[SJDXA] ClubLog and Star QSL

[Bob Schenck N2OO]

SJDXA MEMBERS;

For the past few days, I have been working on acquiring a whole new way for
SJDXA to process QSLs for a major DXpedition. If we have any luck at all, we
will be able to use it with the HK0NA DXpedition coming up in a few weeks.
It is all done online with several QSL Managers able to work on cards right
in their own home ONLINE by accessing a server. More on this later.

 

It all started when I got one of those "I'd like to talk to you about
something" calls I got from Bob K4UEE. J

It seems that the HK's decided that they wanted to use ClubLog for their
online logsearch for HK0NA. Mainly because it utilizes the leader board
concept promoting big pileups... I had already set up a logsearch through
the G4ZFE applet. And I had also already setup an OQRS with Bernd DF3CB
(same as the one used for K5D).

However, the ClubLog logsearch system also provides an OQRS system
connection that can do a manual entry of your QSO's OR it also offers to
match your log contents with the DXpedition log when you do the logsearch
and you provide an ADIF file of your own QSO's. (At least that's how I think
it works). If ClubLog is used stand alone, they would provide me with ADIF
files of ALL matched direct or bureau OQRS QSO's, PayPal info, mailing
addresses. Everything can be printed in batches. Everything from the OQRS is
"pre-confirmed automatically". However, there is a bit of difficulty getting
the mailing address data as Club Log inserts it into the ADIF file. Not sure
how to get it out. It shows up in the "Notes for this call" field along with
PayPal confirmation info. Michael at Club LOG tried sending me CSV files of
the address files in a test we ran and they came through OK but not in
sequential order, and for some reason it skipped a label in between
addresses. L

This is where STAR QSL comes in.

Star QSL is a server based logging program made especially for DXpeditions
and DXpedition QSL Managing. It allows several QSL Managers to access the
database and work on cards according to their assignment. The neat part is
that it can interface with Club Log by taking OQRS ADIF file feeds right
from Club Log. It separates OQRS bureau requests from direct requests and
puts the QSO's into a regular Word document for sequential QSL label
printing. And for the OQRS direct requests, it extracts the mailing
addresses as well and puts them into sequential order in a regular Word
document for label printing.  Oh, it also supports single feed printing for
direct printing to either the QSL and/or to the envelope. And yes, you can
work on direct received mail and incoming regular QSL bureau cards also.
There are some safeguards that give me some control over the log itself, but
99% of all QSO's that match should confirm with ease. It looks easy to use
as far as I can tell from the help file.

The problem with StarQSL is that it requires setting up a special server.

Today, I spoke with Jamie Punderson W2QO and he has offered to set it up on
his servers for us!

 

I am attaching the help file from Star QSL. Follow these instructions for
opening the file. It might not work otherwise.

Double click on the zip attachment, select save. Save to a new folder
somewhere.

Then, go to that folder and double click on the zip file. It should open
now.

(Its called a compiled html help file)

 

Looking forward to input from my QSL team !!

 

I have a few "fall backs" available. Including: ClubLog can still be used
for the Logsearch and leader board for the DXpedition, and Club Log could
send folks to the old DF3CB OQRS site for handling OQRS. If I can figure out
how to extract the address files in a sequential order from the ADIF files
from Club Log myself, then Club Log OQRS could be used. 

 

 

See ya' in the Pileups!

73!

Bob Schenck, N2OO

President SJDXA

GO SJDXA!!! www.sjdxa.org

 

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