This
file:
CardBack_9Q_ReadMe.htm 2003/04/13.
Author: Ron Stordahl N5IN.
Download
files: CardBack_9Q_v4r0.zip (obtain at DXSPOTS.COM) Note: This version is already part of
DXBase2004 as released by Scientific Solutions,
you will only have download later versions/revisions as they become available
if you wish to do so. This card definition
is used to print up to a 9 QSO 'label' directly on the back of a standard 3.5
by 5.5 inch QSL card.
My card
front as printed by W4MPY:
CardBack_9Q_Black_v4r0
example with 5 Q’s without a manager:
CardBack_9Q_Black_v4r0
example with 9 Q’s with a manager:
Necessary
DXBase2004 setup
The
"N5IN", "73 de Ron N5IN", "waz-4 DXSPOTS.COM
n5in@arrl.zzz " and
“Only one confirm per band-mode is needed” are obtained from DXBase2004, you
may set up these four items as you wish:
1)
Tools/Options/Personal Options/Operator/Callsign: “N5IN”
2)
Tools/Options/User Options/Labels/Label Signature: “73 de Ron N5IN”
3)
Tools/Options/User Options/Labels/Label Comment: “Only one confirm per band-mode is needed”
4)
Tools/Options/Personal Options/Operator/Email Address: "waz-4 DXSPOTS.COM n5in@arrl.zzz "
Of
course you can individualize the Label Signature (20 characters), the Email
address (48 characters) and Label Comment (40 characters). For example instead of an e-mail address you
may want to enter “CQ World Wide CW 2003”.
If you have
multiple hams in the family I recommend separate databases for each ham. Go to DXBase2004 help, select index and type
"Multiple" to get information on how to set multiple users.
How
to install
DXBase2004
comes with CardBack_9Q_v4r0 installed.
There may be new releases in the future.
The install procedure will be to expand CardBack_9Q_v4rn.zip into
C:\Program Files\Scientific Solutions\DXbase2004\Labels\ with the options 'Use
folder names' and ‘Overwrite existing files’ checked. This will place required files in the Labels
directory and subdirectory "CardBack_9Q_ReadMe_files".
Features
The
logic senses if the particular QSO line is a "PSE" or 'TNX' and
prints appropriately line by line. Prior
to using this card I separated my "PSE' and "TNX" cards using
different label groups. But this card
makes these fields so clear that I now send all 'labels' to group 0.
Unused
lines have '---'s in their corresponding data fields.
If
there is a QSL manager conveyed to the label module, the line 'via: "MANAGER"'
is printed in the upper right hand corner.
If there is no manager, then the country prefix for the QSO is printed
in place of the manager. For example for
the QSO: C4A (
DXBase2004
supports 9 different “QSL via’s”. These
are: Bureau, Direct, Direct$$, Manager, Other, None, Mgr-Buro, QSL-Svc and
Mgr$$. The method you have chosen for
this QSO will be printed on the card in small print centered on the bottom
line.
I have
provided a new label “5160-1qNew” which includes a number of the features of
CardBack_9Q on a single QSO basis. I
recommend that you print your labels first on plain paper using this single QSO
label definition. By doing so you can
see what changes/correction you should make before committing to printing with
CardBack_9Q. For example you may find
that for a given DX call you may have more than one manager call, you may have
the QSL via set differently for one or more Q’s for the same DX call. Using “5160-1qNew” for your ‘trial run’ will
enable you to get everything consistent.
DXBase2004
does not permit changes in such fields as CFM, Route Number or QSL Via to
overwrite existing data in the QSO Label database. After reviewing your printed proof, using
5160-1qNew on plain paper, and having determined the changes you wish to make,
you must go to Tools/DataBase Access/Labels/QSO Labels and delete each label
you wish to update. Then return to the
QSO Log, make the changes and save these labels a second time.
How
to print
Go to
Tools/Database Access/Labels/QSO Label and confirm that you have labels to print. Also note the group numbers used. Close this window. Go to Output/User Designed Labels/Select
Label Type. Here enter 9 QSO's per
label, check 'QSL Cards' and enter the group number, usually 0. There is a new item in this box for
DXB2004. It is “Ignore QSL via and use
Manager”. What this actually means
is: If checked, and this is what I
recommend, then if a QSL manager exists for that DX Call it will be conveyed to
the label for all 9 QSL via methods. If
unchecked, then for the special cases of “Bureau, Direct and Direct$$” the
manager will be ignored. Now Click
OK. A window will open which shows the
'.crd' files in the Labels subdirectory.
Double click on CardBack_9Q_Black_v4r0.
You are now presented with printing options. Select 'Preview' and click 'Start'. In the preview window you can scan through
your cards. To print them, click the
little printer on the left to do a single card and the one on the right to print
them all.
Your
printer must be able to handle card stock.
I successfully print these with a HP LaserJet 1200 when set for the
label/card stock path. There may be
issues with ink jet printers as QSL card stock tends to curl badly and this
design prints quite close to the edges.
Contact
me if you find any faults with CardBack_9Q_v4r0 or its documentation or if you
have any suggestions for enhancement.
73 and
Good DX!
Ron
Stordahl N5IN