Exploring the K6GTE Winter Field Day Logger: A Python-based Curses Application for Amateur Radio Operators
Amateur radio operators participating in the annual Winter Field Day event often struggle to find a simple and efficient way to log their radio contacts. The K6GTE Winter Field Day logger, a Python-based curses application, solves this problem by providing a user-friendly interface for logging contacts, generating a Cabrillo log, and simplifying the submission process.
System Architecture and Technology Stack
The K6GTE Winter Field Day logger is written in Python 3 and utilizes the curses library for creating a text-based graphical user interface. The application is compatible with Linux and Mac operating systems, but currently does not work properly in Windows due to limitations in the Windows curses library.
The logger stores all logged contacts in an sqlite3 database file called ‘wfd.db’. This database allows for easy retrieval and management of logged contacts. Additionally, the application expects a terminal with an 80 x 24 character screen size for optimal display.
Key Features
The K6GTE Winter Field Day logger offers a range of features designed to enhance the logging experience for amateur radio operators. Some of the key features include:
Radio Polling via rigctld or flrig
The application supports radio polling through the rigctld or flrig protocols. Users can enable or disable this feature in the settings screen, allowing for automatic updates of band and mode information.
Callsign Lookups
Amateur radio operators can enable callsign lookups using popular services such as QRZ, HamQTH, or HamDB. By entering their credentials in the settings screen, users can retrieve additional information about the contacted station.
Automatic Logging to Cloudlog
The K6GTE Winter Field Day logger provides the option to automatically log contacts to Cloudlog, a cloud-based logging service. By configuring the API key and URL in the settings screen, operators can seamlessly integrate their logging process with Cloudlog.
Bearing to Contact
Once a user enters their own callsign and chooses a lookup provider, the application retrieves the corresponding gridsquare information. Additionally, it calculates the bearing and distance to the contacted station. This information helps operators understand the geographic location of their contacts.
Editing and DUP Checking
Operators can easily edit existing contacts by using the Up/Down arrow keys or PageUp/PageDown to scroll through the contact list. Double-clicking on a contact or using the ‘.E’ command allows for efficient editing. The logger also includes a DUP checking feature, highlighting potential duplicate contacts to prevent double log entries.
Installation and Running
Getting started with the K6GTE Winter Field Day logger is straightforward. The application is available on PyPI, allowing users to install and update it using pip. To install the logger, simply run the following command:
pip install wfdcurses
To update to the latest version, use the following command:
pip install --upgrade wfdcurses
Once installed, the logger can be launched by running the command:
wfdcurses
Future Development and Contributions
The K6GTE Winter Field Day logger is continually evolving to meet the needs of amateur radio operators. The project’s GitHub repository, maintained by mbridak, provides an extensive list of recent changes and a TODO section, indicating planned future enhancements. Operators are encouraged to contribute ideas, feedback, or suggestions for further improvements.
Conclusion
The K6GTE Winter Field Day logger offers an efficient and user-friendly solution for amateur radio operators participating in the annual Winter Field Day event. Its Python-based curses application provides an intuitive interface for logging contacts, generating Cabrillo logs, and simplifying the submission process. With features like radio polling, callsign lookups, automatic Cloudlog integration, and DUP checking, the logger streamlines the logging process and enhances the overall experience for amateur radio operators.
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