Configuration

Configuring DXKeeper is primarily accomplished via the Configuration window and the QSL Configuration window. Defining bands and defining or eliminating modes, however, are accomplished by editing files.

DXKeeper's Configuration window presents 8 tabs:

the General tab enables you to set or reset various options, and configure the online help system
the Log tab lets you select a log file, and configure the log display
the Awards tab enables you to specify the bands and modes for which you seek QSLs
the Reports tab lets you configure the reports award status reports that DXKeeper generates
the Callbook tab enables you to specify the location of the Radio Amateur Callbook on your PC so that DXKeeper can query it
the Contest tab enables you specify the settings that govern DXKeeper's support for contest operation
the User Items tab lets you configure up to 8 user-defined items stored with each QSO
the Defaults tab lets you specify default values for QSO items, shows pathnames and versions for the DXCC, IOTA, and LotW databases, and provides control over DXKeeper's TCP/IP server

General Tab

Options Panel

Display seconds in date/time fields	When checked, begin and end items are displayed using the locale's standard date/time format with hours, minutes, and seconds When unchecked, begin and end items are displayed using the locale's standard date/time format with hours, and minutes
Display Previous QSOs on Lookup	When checked, entering a new callsign in the Main window or clicking the QSO Capture window's Lookup button filters the log to only display previous QSOs with the captured Callsign, and initializes the Capture window with information extracted from those QSOs
Highlight duplicate QSOs	When checked, QSOs in the Log Page Display that match the QSO Capture window's callsign, band, and mode will be highlighted in red font
Set QSO start when RST Rcvd	When checked, automatically set the QSO start time when a received signal report is entered in the Capture window
Initialize RST fields to default	When checked, automatically sets the Main and Capture window RST sent and RST rcvd items to the specified default value; if no default value is specified, these items are initialized to 59 (for phone modes) or 599 (for non-phone modes) unless another report has already been entered, and selects the entire contents of these fields whenever they gain focus
New QSO on DX Spot activation	When checked, create a QSO in the Main window when a DX Spot is activated (in SpotCollector, DXView or Commander) with the Capture window closed and Optimize for realtime QSO entry checked
Spot split frequency	when checked, outgoing spot notes will include the difference between the Capture window's TX and RX frequencies unless that difference exceeds 9.9 KHz, in which case the full TX frequency will be included
Backup log on shutdown	when checked, automatically creates a Log backup on shutdown if a log file is open
Flag invalid callsigns	When checked, callsigns not containing at least one number and one letter will be flagged when you attempt to Save in the Main window or Log in the Capture window; QSOs containing such callsigns will be marked Broken by the Recompute function
Provide audible feedback	When checked, play a single "Windows Default Beep" sound when a QSO is logged via the Main window's Log or New functions or the Capture window's Log function play a continuous sequence of "Windows Default Beep" sounds when an attempt to log a QSO fails due to invalid items play a single "Windows Default Beep" sound when a duplicate QSO is entered into the Capture window with Contest mode enabled
Display information in title bars	When checked, displays log information in the Main window's title bar and UTC time in the Capture window's title bar (uncheck when running on Vista)
Use multiple monitors	When checked, windows that resided on a secondary monitor during the previous session will be restored to the same secondary monitor on startup; when not checked, all windows are restored to the primary monitor on startup
Log debugging information	When checked, records debugging information to the file ErrorLog.txt in DXKeeper's folder

Main "Log QSOs" options Panel

Require Edit to modify logged QSOs	if this box is checked, the QSO currently selected on the Main window's Log QSOs tab cannot be modified without first clicking the Edit button
Confirm QSO deletion	if this box is checked, DXKeeper will request confirmation before deleting a QSO
Optimize for realtime QSO entry	When this box is checked, DXKeeper's Main window is optimized for logging QSOs in real time: if, after entering a callsign in the call textbox, you strike the Enter key, DXKeeper will if the begin item has not been specified, set the begin item to the current UTC date and time if Commander is running, set the freq item to your transceiver's current frequency if Commander is running, set the band item to the band for your transceiver's current frequency if Commander is running, set the mode item to the your transceiver's current mode if you double-click the end item, DXKeeper will set the end item to the current UTC date and time setting the QSL Rcvd, item to 'Y' will set the Date Rcvd item to the current date setting the eQSL.cc Rcvd item to 'Y' will set the eQSL.cc Date Rcvd item to the current date setting the LotW QSL Rcvd item to 'Y' will set the LotW Date Rcvd item to the current date if you save a QSO whose end item has not been specified, DXKeeper will set the end item to the current time. for QSOs with DXCC entities that specify Primary and Secondary Administrative Subdivisions, these subdivision items can only be selected from a list of valid choices When this box is unchecked, DXKeeper's Main window is optimized for manually entering past QSOs: if, after entering a callsign in the call textbox, you strike the Enter key and , DXKeeper will if the begin item has not been specified, set the begin item to the begin item of the previously-entered QSO plus 1 second set the freq item to the freq item of the previously entered QSO set the band item to the band item of the previously entered QSO set the mode item to the mode item of the previously entered QSO if you double-click the end item, DXKeeper will set the end item to the contents of the begin item setting the QSL Rcvd, item to 'Y' will not set the Date Rcvd item to the current date setting the eQSL.cc Rcvd item to 'Y' will not set the eQSL.cc Date Rcvd item to the current date setting the LotW QSL Rcvd item to 'Y' will not set the LotW Date Rcvd item to the current date if you save a QSO whose end item has not been specified, DXKeeper will set the end item to the contents of the begin item if you save a QSO whose RST sent or RST rcvd item has not been specified, DXKeeper will set the item to 59 or 599 as appropriate for the specified mode Note that the Optimize for realtime QSO entry setting has no effect on the Capture window's behavior, which is always optimized for logging QSOs in real time.
Optimize for roundtable QSOs	When this box is unchecked and Optimize for realtime QSO entry is unchecked, a new QSO's begin item is initialized to the last manually-entered QSO's end item incremented by 1 second. When this box is checked and Optimize for realtime QSO entry is unchecked, a new QSO's begin item is initialized to the last manually-entered QSO's begin item incremented by 1 second.
Allow direct Subdivision entry	when checked, for QSOs with DXCC entities that specify Primary and Secondary Administrative Subdivisions, these subdivision items can be directly entered and edited in the Award panel on the Main window's Log QSOs tab
Run-mode checkbox	If this box is checked, striking the enter key in the call textbox will initialize the freq textbox, mode textbox, and band textbox set the sent textbox and rcvd textbox to 59 (if the mode is SSB or FM) or 599 (if the mode is CW, RTTY, or PSK) save the current QSO create an empty log record for the next QSO if the Contest mode box is checked, increment the Contest TX Serial#l If this box is checked, striking the enter key in the QSO Capture window's Call textbox will set the RST sent and RST rcvd items to 59 (if the mode is SSB or FM) or 599 (if the mode is CW, RTTY, or PSK)

Capture options Panel

Capture always on top	When checked, the Capture window always appears atop other windows
Capture callsign generates prop forecast	When checked with DXView running, entering a callsign in the Capture window and striking the Enter or Tab key or clicking the Lookup button directs PropView (if running) to generate a propagation forecast for the station's location on the captured TX frequency
Local spot on callsign acquisition	When checked with SpotCollector running, an outgoing local spot will automatically be generated entering a callsign in the Capture window and striking the Enter or Tab key
Capture window F-keys via WW	When checked the Function keys F5 through F12 when struck in a Capture window textbox activate WinWarbler macros, with Shift and Alt key modifiers interpreted as they would be within WinWarbler the Esc key when struck in a Capture window textbox aborts WinWarbler transmission
Prompt on Capture overwrite	When checked, if an action -- e.g. activating a Spot Database entry in SpotCollector-- would overwrite unsaved Capture window data from an active QSO, DXKeeper will display a dialog box allowing the user to allow or disallow the overwrite. A QSO is considered active if its start time has been set, either by clicking the Begin button or by capturing a received signal report (if Set QSO start when RST Rcvd is checked)
Prompt on Capture clear	When checked, clicking the Capture window's Clear button displays a dialog box confirming the user's intention to clear the Capture window items

Log QSOs Tab's Default Focus

Call textbox	place the mouse cursor in the QSO panel's Call textbox after completing an operation on the Main window's Log QSOs tab
Filter textbox	place the mouse cursor in the Filter panel textbox after completing an operation on the Main window's Log QSOs tab

Distance unit

Miles	QSO distance is displayed in miles
Kilometers	QSO distance is displayed in kilometers

Guidance Panel

Browser pathname textbox	if this setting is blank, DXKeeper displays online help using your PC's default HTML browser; if this setting contains the pathname of an HTML browser, DXKeeper displays online help using that browser.
Select button	displays a file selector dialog that allows you to choose a Browser pathname
show control explanations	when checked, enables the display of explanatory information when the mouse cursor lingers over a textbox, button, checkbox, display pane, or setting.

QSL Config button - when clicked, displays the QSL Configuration window
Database info button - when clicked, displays the DXKeeper Database Info window, which shows the pathname and version of each database utilized by DXKeeper:

DXCC Database panel	shows the pathname and version of the DXCC Database being used by DXKeeper
IOTA Database panel	shows the pathname and version of the IOTA Database being used by DXKeeper
LotW Database panel	shows the pathname and version of the LotW Database being used by DXKeeper
eQSL AG Database panel	shows the pathname and version of the eQSL Authenticity Guaranteed Database being used by DXKeeper

Display Error Log button - when clicked, displays DXKeeper's errorlog.txt file
Help button - displays the information you are now reading

Log Tab

Log File Panel

Pathname textbox	This textbox specifies the pathname of the current log file. To open a different log file or create a new log file, you can enter or paste the appropriate pathname into this textbox and then click the Select or Create buttons in this panel. Alternatively, you can click the Select button in this panel and use the file selector dialog to choose the log file you wish to open or create. Note: If you start DXKeeper with a command line argument that specifies a valid pathname, DXKeeper will place this argument in the Pathname textbox and attempt to open the designated file as a log.
Open Button	closes any open log and opens the log in the file specified by the Pathname textbox; this button is only present when the Pathname textbox specifies an existing file
Create Button	closes any open log, and creates a new log in the file specified by the Pathname textbox; this button is only present when the Pathname textbox specifies a non-existent file If DXView has been installed on your PC, the newly-created log's progress table will be initialized using the DXCC database managed by DXView. If DXView has not been installed, the newly-created log's progress table will be initialized from the file DXCC.mdb in the Databases subfolder of your DXKeeper application folder.
Compact Button	If you delete QSOs in a log, the log file can become fragmented and use disk space inefficiently. Compacting the log file re-arranges the files contents to improve storage efficiency.
Select Button	displays a file selector dialog with which you can navigate to a desired folder and select a log file to open; if the selected file exists, any currently-open log is closed and the selected log file is opened
New Button	displays a file selector dialog with which you can navigate to a desired folder and specify a new log file to be created; if the specified file does not exist, any currently-open log is closed, and the specified log file is created and then opened If DXView has been installed on your PC, the newly-created log's progress table will be initialized using the DXCC database managed by DXView. If DXView has not been installed, the newly-created log's progress table will be initialized from the file DXCC.mdb in the Databases subfolder of your DXKeeper application folder.

Backup Folder Panel

Backup folder pathname	this textbox specifies the pathname of folder into which log backups will be stored
Backup button	creates a backup copy of the current Log file in the specified backup folder pathname
Recover button	replaces the contents of the current Log file with the contents of a specified backup copy

Log Settings Panel: these settings are stored in each log; when you select a new log, the settings will be updated to reflect the values saved with that log.

Display DXCC submission reminder	when checked, setting a needed QSL's QSL Rcvd field to 'Y' will display a dialog box reminding you to submit the QSL to the DXCC desk
Partial DXCC Credit	when checked, a QSO's QSL Rcvd item can also be set to E, B, or M: E (Entity verified) - the card's Entity has been verified by the ARRL B (Entity and Band verified) - the card's Entity and Entity-Band have been verified by the ARRL M (Entity and Mode verified) - the card's Entity and Entity-Mode have been verified by the ARRL (use these settings for QSL cards submitted to the DXCC desk before its records were computerized, where a card's Entity-Band and/or Entity-Mode was not recorded)
Include radio name in QTH ID	when checked, the default QTH ID is assembled by appending the Radio Name specified for the currently-selected transceiver in Commander to the specified root QTH ID
DXCC account #	specifies the DXCC account from the ARRL's DXCC Entity, Entity-Band, and Entity-Mode verification data is downloaded in order to report any discrepancies with the current log's DXCC Entity, Entity-Band, and Entity-Mode verification data.
root QTH ID	text to which the currently-selected transceiver's Radio name is appended to assemble a default QTH ID (only visible if the Include radio name in QTH ID option is enabled)
default QTH ID	identifies the operator's current QTH initializes the myQTH textbox specifies the operator's current QTH when another DXLab application logs a QSO that is missing this item

Log Panels Panel (note that the functions of the Auxiliary, QSL, Award, Contest, and Satellite fields checkboxes are also accessible from the Main window's Log QSOs tab)

Auxiliary fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's Aux panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: station call operator call owner call QSO # submode rx band select temp Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's Aux panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's Aux panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's Aux panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
QSL fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's QSL panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: sent rcvd date sent date rcvd sent via rcvd via msg addr myQTH Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's QSL panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's QSL panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's QSL panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
Online QSL fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's Online QSL panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: eQSL.cc sent eQSL.cc rcvd eQSL.cc date sent eQSL.cc date rcvd eQSL.cc member LotW sent LotW rcvd LotW date sent LotW date rcvd LotW member Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Online Log's QSL panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's Online QSL panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's Online QSL panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
Award fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's Awards panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: grid IOTA continent WPX CQ ITU ARRL primary administrative subsystem secondary administratie subsystem Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's Awards panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's Awards panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's Awards panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
Contest fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's Contest panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: ID rx # tx # tx info rx info Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's Contest panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's Contest panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's Contest panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
Propagation fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's Propagation panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: Propagation mode complete EME initial Antenna azimuth Antenna path Antenna elevation Solar Flux Index Geomagnetic A-index Geomagnetic K-index Satellite name Satellite mode Meteor shower Meteor max time Meteor bursts Meteor random Meteor pings Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's Propagation panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's Propagation panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's Propagation panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
Details fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's Details panel, which contains textboxes for each of the following fields: distance special interest group special interest group information latitude longitude owner call email address worldwide web URL rig age power filename notes Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's Details panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's Details panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's Details panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
User-defined fields checkbox	Checking this box shows the Log's User-definedn panel, which lets you specify up to eight user-defined fields. Depressing the CTRL key while checking this box will display the Log's User-defined panel and decrease the number of visible Log Page Display entries rather than expand the Main window's height. Unchecking this box will hide the Log's User-defined panel and vertically shrink the Main window; depressing the CTRL key while unchecking this box will hide the Log's User-defined panel and increase the number of visible Log Page Display entries.
Font Button	Enables you to specify the font and font metrics (size, bold, italic) used in the Main window's Auxiliary, QSL, Online QSL, Awards, Contest and Satellite panels, and the Capture window. If a bold font is selected, then information in the Award Progress and Progress Details grids will also be rendered in bold font.

Log Page Display Panel

Log page fields control	This control enables you to specify which fields appear in the Log Page Display the caption for each such field the alignment of each such field. To add a field to the Log Page Display, scroll to the last row of the control; this row is distinguished by an asterisk in its leftmost cell in the field cell of this last row, click the pulldown icon (a small black triangle) and choose the field to be displayed from the resulting list (the pulldown contains ADIF field names - to correlate with the field captions, consult the cross reference) in the caption cell of the newly added row, enter the caption to be used for this field in the log page display, followed by the enter key To see the newly added field, you may need to horizontally scroll the log page display or widen your DXKeeper window. The order in which fields appear in the log page display, and the width of each column in the log page display are controlled by direct manipulation. To remove a field from the log page display, select the row corresponding to the field to be removed by clicking in row's leftmost cell (this cell is shaded) strike the Delete key
Font Button	Enables you to specify the font and font metrics (size, bold, italic) used in the log page display
Reset button	Set's the Log Page Display row height and column widths to default values based on the current font size
Log Page Display layout file	the pathname of a file whose contents specify a Log Page Display layout: which fields appear in the log page display the caption for each such field the alignment of each such field the order in which such fields appear the width of each field
Select	displays a file selector that lets you choose a Log Page Display layout file and then format the Log Page Display as specified by the selected file's contents
Save	displays a file selector that lets you choose a file into which will be saved the Log Page Display's current layout
Frequency precision	specifies the number of decimal digits shown in transmit frequencies and receive frequencies appearing in the Log Page Display and in Log Reports; the valid range is 3 to 6.
Automatically update layout file	when checked, the specified Log Page Display layout file will automatically be updated to reflect changes made to the Log Page Display layout

Awards Tab

The Automatically recompute realtime award tracking checkbox determines whether DXKeeper will automatically update realtime award tracking information when you delete a QSO or indicate a regression in the QSO's progress, e.g. demoting its status from confirmed to worked, or from worked to unworked. If this box is unchecked, DXKeeper will not direct SpotCollector to initiate progress recomputations.

The Deduce CQ and ITU zones from US callsigns checkbox determines whether callsigns of US stations will be used to deduce CQ and ITU zones if more precise information (previous QSOs, state, ARRL section, Callbook) is unavailable and the call area fits entirely in the zone.

The Include LotW confirmations in VUCC, & Maidenhead progress box will, when checked, include QSOs confirmed by the ARRL's Logbook of the World (LotW) in the VUCC Progress, VUCC Submission, Maidenhead Field, and Maidenhead Gridsquare reports.

The Include eQSL.cc confirmations in DXCC, WAS, WAC, & Maidenhead Grid progress box will, when checked, will include QSOs confirmed by eQSL.cc in the the DXCC, Challenge, TOPLIST, WAS, WAC, and Maidenhead Gridsquare awards progress and reports. The ARRL, and TOPLIST do not accept eQSL.cc confirmations for their awards, but if your personal DXing program considers eQSL.cc confirmations to be valid, then checking this box will generate correct status. If you change this setting, immediately running the By QSL Mode, WAS, WAC, and Maidenhead Gridsquare reports will produce correct results. However, the Progress Grid, Progress Details Grid, and all other reports will not reflect the change until you invoke the Recompute function.

Checkboxes in the DXCC/Top Bands & Modes Panel specify the bands and modes you are pursuing for the ARRL DX Century Club award (DXCC), the ARRL DX Century Club Challenge award , and/or the Top List award. When you click the QSL tab's Add Needed button, these settings are used to identify QSOs for which QSLs would advance your progress. When you prepare a DXCC Submission, confirmed QSL cards and/or LotW credits will only be submitted for bands and modes selected in this panel. If SpotCollector is running, the settings of these checkboxes are used to determine whether a QSO with a spotted station would advance your progress. If no awards tab boxes are checked, DXKeeper and SpotCollector assume that you are pursuing DXCC without focus on specific bands or modes.

Award Program	boxes to check in DXKeeper's DXCC/Top Bands & Modes panel
DXCC	none
5-band DXCC	80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m
DXCC Challenge	160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, 6m, Phone, CW, RTTY
TopList	160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m, Phone, CW, RTTY

Checkboxes in the WAZ Bands & Modes Panel specify the bands and modes you are pursuing for awards in the CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ) family. The contents of a WAZ Progress Report are controlled by these settings. The Realtime Award Progress checkbox indicates whether realtime award tracking for the WAZ award family is enabled; if unchecked, checking this box directs DXKeeper to enable realtime award tracking for WAZ in the current log. When enabled,

clicking the QSL tab's Add Needed button identifies QSOs for which QSLs would advance your WAZ progress.
If SpotCollector is running, the settings of this panel's band and mode checkboxes are used to determine whether a QSO with a spotted station would advance your WAZ progress. If no awards tab boxes are checked, DXKeeper and SpotCollector assume that you are pursuing mixed WAZ without focus on specific bands or modes.

Checkboxes in the WPX Bands & Modes Panel specify the bands and modes you are pursuing for awards in the CQ Worked All Prefixes (WPX) family. If this panel's Mixed box is checked,

invoking a CQ WPX progress report with Add Unconfirmed enabled populates the QSL Queue with QSOs needed to confirm
- unconfirmed WPX prefixes
- unconfirmed WPX prefix-bands for which this panel's band boxes are checked
- unconfirmed WPX prefix-modes for which this panel's mode boxes are checked
the Recompute operation computes a WPX prefix for logged QSOs that don't specify one
the Import operation computes a WPX prefix for imported QSOs that don't specify one
when logging a QSOs from another application (e.g. WinWarbler or MultiPSK), a WPX prefix will be computed if when one is not supplied

Unchecking this panel's Mixed box will uncheck all of the panel's band and mode boxes. Clicking this panel's HF button will check the 160m through 10m band boxes.

The Marathon panel lets you specify

whether Marathon reports should include QSOs whose propagation mode is unspecified
the maximum transmit power for QSOs to be included in Marathon reports (leaving this textbox empty means that transmit power will not be used as a constraint on QSOs considered for inclusion in Marathon reports)

In the Other Panel,

when the Subdivisions box is checked
- the validity of Primary and Secondary Administrative Subdivisions is recorded with each QSO
- the Broke filter displays QSOs with invalid primary or secondary administrative subdivisions
- when importing QSOs from a file, logging QSOs from another application (e.g. WinWarbler or MultiPSK), or synchronizing LotW QSLs, corrects common misspellings of Primary and Secondary Administrative Subdivisions
when the CQ, DARC WAE, Holyland box is checked, DXKeeper enables the ? buttons to the right of the region boxes on the Capture window and on the Main window's Log QSOs tab; these ? buttons display an Award Selector window that lets you select a region by its full name
when the DARC DOK box is checked, DXKeeper enables the ? buttons to the right of the DOK boxes on the Capture window and on the Main window's Log QSOs tab; these ? buttons display an Award Selector window that lets you select a DOK by its full name
the IOTA checkbox determines whether generating an IOTA progress report will also create IOTA_Worked and IOTA_Confirmed update files for IOTAMem4WIN in DXKeeper's Reports sub-folder

The QSL Aging panel's Expiration age textbox lets you specify a time interval in weeks that the Card Aging function can use to automatically flag QSOs as expired, meaning that a confirmation is no longer expected.

The DXCC Submission panel lets you specify

whether QSL cards should be submitted as proof of confirmed QSOs
whether LotW credits should be submitted as proof of confirmed QSOs
if an unverified QSO is confirmed by both QSL card and LotW credit, which should be submitted
whether QSOs that confirm deleted DXCC entities should be submitted
the number of lines to be printed on each page of the generated Card Record Sheet and LotW Record Sheet reports

Reports Tab

The Date Format panel lets you specify the format of dates used in reports, and in the headers of exported ADIF files.

dd-mmm-yyyy (local month abbreviations) uses the standard month abbreviations for your PC's locale
dd-mmm-yyyy (English month abbreviations) uses the English month abbreviations independent of your PC's locale
yyyy-mm-dd (ISO 8601) uses the ISO 8601 standard date format independent of your PC's locale

The Frequency precision setting specifies the number of decimal digits shown in frequencies appearing in progress reports; the valid range is 3 to 6.

The DXCC Summary panel's Optional HTML textbox lets you insert HTML at the beginning of the DXCC Summary's body, prior to the data table.

Callbook Tab

DXKeeper can obtain name, address, and location information from multiple sources:

the Flying Horse Radio Amateur's Callbook installed on your PC
the HamCall callbook installed on your PC
HamCall.net (requires a subscription)
the QRZ Callsign Database installed on your PC
QRZ.com
- if you have a data-only or full subscription to QRZ.com
  
  or
- if Pathfinder is running (the downloading and display of advertisements significantly increases the access time, but no subscription is required)

Use this tab's radio buttons to specify which source of information is used for Callbook Lookup operations:

None	no callbook lookup is performed
RAC (PC)	use the RAC callbook installed on your PC; specify the pathname of the folder containing the RAC's Callbook.exe file
HamCall (PC)	use the HamCall callbook installed on your PC; specify the pathname of the folder containing the HamCall database
HamCall Online	use your subscription to HamCall.net; specify the callsign and password registered with HamCall.net, and set the HamCall Online timeout to indicate how long to wait before abandoning a request made to HamCall
QRZ (PC)	use the QRZ callbook installed on your PC; specify the pathname of the folder containing the QRZ database callbkc.dat file If you use QRZ's default installation location, the correct pathname will be C:\Program Files\QRZ Ham Radio\CALLBK
QRZ.com	use your subscription to QRZ.com; specify the callsign and password registered with QRZ.com, and set the QRZ.com timeout to indicate how long to wait before abandoning a request made to QRZ.com
QRZ.com via Pathfinder	use Pathfinder to obtain information from QRZ.com; make sure Pathfinder (version 4.2.6 or later) is running, and set the QRZ.com timeout to indicate how long to wait before abandoning a request made to QRZ.com

Use this tab's checkboxes to govern callbook behavior:

Automatically use callbook data... checkbox

if checked

DXKeeper will initialize the name, QTH, primary administrative subdivision,, secondary administrative subdivision, IOTA, and grid fields with the results of a successful Callbook query
the Capture window's Lookup button will initialize the Capture window's name, QTH, primary administrative subdivision, secondary administrative subdivision, IOTA, and grid fields with the results of a successful Callbook query

Warn when Callsign Lookups fail

When checked, a Callsign lookup that fails to locate Callbook information for the Call will display a warning message requiring confirmation

From the Capture window, you can add name, QTH information, and address information from the selected Callbook to the current QSO by clicking the Lookup button, as described above.

Using the CBA button on the Main window's Log QSOs tab, you can update or replace name, QTH information, and address information in the current QSO or in all QSOs visible in the Log Page Display.

You can also configure DXKeeper to lookup each imported QSO in the selected callbook and the DXCC database and fill in any items not present in the imported QSO with information from these sources.

Contest tab

These settings govern DXKeeper's support for contest operation.

Contest-mode	when contest-mode is enabled, The contest ID and Contest tx# fields of QSOs recorded via the Main window's Log QSOs tab are initialized to the Contest ID and TX serial# respectively The contest and tx# fields of QSOs recorded via the Capture window are initialized to the Contest ID and TX serial# respectively Striking the Enter key in the Main window's Call field with Run-mode enabled automatically increments the TX serial# if the Increment TX serial# box is checked Logging a QSO via the Capture window automatically increments the TX serial# if the Increment TX serial# box is checked a Log Page Display entry will be rendered in red font if its Callsign, Band, Mode and Contest ID match those in the Capture window Filtering the Log Page Display for previous QSOs with a specified station shows only QSOs whose recorded Contest ID matches the Contest ID configuration setting Enabling Contest mode automatically enables Run-mode; disabling Contest-mode automatically disables Run-mode Contest-mode can also be enabled or disabled via the Capture window's contest-mode checkbox.
Increment TX serial#	when checked, increments the TX serial# after each QSO (if the Contest-mode box is checked, and if the TX serial# contains a numeric value)
Place focus in RX# on DX spot activation	when checked, activating a DX spot in SpotCollector, DXView or Commander will place the mouse cursor in the Capture window's RX# item if the Capture window has not been closed if the Capture window is closed, Optimize for realtime QSO entry is checked, and New QSO on DX Spot activation is checked, then activating a DX spot will create a new QSO and display it in the Main window; if the Contest panel on the Main window's Log QSOs tab is visible, then the mouse cursor will be placed in its RX# item
Don't log Capture window Contest, TX#, RX# if contest mode disabled	when checked with contest mode disabled, don't log the Capture window's Contest, TX#, and RX# items
Contest ID	the Contest Identifier recorded with each QSO, and used to select the Cabrillo template used when generating a Cabrillo log
TX serial#	the transmit serial number or exchange to be recorded with the next QSO
TX Exchange	fixed portion of transmit exchange (see the table describing how Contest information is recorded to enable Cabrillo generation)

Cabrillo panel

This panel determines what information is placed in the header section of a generated Cabrillo file; some of this information is also incorporated in recorded contest exchanges, as noted in the table below. If no value for an item is specified, then its Cabrillo tag will not appear in the header section.

Item	Cabrillo Tag	Description
Contest	CONTEST	the name of the contest (initialized when you select a Contest ID)
Name	NAME	submitter's full name
Address	ADDRESS	up to 4 lines of postal address (do not include your name)
Operators	OPERATORS	callsigns of participating operators, separated by commas
Soapbox	SOAPBOX	Cabrillo Soapbox
Operator's first name		your first name (used in contest exchanges)
Club	CLUB	name of your contest or radio club
Score	CLAIMED-SCORE	your claimed score in the contest (obtained from your contesting application, or manually computed)
Category	CATEGORY	Cabrillo category
Category Assisted	CATEGORY-ASSISTED	Cabrillo assistance category
Category Operator	CATEGORY-OPERATOR	Cabrillo operator category
Category Station	CATEGORY-STATION	Cabrillo station category
Category Band	CATEGORY-BAND	Cabrillo band category
Category Mode	CATEGORY-MODE	Cabrillo mode category
Category Power	CATEGORY-POWER	Cabrillo power category
Category Overlay	CATEGORY-OVERLAY	Cabrillo overlay category
Category Transmitter	CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER	Cabrillo transmitter category
Category Time	CATEGORY-TIME	Cabrillo time category
Location Section	LOCATION	the ARRL section from which you are operating
Location ST/PR	LOCATION	two-letter abbreviation for the US State or Province from which you are operating operating (for use in contest exchanges)
Location IOTA	LOCATION	Islands on the Air tag or Island Name from which you are operating (for use in contest exchanges)
Location Grid	LOCATION	Maidenhead Grid Square from which you are operating (for use in contest exchanges)
Location CQ	LOCATION	CQ Zone from which you are operating (for use in contest exchanges)
Location RDA #	LOCATION	RDA number from which you are operating (for use in RDXC contest exchanges)

User Items tab

DXKeeper can record up to 8 user-defined items with each QSO. This tab lets you specify a caption, style, alignment, and default value for each user-defined item.

Caption

specifies the caption that appears to the left of the item in the User-defined panel on the Main window's Log QSOs tab, in the Capture window, and in WinWarbler's QSO Info panel

Style

specifies the type of information captured in the item:

Style	Valid Characters
Integer	digits, minus sign
Positive Integer	digits
Number	digits, minus sign, decimal separator
Positive Number	digits, decimal separator
Alphanumeric	all
Lower Alphanumeric	all (letters converted to lower case)
Upper Alphanumeric	all (letters converted to upper case)
Alphabetic	letters
Lower Alphabetic	letters (converted to lower case)
Upper Alphabetic	letters (converted to upper case)
List	set of legal values specified in a file each line in the file specifies a value click the Set list button to specify the file's pathname user-defined items specified by a list are always left-aligned

Align

specifies whether values are displayed as Left-aligned, Centered, or Right-aligned

user-defined items specified by a list are always left-aligned

Init

If checked and the Display Previous QSOs on Lookup box is checked, then new QSOs with be initialized with information extracted from previous QSOs with the same callsign

Default

specifies an optional default value for use in initializing a new QSO in the Capture window, in the Main window's Log QSOs tab, and in WinWarbler's QSO Info panel

The List style is appropriate when a user-defined item's value is limited to a small discrete set, for example the set {Y, N}, or the set {Alinco, Elecraft, FlexRadio, Icom, Kachina, Kenwood, TenTec, Yaesu}. A text file specifying the latter set would contain 8 lines:

Alinco
Elecraft
FlexRadio
Icom
Kachina
Kenwood
TenTec
Yaesu

Its is usually appropriate to offer a choice representing "not specified"; this can be accomplished by having the first line of the specifying file be blank. When exporting a QSO, any of its user-defined items whose value is "not specified" are not included.

Defaults tab

Station callsign	the station callsign used over the air (label is highlighted in red if maximum length is exceeded) used to name the log file created when DXKeeper runs the first time after being installed initializes the stn call textbox specifies the station callsign when another application sends a QSO to be logged that is missing this item
Operator callsign	the callsign of the operator of the station (label is highlighted in red if maximum length is exceeded) initializes the operator textbox specifies the operator callsign when another application sends a QSO to be logged that is missing this item
Owner callsign	the callsign of the owner of the station (label is highlighted in red if maximum length is exceeded) initializes the owner textbox specifies the owner callsign when another application sends a QSO to be logged that is missing this item
QTH latitude	the QTH latitude used to compute QSO distance and azimuth if no myQTH is specified, or if the specified myQTH does not include a grid square or latitude and longitude initialized from the QTH latitude specified in DXView, if DXView is installed double-clicking prompts you to specify a grid square, from which the QTH latitude and QTH longitude are computed
QTH longitude	the QTH longitude used to compute QSO distance and azimuth if no myQTH is specified, or if the specified myQTH does not include a grid square or latitude and longitude initialized from the QTH longitude specified in DXView, if DXView is installed double-clicking prompts you to specify a grid square, from which the QTH latitude and QTH longitude are computed
Transmit power	transmitter power, in watts (label is highlighted in red if maximum length is exceeded); if Default Transmit power by band is disabled, or if Default Transmit power by band is enabled by the QSO frequency is not within a recognized band, initializes the Capture window's Pwr item initializes the pwr textbox if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is enabled specifies the transmit power when another DXLab application logs a QSO that is missing this item
RST sent & rcvd	if enabled, the specified default value is used to initialize the RST sent and RST rcvd items in the Capture window or in the Main window's Log QSOs tab. If the default value includes a slash, e.g. 59/599, characters before the slash are used with phone modes, and characters after the slash are used with non-phone modes. if enabled with no default value specified, the RST send and RST rcvd items in the Capture window or in the Main window's Log QSOs tab are initialized to 59 for phone modes and 599 for non-phone modes.
QSL msg	selects message to be printed on each QSL card from among the standard messages defined in the QSL Msgs tab initializes the Capture window's QSL Msg item initializes the Main window's msg textbox specifies the QSL message when another DXLab application logs a QSO that is missing this item if a message is selected, you can modify it by editing the displayed text
Antenna Path	specifies the antenna path for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the antenna path selector on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
Propagation mode	specifies the propagation mode for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the propagation mode selector on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
SFI	initialized from the most recent Solar Flux captured by SpotCollector, if SpotCollector is running specifies the solar flux for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the solar flux textbox on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
A	initialized from the most recent A-index captured by SpotCollector, if SpotCollector is running specifies the A-index for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the A-index textbox on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
K	initialized from the most recent K-index captured by SpotCollector, if SpotCollector is running specifies the K-index for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the K-index textbox on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
Satellite name	specifies the satellite name for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the satellite name selector on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
Satellite mode	specifies the satellite mode for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the satellite mode selector on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
Meteor shower	specifies the meteor shower name for QSOs logged via the Capture window initializes the meteor shower name textbox on the Main window's Log QSOs tab if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is not enabled
Default Transmit power by band panel	specifies the default transmitter power, in watts, for the amateur bands from 160m through 23cm; if enabled and the QSO frequency lies within one of the bands for which a default is specified, initializes the Capture window's Pwr item initializes the pwr textbox if Optimize for realtime QSO entry is enabled specifies the transmit power when another DXLab application logs a QSO that is missing this item
Network Service panel	lets you specify the Base Port for TCP/IP service, set the Base Port to its default value, and restart the TCP/IP server

Defining Bands

DXKeeper is driven by a set of band definitions contained in a file. Any attempt to log a QSO on a frequency not falling within a defined band will be flagged.

At startup, DXKeeper checks its Databases folder for the file Bands.txt ; if found, the contents of this file are interpreted as user-defined band specifications in the format shown below. If Bands.txt is not found, then DXKeeper checks its Databases folder for the file DefaultBands.txt, which every DXKeeper release installs. DefaultBands.txt, is a file containing one line per band::

2190M, 0.136,0.137
160M, 1.800, 2.000
80M, 3.500,4.000
60M, 5.3305,5.405
40M, 7.000,7.350
30M, 10.100, 10.150
20M, 14.000, 14.350
17M, 18.068, 18.168
15M, 21.000, 21.450
12M, 24.890, 24.990
10M, 28.000, 29.900
6M, 50.000, 54.000
4M, 70.0, 71.0
2M, 144.000, 148.000
1.25M,222.0,225.0
70CM, 420.0, 450.0
33CM, 902.0, 928.0
23CM, 1240, 1300
13CM,2400,2450
9CM, 3300, 3500
6CM, 5650, 5925
3CM, 10000, 10500
1.25cm,24000,24250
6MM, 47000, 47200
4MM, 75500, 81000
2.5MM, 119980,120020
2MM, 142000, 149000
1MM, 241000,250000
SUBMM, 300000,1000000

Each line contains three parameters, separated by commas: the band name, the band's lower edge in megahertz, and the band's upper edge in megahertz. The band name cannot exceed its defined maximum length.

To add or subtract bands, make a copy of DefaultBands.txt in DXKeeper's Databases folder and name it Bands.txt. Delete or add lines as required, ensuring that

each band's lower band edge is less than its upper band edge
the upper band edge defined on one line is less than the lower band edge defined on the next line

Defining or Eliminating Modes

DXKeeper provides built-in support for six modes: SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM, and PSK31. At startup, DXKeeper checks its Databases folder for the file Modes.txt ; if found, the contents of this file are interpreted as user-defined mode specifications, as described below. If Modes.txt is not found, then DXKeeper checks its Databases folder for the file DefaultModes.txt and if found interprets its contents as user-defined mode specifications. Every DXKeeper release installs a DefaultModes.txt file that contains the following mode specifications:

Mode Name	DXCC Phone credit	DXCC CW credit	DXCC RTTY credit	WAZ RTTY credit	WAZ Digital credit	WPX SSB credit	WPX CW credit	WPX Digital credit	PSK credit
AMTORFEC			a		a			a
ASCI			a	a				a
ATV
CHIP64			a		a			a
CHIP128			a		a			a
CLO			a		a			a
CONTESTI			a		a			a
DOMINO			a		a			a
DOMINOF			a		a			a
DSTAR
FAX
FMHELL			a		a			a
FSK31
FSK441			a		a			a
GTOR			a		a			a
HELL			a		a			a
HELL80			a		a			a
HFSK
JT44			a		a			a
JT4A			a		a			a
JT4B			a		a			a
JT4C			a		a			a
JT4D			a		a			a
JT4E			a		a			a
JT4F			a		a			a
JT4G			a		a			a
JT65			a		a			a
JT65A			a		a			a
JT65B			a		a			a
JT65C			a		a			a
MFSK8			a		a			a
MFSK16			a		a			a
MT63			a		a			a
OLIVIA			a		a			a
PAC			a		a			a
PAC2			a		a			a
PAC3			a		a			a
PAX			a		a			a
PAX2			a		a			a
PKT			a		a			a
PSK10			a		a			a	a
PSK63			a		a			a	a
PSK63F			a		a			a	a
PSK125			a		a			a	a
PSK220F			a		a			a	a
PSKAM10
PSKAM31
PSKAM50
PSKFEC31			a		a			a	a
PSKHELL
Q15
QPSK31			a		a			a	a
QPSK63			a		a			a	a
QPSK125			a		a			a	a
ROS			a		a			a
RTTYM			a	a				a
SSTV	a
THRB			a		a			a
THRBX			a		a			a
TOR			a		a			a
VOI
WINMOR			a		a			a
WSPR			a		a			a

Users wishing to define additional modes or remove modes that aren't built-in can do so by creating the file Modes.txt in SpotCollector's Databases folder. The specification format used in DefaultModes.txt and Modes.txt is identical: each line of the file specifies a mode's name, followed optionally by a list of awards for which QSOs in the mode produce credit; the mode name and optional awards are separated by commas. The mode name cannot exceed its defined maximum length. Valid award designators are shown in the following table:

Award Designator	Meaning
DXCC_Phone	QSOs in this mode "count" for DXCC Phone credit
DXCC_CW	QSOs in this mode "count" for DXCC CW credit
DXCC_RTTY	QSOs in this mode "count" for DXCC RTTY credit
WAZ_RTTY	QSOs in this mode "count" for WAZ RTTY credit
WAZ_DIGITAL	QSOs in this mode "count" for WAZ Digital credit
WPX_Phone	QSOs in this mode "count" for WPX Phone credit
WPX_CW	QSOs in this mode "count" for WPX CW credit
WPX_Digital	QSOs in this mode "count" for WPX Digital credit
PSK	QSOs in this mode "count" for PSK credit

Thus, the first line of the file DefaultModes.txt, which is

ASCI, DXCC_RTTY, WAZ_RTTY

defines the new mode ASCI, and specifies that QSOs in ASCI should be credited as DXCC RTTY and WAZ RTTY QSOs.

The easiest way to create a custom Modes.txt file is by starting with a copy of DefaultModes.txt and editing as required. Be sure to make your changes in Modes.txt as DefaultModes.txt will be overwritten by the next DXKeeper release.

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