10 KiB
Log Synchronisation
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KST4Contest imports worked stations from the logging application and derives the global Worked status, per-band Worked marks and – where a locator is available – worked grid squares. Three input paths are available: the file-based Simplelogfile interpreter, the general QSO UDP listener and the dedicated Win-Test network listener.
Method 1: Universal File Based Callsign Interpreter (Simplelogfile)
KST4Contest reads a log file and searches it for callsigns using a configurable regular expression. The file is read only and is never modified. Binary log files can also be used; content which cannot be interpreted as text is skipped.
The advantage is broad compatibility: no dedicated network interface is required from the logging application.
The limitation is equally clear. A callsign match alone provides neither a reliable band nor a locator. The Simplelogfile interpreter can therefore set only the global Worked status. It does not create a per-band X, a worked-grid record or a reliable basis for the band-upgrade hint after a log entry.
Configure the log-file path and regular expression in the Log sync tab. Use one of the network interfaces where possible if band-specific information is required.
Method 2: Network Listener for QSO UDP Packets – Recommended
UCXLog, QARTest, N1MM+ and DXLog.net can transmit a UDP packet when a QSO is saved. KST4Contest receives these packets on port 12060 by default and imports the callsign together with any band and locator information they contain.
If a band is available, the callsign is marked as worked on that band. If the packet also contains a valid locator, KST4Contest stores its four-character grid square for that band. Missing information is not inferred from unrelated fields.
KST4Contest must be running when the packet is transmitted. Some logging applications can, however, resend an existing log: QARTest provides Invia log completo, while DXLog.net sends contactreplace packets when broadcasting the complete log. KST4Contest processes both mechanisms.
Default port: 12060
Supported Logging Software
UCXLog (DL7UCX)
UCXLog sends QSO UDP packets and transceiver frequency packets.
Settings in UCXLog:
- Enable UDP broadcast
- Enter the IP address of the KST4Contest computer (for local operation:
127.0.0.1) - Port: 12060 (default)
Note the green-highlighted fields in the UCXLog settings: IP and port must be filled in.
Note for multi-setup (2 computers, 2 radios, one KST4Contest instance): Both logging programs must send QSO packets to the IP of the KST4Contest computer. In this case, at least one IP is not 127.0.0.1.
QARTest (IK3QAR)
Special feature: QARTest can send the complete log to KST4Contest (button "Invia log completo" in the QARTest settings). This means QSOs logged before KST4Contest was started are also captured.
Settings in QARTest:
- Configure UDP broadcast and IP/port as with UCXLog
- Use "Invia log completo" for a full log upload
(„Buona funzionalità caro IK3QAR!" – DO5AMF)
N1MM+
Settings in N1MM+:
In N1MM+ under Config → Configure Ports, Mode Control, Winkey, etc. → Broadcast Data:
- Enable
Radio Info(for TRX sync / QRG) - Enable
Contact Info(for QSO sync) - IP:
127.0.0.1(or IP of the KST4Contest computer) - Port: 12060
For the built-in DX cluster server: configure N1MM+ as a DX cluster client (server: 127.0.0.1, port as set in KST4Contest).
DXLog.net
Settings in DXLog.net:
- Enable UDP broadcast
- Enter the IP of the KST4Contest computer (green-highlighted fields)
- Port: 12060
When broadcasting the complete logbook, DXLog.net uses contactreplace instead of contactinfo. KST4Contest processes both packet types. Older QSOs can therefore be imported by starting a complete-log broadcast while KST4Contest is running.
Win-Test
Win-Test is connected through a dedicated UDP listener for the native Win-Test network protocol. This listener is independent of the general QSO UDP listener on port 12060.
QSO and Worked synchronisation
For a new QSO, KST4Contest imports:
- the logged callsign,
- the native Win-Test band ID, and
- a valid locator where one is included in the packet.
Band IDs for 50 and 70 MHz are processed in the same way as the VHF, UHF and SHF bands. The callsign is marked as worked globally and on the detected band. If a locator is also available, its four-character grid square is stored for that band.
The information is written to the same internal database as Worked data received through the other QSO UDP interfaces and is restored after a restart.
Handing skeds over to Win-Test
Pressing Create sked first creates an internal KST4Contest sked. If the Win-Test network listener is enabled, KST4Contest then automatically attempts to send the sked to the Win-Test network as an ADDSKED packet.
The QRG is selected in the following order:
- KST4Contest looks for the most recent QRG of the remote station on the explicitly selected band. The QRG must be no more than 30 minutes old. Active variants of the same base callsign are evaluated together.
- If no such QRG is available, KST4Contest checks the local QRG of the chat category in which the sked was created. It is only used if it can be parsed and actually belongs to the selected band.
- If neither source provides a matching QRG, no
ADDSKEDpacket is sent.
A fixed replacement frequency such as 144.300 is deliberately not used. During a contest, a technically successful handover containing the wrong band or QRG is worse than a visibly omitted handover.
The internal sked remains intact in every case. This also applies when the broadcast address is invalid, the network fails or no Win-Test client can be reached.
Handling KST callsign suffixes
KST suffixes often identify a particular chat login or band. They are not necessarily part of the log callsign. KST4Contest therefore removes a suffix separated by - before handing the callsign over to Win-Test, while preserving portable and international callsign components:
| Callsign in the KST chat | Callsign passed to Win-Test |
|---|---|
DN9APW-2 |
DN9APW |
9A0BB-70 |
9A0BB |
EA5/G8MBI/P-70 |
EA5/G8MBI/P |
DN9APW-2/P |
DN9APW/P |
The complete callsign remains available inside KST4Contest. The timeline, reminder PMs and chat category continue to refer to the login which was actually selected.
Mode, time and notes
The mode is selected explicitly as SSB or CW when the sked is created. It is not inferred automatically from the QRG because a limited list of assumed band segments cannot represent every supported VHF, UHF and SHF band reliably.
KST4Contest sends the actual scheduled time without adding an extra minute. Where available, the notes include the locator and QTF together with an indication that the sked was created through KST4Contest.
The handover consists of the Win-Test packets LOCKSKED, ADDSKED and UNLOCKSKED.
Settings
In the Log sync tab:
Receive Win-Test network based UDP log messagesUDP-Port for Win-Test listener, default9871KST station name in Win-Test network (src of SKED packets)Win-Test network broadcast address
In the TRX sync tab:
Win-Test STATUS QRG SyncUse pass frequency from Win-Test STATUSWin-Test station name filter
The Win-Test network must be enabled in Win-Test. When several computers are used, the broadcast address must reach the relevant local network. The station name should identify the sending KST4Contest instance unambiguously within the Win-Test network.
Detailed settings: Win-Test Network Listener
TRX Frequency Synchronisation
In addition to QSO synchronisation, UCXLog and other programs also transmit the current transceiver frequency via UDP. KST4Contest processes this information and makes it available as the MYQRG variable.
Result: Your own QRG never needs to be typed manually in the chat – clicking the MYQRG button or using the variable in the beacon is sufficient.
Sources for your own QRG (MYQRG):
- UCXLog, N1MM+, DXLog.net, QARTest via UDP port 12060
- Win-Test STATUS packet (optional, configurable in the "TRX Synchronisation" tab under "Win-Test STATUS QRG Sync")
- Manual entry in the QRG field
Note for multi-setup: With two logging programs on two computers, only one should send frequency packets. KST4Contest cannot distinguish between sources and processes all incoming packets.
Multi-Setup: 2 Radios, 2 Computers
For DM5M-style setups (2 radios, 2 computers, one KST4Contest instance or two separate):
Option A – One shared KST4Contest instance:
- Both logging programs send QSO packets to the IP of the KST4Contest computer
- Only one logging program sends frequency packets (recommended: the VHF logging program)
Option B – Two separate KST4Contest instances (recommended):
- Each logging program communicates with its own KST4Contest instance via
127.0.0.1 - Two separate chat logins
- Better separation and fewer conflicts
Internal Database
KST4Contest stores Worked, NOT-QRV and worked-grid information in its own SQLite database. This database is independent of the logging application's database.
The input sources provide different levels of detail:
| Source | Global callsign status | Per-band status | Grid square |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplelogfile | yes | no | no |
| QSO UDP listener | yes | yes, if included in the packet | yes, if both band and locator are available |
| Win-Test network listener | yes | yes | yes, if a locator is available |
The information is restored when KST4Contest starts and updated during operation when new log entries arrive. It expires automatically after three days, so a reset before every contest is normally unnecessary.
A complete manual reset removes Worked marks, NOT-QRV marks and worked grid squares together. See Worked Station Database Settings for details.