This release

- can use Google maps to display a location

- if Pathfinder is running, can check QRZ.com to obtain state, province, and gridsquare information for the callsign in the Search panel

- can be "locked" to ignore the updates generated by the new "automatic DXView lookup" function available with the forthcoming SpotCollector version 3.0.4 

- can highlight stations known to QSL via LotW (tnx to Henryk SP3E)

- provides a panel on the Config window's General tab that displays the versions of the DXCC, IOTA, and LotW databases 

- records connections with other DXLab applications in the errorlog.txt file (tnx to Jamie W2QO)

- updates the Configuration.htm, DXCC.htm, index.htm, and Operation.htm online documentation files


The new Google map function can be invoked by clicking the new Google button on the Main window's Map panel. You can set the initial zoom level on the Config window's World Map tab.

To perform a QRZ.com lookup of callsign in the Main window's Search panel, click the Main window's new QRZ.com button, or depress the Shift key while clicking striking Enter in the callsign textbox or while clicking the Go button. Information from QRZ.com is used this information is used to refine the plotted position, CQ, ITU, and local time readouts. Where time zones don't match state or province borders, I chose the likeliest time zone; this seemed more useful than leaving the time zone display blank.

If you install an LotW database in DXView's Databases folder, then DXView will highlight any callsign known to participate in LotW by coloring the background of the Search and DXCC panel textboxes. By default, the highlight color is yellow, but you can choose another color on the Config window's General tab. The current LotW Database file is available via http://www.qsl.net/dxview/LotW.exe or via this reflector's Files area. Many thanks to Dennis WB0WAO who prepared this LotW database and will be issuing updates from time to time. The forthcoming SpotCollector 3.0.4 will automatically reference DXView's LotW database to highlight the spot database entries of stations known to participate in LotW.

Any action you take that results in DXView performing a manual lookup causes DXView to ignore automatic lookups from SpotCollector for 5 seconds. If you have SpotCollector's automatic lookups enabled but want DXView's currently-displayed information to remain undisturbed for more than 5 seconds, click the new Lock button on the Main window; when you're done, click the Unlock button. Note that the forthcoming SpotCollector 3.0.4's new "automatic DXView lookup" function is an option that is by default disabled.

This release required more than the usual amount of testing and debugging; special thanks go to Henryk SP3E, Jamie W2QO, and Dennis WB0WAO.

DXView 2.4.4 is available via http://www.qsl.net/dxlab/download.htm or via this reflector's Files area.

Mirror site operators: please upload the LotW database and provide a link to it in DXView's auxillary files section. Thanks!

   73,

         Dave, AA6YQ