the program install in its own working directory.? DO NOT attempt to install the program in the same directory as a previous version of AC Log.?

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-? Start AC Log 3.1 from the Windows Start menu in the N3FJP Software program group.

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-? When you start 3.1 for the first time, it will ask you if you are upgrading.? If you are and if you have an earlier version of AC Log on the same PC, answer Yes.? Otherwise, answer No and enter your password.? The upgrade process will bring over most of your settings automatically.?

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-? To transfer your log(s) from version 3.0 or earlier, from the menu options of the earlier version, for each log file, click File > Export ADIF Format.? Then, from AC Log 3.1, click File > Import ADIF format and select the file that you exported.? Your log will appear on import.? If you want to keep multiple imports in separate files, click File > New and enter the name you would like before each import.?

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It is imperative that you transfer your logs to 3.1 via ADIF.? Jim, AD1C,?has updated the names of some of the countries in the country list that accompanies ACLog version 3.1.? Transferring your data via ADIF will update the names in your log file automatically.? For more details on the changes, please see the documentation on Jim's website ().? Any questions on the specific content of the country list should be referred to Jim.

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-? If you are bringing over multiple logs, be sure to first click File > New from 3.1's menu options and enter the name of the file you would like to create for the data you are importing.

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-? If you are starting 3.1 fresh on a new PC, answer no to the upgrade question and enter your password.? To bring your log file from your old PC to the new one, from the old PC click File > Export ADIF to export your log.? Write the file to a portable medium.? Take the file to the new PC and click File > Import ADIF and the select the file.

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-? If you make a mistake, from 3.1, you can click File > Reset Counter and enter 0 (or the last record number you want to keep) to clear the contents of the currently listed records and then try again.

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Jim, AD1C is extremely vigilant in keeping the country lists current and issues updates often!? Because many folks have not subscribed to the Users group due to high volume, where Jim issues these updates and since his announcements are more frequent than what we had in mind for the very low volume Announcements Only group, there was a void in getting the word out regarding country updates.? Jim has filled that void with his creation of this new group.? Please subscribe if you would like to receive Jim's announcements of updates to the country list!

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We are very fortunate for all Jim does and I can't thank Jim enough!

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I have updated WXWarn, so that in addition to audio alerts of unfolding weather conditions for your local area, it will now maximize and move to the front, in case you were away from the PC when the alert was issued.? Add the types of weather alerts you would like the program to maximize on by clicking Settings > Alert and Display Options.? You can download WXWarn from my WXSpots website at .?

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As mentioned previously, Greg Dechant is reinvigorating K7RE RTTY, which interfaces with my software.? Greg is providing K7RE RTTY completely free!? It now no longer requires a password to run.? His new website is:? .? With the RTTY version of NAQP at hand, give it a try and see what you think!

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If you have been following along, you know that last fall, my employer made a contingent offer of an early retirement incentive, for which I barely qualified in terms of years of service.? Another requirement, that it appeared I could not meet,?was that they either had to be able to eliminate my function (they could not), or reorganize in a way that another person could assume my duties.? I was initially told the likelihood of being granted the incentive was slim and none.

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Long story short, through an amazing combination of circumstances aligning, I have been granted the opportunity to take the incentive and my first day of "retirement" will be this Thursday, March 1st!? Thank you all so much for your thoughts, encouragement and most of all your prayers during this time.? I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

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I need to qualify "retirement".? My dad lived to 93 and mom is going strong at 90.? I will just be turning 50 this year, so while no day is certain, Lord willing, I've got a long way to go.? I am viewing these events as an exciting career change!? I am nowhere near ready to watch the grass grow.? I have lots of goals and dreams that I can't wait to fully devote my time to!

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So, with that backdrop, and the preface that God and family will always come first, here is where we are and where we are going with N3FJP Software, as well as a little info on the other projects I have planned...

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-? After 6 months, I've finally completed the initial round of upgrades to the existing VB6 programs.? They now display better on larger, wide screen monitors and make it much easier to find your submission files on Vista, Win 7 and later operating systems.

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-? The next step will be the mammoth project of converting all my software to C#.net.? This will ensure that my software will continue to run on future operating systems beyond Windows 8.? It will also give me the opportunity to fully learn the C#.net language, as I am just getting started on that part of the learning process.

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Writing all my programs the first time around took the majority of weekends and evenings for nearly 7 years.? Hopefully this won't take that long, but it will certainly be a multi year project.

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-? While working on the C# conversion, I still plan to maintain the existing VB6 programs and maybe even add a program or two.? I also have some weather related software and a few other applications that I plan to maintain and eventually rewrite.

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-? You may have noticed the small Affirmatech logo on the new N3FJP Software splash screen.? In addition to Amateur Radio Logging Software, which will always be at the core of my activities, I am hoping to expand into other product lines with my family.? My two sons, Chris and Brad and daughter-in-law, Samantha, are all gifted programmers.? One of our dreams is to build a software business together.? Looking farther out, we are planning some Affirmatech software products.

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-? I am very interested in DIY solar and plan to continue that fascinating hobby as well.? You can see some of my recent YouTube videos on that here:

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Super Simple CPVC Collector:?

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Designing the Ultimate Solar Hot Air Collector:?

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-? Last, but definitely not least, I am continuing to immensely enjoy photography, nature and matching our pictures with uplifting biblical verses on our website at .? We are just getting started and still refining the concept, adding pictures and enhancing the website.? That is a really nice counterpoint to coding.

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So, I have an array of projects on my plate and I will definitely be a very busy guy.? The exciting part is that I am very enthused about them all and I am thrilled to be able to pursue my passions!

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Thanks for bearing with this long explanation.? I've received so many nice, encouraging sentiments from so many of you, as well as questions on the future goals for the software, that it seems the appropriate time to share my thoughts in detail.

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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.?

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As always, thanks for your kind words, support and spreading the word about our software. Kimberly and I really appreciate it!

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73, Scott & Kimberly
N3FJP & KAS3SEQ

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