Hi All,

I'm really excited to share the latest N3FJP Contest Software upgrades with you!

New Versions for All Major Contest Programs are Now Available!

The latest contest software enhancements (most of which were already in the last release of AC Log) include:

** Added CW Tab Sends Message (TSM) feature.

Saving two keystrokes per QSO may not sound like a lot, but it really creates a much smoother CW experience when running a frequency. To enable / disable the Tab Sends Message (TSM) option, press Ctrl + Shift + G from the main form. With TSM enabled, when you tab from the Call field, the F2 string will be automatically sent. When you press enter, the F3 string will be automatically sent.

The idea is to set up your F key strings like this (using W1AW as an example for the CQ World Wide contest exchange) for running a frequency:

F1: TEST W1AW
F2: $ 5NN 5 ($ is the wild card for the value you've typed in the Call field on the main form). With TSM enabled, the software will automatically send the exchange when you tab from the Call field, by pressing space bar or tab.
F3: TU W1AW The software will automatically send this when you press the Enter key to log the contact.

Please give this a try and practice a little bit. I think that once you get the hang of it, you are really going to love it!

** Additional DX Spotting menu items including spot on entry, jump to next spot on entry, band map, and large DX spots form.

All these features already existed as keyboard shortcuts, but you can now enable them using the menu options as well. Please note that the spot DX on entry and jump to next spot on entry option settings are always disabled when you launch the programs, since it is easy to forget they are on. You definitely won't want them enabled when you are running a frequency, but you probably will when you are in Search and Pounce mode. Remember, spotting stations helps you too, since you are directing guys to a station that is already in your log, so there may be less competition for the next station you are trying to work!

** Fire rig internal memories from F keys in CW mode when CW keying option not selected.

It is no longer necessary to select a CW keying option if you want to use your rig's internal memories (for rigs that support this feature).

** Flex users are now fed DX Spots directly, which will appear on their panadapters.

On the rig interface form, just select Flex API to enable rig interface and also receive the spot postings.

All these upgrades are free to registered users and available for all the contest software, except for the state QSO party programs. Lord willing, I hope to have these enhancements added to the state QSO party software in the next few months, too.

New Pennsylvania QSO Party Programs are Now Available!

PA In State 4.4 and Out of State 4.2 have been updated for the new contest rules and are now on the website. You'll find these free upgrades here.

Wordsmithing Contesting?

Have you ever tried communicating the joy, thrills and fun that radiosport brings to a new ham, much less a non ham friend? Is there a way to explain contesting in a concise, compelling and relatable way, so that they understand well enough to be excited and intrigued, without ever having experienced it first hand? If it is possible, it is well worth trying!

One of my goals has been to add a page on n3fjp.com that does just that, but I'm confident some folks here have better words than mine. If you would like to try a two or three paragraph explanation that effectively communicates why we love this stuff and you wouldn't mind me including your words (in whole or in part), please send along your prose!

Encouraging Club Contesting!

And speaking of the joys of contesting, I want to encourage everyone to consider setting up a local group (formally or informally) to enjoy the contest experience with your friends in real time. Sure, we like to see how we do overall, but our fun has increased multifold, primarily by keeping our text chat room open throughout the contest weekend, pulling together as a group and watching our local club leaderboard update in real time. You can learn lots more about how we do that here.

Please Submit Your Contest Logs!

Many folks have told me over the years that they love playing in contests, but for a variety of reasons never actually submit their logs to the contest sponsors. Submitting your logs to ARRL and CQ has never been easier and literally takes about two minutes. It's of great benefit to the contest sponsors to get a more accurate assessment of participation. Submitting your log helps me too, as some sponsors track usage of contest logging software. Besides, even if you place at the bottom, it is fun to see where you wind up and perhaps help you set a goal for next time. You may find out your are doing better than you think!

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 more than one hundred 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.