Updating Your Search Library

Each online callbook and QSL database accessible via Pathfinder is described by a small file, referred to as a search file. Your copy of Pathfinder maintains its search files in a subfolder named Searches; this subfolder was created and populated when you installed Pathfinder. If you installed Pathfinder in

C:\Program Files\DXLab Suite\Pathfinder

then the searches subfolder is

C:\Program Files\DXLab Suite\Pathfinder\Searches

From time to time, new online callbooks and QSL databases become available. In addition, the location or search parameters for existing online resources sometimes change. You can create or modify your own search files to expand Pathfinder's search capabilities -- see Modifying searches for more information. In addition, you can download search files -- either en masse or individually -- from Pathfinder's Search library as they become available. The following two sections describe these search file download procedures.

If a downloaded search file describes a country-specific callbook, no further action is required; Pathfinder checks its Searches subfolder whenever you enter a callsign, and thus will reference the new search file when needed.

If a downloaded search file describes a callbook or QSL database that you expect to search frequently, you can assign the search to one of Pathfinder's 12 search buttons by following these directions.

To update a search already assigned to one of Pathfinder's search buttons, assign the newly-downloaded search file to the existing button by following these directions.

Downloading All Search Files

The following process updates all search files. If you've made modifications to the search files in your Searches subfolder, be sure to make copies before proceeding.

Step Directions

1 Download the self-extracting executable containing all search files by clicking here

2 When prompted, direct your browser to save this executable file to a temporary location on your hard drive; subfolder C:\Temp is often used for this purpose. Note the name of the executable file being downloaded, as well as the destination subfolder.

3 When the download has finished, initiate self-extraction by double-clicking on the executable file in a Windows Explorer window. The WinZip Self-Extractor dialog box will appear.

4 By default, the self-extractor will place all search files in

C:\Program Files\DXLab Suite\Pathfinder\Searches

If you installed Pathfinder in C:\Program Files\DXLab Suite\Pathfinder, then this default destination is correct -- just click the Unzip button. Your Searches subfolder will now contain a full set of up-to-date search files.

If you installed Pathfinder elsewhere, modify the Unzip to folder field to designate Pathfinder's Searches subfolder and then click the Unzip button.

Downloading Individual Search Files

Step Directions

1 Display Pathfinder's Search Library by clicking here.

2 Find the entry corresponding to the search file you wish to download, and click on it. Your browser will display the search file's contents -- six lines of descriptive information.

3 Use your browser's SaveAs command (in it's File menu) to store the file into Pathfinder's Searches subfolder. If you are updating an existing search file, your browser will ask permission to replace it with the new version; click the Yes button.

If the downloaded search file describes a country-specific callbook, no further action is required; Pathfinder checks its Searches subfolder whenever you enter a callsign, and thus will reference the new search file when needed.

If the downloaded search file describes a callbook or QSL database that you expect to search frequently, you can assign the search to one of Pathfinder's 12 search buttons by following these directions.

To update a search already assigned to one of Pathfinder's search buttons, assign the newly-downloaded search file to the existing button by following these directions.

If you have questions or suggestions, please send them via email to the DXLab reflector.