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Main Window

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Florian Thienel edited this page Jul 20, 2024 · 7 revisions

Hello Contest's main window contains everything you need to work through the contest:

  • a list with all logged QSOs
  • control over your radio's VFO
  • input fields for QSO data
  • macros for the CW keyer
  • status indicators for all integrated external systems and databases

main raw

QSO Input

main qso input

  • Use the Space key to move between the input fields (except the fields for your own exchange).
  • Use the Enter key to log a new QSO with the current content of the input fields.
  • Double-press the Esc key to clear the input fields for "their" data without logging a new QSO. The cursor is set into the callsign field.
  • When moving out of the callsign field, all the empty exchange fields will be prefilled with the predicted exchange data. Simply change the input exchange field before logging the QSO, if the prediction was wrong.
  • When a new QSO was logged, the input fields for "their" data will be cleared and the cursor is set into the callsign field.
  • If a required input field is empty, the cursor is set into this field, and an error message is shown below the input fields, describing the problem.

Editing a QSO

In Hello Contest you can also edit QSOs that were already logged. Just select the QSO in the list, or use Ctrl+L to edit the last QSO.

Commands in the Callsign Field

The callsign field also accepts some commands. Just enter the command and hit the Enter key to execute it.

Command Example Meaning
Frequency in kHz 7021 Tune the VFO to this frequency
Band 40m Switch the VFO into this band
@Callsign @W1AW Tune the VFO to the frequency where this station was spotted

Keyboard Shortcuts in the QSO Fields

Shortcut Function
Alt+1 .. Alt+9 Select the proposed callsign with the corresponding indicator number in parentheses.
Space Go to the next entry field.
Ctrl+Space Go to the next .-placeholder in the callsign field.
? Send "?" (when in the callsign field) or "nr?" (in any other exchange field).
Esc Stop transmitting CW.
2x Esc Clear all QSO fields.

VFO Control

Between the QSO list and the input fields, the current frequency of your radio's VFO is displayed.

main vfo control

You can also switch the band and the mode.

CW Macros

Below the input fields, you see all the CW macros for your current working mode, and a radio button to switch the working mode between s&p and run. For more details about the CW macros and the configuration of presets, please have a look at Configuration, Keyer Presets.

If you change the CW macros in the main window, those changes are automatically saved in the contest log file. Your changes have no effect on the configuration file. This way, you can adapt your macros on the fly during the contest, and keep your presets untouched in the configuration file.

Below the last macro, you can change the CW speed. This value is also stored in the contest log, your changes have no effect on the configuration file.

Status of External Systems and Databases

The main window's bottom line shows indicators for the availability of external systems and databases that are used by Hello Contest. Each indicator is grayed out, if the corresponding system or database is currently not available.

main status

Indicator Meaning
Radio Hello Contest can communicate with the selected radio. (Radio menu)
CW Hello Contest can communicate with the selected CW keyer. (Radio menu)
DXCC Hello Contest has access to the latest DXCC database (cty.dat).
SCP Hello Contest has access to the latest Super Check Partial database.
CH Hello Contest has access to the selected call history file (Contest Settings, Call History)
Map The websocket endpoint for HamDXMap is active.
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