TALKINGLOGBOOK

Copyright © 2005 - 2006 Stephen J. Gradijan, WB5KIA

TalkingLogBook (TLB) is a general purpose logging and rig control program, primarily for the visually impaired. It is written in Delphi Object Pascal. It has options for improving screen readability including the option of changing font size (very large or normal fonts are possible) and large size program tooltip hints. Turn on the synthetic speech capabilities and your PC can announce frequency and mode information from the radio and log book information. Keep speech off to operate as a typical CAT/logbook program.

The program is described in the May/June 2006 issue of QEX magazine.http://www.arrl.org/qex/2006/05/Gradijan.pdf TalkingLogBook has had several major improvements since the article was written. This Web page exists mainly to support the article. If you have a need for the program, you might consider the latest version described below rather than installing the files you find here. Download it from the NEW web page shown below.

TalkingLogBook has basic radio control capabilities. It can be used with several dozen versions of Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu and several other brand radios in automatic mode. Use it with any radio in manual mode (The frequency/mode information is selected on the logbook panel but all the other visual enhancement and audible features will work). The program announces time, frequency, mode and logbook fields and entries using the synthetic speech capabilities of Windows 98 and later (not 95). It works great with Windows Xp. A seperate hardware speech processor is NOT needed.

TLB can read files from other logging programs that use ADI files for data transfer and can convert its files to ADI.

If you are visually impaired or know someone who is, please pass this information on. I am hopeful this program might be useful to someone.

TLB is used in conjunction with a PC and PC controllable radio but CAN also be run in the manual mode.

NOTICE: TLB HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY TESTED ON WINDOWS Xp AND SHOULD WORK WITH OTHER VERSIONS OF WINDOWS LATER THAN WINDOWS 98 ( THE VERSIONS OF THE PROGRAM THAT HAVE the ARTIFICIAL SPEECH CAPABILITIES WILL NOT WORK WITH WINDOWS 95. TLBLIMITEDSPEECH IS ALMOST THE IDENTICAL PROGRAM WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL SPEECH AND IT WILL RUN ON WINDOWS 95!)

The following downloads are BETA copies. This means the program may still have some bugs in it, however, the program is COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL. The LICENSE is FREE.. I would like to receive comments on its
operations and suggestions for improvement. Error reports will be appreciated.

Version 1.0 of TLB Xp includes ability to command the logbook and radio with voice commands and is available at www.mysite.verizon.net/cloudyr/talkinglogbook

This is a preliminary Version 1.0 of the program but it installs both TLB and OmniRig with a single install file for Windows Xp users. SAPI 5.1 MUST be installed to use the voice command experimental features.

MOST USERS WILL ONLY BE INTERESTED IN THE VERSIONS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW BELOW

* - only available by e-mail request

For the requirements for each program, see the descriptions below before downloading to make sure you have the version appropriate for your station.

Original TLB and TLB Xp use the Microsoft Artificial Speech Engine. Limited Speech TLBwave uses wave files. TLB Xp manual works ONLY in manual mode (a single download). ARCS_TLB does not use OmniRig and is ONLY useable with a Kenwood TS-2000 and in conjunction with the ARCS II rig controller.

Why so many versions? I discovered that users have a lot of different radios and PCs. Some PCs can not handle artificial speech, some people can't download large files over the Internet. Use the program that is appropriate for you.

A special version that works with ARCS II (OmniRig not needed) and the Kenwood TS-2000 is in development but I will make a copy available if you send me an e-mail.

A special version that works only in manual mode and on Windows Xp (or any other Windows flavor provided that the Microsoft SAPI 5 is installed).

(TalkingLogBook LimitedSpeech (TLBwave) is a version of the same program with limited audio capabilities. TLBwave uses *.wave files instead of artificial speech to 'talk.' It WILL run on Windows 95 and has all the adjustable fonts and enlarged tooltips options.

Windows 98 and later Versions (0.943B) Original TLB (also called TLBbasic)

The speech version of TalkingLogBook REQUIRES two free 'helper' programs (OmniRig and TTSX) that may be downloaded from the sites described below www.dxatlas.com/omnirig and www.netdave.com/wa0ttn/TTSX1.asp. (For Windows Xp and users who have SAPI 5 installed already on their PCs, see the Windows Xp version below and avoid the 11Mb TTSX download.)

PROBLEMS DOWNLOADING FROM QSL.net. Sometimes trying later in the day will work.

DOWNLOAD --> TLB VERSION 0.943B 0.9Mb zipped (this is the version that has artificial speech.)

The zipped file is installed and uninstalled manually. The TTSX installs a subset of the Microsoft SAPI on PCs without it and provides communications functions on PCs that already have the SAPI installed.

This program REQUIREs that you download the two "helper" programs and install them. The Original TLB TalkingLogBook will not load if these helper programs are not present on your PC. It will give an error message without the 'helpers' so please install the other programs FIRST.This version works with Windows 98, ME, NT, Xp etc. (Original TLB and TLB Xp will not run on Windows 95-see below for a version that will).

Windows Xp Version (0.953B) ..also for Win 98 and later PCs that already have the Microsoft SAPI 5 installed. TLB Xp

Version 0.953B of TalkingLogBook, TLB Xp, is for Xp users or users who have Win 98 or later with SAPI 5 installed on a Windows 98 or higher operating system. It REQUIRES one free 'helper' program (OmniRig) that may be downloaded from www.dxatlas.com/omnirig . Windows Xp comes with the "Sam" voice 'installed'. If you have Win 98 or later, your PC may already have SAPI 5 installed. To find out if your PC already has the SAPI 5, go to start -> Settings -> Control Panel. If you have a Speech icon on the Control Panel and clicking on it indicates Microsoft English Recognizer v5.1 or v5.0, you have SAPI 5 and can use this version of TLB. If you do not have SAPI 5 and you have a fast Internet connect, see the WINDOWS SAPI 5.1 SDK discussion below to find out how to install all the SAPI features on your Xp or Windows 98 or later version of Windows.

With this version, you do NOT download the 11Mb TTSX control! The TTSX control is not used.

This version more features than in the original versions of the program and is the template for the final version of TalkingLogBook.

Downloading TLB VERSION 1.03 from http://myverizon.net/cloudyr/talkinglogbook may be a better option. Version 1.03 has a few more features including voice commands if SAPI 5.1 is installed on your PC and has an installer that loads TLB and OmniRig in one operation.

DOWNLOAD --> TLB Xp VERSION 0.953B 0.9Mb zipped

TLB Xp REQUIRES that you download the OmniRig "helper" program and install it. TalkingLogBook will not load properly if OmniRig is not installed on your PC. You will get an error message if you attempt to run TLB without installing OmniRig(the file is not corrupted).

Windows 95 Version TLBwave

The 'limited-speech' version of TalkingLogBook (TLBwave) REQUIRES one free 'helper' program (OmniRig) that may be downloaded from www.dxatlas.com/omnirig .

Speech announcements of your rig frequency and mode and some other limited announcements are available now for Windows 95 without the need for the Microsoft speech engine. The 'limited speech' version runs on Windows 95 or any other 32bit Windows version. Only the wave files that are needed for frequency and mode are presently included in this download. A seperate download will be provided by mid November with the necessary wave files to readback some of the information in the logbook too.

DOWNLOAD --> TLB WAVE VERSION 0.942B 0.9Mb zipped (this is the version that has artificial speech disabled, but uses wave files to provide limited audio responses.)

This program version REQUIRES that you download the OmniRig "helper" program and install it. TalkingLogBook will not load if OmniRig is not installed on your PC. This version should run with any version of 32bit Windows including Windows 95. If you like this version , only have Windows 95 and would like the full speech capabilities, send me an email to let me know. If I get more than a couple of requests, it is possible I will code a version that could run with Windows 95. Unfortunately a full featured 'talking' Windows 95 version using artificial speech will require considerable code revision since it would be coded for SAPI 4 which is very different than SAPI5.

The artificial speech controls still appear in TLBwave, but they will not be operative. If this version works for you, let me know and I will eventually spend the time to 'customize' it for Windows 95 users, provide better quality audio files and provide wave files that to make logbook announcements too.

This "limited" version REQUIRES that you download the OmniRig "helper" program and install it. TalkingLogBook will not load properly if OmiRig is not installed on your PC, you will get an error message (the file is not corrupted).

PLEASE DO NOT POST TalkingLogBook to other sites. Post a link to this site instead. TalkingLogBook is copyrighted. It is licensed. If you find the program useful, I would appreciate it if you could send an e-mail to me with your callsign and the words TalkingLogBook in the subject line to register and license your copy after you have downloaded and tested it. The license is free. My e-mail address :

While this program is still in the testing stage, it is fully functional. New versions will be posted to the web page as I get input from users. It is important if you have an interest in this program or had a problem loading or using the program that you send me an e-mail with your comments. It is the ONLY way the program will be improved.

CHANGE LOG

NEW there is a version of the program called TLBwave that has a limited speech capability but runs on Windows 95, see above. Its speech capability/vocabulary will be increased if users tell me what they need.

NEW there is a version of the program called TLB Xp that does not need the 11Mb TTSX download, see above.

NEW there is a version of the program that works with ARCS II, the Kenwood TS-2000 controller. This is in early development. Send me an email if you would like to try it.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING THESE ANY OF THESE FILES ON A CD ROM OR WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE MORE VOICES, please send me and e-mail .

Version 0.951B changes, the TLB Xp version (posted 7 November):

• Some ADI files created with other logging programs were not loading properly into TalkingLogBook. Changes were made to ensure that ADI files from the following logging programs will load into TLB properly:
  • CT
  • EQF
  • DigiPan
  • Logic
  • TRX
  • WF1B
  • TLB
  • Possibly others.

  If you have an *.adi file that does not load, let me know. Send a sample (a text file of the header information and the first few QSOs of the log is all that is necessary) of your stubborn adi and I will code a future version of TLB to work with it. Unfortunately, ADI is an adhoc standard and developers have lots of flexibility on how they present the data. The logbook coding needs to be able to trap all the exceptions and variability built into the protocol.

• Procedure to set the default logbook was changed. The default log is now selected from a list of existing log book files.
• Created an installer for this version. No zip files to work with. Select program from START-> Programs or from Desktop Shortcut after installation. Use the Windows built-in facility to remove the program.

Version 0.942B changes, the Original TLB and TLBwave versions (posted 7 November):

• Some ADI files created with other logging programs are not loading properly into TalkingLogBook. This has been fixed in 0.951 and will be fixed in 0.942 soon if I receive comments from anyone using these versions of the programs.

Version 0.950B changes, the TLB Xp version (posted 1 November):

• Added ability to change Speech Rate and Volume from within TalkingLogBook (see Set panel).
• Added ability to select the Voice (provided more than one is available on your PC). Xp comes 'standard' with Microsoft 'Sam'. Control is on the Set panel.
• Voices are now asynchronous. They can be paused and skipped using three control buttons on the main form.
• Problems regarding enunciation of Maidenhead Grid Squares solved. All letters/characters sounded out.
• RST signal reports now read as 5 5 9 instead of 559 as each character is enunciated seperately.
• Both the Up/Down Arrow keys and the Left/Right Arrow keys navigate on the logbook and edit spreadsheets AND announce logbook information. Previously announcements occurred only using the Left/Right Arrows when not using the mouse to select logbook grid cells.
• Corrected problem reading some of the entries on the ShortCut form.
• If you use Xp or if the SAPI speech files are already loaded on your Win 98 or later PC, it is no longer necessary to download and install TTSX. TLB Xp works without TTSX.
• Added a frequency increment change control to adjust the frequency change when using the Frequency Up and Frequency Down buttons to control the radio's frequency.
• Now comes with Oct.2005 cty.dat country files.

Version 0.942B changes, the Original TLB and TLBwave (posted 1 November):

• Limited Speech (TLBwave) version is available that uses wave files instead of the Microsoft SAPI 5 Speech Engine to provide audible announcements. TLBwave runs on older PCs with Windows 95 or later. It reads the rig frequency and mode at present and may eventually read some of the logbook fields. It still uses OmniRig which MUST be installed prior to running TLB.
• Now comes with Oct.2005 cty.dat country files.

Version 0.942B changes (posted 26 Oct):

• Fixed HintBox shortcut.. The shortcut is now Alt+H
• Provided a shortcut to the Window Volume Control on the Toolbar SPEECH MENU (the shortcut is Ctrl+V).
• Corrected the About Box link to the TTSX program.
• Prevented the possibility of running multiple instances of TalkingLogBook. Only one copy is permitted in use at a time. The new code prevents multiple instances of the program.
• Provided a Toolbar MENU to the Windows Notepad program (You can call up Notepad in the Tool MENU).
• Help files updated to reflect these changes.
• No speech version created
• Installer program created for the original program.

Version 0.941B changes:

• Improved NEW LogBook create functionality
• Shortcut Review screen added
• Large ToolTips Window added
• Enhanced ToolTips
• Access to Microsoft Magnify and On-Screen Keyboard available from TLB
• Additional Help Files
• More SET features are configurable
• Additional controls have ToolTip hints
• Enhanced Frequency Memories

Report problems, suggestions for improvement etc to my e-mail address.

-Thanks,

Steve, WB5KIA

WINDOWS SAPI 5.1 SDK

TalkingLogBook works with the Microsoft "Sam" artificial voice provided by the TTSX control in version 0.942B and which is also included with Windows Xp. If you want to try out the additional voices or to use version 0.950B with Windows 98 and later, consider loading the SAPI 5.1 SDK described below.

Microsoft's "Mary" and "Mike" voices are free from Microsoft. The additional voices are in a file on the Microsoft Developers Web Pages called Sp5TTIntXP.msm that is used by developers to distribute the artificial "voices." Special developer software I do not have is required to make the file usable on a target PC. Sorry, I can not provide them. However, these voices are added to a user's PC when the entire free Microsoft Software Development Kit (SDK) is installed on a PC. The SDK is over 68 Mb and can be either downloaded for free or obtained on disk from Microsoft for a nominal fee. Download the Speech SDK 5.1 at http://www.microsoft.com/speech/download/SDK51 . Read the readme.htm file by double-clicking it. Note that Window's Xp already has a version of the SAPI 5 SDK --- this version is newer and provides the additional voices.

Install the SDK as per instructions (run the setup.exe). The install places an icon called "Speech" in the Windows' Control Panel on Windows 98 and later versions.

Version 0.953B of the TalkingLogBook is able to change the voice from the Set panel using a dropdown combo box. However, version 0.943B users can change the voice as follows: Select and double-click the "Speech" icon from the Control Panel. Go to the "Text To Speech" tab and make a "Voice" selection. Finally, click the "Apply" button at the bottom of the window. Now, when you run the TalkingLogBook, the voice you selected will be used for artificial speech. You can also use the Microsoft Utility Manager (Programs-> Accessibility-> Utility Manager) to change the voice. I prefer the "Mike" and "Mary" voices.

Windows SAPI 5.1 is NOT for Windows 95 users. It is possible to code TLB to use SAPI 4 SDK with Windows 95 but the TalkingLogbook is not presently configured to make use of SAPI 4. So far, there has not been a demonstrated need for a version able to work with SAPI 4.

updated 25 April 2006