[WT-support] DX Spots filtering

[Laurent HAAS - F6FVY]

Hi All

We've been recently asked by Greg AB7R for a spots filtering capability 
in Win-Test.

Such an embedded filtering has advantages and drawbacks : The main 
advantage (the only one ?) is that you don't need extra software to 
achieve it, and you don't need to know cryptic commands to be sent to 
your favorite DX cluster. But the main drawbacks are that kind of 
filtering, on client side (= WT side), wastes much not-needed Internet 
(or radio) bandwidth (which is not very friendly for the rest of us), 
and, as the DX clusters designers never standardized the evolution of 
the sent data format, it's likely impossible to achieve the same 
capabilities among every DX Cluster system (DXNet, Pavillion, AR, DX 
Spider, etc...).

To make it short, even if we're considering a  filtering feature in 
Win-Test, the easiest way to do it now is to use the one included in the 
DX Cluster you're connected to.

FYI, I just downloaded and tried the VE7CC AR Cluster/Dx Spider User 
Program (http://www.ve7cc.net/). If offers many filtering options (even 
US State or VE province spotter originating - Greg are you listening ? 
;-) ) and works flawlessly with Win-Test. Note that it only works for AR 
and DX Spider clusters. Here's a short description of my setup :

- Once installed, in configuration / Port - logging program, check the 
Telnet logging program connection and, in the Data Sent to Logging 
Program frame, check (at least) the "DX Spots" box.

- I personnaly used the Telnet node connection, but you can also use a 
TNC if you're connecting to an AR or DX Spider local DX Cluster.

- Check if your connection is OK with the Cluster (top of the main 
window). You can send usual command with the lower edit field to insure 
you're connected.

- Once everything is OK, you can play with all filterning features : Use 
the Country and State tabs to adjust your filter (on spotter country, DX 
country, etc...). Once set, send it to the cluster : VE7CC software will 
automagically translate your clicks in a filter command and send it to 
the DX Cluster. The filtering possibilities are countless... (also by 
band, mode etc...)

- Now, the interesting part : WT interfacing : [I assume AR User and 
WtDxCluster to be on the same computer]. Open WtDxCluster (now packaged 
with every version of WT), and configure the DXCluster properties to : 
Host = 127.0.0.1 and Port = 7300. You can leave the user and password 
fields blank. Then, use the DXCluster / Connect menu. You will be 
connected to the DX Cluster THRU AR-User. Thus, in WtDxCluster you will 
only get informations you asked for... Afterwards, you can use Win-Test 
the usual way : Spots will be displayed in bandmaps and Spots window.

73

Larry - F6FVY