Dean,

Sorry I didn't check back here after I posted that.  I DL'ed the latest version of MicroDEM and I managed to make terrain files for HFTA - I agree that the directions provided in HFTA aren't exactly right for the new version, and I'm not sure I could repeat it without stumbling around a bit trying things, but it definitely can be done.

Dennis KD8BIZ (now AI8P)

Howdy gurus,

I am thinking about getting a GPS for APRS and I think that as long as I am buying a unit I would also like to get some advantage on the competition for foxhunting.

I need a GPS unit, or software in conjunction with a GPS that will do triangulation.   On a foxhunt, I would like to enter headings on the GPS from several locations and then put a waypoint where the headings cross or at least see on the map where it is so that I can find the fox faster.

Is there anything like this out there?  I assume a GPS with a compass feature can give me the headings.

Thanks for your consideration

Dennis KD8BIZ

<< How much postage did you put on your SASE?

$0.39, in case it didn't get mailed until after the rates went up in January - I assumed he had a domestic manager when he indicated via a domestic callsign

The nasty note was mailed to me using my SASE with no additional postage required. So obviously there was sufficient postage on the envelope for him to send me a QSL card other than returning my own.

A better plan would have been for him to just not reply.  It does limit his opportunity to display his arrogance  however.

Dennis KD8BIZ

I am a new ham this year, got my Tech ticket in April, got my General in July, got my Extra in December.

I have worked a few contests trying for WAS and DXCC.

Today the "Spirit of Christmas" arrived.   I had worked TG9NX on Oct 29 and sent a QSL card and SASE to him via N4FKZ, which was what was listed.   I have sent out about 500 QSL cards so far.  I received my QSL card back with the following paper enclosed:

Begin Quote:

Dear O.M.:

We need your help to improve our QSLing system.  What was it that went wrong with you?  Why didn�t you send enough funds for us to process your QSL card?  To the point of exhaustion, the operator tells everybody:  ï¿½If you need a QSL card the information for QSLing is only OK on QRZ.com on the internet.

Please choose from the following options what was the problem:
1) I didn�t hear the information
2) I don�t know what QRZ.com is.
3) I ignore what a mail drop is.
4) I don�t have a computer
5) It is in my nature to try to get everything for free.
6) Everything has to be my way.
7) People who charge for shipping and handling should be put to death.
I trust no one from Latin American.
9) My budget only allows me to QSL with two 36cent stamps or by bureau.
10) It is in my genes to contradict everything.
11) I was so drunk when I make the contact that I don�t remember anything.
12) I believe that the final courtesy of a QSO is a free QSL card.
13) If I only had a brain.
14) I�m trying to think but nothing happens.
15) I am a Moron Tried and True.
16) W0SF a.k.a. B0ZO is my hero.

EndQuote

I went to QRZ.com and found that this guy is DXCC 5 band, etc, etc.  I guess he is just too much of a bigshot to deal with guys like me (no - I don't know what a "mail drop" is).

He could have just thrown my card out and left it at that but since he is such a BIG IMPORTANT MAN, he felt he needed to try to humiliate someone who didn't understand the system.  

Well, they say Ham Radio is dying - I wonder why that could be.

Think about if you have ever had a contact with TG9NX - and think about calling the DXCC desk and telling the ARRL that you made a mistake and that those contacts really shouldn't count.   Take away his BIG 5BDXCC and see if maybe he can adjust his attitude if HE needed QSL cards.

Merry Christmas, I know I'm feeling the love.

Dennis KD8BIZ

FYI

I found and DL'ed a newer version of the program and now it is working.

The original version I had came with the ARRL Antenna Book - so if you get that be sure to upgrade your MicroDem software.

KD8BIZ

Elmers,

I am trying to do a little Terrain modelling with HFTA.  As a start I am trying to DL NED data from seamless.usgs.gov and use MicroDem to generate the profiles to use in HTFA.

The directions I have from HFTA, say to DL in TIFF format - this isn't strictly a choice on the site as it only offers a GeomTiff.

I have DLed several of these, and everytime I try to read them with MicroDem, I get an error msg of:

Not acceptable DEM

Any ideas on how to get a NED that MicroDEM will accept?

Thanks for any help.

Dennis KD8BIZ

Well, I'm back again.   I got ahold of an official ARRL Field Checker here in Ohio - can't remember his call, and I am at work so I don't have the info with me - he indicated that my cards with PC-generated labels were perfectly acceptable, no signature or stamp whatsoever was required, but it was always welcome.

So, based on that, I conclude that signature or stamp is DEFINITELY NOT REQUIRED.  

All that being said, I have acquired a stamp and am using it on all my cards, also signing any critical cards with a handwritten plea for a return card (with a SASE, of course).

So my first 450 cards went out to Buro without signature or stamp (besides, what DX really needs OHIO?)

KD8BIZ

I'm a new ham and new to DXing - I have started into contests and I am about to send my first batch of 400 QSL cards to the Buro, and about 60 domestic for WAS.

I bought a simple card with my info on the front, and I print out computer labels with all the QSO content and paste these on the back.

Do I need to sign or stamp these QSLs for them to be valid.  My local Elmer indicated he does, but I wonder why this isn't mentioned anywhere - I have searched the Internet, the ARRL, Operating Manual, everything I can find about QSLing and this is never mentioned.

Please advise

Confusedly yours,

KD8BIZ

Dave,

I have discovered DXKeeper, and I agree, it seems to meet most of my needs.   I have DL'ed and checked out a few other loggers, but nothing seems as close to meeting all my needs as DXKeeper, so I have switched to it.  I also prefer it's layout - it makes sense to me.  I'll still use WriteLog for contesting, but DXKeeper seems my best option for tracking my awards and QSLing.

Now if I could just figure out how to do a SQL filter that would show me all the records that the ADDRESS field is less than 3 lines.  ;-)

Thanks for the reply

Dennis KD8BIZ

Gurus,

I am using WriteLog for RTTY contesting and in a short time I have accumulated a fair amount of QSO's.  At this point I have exported them all into XMLog, but I am not locked into this.

I am dismayed at the possibility of having to select each of 600 QSO's in XMLOG, hit CTRL-L to look up in the Callbook, then possibly manually look it up in GoList if needed, then either click button to Copy to QSO, or manually cut and paste into the address field from GoList.

What I want is software that will do all this in batch mode - I want something that will at least look up every QSO in the Callbook and fill in all the fields (so I can see how far I am on WAS, for instance) - and possibly identify all the QSO's that it didn't find in the Callbook so I can handle them manually.  

In a perfect world, the software would also check GoList and then lookup the Manager address in the Callbook and plug all this in for me.

I also would like software that will separately track LOTW confirmed vs QSL card confirmed, because LOTW is only good for DXCC.  I looked at DX4WIN, but it seems to make me choose that "confirmed" means either LOTW or cards - I think LOTW and QSL card should be separate fields, each of which could be empty/submitted/confirmed.

Is there any logging software out there that will do all this??   I mean do all this in batch mode - not hit a bunch of keystrokes for each QSO?

Thanks for any ideas.

KD8BIZ

Hey,

I can't get to qsl.com, where the mods are listed (is it dead?).  Does anyone have a copy of the mods for the Argosy - I just picked up one and I actually need the data so I can check what mods it already has.

thanks to anyone with this information

KD8BIZ

Hey,

I can't get to qsl.com, where the mods are listed (is it dead?).  Does anyone have a copy of the mods for the Argosy - I just picked up one and I actually need the data so I can check what mods it already has.

thanks to anyone with this information

KD8BIZ