DX Hunter Features
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DXHunter features
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DXHUNTER'S FEATURES
*DXHUNTER is a DOS, shareware, freely distributable program for PC and
TNC modem (note: no BAYCOM modem support), for DX CLUSTER users.
You can run DXHUNTER in a DOS session simultaneously with your
favourite programs, such as your log: PIF and ICO files are included,
to use the program under Windows, so you'll not have to abandon your
dear old LOG program, when adopting DXHUNTER.
*Automatic DXCC data import from different log types (such as DXBASE,
TOPLOG, EASYLOG...).
*Alert on New Ones: you can set an alert type and an alert duration;
you can choose between 5 different new one classes to accept (cell,
band, mode, band/mode, total). Allowed alert types are SOUND, MUSIC,
CW and VOICE; the CW and VOICE alert types execute the spelling of the
alerted spots (call and frequency) also on the PC speaker, making it
possible to remotize alert events via radio.
*You can enable the announcement of any incoming spot, wich will be
performed in CW or VOICE, by spelling spot's call and frequency, also
on the PC speaker (useful for people who are blind).
*Some special features allow you to decide which alerts to accept, at
a spot's CALL/FREQUENCY level; the band planning can be adjusted to
your needs.
*Automatic connection/reconnection to the DX CLUSTER, also via an
unlimited number of intermediate nodes: your presence is not needed,
even when the link drops.
*Antitimeout function, to avoid inactivity disconnections.
*A monitor mode function allows you to operate also when disconnected;
a smart anti spot repetition function avoids identical spots display
(this filter is active also when operating in connected mode, to avoid
looped spots repetition). The monitor mode function supports also the
special spot format used on forward links, between cluster nodes!.
*Incoming new ones are saved apart, on an active list: once you select
an item from this list, you can play it (in CW or VOICE), you can send
its frequency to your RTX via RS232; the spots that currently result
to be more probable (because they were received into a one hour window
centered on current z time) are displayed marked.
*DXPED and SKED reminder, with automatic deletion of expired events:
when a DXPED becomes active a visual warn is displayed; when a SKED
becomes active, a phone-like alert is executed.
*Prefix recognition without errors: the DXHUNTER is probably the best
in the world in recognizing simple or slashed prefixes; if you keep
the data base updated, by adding or deleting prefixes when needed,
you'll get the best from this program. An on line prefix check
function, allows you to check for any prefix getting useful info such
as country name, needs, heading, QRB, sunset and sunrise.
*Filter on far away originated spots: some DX CLUSTERS collect spots
being originated from far away sites (i.e. spots coming via the
Internet); very often the far away originated DXes are not feasible
for you; if you want to exclude alerts on these spots, you can act on
the originating field (DX de...) by filtering any originating country
you want (unwanted spots will not be alerted but still displayed,
anyway).
*Remote control on RTX via RS232 port. This control includes frequency
and mode setting on the RTX; the control can be manual (you manually
type in the desired frequency and mode) or fully automatic (linked to
the last received spot or the new one list).
*Voice keyer (Sound Blaster like card needed): you can record up to 10
voice messages on the fly and then send them back with a snap, with
PTT activation on a selected COM or LPT port.
*Audio loop recorder (Sound Blaster like card needed): you can record
up to 25/30 seconds of audio onto a circular RAM buffer (thus without
disturbing your Hard Disk); you can keep your recording session
working for unlimited time; at any time you'll be able to play back
the last 25/30 seconds of the current recording, marking audio
portions to relisten, with saving capability; you can also select a
slower or faster playback with 12 speed levels: useful for CW/Scatter
relisten. A switch signal to redirect audio to headphones is
included.
*Text and audio file capture/storage functions (for audio features a
Sound Blaster like card is needed); a multimedia text/audio
archiviation program is included; during the audio playback an
hardware switch is activated, to redirect the audio to the headphones.
*Automatic CW Key (from 5 up to 100 WPM); you can simulate your CW key
with very regular transmission with simple keystrokes or recalling
preset strings; the key switch is performed via a selected COM or LPT
port, in a CT like standard.
*Unlimited spot word search function; you can search for any word you
want on an entire DX spot, or just on the comment field; you can also
search for IOTA or LOCATOR strings in the comment field; when a
searched word is found, an alert is executed.
*Full support for communication ports with non standard IRQ & AD.
*RF disturb robustness: some programs block when RF disturbs the
serial port; the DXHUNTER simply warns you that you're causing RF
disturbs and you might loose data.
*Screen capacity selectable, up to 50 text lines.
*Automatic talk reply in NOHERE state: you can set a standard message
that will be automatically sent as an answer to anybody attempting to
talk to you, when you are in a NOHERE state, and a flashing led will
be activated to warn you.
*Save disk space option (when enabled, all the lists are kept limited
in size).
*Night mode feature, with blank screen operation (the screen is
restored when an alert occurs or at user's keystrokes).
*Minimum hardware requirements (the program runs on any PC, from 8088
up, also from floppy disk).
*Different acoustic signalling of DX spots, talks, or other messages.
*TCP connecting facilities such as autologin, autopassword, autotelnet
and so on...
*Link to DXTelnet, in order to get and analyse spots directly received
via the Internet.
*Self documented functions, with on line brief help comments in
english language; a printable, justified and page formatted ASCII
manual in english language is also included; the manual is schematic
and complete at the same time; it has been divided into different
sections for easier info retrieval (italian language program and
manual also available upon request); the manual also includes some
schemes to build the simple required interfaces (PTT, audio switch,
RS232<>TTL to drive the RTX).
This, and much more, make the DXHUNTER a unique program.
Believe me, it will raise up your score dramatically.
Many big DXers (scores over 310) are currently using the DXHUNTER with
success and satisfaction: they consider it an indispensible DX tool.
What's new.
From 5.0 to 5.1
*Added (in F6 check prefix function) direct and reciprocal antenna
heading calculation (short/long path), QRB calculation (short/long
path, in Km and Miles), Sunrise and Sunset calculation.
*Added some automatic-connection string enhancements, to fit
autotelnet, autologin, autopassword, autodummy characters, when
connecting foreign DX Clusters via TCP nodes, see TCP&TIPS.TXT for
details.
*The antitimeout command now can be set into COMMANDS.INI (last line).
*The antitimeout period now can be selected in a range of 1 to 400,
with 1 minutes steps.
*Added the incoming talk flashing led: it becomes active when a talk
is received in NOHERE state (any arrow key to switch it off).
*Incoming talks are now recognized also when the correspondent uses
the talk mode (T YOURCALL Enter, Text, Ctrl-Z).
*The loop recorder allows now 12 playback speed levels to decode meteo
scatter burst.
*A monitor password can be requested instead of a monitor disk.
New files: WAIT.EXE (usage: WAIT hh.mm, a utility to put into batch
files to start DXHUNTER at programmed times, see TCP&TIPS.TXT)
LOCATOR.EXE (a program used by DXHUNT when pressing F6); LOCATOR.INI
(holds your location and all DXCC countries with all the coordinates;
it is used by LOCATOR.EXE calculations; you'll have to edit it and set
your location for proper working); TCP&TIPS.TXT (with suggestions &
workarounds); WHATSNEW.TXT (this file); 6M&VHF.TXT (how to use
DXHUNTER outside HF bands).
From 5.1 to 5.2
*The program can be linked directly to DXTelnet, to get and analyse
spots directly received via the Internet, see DXTelnet.TXT for info.
*When quitting the program, you can exit to DOS directly, by pressing
X, after Alt-X.
*Now the program behaves as full featured during the first 30 minutes
of freeware sessions (istead of 5 minutes).
New files: DXTelnet.TXT (containing info about how to link DXHUNTER
to DXTelnet); 2SERIALS.TXT (containing info about how to use DXHUNTER
on 2 simultaneous connections, via 2 serial ports)
For more details, read the manual sections into the DOC directory.
THE DXHUNTER: THE SOFT WAY OF HUNTING!!!.
For any comment or suggestion please contact me:
"IK4VYX -- Fabrizio Sartoni"
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