FDLOG = Field Day Logging Program 3/2002 A K Biocca $Revision: 1.22 $ This program is designed to support Amateur Radio Field Day Operations by providing a robust multiplatform networked distributed logging database and information service. Introduction This is a complete rewrite of WB6ZQZ's Field Day Logging program. It is nearly 20 years old now, but this new version has many new features, primary of which is the ability to synchronize the logfile database across a network in a peer to peer fashion, avoiding single points of failure. The expectation is that a wireless network will be used. To run this program you will need to install Python (or not). The development was done on win2k under Python 2.2-2.4 and Tkinter, but it should be able to run on Linux and the Mac with most features. Python is available from www.python.org. There is a directly executable version of FDLog called fdlogexe.zip. This is a larger download but it works without Python installed. It only works in Windows. Networking is required to use the data sync features of the program. A broadcast is used, so stations on the same subnet running the program will sync databases. An authentication code is used, so only stations with the same auth code will be able to share data. Setting up ad-hoc or peer-peer 802.11 networking is beyond the scope of this note. This should be done prior to running the logging software. Note that each station does need a distinct hostname for proper database synchronization. See the separate note on wireless networking. The computer's clock accuracy is important, so set it before starting the log program. This will reduce the amount of correction the internal time sync has to compensate for. Designate one computer as the master timekeeper (and set this in FDLog). Then all program time clocks will track that one. Getting the latest version of the program on Field Day will at our site is handled by a small web server on one of the development machines. Other files like Python and FD rules will be available there as well. See the Help/802.11 note for details. Python 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 have been used successfully with the software. Installing the FDLOG program is straightforward - all that is needed is a directory with the files in it. The program will create database and log files in this directory. Unpack the zipfile in the directory you have chosen. If you want access to the Field Day rules (a menu item under help) download the ARRL Field Day Rules package and rename it to 'fdrules.pdf' and add it to the dir. Viewing pdf files requires Adobe Acrobat, available from www.adobe.com. Launching the pdf file from Python may only work on win32 systems. The index.htm file contains links to all the documentation as well, so launching your web browser (double click on index.htm) provides program-independent access to the docs. The FDLOG program is launched by double-clicking on the fdlog.py icon in the directory. For convenience you may want to create a shortcut on the desktop. Starting the program the first time will ask a few questions as it sets up. Visit the help menu 'Help/Getting Started' for further instructions. Thanks, Alan Biocca, WB6ZQZ@ARRL.net eof