DXLab SpotCollector

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This page shows the operation of the Spot Collector

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This spot collector is easy to use and you can get a very clear picture of what you need and who uses LoTW & eQSL . I do like Ve7CC-1 but it does not interface to DXLabs, I actually leave it running in the background because it is very configurable to specific needs and alerts me when they come up.

Spot Collector display explained.
Click here for online help
I selected this because it displays almost all the variations of color and background.

bulletYellow background indicates LoTW, pink indicates eQSL & blue is both. DXView shows last time of LoTW upload.
bulletIf the text is black it indicates you have worked and confirmed it. Country Progress shows status of country/entity.
bulletBlue text indicates worked but unconfirmed.
bulletRed text indicates it is needed as a new band, mode or country. Country Progress will indicate a U if a new entity.
bulletAll of the display columns are configurable and can be moved.
bulletClick once on a spot and it will display information in DXView, double click will also change the radio frequency.
bulletClick here for WWV info on SFI etc.
bulletTop line on the Spot Collector shows the version, local date and time in Zulu, connected programs and the log name.
bulletOutgoing Spot allows for posting note to cluster.
bulletSpot sources shows how many sources you have active, I have DX Spots and EI7MRE and VE7CC. You can add up to 6 but 3 is enough.
bulletSort according to indicated parameters, I have mine set to receive, Rcv.
bulletFilter band & mode, is good for monitoring events such as the W1AW centennial stations. I set it to WiAW/* to see the currently broadcasting stations.
bulletEverything in the filter outline is there to limit the display to areas of interest. If you know SQL you can also define your own filters.
bulletColor codes we have already discussed.
bulletNo matter what filters you select you can always return to the standard display by clicking on the X to the right of the filter box.
bulletIf in doubt click on the Help button and it will take you to the online help manual.
 

The following will show some of my configuration and function screens

Band Filter

I usually do not check Transceiver Band Only because I want to see what's going on for all the bands of interest. You can see all the bands I'm interested in and that will be displayed in the SC. You can also set start and stop times as well as the maximum distance for each band.

Continent filter

the Cont button allows you to select the continents you are interested in.

Origin filter

The Origin button allows you to select the areas of origin you are interested in.

History

SFI, A & K plots for a 24 hour period.

Spot Statistics

Unique spots by band  & continent for the last 60 min.

Propagation button

Propagation based on all spot collector entries for 24 hours.

Filter and analyze from the Prop screen above.

From the propagation screen you can set the distance from your QTH

Report function

This will give you a complete analysis of your spot database. Above is a partial display of the text file.

The following are my Spot Collector configuration screens.

General

This screen sets the general behavior of the Spot Collector. One important item to note is the Digital Mode Application. By default winwarbler is set as the default app but if you prefer Multipsk the type it in here. You will have to make sure it is installed and running before you connect.

Spot Sources

Spot Database Display

What you see on the Spot Collector display is configured here.

Spot Database



I strongly recommend you prune database on startup and keep it to 1 day of spots. If you do not the database will groe and it will take several minutes to start-up, very annoying!

Overrides

Here are examples of when to use the overrides. K9W was showing u as a US contact, the override forced it to Wake. VK0JJJ was showing up as Macquarie Is when in fact it is Antarctica.

Email Alarm

You can configure for email alerts for any number of resons but there is no text alert as yet.

Audio Alarm

You can configure an audible alarm for a variety of needs.

Special Callsigns

When you need a special call sign announcement.

Spot Source Display

This allows you to color code your source.

TNC Serial Port

Configuration screen for serial terminal controllers.

That takes care of the Spot Collector.