Hi All,

I'm usually quite excited to bring you news of new versions and features. Today's announcement isn't typical.

Yesterday afternoon, I was contacted by Fred Lloyd of QRZ, who wrote in part:

"The web site HamQTH.com stole a copy of our data and is now offering it for free." "Programs that facilitate the use of HamQTH.com are, in legal terms, are participating in "contributory infringement". Therefore, since your software is on the QRZ recommended logbooks list, I'd like to ask if you would consider withdrawing support for so-called "free lookups" from HamQTH.com."

I followed up with Fred, who substantiated his position by providing fictitious call signs, which QRZ has intentionally included in their data, to detect just such an occurrence. Sure enough, these call signs only appear on QRZ and HamQTH, but not on other data sources.

Obviously I can't support any service that participates in that sort of behavior. To do so would be akin to QRZ linking to a web site selling pirated copiers of my software (something I know Fred would never do). For these reasons, I have removed the HamQTH lookup feature in AC Log version 4.3.

Guys, I know this is disappointing news. It is for me too. Not only do I lose the lookup option myself, the days I spent coding the additional feature have been rendered worthless and it puts my software at a competitive disadvantage to other packages that continue to support HamQTH. You can be sure that should QRZ and HamQTH reach a mutual agreement and settle this issue, I will happily and promptly restore the HamQTH lookup feature.

On the brighter side, Amateur Contact Log 4.3 includes some minor tweaks and enhancements:

- You can now insert a space when you type the name if you first hold Shift as you press the space bar.

- With the Fill Fields Determined by Call function, if the Comments field is completely empty (zero length) AND if you have the Place Retrieved Address in Comments Field checked, the Comments field will be filled (depending on your data source).

Keep in mind, if you export from the contesting software or any other program, be sure to leave the default comment blank if you want to have the comment field populate when you run the AC Log function.

- I've corrected the RST default function for digital when Fill Fields Determined by Call is enabled.

- The LoTW setup page will now detect your TQSL path on first load and provide a selectable drop down list of station locations. I've also added more detail to our LoTW setup help page here: http://www.n3fjp.com/lotwhelp.html

As always, upgrades are free to registered users! Please download the latest from: http://www.n3fjp.com/aclog.html

And in response to the questions we always receive when we neglect to include the following in our e-mail announcements...

Package Upgrade Information...

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.

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. You'll find all the details on the Register Now page at www.n3fjp.com.

Donations are Gratefully Accepted!

And in response to the often asked question for which Kimberly and I are very grateful...

"I know your upgrades are free, but I also realize how much time and effort coding these enhancements and new programs take and that your pricing policy doesn't fully reflect that. Can I send you something to show my appreciation for your continued efforts?"

Yes, thanks so much, your continued support in any amount is very welcome and deeply appreciated! You can use this page:

http://www.n3fjp.com/donations.html

or send your contribution by mail, payable to Affirmatech Inc., to:

G. Scott Davis
118 Glenwood Road
Bel Air, MD 21014-5533

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Thanks!

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

73, Scott
N3FJP
http://www.n3fjp.com

Serving the Amateur Radio community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.