  
              HISTORY OF IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW FEATURES
                          MADE TO HAM LOG.

      This is a summary of the changes made since Ham Log was first
      released, with emphasis given to the more recent changes. Only
     those of significance are included. The version number shows the
        Ham Log version number when the changes were incorporated,
                    together with the date of release.


VERSION 3.01 / 3.11 (November 1994)
  
  
  CUSTOM FIELD...
    A new field added to the Log database which can be for a variety of
    uses. Potentially, an immensely powerful tool. An indexed 10 character
    field, it can contain various information including information from
    the QSO's Country.
    Reasons / Notes:
    - It is ideal as a generic system for users chasing a multitude of
      awards. Can be searched on; lists can be based on its contents. QSO
      scroll order can be set to the Custom Field, thus grouping QSOs.
      Logs can be combined (or created) by specific contents of the Custom
      Field.
    - Information can be added automatically to the Custom Field (set in
      QSO & Log Defaults) as each QSO is added, or applied to various
      groups of QSOs from the Custom Field Utilities Menu [see below].
    - Other fields can be applied automatically to the Custom Field for
      new QSOs...
        ITU or CQ ZONES,  CONTINENT,  PREFIX,  CALL SIGN,  FREQUENCY
    - From the Custom Field Utilities Menu, groups of QSOs may have their
      Custom Field replaced. They groups can be specified as:
        1. Country is Not Confirmed
        2. QSL Sent, but None Received     [Specify QSL Sent  Dates]
        3. QSL Rcvd. for New Countries     [Specify QSL Rcvd. Dates]
        4. QSL Received Between Dates      [Specify QSL Rcvd. Dates]
        5. Custom Field is Currently "X"   [Specify "X";  QSO Dates]
        6. Replace All Custom Fields       [Specify QSO Dates]
        
        QSO's to replace can also be restricted by Mode. The Custom
        Field's replacements can be...
          1.  Text       2. Number      3. ITU Zone
          4.  CQ Zone    5. Continent   6. DXCC Prefix.
        
        If numbering, a choice of QSO orders is available.
        
        Further, the changes made can be temporary, as the Custom Fields'
        old values can be restored from this Menu.
  
  
  TWO QSO DETAIL SCREEN FORMATS...
    A choice of two screens of information is available when viewing a
    QSO. The "Main" details screen is similar to previous versions of Ham
    Log. The "Full" details version shows all of the newly added fields,
    together with most details of the country being worked.
    Reasons / Notes:
    - Saves pressing F3 for QSO's country information (F3 now shows
      directly the foreign language translations for the country).
    - The Main details screen is easier for editing just the main QSO
      fields.
    - The Full details screen allows editing of the new fields added to
      the QSO database.
    - The two screen formats are toggled by a function key. The screen for
      a new QSO can be set in the Set-Up for QSL and Log Defaults.
    - When Ham Log is in Contest Mode, only the critical contest fields
      are edited when using the Main details screen, allowing quick
      editing of points and multipliers at any time (not just when adding
      a QSO).
    - When printing a list of QSOs in detail (choice 8 in the List Print
      Menu), the format used is that currently chosen.
  
  
  NEW QSO DATABASE FIELDS...
    Each QSO now has the following additional information:
    - Date QSL was Sent  (can be inserted automatically by the program)
    - Date QSL Received  (can be inserted automatically by the program);
      QSOs can be listed based on this date - useful for listing new
      countries confirmed during a period; e.g. since last DXCC credit
      application was made.
    - QSL Received Direct  (Y/N)  (in addition to the QSL Sent Direct
      field)
    - Custom Field  (10 chr.; indexed, so can be listed and searched on;
      logs can be combined based on the contents of this field; can have
      other data applied automatically with new QSOs, OR, groups of QSOs
      (chosen by various criteria) can have their Custom Field replaced
      with relevant data. Ideal for marking QSOs valid for a variety of
      awards. Upper / Lower case sensitive. [See additional information.]
  
  
  TEXT EDITOR FIELD...
    When being saved to disk, the text editor may now be named simply by
    the Call Sign of the station worked. Limitations on the size of the
    file due to memory constraints have been reduced.
    Reasons / Notes:
    - The text editor field was changed in version 2.5 so that it could be
      saved to disk and retrieved, for each QSO. The name of the file was
      based on the QSO and Log numbers. Naming the file by call sign means
      that the information can be retrieved automatically for ANY QSO with
      the same station, in ANY of the six logs.
    - Eliminates any problems associated with renumbering a log's QSOs.
    - Using both naming methods means it is possible to have two text
      editor fields for a QSO.
    - Naming format is set in QSO and Log Defaults [see below].
  
  
  ADDITIONAL LOG MODES...
      G-TOR,    DIGI    SSTV    A.M.
  
  
  COUNTRIES DATABASE...
    The countries database maintains records of all six logs at once. The
    updating process is automatic as required. More information is
    available when viewing a country, including the QSO numbers of first
    worked and confirmed QSOs, in each mode.
    Reasons / Notes:
    - The relatively slow process of updating each time one changes logs
      is eliminated.
    - When receiving the updates of the latest versions of the Country and
      Prefix databases, updating with your logs will be automatic.
  
    COMBINING LOGS...
    Made even more powerful by the ability to combine or create logs based
    on the contents of the Custom Field.
    Reasons / Notes:
    - In addition to the previous criteria of Mode and / or Frequency, the
      contents of the Custom Field can also be stipulated. You can specify
      that, for a QSO to be combined, the Custom Field must:
        1. Be an Exact Match (with what you specified)
        2. Begin With (what you specified)
        3. A QSO's Custom Field must CONTAIN what you specified
           (can be anywhere within the Custom Field)
  
  
  QSO and LOG DEFAULTS...
    The defaults for new QSOs and general log defaults have been enhanced,
    partly due to the addition of the new log fields. These defaults are
    stored separately for each of the six logs.
    Reasons / Notes:
    The following defaults can be preset:
      1. Apply current UTC Date and Time (to New QSO)
      2. Mode,  Frequency,  RST Sent and Received,  Comments  (of New QSO)
      3. Custom Field - choice of:
          Text  -  ITU Zone  -  CQ Zone  -  Continent  -  Prefix
          Call Sign  -  Frequency
      4. Update QSL Sent Date when a QSO is printed from the QSO Menu
      5. Update QSL Sent Date when a QSL listing is done from the List
          Print Menu
      6. Name saved Text Editor fields by QSO & Log Nos., or Call Sign
      7. Default QSO details screen - "Full" or "Main"
      8. Apply the QSO Start Time to the QSO End Time.
      9. Automatically update a New QSO's End Time (if blank, when you
          exit the QSO Menu)
  
  
  CONTEST MODE...
    The Contest Mode has been fine tuned to allow for easier editing of
    QSOs, perhaps after the Contest is over.
    Reasons / Notes:
    - When the Contest Mode is invoked, and just the QSO Main Details
      screen is in use, then the only fields available to edit are:
        Points,  Multiplier,  Reports,  Custom Field  and  Comments.
      This allows for fast and easy subsequent editing of QSOs. If the
      "Full" details screen is in use (which can be toggled by F6), then
      all fields can be edited.
    - The Contest Mode is now toggled on and off from choice 5 of the
      Utilities Menu.
  
  
  LIST PRINT MENU...
    The choices of lists available are now virtually unlimited. This is
    due primarily to the powerful new feature of being able to base lists
    on the contents of QSOs' Custom Fields. (Note that the Custom Field
    can contain information specific to the Country of the QSO. Or, it may
    contain values based on various other criteria - see information on
    the Custom Field above.)
    Reasons / Notes:
    - Listing QSOs in choices 5 and 8 can now be restricted by the
      contents of their Custom Fields. You can specify that, for a QSO to
      be listed, the Custom Field must:
        1. Be an Exact Match (with what you specified)
        2. Begin With (what you specified)
        3. A QSO's Custom Field must simply CONTAIN what you specified
           can be anywhere within the Custom Field)
      The printed heading indicates any Custom Field restrictions.
    - When listing QSOs from choices 5 or 8, the order listed can be:
        Date of QSO,  Call Sign,  Country,  or  Custom Field.
          (The printed heading indicates the order chosen)
    - When listing QSOs in single line format (choice 5), you have the
      choice of replacing the QSL and QSO No. information with the Custom
      Field information.
    - Listing first QSOs of Confirmed Countries (choice 3), can now be
      restricted to QSOs where the QSL was received between a range of
      dates.
    - When listing QSOs to be sent QSLs, each QSO's "Date QSL Sent" can be
      updated with the current date. Thus, with QSOs you wish to send a
      QSL, you can now differentiate between those which have actually
      been sent and those still to send. (A dummy "current" date can be
      used by temporarily changing the computer's system date.)
    - All lists indicate the date format in use (MDY/DMY)
    - Choice 8: "QSOs - Full Details" prints the QSOs in whatever format
      currently is in use to view QSOs on the screen - i.e. "Full" or
      "Main" details.
  
  
  GENERAL / PROGRAMMING...
    - Reduced possible memory problems of importing large text files into
      Text Editor and General Station Information facilities.
    - General Station Information is further enhanced.
    - More effective colours used.
    - A new demonstration log has been provided, mainly to demonstrate
      some of the many uses of the Custom Field.
    - Additional virus check functions have been added to the program.
    - Ham Log now only runs from an hard disk.
    - Logs from all versions prior to 3.00 are converted to the new
      version 3 format automatically (with upgrades). New version 3 format
      Country and Prefix databases are provided with upgrades.
    - Many other more minor changes have been made.



VERSION 2.55  (May 1994)
  
  - Listing of Countries Worked or Confirmed, can now be in order of
    A.R.R.L. Main Prefix field. Lists' contents reflect the order chosen.
    Also, there is the ability to scroll through countries in this order.
    (Main reason: Preferred format by DXCC award managers.)


VERSION 2.53  (March 1994)
  
  - Changed order of edited fields in Contest Mode.
  - Cursor jumps to first free character of RST Received field in Contest
    Mode (as suggested France's "Megahertz").
  - Any Text Editor field (named by QSO & Log Nos) is deleted if the QSO
    is deleted.
  - Changed headings on lists from "(z)" to "UTC"
  - Countries current local time is included on Main QSO screen.
  - Added more General Station Information, including H.F. general usage
    plans (shows broadcast bands).

VERSION 2.51  (February 1994)
  
  QSL CUSTOM LABEL FORMAT...
    - The Custom QSL Format feature is designed for users with their own
      special QSL cards (or print requirements). It enables the user to
      select which fields (and in what order) of a QSO are to be included.
      Five text fields (which might contain Name, Address, Rig details
      etc.) can also be included (again, in any order). Fields can be
      repeated. This feature enables virtually any QSL label format a user
      might want.
      
      Designed for final printing by a word processor, the data is
      exported to a DOS file. The following can also be specified:
        - A delimiting character between fields
        - Include Field Names
        - Include a line feed between fields
        - No. of lines between records (QSOs)
      
      If using a word processor for the printing, one sets up the exact
      format of the QSL card desired, and saves it as a document. Then,
      the word processor imports the data from Ham Log, merges the two and
      prints them.
      
      This method was chosen as far superior to Ham Log doing the actual
      printing, for several reasons. Firstly, Ham Log is a specialised
      database program; printing is best left to a program specialised in
      printing (Ham Log's job is to provide the data to print). Secondly,
      printer drivers for the multitude of printers available would be
      required. Also, importing the data into a word processor allows you
      to make further "global" type changes, based on constants such as
      field names.
  
  - Ability to save and retrieve a QSO's Text Editor field. Can also be
    used for importing other data files which are to be associated with a
    QSO (such as digital mode terminal log capture files).
  - Added PACTOR Mode.
  - Added more General Station Information, including 50 MHz beacon data.
  - Added DMY/MDY and UTC in printing of full details of QSO.


VERSION 2.41  (September 1993)
  
  - Increased Frequency field from 4 to 7 characters.
  - Modify QSO lists to meet French requirements.
  - Change Statistics so they are based on single MHz rather individual
    frequencies.
  - Included a conversion program for old logs.


VERSION 2.23  (August 1993)
  
  - Added local and UTC times on screen.
  - Modified prefix search facility to ascertain prefix from any call sign
    entered.
  - Modified adding QSO in Contest Mode.
  - Programming changes for increased memory efficiency.


VERSION 2.21  (July 1993)  
  - Added log's DXCC Statistics for Current and Deleted DXCC countries.
    (Ideal for DXCC awards.)
  - Ham Log remembers the last QSO that was sent a QSL, for all six logs.
  - Country information shows the distance in kilometres.
  - Prefix information shows short path heading.


VERSION 2.01  (February 1993)
  
  - Ability to combine logs based on QSOs of particular mode and / or
    frequency, or create a new log from the contents of another.
  - Country's information shows Local Time, ITU and CQ Zones and
    Continent, Short and Long Path beam headings.
  - Prefix information includes the country's DXCC status, and its
    A.R.R.L. Main Prefix.
  - Provide Foreign Language Translations for over 150 countries.
    Available immediately as a country is being worked.
  - Ability to see full details of the country being worked by pressing a
    function key (F3) from the QSO Menu and the foreign language
    translations (NB: See version 3 changes.)
  - Text Editor can be saved as a DOS file.
  - Added General Station Information Facility. Ability to have available
    at any time in the program useful data reference, which the user may
    edit and retain useful information such as scheds., nets etc.
  - Added name and call sign of the particular log in use on Log Scroll
    and QSO screens.
  - Increased available modes allowing:  F.M.;  A.M.;  RTTY; PACKET;
    AMTOR;  IMAGE.  Mode names included on lists etc.
  - Modified summary of points and multipliers at end of lists in Contest
    Mode.
  - Added Main Menu Choice "Latest Changes" to include changes made to Ham
    Log since the manual was printed, or, the last upgrade.
  - Added ability for program not to apply UTC date and time to new QSOs
    (Reason: for adding old QSOs).
  - If a call sign (for a new or edited QSO) contains a "/", then the
    option is given to determine the call sign's country from what follows
    the "/".
  - QSL label information improved regarding mode in use.
  - Improved list formats, and more informative list headings.
  - Many other minor changes.
  
  COUNTRIES...
  - Clear definition of DXCC Status of countries...
      DXCC Current Countries (those currently valid for DXCC)
      DXCC Deleted Countries (those that were valid but since deleted)
      DXCC Valid Countries   (both Current and Deleted countries)
      Non-DXCC Countries     (regions with special prefixes, but not given
                              separate DXCC status)
  - Most lists of Countries, Prefixes and QSOs can be confined to any or
    all of the above "types" of countries.
  - Ham Log searches all DXCC Current countries for the prefix of a new
    QSO. If exhausted, it then searches for an applicable Non-DXCC
    Country, and failing that, it searches Deleted DXCC countries (and
    advises).
  - Country Scroll Menu, together with most lists, indicate the month and
    year of the valid A.R.R.L. DXCC listing.
  - The main order for scrolling countries is "DXCC, Country Name". DXCC
    Current countries are listed first alphabetically, followed by
    countries Deleted from DXCC in order of year deleted (those within the
    same year alphabetically), followed by Non-DXCC countries (also
    alphabetically).
  - The addition of the A.R.R.L. DXCC Main Prefix for DXCC countries.
    Countries can be scrolled in this order of main prefix, within DXCC
    Current Countries, followed by DXCC Deleted Countries (in order
    deleted) and then Non-DXCC countries.
  - Ability to list countries and only show their A.R.R.L. Main Prefix,
    together with listing just Main Prefixes, showing their country.
  - Selecting countries (for various uses) is done by highlighting the
    country desired from a list.


      Version 1.1 was formally released in February 1992. Details of
     the various improvements made during version 1 - 2 have not been
                                included.

                                * * * * *

R.G. 19 October, 1994

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