[Dxbase] DXBase Useage

Fri Sep 10 15:35:28 EDT 2010

Hi all
Neal do you think this is OK to post on the DXBase reflector? Please look it 
over. You think it is time?
I am your basic user.
Many things on the program I have not used for various reasons.
I just want to put in my log entries. The thrill of doing a contest and using 
DXBase as a contest logging program works well for what little I use to use it 
for. I miss doing that.
I had made my own program using what was in DXBase and make a report for the 
WQP. Worked well.
CW, RTTY, and any Digital mode and interface from the program to the radio, I 
had never used these features. Between the computer and radio while running 
1KW 
gave me grief and caused me issues with the logging program. It did not matter 
what program I ran, I had same issues. Interesting enough, with each program I 
ran, different parts of the program was interfered with. The location when 
going from one program to another changed. Oddly enough, the damage done, all 
ways happened in the same location when the same program was running.
Having the Radio controlled by the computer to change freq., is another one of 
my issues caused by RFI and high power. 200 watts or less it runs well.
Even keeping the CPU and Radio equipment separated with no connection I had
RFI issues with 1KW.
Looks like a K3, K1 or a Flex radio is the best way to go cause they have a 
minimal path for RF to fly back on. The flex radio only has a single USB cable 
to go between the radio and computer. Oh, and the AC power line.
Because of the RFI issue and it was messing up my DXBase logging program, It 
was 
very hard to make corrections and diagnose what was affected. A couple of 
Joe's 
Crystal programs helped but it was too time consuming for me cause I had over 
16000 log entries to go through. A couple of other times I had to reload the 
DXBase program and import my ADIF's. Sure glad Joe had taught me to do a back 
up.
RFI is for the most part has been eliminated, with the use of Blue Tooth key 
board
and mouse.
I have used about 10 of Joe's Crystal report programs. A couple of them
I really liked.
QSL label function I did not use for various reasons. Some day I might try it 
again.
With companies that you send your ADIF to and they send cards out for you, the 
cost of ding it your self, for cards postage and the sort, you basically break 
even. Send them direct with this service is good but the return is very low 
cause they do not add the needed Green Stamps that make the difference. My 
guess is that you can save money if you do it your self.
Propagation and MUF is a key to good DXing. I would like to see this improved. 
There are better ways of doing this. i did not like the add on programs that 
DXBase used. I had issue with Keys and Registrations when I updated them to a 
new computer, and found it to be a pain in the butt over the years.
Re-Registration was a pain when I had to put the program back on my computer 
after repairs or replacement of a computer or RFI got into it so bad that I had 
to reinstall DXBase. Sure glad that Joe was a lot of help cause he had sent me 
my registration info several times.
Some problems filtered over from DXBase 2003 to 2007. Hard to tell weather the
problems was with the program or RFI, no way to verify. There was a gut feeling
after doing some home work and research. It could even had been issues with
Windows and its conflicts. After all the RFI work that I had done
too the station, it would be interesting to try DXBase 2007 again.
I like Mac and what it does. Nice smooth running machine. I am very patient
for the possibility that a Mac version of DXBase would be worked on.
Emulators to run Windows and DXBase on the Mac is out of the question. The
whole windows program bogs down with the emulator. I would try DXBase
with just an emulator, but what good is that with out windows running as well.

Stay on course, fight a good fight, and keep the faith. Jim K9TF/WA9YSD