Hi All,

Chris, Kimberly and I are excited to let you know that...

ARRL Int DX Contest Log Upgrades are Now Available for HamDash!

ARRL International DX Contest Log 5.1.4 (for USA and Canadian users) and ARRL International DX Contest Log 3.7.4 (DX Version for users outside of the USA and Canada) are now available! These upgrades include:

- Support for HamDash
- Ability to sort the Notes list (Ctrl + H) by clicking on the column header

As always, upgrades are free to registered users. If you are currently running a version of our software released after January 2021, it should detect the new upgrade and offer to retrieve it for you on start. If you have any problem with the automatic upgrade, or you are running an older version, you can install the latest version directly from the web site.

HamDash - The Better, Stronger, Faster Version of Club Score Processor!

You're probably wondering what HamDash is all about. In short, HamDash is a new club (or individual) platform for enjoying contests with your friends and club members, as you each operate from home. HamDash is vastly improved over our existing Club Score Processor program. It displays real time scores throughout the contest and updates as you enter each QSO. It displays fun status graphics, a ticker of calls being worked and a leader board that can be easily filtered just for your buddies or club!

HamDash can be enabled in one click! Your friends or club no longer need web hosting space and you don't have to configure and run our legacy Club Score Processor software anymore! It couldn't be easier for a seasoned contester or first timer to join in the fun with HamDash!

I've always loved contesting, but before I created Club Score Processor, I really missed sharing the experience on contest weekends. I've written at length how contesting virtually together, using Club Score Processor as a team and seeing our buddy's scores and achievements in real time has really reinvigorated our local club. ARRL even published my article on it in August 2016! There's lots more on that here:

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

And here:

http://www.n3fjp.com/help/clubcontesting.html

One of our goals has been to provide Club Score Processor functionality with a one click solution and no user supplied web space required. We believe that we have achieved it with HamDash! Now, any individual or club can easily join in the HamDash fun!

Rather than going on with a lengthy description, whether you are in a club or not, please try HamDash in ARRL DX SSB this weekend and experience it first hand! The more the merrier!

Configuring HamDash in N3FJP Software

After you download the contest software, please click Settings > Setup and select SSB (since the contest this weekend is SSB). Then click Settings > Web Contest Upload > Other Online Sites. By the HamDash (N3FJP Scoreboard) option on the upper left, click Test. You should see a 200: OK message. Aside from leaving HamDash enabled, that is all you have to do. Just operate the contest normally and enjoy HamDash!

The HamDash Display

You can visit HamDash anytime before the contest to test your upload and see how you are doing during the contest here:

https://hamdash.affirmatech.com/

Just click on ARRL Inter. DX Contest SSB to view your data upload.

As you enter a QSO, you should see your score flash green and update almost immediately. It is fine to test before the contest with test data, which will clear when the contest starts. You just won't see the rates display until the contest becomes active. While the contest is active, you will see additional columns including the graphics, rates and optionally frequencies.

At the HamDash site, click the gear button for your settings. You can select different display themes, enter your call and select a club for the other club members to be indicated by a club graphic. You can filter for just your club members as well. You can also select the option for Non-Assisted view, which will hide the frequency displays, if you plan to operate Non-Assisted.

A few other usage notes about HamDash..

- If you don't see your club in the drop down list, simply click Test to do an upload with your club in the Club Name field. Even if you and your buddies aren't in an official club, you can make one up on the fly.

- Not in a club? That's fine too! Just leave the club filter blank to see all who are participating. Everyone is welcome!

- If you have clicked test and don't see your upload, make sure that you have selected the SSB contest in the International DX Contest software (Settings > Setup).

- On the HamDash display, graphics include:

Zz = No QSOs for over 60 minutes
Coffee Cup = No QSOs for over 20 minutes
Up arrow = 20 min QSO rate 35% higher than 60 min rate
Down arrow = 20 min QSO rate 35% lower than 60 min rate
Fire = Fastest 20 minute QSO rate on the board
Club = Other members of your club
Person Running = Station is running a frequency (appears after logging 6 consecutive QSOs on the same frequency)

This graphic was capture while beta testing HamDash with CQ WPX RTTY:

A Few More Notes

There are several great scoreboard options available including Contest Online Score and CQ Contest. We've supported them for years and we are really excited to add HamDash to the list of available platforms. They each do certain things well, so please continue to upload to them all! The HamDash concept in particular has done wonders for our club and we hope it will have the same affect on yours, too!

The dates for the upcoming contests are generously provided by WA7BNM Contest Calendar, for which we are very grateful.

We plan to publish the HamDash API specifications soon, so that any contest logging software developer can interface with HamDash.

Lord willing, very soon, we hope to have new versions for all the rest of our contest logs in the N3FJP suite to support HamDash, so please stay tuned!

We hope to see you on HamDash this weekend and good luck in ARRL International DX SSB!

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 and general logging Amateur Radio applications, as well as our WX Warn weather software! 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, Chris and I are very grateful...

"I know your upgrades are free, but I also realize how much time and effort support, 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:

https://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, Chris and I really appreciate it!

73, Scott, Kimberly and Chris

N3FJP, KA3SEQ and KB3KCN
http://www.n3fjp.com

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

1 Peter 3 vs 15: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...