From b91c26500777507359a3dd77309a9943226aad0b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: g0vgs Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 16:43:25 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] minor corrections to manuals --- Changes | 2 +- sgml/adminmanual.sgml | 1813 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ sgml/usermanual.sgml | 1011 +++++++++++++++++++++++ 3 files changed, 2825 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) create mode 100644 sgml/adminmanual.sgml create mode 100644 sgml/usermanual.sgml diff --git a/Changes b/Changes index 9746c1ac..df365000 100644 --- a/Changes +++ b/Changes @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ 28Mar03======================================================================= 1. Added an excellent document on filtering to the manuals from Jim, W3BG -2. started to remove old documents +2. started to remove old documents (g0vgs) 27Mar03======================================================================= 1. play around with sh/reg, sh/iso, sh/node and sh/lock to make them work slightly better with the new user format. diff --git a/sgml/adminmanual.sgml b/sgml/adminmanual.sgml new file mode 100644 index 00000000..e1b58b8f --- /dev/null +++ b/sgml/adminmanual.sgml @@ -0,0 +1,1813 @@ + + +
+ + + +The DXSpider Administration Manual v1.50 +Ian Maude, G0VGS, (g0vgs@gb7mbc.net), and +Charlie Carroll, K1XX, (k1xx@ptcnh.net) +March 2003 revision 0.5 + + +A reference for SysOps of the DXSpider DXCluster program. + + + + + + + +Routing and Filtering + +Introduction + +

+From DXSpider version 1.48, major changes were introduced to the way +node connections are treated. This is part of an ongoing process to +remove problems with loops and to enable talk and other functions to +propagate across the whole of the worldwide cluster network. In fact, +in a Spider network, it would be useful, perhaps even necessary to +have loops. This would give real resilience to the network, meaning +that if a link dropped, the information flow would simply come in and +go out via a different route. Of course, we do not have a complete +network of Spider nodes, there are other programs out there. Some of +these do not have any protection from loops. Certainly AK1A does not +handle loops well at all. It is therefore necessary to have some form +of protection for these nodes. + +

+In fact DXSpider has had a simple system for some time which is called +isolation. This is similar to what in other systems such as +clx, is called passive mode. A more detailed explanation +of isolation is given further below. This system is still available +and, for simple networks, is probably all that you need. + +

+The new functionality introduced in version 1.48 allows filtering the node +and user protocol frames on a "per interface" basis. We call this +route filtering. This is used instead of +isolation. + +

+What this really means is that you can control more or less completely +which user and node management PC protocol frames pass to each of your +partner nodes. You can also limit what comes into your node from your +partners. It is even possible to control the settings that your partner +node has for the routing information that it sends to you +(using the rcmd command). + +Route Filters + +

+Initially when route filters were being tested we generated a +"default" filter. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that this +might suit the UK cluster network but didn't really fit anybody else. +However using a default filter is an appropriate thing to do. How, is +explained further on. + +

+The first thing that you must do is determine whether you need to use +route filtering at all. If you are a "normal" node with two or +three partners and you arranged in an "official" non-looping tree type +network, then you do not need to do route filtering and you will +feel a lot better for not getting involved. If you are successfully using +isolation then you also probably don't need to use route filtering. + +

+To put it simply, you should not mix Isolation and Route Filtering. It +will work, of sorts, but you will not get the expected results. If you +are using Isolation sucessfully at the moment, do not get involved in +Route Filtering unless you have a good supply of aspirin! Once you have +started down the road of Route Filtering, do not use Isolation either. +Use one or the other, not both. + +

+You will only require this functionality if you are "well-connected". What +that means is that you are connected to several different parts of (say) +the EU cluster and, at the same time, also connected to two or three places +in the US which, in turn are connected back to the EU. This is called a +"loop" and if you are seriously looped then you need filtering. + +

+I should at this stage give a little bit of background on filters. All +the filters in Spider work in basically the same way. You can either +accept or reject various options in order to create the filter rules +you wish to achieve. Some filters are user settable, others can only +be altered by the sysop. Route filtering can only be done by the sysop. + +

+Anyway, without further discouragement, let me start the process +of explanation. + +The node_default filter + +

+All normal systems should have a default routing filter and it should +usually be set to send only the normal, unlooped, view of your +"national" network. Here in the UK that means nodes from the UK and +Eire, in EU it is more complex as the networks there grew up in a more +intertwined way. + +

+The generic commands are:- + + +reject/route node_default <filter_option> + +or + +accept/route node_default <filter_option> + + +where filter_option is one of the following ... + + +call <prefixes> +call_dxcc <numbers> +call_itu <numbers> +call_zone <numbers> +channel <prefixes> +channel_dxcc <numbers> +channel_itu <numbers> +channel_zone <numbers> + + +Please be careful if you alter this setting, it will affect +ALL your links! Remember, this is a default +filter for node connections, not a per link default. + +

+For the default routing filter then you have two real choices: either +a "national" view or the "safe" option of only your own +callsign. Examples of each (for my node: GB7DJK) are:- + + +acc/route node_default call_dxcc 61,38 +acc/route node_default call gb7djk + + +GB7DJK uses the first of these. The DXCC countries can be obtained from the +show/prefix command. + +

+The example filters shown control output TO all your +partner nodes unless they have a specific filter applied to them (see +next section). + +

+It is also possible to control the incoming routing +information that you are prepared to accept FROM your partner +nodes. The reason this is necessary is to make sure that stuff like +mail, pings and similar commands a) go down the correct links and b) +don't loop around excessively. Again using GB7DJK as an example a typical +default input filter would be something like: + + +rej/route node_default input call_dxcc 61,38 and not channel_dxcc 61,38 + + +What this does is accept node and user information for our national +network from nodes that are in our national network, but rejects such +information from anyone else. Although it doesn't explicitly say so, +by implication, any other node information (not from the UK and Eire) +is accepted. + +

+As I imagine it will take a little while to get one's head around all of +this you can study the effect of any rules that you try by watching the +debug output after having done:- + + +set/debug filter + + +After you have got tired of that, to put it back the way it was:- + + +unset/debug filter + + +General route filtering + +

+Exactly the same rules apply for general route filtering. You would +use either an accept filter or a reject filter like this ... + + +reject/route <node_call> <filter_option> + +or + +accept/route <node_call> <filter_option> + + +

+Here are some examples of route filters ... + + +rej/route gb7djk call_dxcc 61,38 (send everything except UK+EIRE nodes) +rej/route all (equiv to [very] restricted mode) +acc/route gb7djk call_dxcc 61,38 (send only UK+EIRE nodes) +acc/route gb7djk call gb7djk (equiv to SET/ISOLATE) + + +In practice you will either be opening the default filter out for a +partner by defining a specific filter for that callsign:- + + +acc/route gb7baa all +acc/route gb7baa input all + + +or restricting it quite a lot, in fact making it very nearly like an +isolated node, like this:- + + +acc/route pi4ehv-8 call gb7djk +rej/route pi4ehv-8 input call_dxcc 61,38 + + +This last example takes everything except UK and Eire from PI4EHV-8 +but only sends him my local configuration (just a PC19 for GB7DJK and +PC16s for my local users). + +

+It is possible to write much more complex rules, there are up +to 10 accept/reject pairs per callsign per filter. For more information +see the next section. + + +General filter rules + +

+Upto v1.44 it was not possible for the user to set their own filters. From +v1.45 though that has all changed. It is now possible to set filters for just +about anything you wish. If you have just updated from an older version of +DXSpider you will need to update your new filters. You do not need to do +anything with your old filters, they will be renamed as you update. + +

+There are 3 basic commands involved in setting and manipulating filters. These +are accept, reject and clear. First we will look +generally at filtering. There are a number of things you can filter in the +DXSpider system. They all use the same general mechanism. + +

+In general terms you can create a "reject" or an "accept" filter which can have +up to 10 lines in it. You do this using, for example ... + + +accept/spots ..... +reject/spots ..... + + +where ..... are the specific commands for that type of filter. There are filters +for spots, wwv, announce, wcy and (for sysops) connects. See each different +accept or reject command reference for more details. + +There is also a command to clear out one or more lines in a filter. They are ... + + +clear/spots 1 +clear/spots all + + +There is clear/xxxx command for each type of filter. + +

+and you can check that your filters have worked by the command ... + + +show/filter + + +

+For now we are going to use spots for the examples, but you can apply the same +principles to all types of filter. + +Types of filter + +

+There are two main types of filter, accept or reject. You +can use either to achieve the result you want dependent on your own preference +and which is more simple to do. It is pointless writing 8 lines of reject +filters when 1 accept filter would do the same thing! Each filter has 10 +lines (of any length) which are tried in order. If a line matches then the +action you have specified is taken (ie reject means ignore it and accept +means take it) + +

+If you specify reject filters, then any lines that arrive that match the filter +will be dumped but all else will be accepted. If you use an accept filter, +then ONLY the lines in the filter will be accepted and all else will be dumped. +For example if you have a single line accept filter ... + + +accept/spots on vhf and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16) + + +then you will ONLY get VHF spots from or to CQ zones +14, 15 and 16. + +

+If you set a reject filter like this ... + + +reject/spots on hf/cw + + +Then you will get everything EXCEPT HF CW spots. You could make this +single filter even more flexible. For example, if you are interested in IOTA +and will work it even on CW even though normally you are not interested in +CW, then you could say ... + + +reject/spots on hf/cw and not info iota + + +But in that case you might only be interested in iota and say:- + + +accept/spots not on hf/cw or info iota + + +which achieves exactly the same thing. You should choose one or the other +until you are comfortable with the way it works. You can mix them if you +wish (actually you can have an accept AND a reject on the same line) but +don't attempt this until you are sure you know what you are doing! + +

+You can arrange your filter lines into logical units, either for your own +understanding or simply convenience. Here is an example ... + + +reject/spots 1 on hf/cw +reject/spots 2 on 50000/1400000 not (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16) + + +What this does is to ignore all HF CW spots and also rejects any spots on VHF +which don't either originate or spot someone in Europe. + +

+This is an example where you would use a line number (1 and 2 in this case), if +you leave the digit out, the system assumes '1'. Digits '0'-'9' are available. +This make it easier to see just what filters you have set. It also makes it +more simple to remove individual filters, during a contest for example. + +

+You will notice in the above example that the second line has brackets. Look +at the line logically. You can see there are 2 separate sections to it. We +are saying reject spots that are VHF or above APART from those in +zones 14, 15 and 16 (either spotted there or originated there). If you did +not have the brackets to separate the 2 sections, then Spider would read it +logically from the front and see a different expression entirely ... + + +(on 50000/1400000 and by_zone 14,15,16) or call_zone 14,15,16 + + +The simple way to remember this is, if you use OR - use brackets. Whilst we are +here CASE is not important. 'And BY_Zone' is just the same as 'and by_zone'. + +As mentioned earlier, setting several filters can be more flexible than +simply setting one complex one. Doing it in this way means that if you want +to alter your filter you can just redefine or remove one or more lines of it or +one line. For example ... + + +reject/spots 1 on hf/ssb + + +would redefine our earlier example, or + + +clear/spots 1 + + +To remove all the filter lines in the spot filter ... + + +clear/spots all + + +Filter options + +

+You can filter in several different ways. The options are listed in the +various helpfiles for accept, reject and filter. + +Default filters + +

+Sometimes all that is needed is a general rule for node connects. This can +be done with a node_default filter. This rule will always be followed, even +if the link is isolated, unless another filter is set specifically. Default +rules can be set for nodes and users. They can be set for spots, announces, +WWV and WCY. They can also be used for hops. An example might look like +this ... + + +accept/spot node_default by_zone 14,15,16,20,33 +set/hops node_default spot 50 + + +This filter is for spots only, you could set others for announce, WWV and WCY. +This filter would work for ALL nodes unless a specific filter is written to +override it for a particular node. You can also set a user_default should +you require. It is important to note that default filters should be +considered to be "connected". By this I mean that should you override the +default filter for spots, you need to add a rule for the hops for spots also. + +Advanced filtering + +

+Once you are happy with the results you get, you may like to experiment. + +

+The previous example that filters hf/cw spots and accepts vhf/uhf spots from EU +can be written with a mixed filter, for example ... + + +rej/spot on hf/cw +acc/spot on 0/30000 +acc/spot 2 on 50000/1400000 and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16) + + +Note that the first filter has not been specified with a number. This will +automatically be assumed to be number 1. In this case, we have said reject all +HF spots in the CW section of the bands but accept all others at HF. Also +accept anything in VHF and above spotted in or by operators in the zones +14, 15 and 16. Each filter slot actually has a 'reject' slot and +an 'accept' slot. The reject slot is executed BEFORE the accept slot. + +

+It was mentioned earlier that after a reject test that doesn't match, the default +for following tests is 'accept', the reverse is true for 'accept'. In the example +what happens is that the reject is executed first, any non hf/cw spot is passed +to the accept line, which lets through everything else on HF. The next filter line +lets through just VHF/UHF spots from EU. + +Basic hop control + +

+In /spider/data you will find a file called hop_table.pl. This is the file +that controls your hop count settings. It has a set of default hops on the +various PC frames and also a set for each node you want to alter the hops for. +You may be happy with the default settings of course, but this powerful tool +can help to protect and improve the network. The file will look something +like this ... + + +# +# hop table construction +# + +package DXProt; + +# default hopcount to use +$def_hopcount = 5; + +# some variable hop counts based on message type +%hopcount = +( + 11 => 10, + 16 => 10, + 17 => 10, + 19 => 10, + 21 => 10, +); + + +# the per node hop control thingy + + +%nodehops = +( + GB7ADX => { 11 => 8, + 12 => 8, + 16 => 8, + 17 => 8, + 19 => 8, + 21 => 8, + }, + + GB7UDX => { 11 => 8, + 12 => 8, + 16 => 8, + 17 => 8, + 19 => 8, + 21 => 8, + }, + GB7BAA => { + 11 => 5, + 12 => 8, + 16 => 8, + 17 => 8, + 19 => 8, + 21 => 8, + }, +); + + +

+Each set of hops is contained within a pair of curly braces and contains a +series of PC frame types. PC11 for example is a DX spot. The figures here +are not exhaustive but should give you a good idea of how the file works. + +

+SHould any of the nodecalls include an ssid, it is important to wrap the +whole call in single quotes, like this ... + + + 'DB0FHF-15' => { + 11 => 5, + 12 => 8, + 16 => 8, + 17 => 8, + 19 => 8, + 21 => 8, + }, + + +If you do not do this, you will get errors and the file will not work as +expected. + +

+You can alter this file at any time, including whilst the cluster is running. +If you alter the file during runtime, the command load/hops will +bring your changes into effect. + +Hop Control on Specific Nodes + +

You can set a callsign specific hop count for any of the standard filter +options so:- + + +set/hops gb7djk spot 4 +set/hops node_default route 10 +set/hops gb7baa wcy 5 + + +all work on their specific area of the protocol. + +

+The set/hops command overrides any hops that you have set otherwise. + +

+You can show what hops have been set using the show/hops command. + +Isolating networks + +

+It is possible to isolate networks from each other on a "gateway" node using the + set/isolate <node_call> command. + +

+The effect of this is to partition an isolated network completely from another +node connected to your node. Your node will appear on and otherwise behave +normally on every network to which you are connected, but data from an isolated +network will not cross onto any other network or vice versa. However all the +spot, announce and WWV traffic and personal messages will still be handled +locally (because you are a real node on all connected networks), that is locally +connected users will appear on all networks and will be able to access and +receive information from all networks transparently. All routed messages will +be sent as normal, so if a user on one network knows that you are a gateway for +another network, he can still still send a talk/announce etc message via your +node and it will be routed across. + +

+If you use isolate on a node connection you will continue to receive +all information from the isolated partner, however you will not pass +any information back to the isolated node. There are times when you +would like to forward only spots across a link (maybe during a contest +for example). To do this, isolate the node in the normal way and use +an acc/spot >call< all filter to override the isolate. + +Other filters + +Filtering Mail + +

+In the /spider/msg directory you will find a file called badmsg.pl.issue. Rename +this to badmsg.pl and edit the file. The original looks something like this .... + + + +# the list of regexes for messages that we won't store having +# received them (bear in mind that we must receive them fully before +# we can bin them) + + +# The format of each line is as follows + +# type source pattern +# P/B/F T/F/O/S regex + +# type: P - private, B - bulletin (msg), F - file (ak1a bull) +# source: T - to field, F - from field, O - origin, S - subject +# pattern: a perl regex on the field requested + +# Currently only type B and P msgs are affected by this code. +# +# The list is read from the top down, the first pattern that matches +# causes the action to be taken. + +# The pattern can be undef or 0 in which case it will always be selected +# for the action specified + + + +package DXMsg; + +@badmsg = ( +'B', 'T', 'SALE', +'B', 'T', 'WANTED', +'B', 'S', 'WANTED', +'B', 'S', 'SALE', +'B', 'S', 'WTB', +'B', 'S', 'WTS', +'B', 'T', 'FS', +); + + +

+I think this is fairly self explanatory. It is simply a list of subject +headers that we do not want to pass on to either the users of the cluster or +the other cluster nodes that we are linked to. This is usually because of +rules and regulations pertaining to items for sale etc in a particular country. + + +Filtering words from text fields in Announce, Talk and DX spots + +

+From version 1.48 onwards the interface to this has changed. You can now +use the commands set/badword to add words that you are not prepared +to see on the cluster, unset/badword to allow that word again and +show/badword to list the words that you have set. + +

+If you have a previous /spider/data/badwords, the first time you start +the node, it will read and convert this file to the new commands. The old style +file will then be removed. + +Stopping (possibly bad) DX Spots from Nodes or Spotters + +

+There are a number of commands that control whether a spot progresses +any further by regarding it as "bad" in some way. + +

+A DX Spot has a number of fields which can be checked to see whether they +contain "bad" values, they are: the DX callsign itself, the Spotter and +the Originating Node. + +

+There are a set of commands which allow the sysop to control whether a +spot continues:- + + +set/baddx +set/badspotter +set/badnode + + +These work in the same as the set/badword command, you can add +any words or callsigns or whatever to the appropriate database. For +example, to stop a spot from a particular node you do: + + +set/badnode gb7djk gb7dxc + + +a bad spotter: + + +set/badspotter b0mb p1rat nocall + + +and some bad dx: + + +set/baddx video wsjt + + +You can remove a word using the appropriate unset command +(unset/baddx, unset/badspotter, unset/badnode) or list them +using one of show/baddx, show/badspotter and +show/badnode. + +Mail + +

+DXSpider deals seamlessly with standard AK1A type mail. It supports both +personal and bulletin mail and the sysop has additional commands to ensure +that mail gets to where it is meant. DXSpider will send mail almost +immediately, assuming that the target is on line. However, only one +mail message is dealt with at any one time. If a mail message is already +being sent or recieved, then the new message will be queued until it has +finished. + +The cluster mail is automatically deleted after 30 days unless the sysop +sets the "keep" flag using the msg command. + +Personal mail + +

+Personal mail is sent using the sp command. This is actually the +default method of sending mail and so a simple s for send will do. +A full list of the send commands and options is in the command set +section, so I will not duplicate them here. + +Bulletin mail + +

+Bulletin mail is sent by using the sb command. This is one of the +most common mistakes users make when sending mail. They send a bulletin +mail with s or sp instead of sb and of course +the message never leaves the cluster. This can be rectified by the sysop +by using the msg command. + +

Bulletin addresses can be set using the Forward.pl file. + +Forward.pl + +

+DXSpider receives all and any mail sent to it without any alterations needed +in files. Because personal and bulletin mail are treated differently, there +is no need for a list of accepted bulletin addresses. It is necessary, however, +to tell the program which links accept which bulletins. For example, it is +pointless sending bulletins addresses to "UK" to any links other than UK +ones. The file that does this is called forward.pl and lives in /spider/msg. +At default, like other spider files it is named forward.pl.issue. Rename it +to forward.pl and edit the file to match your requirements. +The format is below ... + + +# +# this is an example message forwarding file for the system +# +# The format of each line is as follows +# +# type to/from/at pattern action destinations +# P/B/F T/F/A regex I/F [ call [, call ...] ] +# +# type: P - private, B - bulletin (msg), F - file (ak1a bull) +# to/from/at: T - to field, F - from field, A - home bbs, O - origin +# pattern: a perl regex on the field requested +# action: I - ignore, F - forward +# destinations: a reference to an array containing node callsigns +# +# if it is non-private and isn't in here then it won't get forwarded +# +# Currently only type B msgs are affected by this code. +# +# The list is read from the top down, the first pattern that matches +# causes the action to be taken. +# +# The pattern can be undef or 0 in which case it will always be selected +# for the action specified +# +# If the BBS list is undef or 0 and the action is 'F' (and it matches the +# pattern) then it will always be forwarded to every node that doesn't have +# it (I strongly recommend you don't use this unless you REALLY mean it, if +# you allow a new link with this on EVERY bull will be forwarded immediately +# on first connection) +# + +package DXMsg; + +@forward = ( +'B', 'T', 'LOCAL', 'F', [ qw(GB7MBC) ], +'B', 'T', 'ALL', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'UK', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX) ], +'B', 'T', 'QSL', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'QSLINF', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'DX', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'DXINFO', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'DXNEWS', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'DXQSL', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +'B', 'T', 'SYSOP', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX) ], +'B', 'T', '50MHZ', 'F', [ qw(GB7BAA GB7ADX PA4AB-14) ], +); + + +Simply insert a bulletin address and state in the brackets where you wish +that mail to go. For example, you can see here that mail sent to "UK" will +only be sent to the UK links and not to PA4AB-14. + +

+To force the cluster to reread the file use load/forward + +

+NB: If a user tries to send mail to a bulletin address that does not exist +in this file, they will get an error. + +The msg command + +

+The msg command is a very powerful and flexible tool for the +sysop. It allows the sysop to alter to and from fields and make other +changes to manage the cluster mail. + +Here is a full list of the various options ... + + + MSG TO - change TO callsign to + MSG FRom - change FROM callsign to + MSG PRrivate - set private flag + MSG NOPRrivate - unset private flag + MSG RR - set RR flag + MSG NORR - unset RR flag + MSG KEep - set the keep flag (message won't be deleted ever) + MSG NOKEep - unset the keep flag + MSG SUbject - change the subject to + MSG WAittime - remove any waiting time for this message + MSG NOREad - mark message as unread + MSG REad - mark message as read + MSG QUeue - queue any outstanding bulletins + MSG QUeue 1 - queue any outstanding private messages + + +These commands are simply typed from within the cluster as the sysop user. + +Message status + +

+You can check on a message from within the cluster by using the command +stat/msg. This will give you additional information on the +message number including which nodes have received it, which node it +was received from and when etc. Here is an example of the output of +the command ... + + +G0VGS de GB7MBC 28-Jan-2001 1308Z > +stat/msg 6869 + From: GB7DJK + Msg Time: 26-Jan-2001 1302Z + Msgno: 6869 + Origin: GB7DJK + Size: 8012 + Subject: AMSAT 2line KEPS 01025.AMSAT + To: UK +Got it Nodes: GB7BAA, GB7ADX + Private: 0 +Read Confirm: 0 + Times read: 0 +G0VGS de GB7MBC 28-Jan-2001 1308Z > + + +Filtering mail + +

+This is described in the section on Other filters so I will not +duplicate it here. + +Distribution lists + +

+Distribution lists are simply a list of users to send certain types of +mail to. An example of this is mail you only wish to send to other +sysops. In /spider/msg there is a directory called distro. You +put any distibution lists in here. For example, here is a file called +SYSOP.pl that caters for the UK sysops. + + +qw(GB7TLH GB7DJK GB7DXM GB7CDX GB7BPQ GB7DXN GB7MBC GB7MBC-6 GB7MDX + GB7NDX GB7SDX GB7TDX GB7UDX GB7YDX GB7ADX GB7BAA GB7DXA GB7DXH + GB7DXK GB7DXI GB7DXS) + + +Any mail sent to "sysop" would only be sent to the callsigns in this list. + +BBS interface + +

+Spider provides a simple BBS interface. No input is required from the sysop +of the cluster at all. The BBS simply sets the cluster as a BBS and pushes +any required mail to the cluster. No mail can flow from Spider to the BBS, +the interface is one-way. + +

+Please be careful not to flood the cluster network with unnecessary mail. +Make sure you only send mail to the clusters that want it by using the +Forward.pl file very carefully. + +Scripts + +

+From 1.48 onwards it will become increasingly possible to control DXSpider's +operation with scripts of various kinds. + +

+The directory /spider/scripts is where it all happens and is used for several +things. Firstly it contains a file called startup that can be used to call +in any changes to the cluster from the default settings on startup. This +script is executed immediately after all initialisation of the node is done +but before any connections are possible. Examples of this include how many +spots it is possible to get with the sh/dx command, whether you want +registration/passwords to be permanently on etc. An example file is shown +below and is included in the distribution as startup.issue. + + +# +# startup script example +# +# set maximum no of spots allowed to 100 +# set/var $Spot::maxspots = 100 +# +# Set registration on +# set/var $main::reqreg = 1 +# +# Set passwords on +# set/var $main::passwdreq = 1 +# + + +

+As usual, any text behind a # is treated as a comment and not read. To use +this file, simply rename it from startup.issue to startup. In our example +above there are three options. The first option is the amount of spots that +a user can request with the sh/dx command. Normally the default is +to give 10 spots unless the user specifies more. Without this line enabled, +the maximum a user can request is 100 spots. Depending on your link quality +you may wish to enable more or less by specifying the number. + +

+The other 2 options are dealt with more fully in the security section. + +

+Secondly, it is used to store the login scripts for users and nodes. Currently +this can only be done by the sysop but it is envisaged that eventually users will +be able to set their own. An example is included in the distibution but here is +a further example. + + +# +# G0FYD +# +blank + +sh/wwv 3 +blank + +sh/dx +blank + +t g0jhc You abt? +blank + + + +The lines in between commands can simply insert a blank line or a character +such as a + sign to make the output easier to read. Simply create this script +with your favourite editor and save it with the callsign of the user as the +filename. Filenames should always be in lower case. + +

+Commands can be inserted in the same way for nodes. A node may wish a series +of commands to be issued on login, such as a merge command for example. + +

+Thirdly, there are 2 default scripts for users and nodes who do not have a +specifically defined script. These are user_default and +node_default + +Databases + +

+Spider allows the creation of local or remote databases. It supports +chained databases, allowing several different databases to be scanned +with one simple command. Importing of databases is limited at present +to the standard AK1A databases such as OBLAST and the DB0SDX QSL +database but will expand with time. + +Creating databases + +

+Creating a database could not be more simple. All the commands are +sent from the cluster prompt as the sysop user. + +To create a database you use the command dbcreate. It can +be used in 3 different ways like so .. + + +dbcreate + + +To simply create a database locally, you just tell the command the +name of the database. This does not create the actual database, it +simply defines it to say that it exists. + + +dbcreate chain [...] + + +This creates a chained database entry. The first database will be +scanned, then the second, the third etc... + + +dbcreate remote + + +This creates a remote entry. the first name field is the database +name at the remote node, then the remote switch, then the actual +node_call of the remote node, for example... + + +dbcreate buckmaster remote gb7dxc + + +Remote databases cannot be chained, however, the last database in a +chain can be a remote database. + +Importing databases + +

+The only databases that Spider can currently import are the standard +AK1A databases such as OBLAST or the DB0SDX qsl and address database. +This will be added to with time. + +To import such a database, first put the file somewhere useful like /tmp +and then issue the following command ... + + +dbimport oblast /tmp/OBLAST.FUL + + +This will update the existing local oblast database or create it if +it does not exist. + +Checking available databases + +

+Once a database is created, you will want to check that it has been +added. To do this use the dbavail command. This will +output the available databases. For example ... + + +dbavail +DB Name Location Chain +qsl Local +buck GB7ADX +hftest GB7DXM +G0VGS de GB7MBC 3-Feb-2001 1925Z > + + +Looking up databases + +

+To look for information in a defined database, simply use the dbshow +command, for example ... + + +dbshow buckmaster G0YLM + + +will show the information for the callsign G0YLM from the buckmaster +database if it exists. To make things more standard for the users +you can add an entry in the Aliases file so that it looks like a standard +show command like this ... + + +'^sh\w*/buc', 'dbshow buckmaster', 'dbshow', + + +Now you can simply use show/buckmaster or an abreviation. + +Removing databases + +

+To delete an existing database you use the dbremove command. +For example ... + + +dbremove oblast + + +would remove the oblast database and its associated datafile from the +system. There are no warnings or recovery possible from this command. +If you remove a database it ceases to exist and would have to be created +from scratch if you still required it. + +Information, files and useful programs + +MOTD + +

+One of the more important things a cluster sysop needs to do is to get +information to his users. The simplest way to do this is to have a banner +that is sent to the user on login. This is know as a "message of the day" +or "motd". To set this up, simply create a file in /spider/data called motd +and edit it to say whatever you want. It is purely a text file and will be +sent automatically to anyone logging in to the cluster. + +MOTD_NOR + +

+This message of the day file lives in the same directory as the standard +motd file but is only sent to non-registered users. Once registered they +will receive the same message as any other user. + +Downtime message + +

+If for any reason the cluster is down, maybe for upgrade or maintenance but +the machine is still running, a message can be sent to the user advising them +of the fact. This message lives in the /spider/data directory and is called +"offline". Simply create the file and edit it to say whatever you wish. +This file will be sent to a user attempting to log into the cluster when +DXSpider is not actually running. + +Other text messages + +

+You can set other text messages to be read by the user if they input the file +name. This could be for news items or maybe information for new users. +To set this up, make a directory under /spider called packclus. +Under this directory you can create files called news or newuser +for example. In fact you can create files with any names you like. These can +be listed by the user with the command .... + + +show/files + + +They can be read by the user by typing the command .... + + +type news + + +If the file they want to read is called news. You could also set +an alias for this in the Alias file to allow them just to type news + +

+You can also store other information in this directory, either directly or +nested under directories. One use for this would be to store DX bulletins +such as the OPDX bulletins. These can be listed and read by the user. +To keep things tidy, make a directory under /spider/packclus called +bulletin. Now copy any OPDX or similar bulletins into it. These +can be listed by the user in the same way as above using the show/files +command with an extension for the bulletin directory you have just created, +like this .... + + +show/files bulletin + + +

+An example would look like this .... + + +sh/files +bulletin DIR 20-Dec-1999 1715Z news 1602 14-Dec-1999 1330Z + + +You can see that in the files area (basically the packclus directory) there is a +file called news and a directory called bulletin. You can +also see that dates they were created. In the case of the file news, +you can also see the time it was last modified, a good clue as to whether the +file has been updated since you last read it. To read the file called +news you would simply issue the command .... + + +type news + + +To look what is in the bulletin directory you issue the command .... + + +show/files bulletin +opdx390 21381 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx390.1 1670 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx390.2 2193 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx391 25045 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx392 35969 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx393 15023 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx394 33429 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx394.1 3116 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx395 24319 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx396 32647 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx396.1 5537 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx396.2 6242 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx397 18433 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx398 19961 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx399 17719 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx400 19600 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx401 27738 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx402 18698 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx403 24994 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx404 15685 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx405 13984 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx405.1 4166 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx406 28934 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx407 24153 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +opdx408 15081 29-Nov-1999 1621Z opdx409 23234 29-Nov-1999 1621Z +Press Enter to continue, A to abort (16 lines) > + + +You can now read any file in this directory using the type command, like this .... + + +type bulletin/opdx391 +Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 391 +The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster +DX Bulletin No. 391 +BID: $OPDX.391 +January 11, 1999 +Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW +Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio +Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1 (New Area Code!) +Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX +Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, K1XN & Golist, WB2RAJ/WB2YQH +& The 59(9) DXReport, W3UR & The Daily DX, K3TEJ, KN4UG, W4DC, NC6J, N6HR, +Press Enter to continue, A to abort (508 lines) > + + +The page length will of course depend on what you have it set to! + +The Aliases file + +

+You will find a file in /spider/cmd/ called Aliases. This is the file that +controls what a user gets when issuing a command. It is also possible to +create your own aliases for databases and files you create locally. + +

+You should not alter the original file in /spider/cmd/ but create a new file +with the same name in /spider/local_cmd. This means that any new Aliases files +that is downloaded will not overwrite your self created Aliases and also that +you do not override any new Aliases with your copy in /spider/local_cmd/. You +must remember that any files you store in /spider/local/ or /spider/local_cmd +override the originals if the same lines are used in both files. + +

+The best way of dealing with all this then is to only put your own locally +created Aliases in the copy in /spider/local_cmd. The example below is +currently in use at GB7MBC. + + + +# +# Local Aliases File +# + +package CmdAlias; + +%alias = ( + 'n' => [ + '^news$', 'type news', 'type', + ], + 's' => [ + '^sh\w*/buck$', 'show/qrz', 'show', + '^sh\w*/hftest$', 'dbshow hftest', 'dbshow', + '^sh\w*/qsl$', 'dbshow qsl', 'dbshow', + '^sh\w*/vhf$', 'dbshow vhf', 'dbshow', + '^sh\w*/vhftest$', 'dbshow vhftest', 'dbshow', + ], +) + + + +

+Each alphabetical section should be preceded by the initial letter and the section +should be wrapped in square brackets as you can see. The syntax is straightforward. +The first section on each line is the new command that will be allowed once the +alias is included. The second section is the command it is replacing and the last +section is the actual command that is being used. + +

+The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that in the first section, the new +alias command has a '^' at the start and a '$' at the end. Basically these force +a perfect match on the alias. The '^' says match the beginning exactly and the +'$' says match the end exactly. This prevents unwanted and unintentional matches +with similar commands. + +

+I have 3 different types of alias in this file. At the top is an alias for 'news'. +This is a file I have created in the /spider/packclus/ directory where I can inform +users of new developments or points of interest. In it's initial form a user would +have to use the command type news. The alias allows them to simply type +news to get the info. Second is an alias for the show/qrz +command so that those users used to the original show/buck command in +AK1A will not get an error, and the rest of the lines are for locally created +databases so that a user can type show/hftest instead of having to use +the command dbshow hftest which is not as intuitive. + +

+This file is just an example and you should edit it to your own requirements. +Once created, simply issue the command load/alias at the cluster +prompt as the sysop user and the aliases should be available. + + +Console.pl + +

+In later versions of Spider a simple console program is provided for the sysop. +This has a type ahead buffer with line editing facilities and colour for spots, +announces etc. To use this program, simply use console.pl instead of client. + +

+To edit the colours, copy /spider/perl/Console.pl to /spider/local and edit the +file with your favourite editor. + +Updating kepler data + +

+Spider has a powerful and flexible show/satellite command. In order for +this to be accurate, the kepler data has to be updated regularly. In +general, this data is available as an email or via cluster mail. +Updating it is simple. First you need to export the mail message as a +file. You do this with the export command from the cluster prompt +as the sysop. For example ... + + +export 5467 /spider/perl/keps.in + + +

+would export message number 5467 as a file called keps.in in the +/spider/perl directory. + +

+Now login to a VT as sysop and cd /spider/perl. There is a command in +the perl directory called convkeps.pl. All we need to do now is +convert the file like so ... + + +./convkeps.pl keps.in + + +

+Now go back to the cluster and issue the command ... + + +load/keps + + +

+That is it! the kepler data has been updated. + +The QRZ callbook + +

+The command sh/qrz will only work once you have followed a few +simple steps. First you need to get a user ID and password from qrz.com. +Simply go to the site and create one. Secondly you need to copy the file +/spider/perl/Internet.pm to /spider/local and alter it to match your user +ID and password. You also at this point need to set $allow=1 to complete +the setup. Many thanks to Fred Lloyd, the proprieter of + for allowing this access. + +Connecting logging programs + +

+There appear to be very few logging programs out there that support telnet +especially the popular ones like LogEQF, Turbolog etc. This can make it +difficult to connect to your own cluster! +The way to do it is to make the logging program think it has a TNC attached +to a com port on the logging PC and 'push' a linux login out to it. +This is achieved very simply by the use of agetty. + +

+All that is required is to add a line in /etc/inittab to have the client +ready for a connection on the com port of your choice. Remember that in +Linux, the com ports start at ttyS0 for com1, ttyS1 for com2 etc. + + +c4:2345:respawn:/sbin/agetty -L 9600 ttyS1 + + +

+Add this after the standard runlevel lines in /etc/inittab. The above +line works on ttyS1 (com2). Now as root, issue the command telinit q +and it should be ready for connection. All that is required is a 3 wire +serial lead (tx, rx and signal ground). Tell you logging program to use +8n1 at 9600 baud and you should see a Linux login prompt. Login as normal +and then telnet from there to the cluster. + +Java Web applet + +

+In the spider tree will be a directory spider-web. This is a +neat little java web applet that can be run from a website. The applet +must run on the same machine as the cluster. The included README file is +shown below. + +

+I should comment here that the applet is precompiled, that is, ready to go. +It was compiled using JDK1.3.1. If your version is earlier than this then it +may not work. Should that be the case you need to recompile or update your +JDK. To recompile do the following ... + + +cd /spider/spider-web +rm *.class +/usr/bin/javac spiderclient.java + + +

+I have used /usr/bin/javac as an example, your path to javac may be different. + + +Spider-WEB v0.6b + +Completely based on a clx web client written in Java by dl6dbh +(ftp://clx.muc.de/pub/clx/clx-java_10130001.tgz) + +The webserver has to run on the same machine as your DxSpider software! + +It is assumed that you have Java installed. You need JDK1.3.1 at least. + +Installation instructions (Performed as root): + +Put all the files in the spider-web directory into a newly created directory +under the DocumentRoot of your websever for instance 'client'. In my case +this is: /home/httpd/html/client/ although ymmv. For Suse the correct +path should be /usr/local/httpd/htdocs/client/ for example. + +Move spider.cgi to the cgi-bin directory of your webserver, in my case that is +/home/httpd/cgi-bin/ although ymmv. For Suse the correct path should be +/usr/local/httpd/cgi-bin/ for example. + +Change the permissions of the files to ensure they are correct, obviously you +will need to use the correct path the the files according to your system: + +chmod 755 /home/httpd/html/cgi-bin/spider.cgi +chmod -R 755 /home/httpd/html/client/ + +By default the spider.cgi script should pick up your hostname (As long as this +is set correctly). If it does not or your hostname differs from the name that +you attach to the public address that you are using, then edit spider.cgi : + +# Uncomment and set the hostname manually here if the above fails. +# $HOSTNAME = "gb7mbc.spoo.org" ; +$PORT = "8000" ; + +'HOSTNAME' is the hostname of your cluster. + +'PORT' is the portnumber that you use to connect to your DxSpider via +telnet (see Listeners.pm) + +NOTE: If you can start the console but cannot connect to the cluster from it, +then it is possible that the machine you are on cannot resolve the hostname of +your cluster machine. If this is the case, you need to set your hostname +manually as above. + +You also need to set the $NODECALL variable. This prints the name of your +choosing (probably your cluster callsign) on the html page. + +You now can connect to Spider-Web via http://yourserver/cgi-bin/spider.cgi + + +Web based statistics + +

+From version 1.50, you can use the freeware software MRTG to produce +really nice graphical statistics on your web site. For an example +try . + +

+The following should help you get it all working. + +

+First you need to download the latest version of MRTG from . +You will also need the following files.. + + +libpng-1.0.14.tar.gz +zlib-1.1.4.tar.gz +gd-1.8.3.tar.gz + + +Login to your machine as the root user, put all the downloaded files +in /usr/local/src/ (or wherever you prefer) and untar and compile them. +All the information to compile and install these sources come with them. +After compilation and installation, you will find MRTG in /usr/local/mrtg-2. + +

+Now copy all the files in /usr/local/src/mrtg-2.9.22/images/ to +/spider/html/mrtg/ + +

+You now need to make 2 symbolic links like below... + + +ln -s /usr/local/mrtg-2/bin/mrtg /usr/bin/mrtg +ln -s /usr/local/mrtg-2/lib/mrtg2 /usr/lib/mrtg2 + + +

+Now login to the cluster with your sysop callsign and run the command +"mrtg all". + +

Now you are nearly there! Login as the sysop user and change to the +/spider/html/mrtg/ directory. Now run the command indexmaker as +shown below... + + +indexmaker --output stats.html --columns=1 --title "MRTG statistics for GB7DJK" ../../mrtg/mrtg.cfg + + +Changing the callsign for your own cluster callsign of course! + +

+And finally you need to login as the root user and create one last +symbolic link. Where this points will depend on where your html +documents are kept. For RedHat systems you use... + + +ln -s /home/sysop/spider/html/mrtg /home/httpd/html/mrtg + + +and for SuSE systems... + + +ln -s /home/sysop/spider/html/mrtg /usr/local/httpd/htdocs/mrtg + + +If you now point your browser to your website as below it should all +be happening! + + +http://www.xxx.xxx/mrtg/stats.html + + +Of course, to get the stats to update, you need to add some information +in the spider crontab file as below... + + +# Update stats for mrtg on website +00,05,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55 * * * * run_cmd('mrtg all') + + +This will update the site every 5 minutes. + +Security + +

+From version 1.49 DXSpider has some additional security features. These +are not by any means meant to be exhaustive, however they do afford some +security against piracy. These two new features can be used independently +of each other or in concert to tighten the security. + +Registration + +

+The basic principle of registration is simple. If a user is not registered +by the sysop, then they have read-only access to the cluster. The only +thing they can actually send is a talk or a message to the sysop. In +order for them to be able to spot, send announces or talks etc the sysop +must register them with the set/register command, like this ... + + +set/register g0vgs + + +The user g0vgs can now fully use the cluster. In order to enable +registration, you can issue the command ... + + +set/var $main::reqreg = 1 + + +Any users that are not registered will now see the motd_nor file rather +than the motd file as discussed in the Information, files and useful +programs section. + +

+Entering this line at the prompt will only last for the time the cluster +is running of course and would not be present on a restart. To make the +change permanent, add the above line to /spider/scripts/startup. To +read more on the startup file, see the section on Information, files +and useful programs. + +

+To unregister a user use unset/register and to show the list +of registered users, use the command show/register. + +Passwords + +

+At the moment, passwords only affect users who login to a DXSpider +cluster node via telnet. If a user requires a password, they can +either set it themselves or have the sysop enter it for them by using +the set/password command. Any users who already have passwords, +such as remote sysops, will be asked for their passwords automatically +by the cluster. Using passwords in this way means that the user has a +choice on whether to have a password or not. To force the use of +passwords at login, issue the command ... + + +set/var $main::passwdreq = 1 + + +at the cluster prompt. This can also be added to the /spider/scripts/startup +file as above to make the change permanent. + +

+Of course, if you do this you will have to assign a password for each of +your users. If you were asking them to register, it is anticipated that +you would ask them to send you a message both to ask to be registered and +to give you the password they wish to use. + +

+Should a user forget their password, it can be reset by the sysop by +first removing the existing password and then setting a new one like so ... + + +unset/password g0vgs +set/password g0vgs new_password + + +CVS + +CVS from a Linux platform + +

+CVS stands for "Concurrent Versions System" and the CVS for DXSpider is held +at . This means +that it is possible to update your DXSpider installation to the latest +sources by using a few simple commands. A graphical interface to CVS for +Windows is explained in the next section. + +

+Please be aware that if you update your system using CVS, it is possible that +you could be running code that is very beta and not fully tested. There is +a possibility that it could be unstable. + +

+I am of course assuming that you have a machine with both DXSpider and +Internet access running. + +

+BEFORE YOU EVEN CONSIDER STARTING WITH THIS MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR +ENTIRE SPIDER TREE!! + +

+Assuming you are connected to the Internet, you need to login to the +CVS repository and then update your Spider source. There are several +steps which are listed below ... + +

+First login as the user sysop. Next you need to connect to the CVS +repository. You do this with the command below ... + + +cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.DXSpider.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/dxspider login + + +You will get a password prompt. Simply hit return here and your machine should +return to a normal linux prompt. + +

+What happens next depends on whether you have an existing installation that +you want to update with the latest and greatest or whether you just want +to see what is there and/or run it on a new machine for testing. + +If you are installing Spider from CVS then change directory to /home/sysop + +If you are wanting to update Spider then cd to /tmp + +

+The next step will create a brand new 'spider' directory in your current +directory. + + +cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.DXSpider.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/dxspider co spider + + +This command is all on one line. + +

+Hopefully your screen should show you downloading files. The -z3 simply compresses +the download to improve speed. +When this has finished, you will have exactly the same as if you had untarred a full +tarball PLUS some extra directories and files that CVS needs to do the magic that +it does. + +

+Now if you are doing a new installation, that's it. Carry on as if you have +just downloaded and untarred the lastest tarball. + +

+If you want to upgrade your current installation then do this ... + + +tar cvfz /tmp/s.tgz spider +cd / +tar xvfzp /tmp/s.tgz + + +This is assuming you downloaded to the /tmp directory of course. + +

+NOTE: the 'p' on the end of the 'xvfz' is IMPORTANT! It keeps the permissions +correct. YOU WERE LOGGED IN AS THE USER SYSOP WEREN'T YOU????? + +Remember to recompile the C client (cd /spider/src; make) + +

+At this point the files have been upgraded. You can (usually) restart the cluster +in your own time. However, if you attempt to use any new commands or features +expect it to be fatal! At least your cluster will have been restarted then so it +will be too late to worry about it! + +

+Now the magic part! From now on when you want to update, simply connect to the +Internet and then, as the user sysop ... + + +cd /spider +cvs -z3 update -d + + +and your files will be updated. As above, remember to recompile the "C" client +if it has been updated (CVS will tell you) and restart if any of the perl scripts +have been altered or added, again, CVS will tell you. + +

+You will find any changes documented in the /spider/Changes file. + +CVS from a Windows platform + +

+After the initial setup, an update to your DXSpider software is no more than a couple +of clicks away. This section is intended to explain and illustrate the use of the +WinCVS application to update your DXSpider software. The current stable version of +WinCVS is Ver. 1.2. You can get this software at: + + + +Pick your download mirror and then install WinCVS after the download is complete. + +In this next section I have included a series of links to .jpg files to take advantage of the +picture and 1000 words equivalency. The .jpg files are in the C:\spider\html directory. If +someone using a Linux system is reading this section from boredom, the files are in +/home/sysop/spider/html. One aside, a Linux user can also get a copy of gcvs and do your updates +graphically as opposed to from the command line. The following descriptions are almost identical +between WinCvs and gcvs. The following screen shots have duplicate links, depending upon whether +you are viewing this information under the Windows or Linux operating system. + +When WinCVS is installed, running, and you are connected to the internet, the initial screen looks like: + + + +If you want, you can also look at these .jpg files with another viewer that might provide some +better clarity to the image. On the left is the directory tree for your hard disk. Notice that +the spider directory has a gray highlight. + +To start configuring WinCVS, click on Admin at the top of the screen and then Preferences. This +should get you: + + + +In the top line for CVSROOT, enter: + +anonymous@cvs.DXSpider.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/dxspider login + + +and select + +"passwd" file on the cvs server + + +for Authentication on the General tab. + +Next, move to the right to the Ports tab. + + + +In here, check the box on the second line down for the "pserver" port. Enter a port number of 2401. + +Finally, go to the WinCvs tab all the way to the right. + + + +Enter Notepad as the viewer to open files. For the HOME folder, put "C:\spider" and click OK +because the configuration is now complete. + +You are now ready to upgrade your copy of DXSpider. Click on the greyed Spider folder +shown in the directory tree on the left of the WinCVS display. Two things should happen. The Spider +folder will be selected and the greyed-out arrow located just below the word Query in the top line will +turn to solid green. + +For anyone using gcvs under Linux, the green arrow is located on the extreme left of the display, +under the word File. A gcvs screen looks like: + + + +Click on the now green arrow to start the download process. An Update Settings box will be displayed +to which you can simply say OK. + + + +For future reference, the Update Settings box is the place where you can enter information to revert +to a prior version of DXSpider. Information on reverting to a Before Date is contained in the WinCVS +manual. + +After a short period of time, a series of file names will scroll by in the lower pane of the WinCVS +window. Eventually you should see + +*****CVS exited normally with code 0***** + + +appear in the lower pane. You're done. The updated files are in place ready for you to stop and then +restart your DXSpider. After the restart, you're running with the latest version of DXSpider. + + + +To paraphrase from the CVS section... Now the magic part! From now on when you want to update, simply +connect to the Internet and start WinCVS. + +Click on the greyed-out Spider directory in the left screen +Click on the green down arrow +Click OK on the Update Settings dialog box +Restart your Spider software + + diff --git a/sgml/usermanual.sgml b/sgml/usermanual.sgml new file mode 100644 index 00000000..710b07dc --- /dev/null +++ b/sgml/usermanual.sgml @@ -0,0 +1,1011 @@ + + +

+ + + +The DXSpider User Manual v1.50 +Ian Maude, G0VGS, (g0vgs@gb7mbc.net) +March 2003 revision 0.3 + + +A complete reference for users of the DXSpider DXCluster program. + + + + + + + +Introduction + +What is a DX Cluster? + +

+A DX Cluster is a packet node where DX chasers on any band or mode can +post rare or interesting stations that they have worked or heard. Of +course other people are doing the same thing too, so you can find new +DX as well as telling others about the stations you have worked. +Clusters tend to be linked to each other so that the amount of people +using them is increased, thereby increasing the amount of posted DX. +Other information can be found on clusters such as on-line call books, +mail etc. You can talk to other stations connected to the cluster +network too, in real time, whether at the node you are logged into or +on another node connected to the network. You can also use converse +mode, where several stations can talk to each other in the same way. +Of course, the DX is still posted to you all the while! + +So what is DXSpider? + +

+PacketCluster nodes have been around since roughly 1985. The original +PacketCluster idea came from Dick Newell, AK1A, and ran under DOS. +In about 1992 Dick stopped the development of the PacketCluster +software for amateur radio. Many systems are still using this +relatively old DOS software today. + +There are several new compatible cluster programs around now, +including DXSpider. DXSpider is a clone of PacketCluster software that runs +under several operating systems including Linux and Windows. Linux is fast +becoming the choice for amateur radio stations because of it's flexibility, +reliability and the lack of the memory limitations of DOS. Linux supports +multitasking and is also multiuser. It has support for AX25, ROSE, +NetROM and TCPIP built in, making it the ideal choice for amateur +radio. It is also totally free! + +DXSpider was conceived and begun in 1998 by Dirk Koopman, G1TLH as an +exercise in perl programming. It has developed rapidly and today is a +very powerful cluster program. It was designed to be totally compatible +with the AK1A program, although several commands have been extended to +improve functionality. + +This manual is designed to help you become familiar with the commands +that DXSpider supports and to help you get the best from the program so +you can enjoy working that rare DX! As DXSpider is being improved all the +time, commands will be added as time goes by, so make sure you have +the most upto date version of this manual. The latest version will +always be included with the cluster program so if you are unsure, simply +ask your sysop. The manual will also be available on the wesite. + + +Logins and logouts. + +

+You might not think that there is a lot of point of including a +section on how to log in and out of DXSpider. However, you would be +suprised at the difficulties some people have in simply getting in +and out of the cluster! + +There are several ways a login might be achieved, dependant on how +the sysop has DXSpider configured. It is impossible for me to cover all +variations but here are the basic ones. + +AX25 logins. + +

+Simplicity itself. The usual CONNECT command will log you straight +into the cluster and you will not have to do anything else. +Obviously, you will have to connect to the correct callsign. Some +nodes use an SSID with their call so you would have to add that. + +Examples: + + +connect GB7MBC +connect GB7MBC-1 + + +Netrom logins. + +

+There are several possibilities here, dependant on how the sysop has +configured his system. If you are connecting via netrom then you are +most probably connecting from another station. Listing the nodes in +that station with the NODES command will tell you what callsign +or netrom alias to connect to. Then just issue the connect command +from there. It is possible that the netrom alias may connect you to +a node with an alias for the cluster, such as DXC. Just type this +and you will be connected. + +Example: + +connect MBCDX + + +Telnet logins. + +

+With telnet connections, the source callsign is not seen by DXSpider, so +you will be asked to login with your callsign. +To telnet to DXSpider, you would connect to a specific port. There is no +standard at the moment for a cluster telnet port but ask the sysop if +you are unsure. + +Example: + + +telnet gb7mbc 8000 + + +All the above are possible ways of connecting to a DXSpider cluster. You +may have some or all of these available to you. There may be one or +two additional ways to connect dependant on the network local to you. +However I am sure you get the idea. + +Logouts. + +

+Logging out can be done by simply issuing the standard BYE +command. + +You could also send a disconnect if you are using AX25, or a CLOSE +command if you are connected via telnet. +If you do not log out gracefully using one of the above commands, +you may find you are unable to get a full connect next time. This +may also happen if a netrom connection drops. You may get connected, +but nothing else will happen because the program thinks you are still +connected and will not let you connect twice under the same call. +However you could reconnect by adding a number to the end of your call, +for example G0YLM-2. +This can be done by either altering your MYCALL setting in the TNC or +by altering your program configuration. + + +Setting your personal details. + +

+Once logged in to the cluster, you should set your details so that +anybody who wishes to contact you can find out who and where you are. +There are four items to set, your name, qth, location and home node. +Setting these details also allows the use of the SHOW/HEADING and +SHOW/SUN commands from within the cluster. Unless you set your QTH +and location, these commands cannot function. +Once you have set your name, DXSpider will greet you with it next time +you login. Your QTH setting is where you live and it is a good idea +to add your locator to this as the location setting is converted to +latitude and longitude once inputted. You can actually set your location +in latitude/longitude or as a locator. Setting your home node will +tell the program where you wish mail to be sent to you. + +Examples: + + +set/name Ian +set/qth Morecambe, Lancashire IO84NB +set/location 48 34 n 12 12 e +set/qra IO84NB +set/home gb7mbc + + +Getting and posting DX. + +

+When all is said and done, this is the main function of a DX cluster. +In its simplest form you can just connect to the node and you will +start to receive DX spots almost immediately! You can check on +recent postings in either a general manner or on a particular band or +mode. You can even check DX by callsign or a fragment of a callsign. +Of course, once you get the hang of things, it is expected that you +start posting some yourself! After all, there would be no clusters +if people did not post DX and you get the added thrill of the hunt! + +Receiving DX. + +

+As we have already said, it is possible just to connect to the +cluster and you will receive spots automatically. However, you may +wish to check on spots just posted. Maybe you wish to see if a +particular band is open or if a certain callsign is active, perhaps a +DXpedition. The command to do this is SHOW/DX. Without any +other arguments, this command will output the last 10 spots +posted. It is possible to look at more than this, for example the +last 20 or 50 spots, by adding the number to the command. You can +make it even more specific by adding a band in either wavelength or +frequency, and/or any additional information such as QSL details. + +Examples: + + +show/dx +show/dx 5 +show/dx 20 + + +will show the last 10, 5 and 20 spots received by the cluster +respectively. + +Examples + + +show/dx on 20m +show/dx 10 on 20m +show/dx 20 on 20m + + +will show the last 5, 10 or 20 spots on 20 metres only. + +It is also possible to check for certain callsigns, or fragments of +callsigns in the same way. + +Examples: + + +show/dx g0vgs +show/dx 10 g0vgs + + +would show the last 5 or 10 dx spots containing the callsign g0vgs. + +

+You can check for DX by offset and also by specifying a comment to +search for. + +Examples: + + +show/dx 30-40 +show/dx 14000-14033 +show/dx iota + + +would show the spots that arrived between 30 and 40 spots ago and any +spots with the word iota in the comment field. The case of +the comment is not important. + +Checking DX posted on a certain day is possible too. All you have +to do here is to specify how many days ago it was like this ... + +Example: + + +show/dx day 30 + + +It is of course possible to specify multiple arguments. + +Example: + + +show/dx 20 prefix 9a on vhf day 30 + + +This would show the last 20 spots posted by or about calls with the prefix +9a on vhf 30 days ago. + +As you can see the SHOW/DX command is very flexible, so if you are +not sure whether something will work or not, try it and see! More +information can be found in the Command Set section. + +Posting DX. + +

+To post DX you use the DX command. The syntax is shown below. + +Example: + + +dx (frequency) (callsign) (remarks) + + +Where frequency is in kilohertz and the callsign is the callsign of +the station you have worked or heard, (ie not your own callsign!). +The remarks section allows you to add information like the operators +name or perhaps a location. Actually DXSpider will allow the frequency +and callsign fields to be entered in any order. + +Example: + + +dx 14004 pa3ezl OP Aurelio 599 + + +In fact, all the following will give the same result... + + +dx 14004 pa3ezl OP Aurelio 599 +dx pa3ezl 14004 OP Aurelio 599 +dx pa3ezl 14.004 OP Aurelio 599 + + +This posting, or callout as it is known, will be forwarded to all +other connected stations both at the cluster you are connected to and +other active clusters in the network. The callout will also be sent +to you as proof of receipt. + +Headings and propagation + +

+There are three commands in DXSpider to help you get the best DX possible. +These are SHOW/SUN, SHOW/MOON and +SHOW/HEADING. These commands will only work for you if you +have entered your personal details. They use your entered location as +a reference, so if you have not entered it or have entered it incorrectly +they will not return the correct information. + +Sun + +

+The SHOW/SUN command can be used in three different ways. It +can be used to show sunrise and sunset times for your own station, a +particular callsign or a prefix. + +Example: + + +show/sun + + +The output from this would look something like this .. + + +sh/sun +Location Rise Set Azim Elev +G0VGS Morecambe, Lancashire 07:08Z 17:39Z 205.3 24.1 + + + +sh/sun 5b4 + + +would look like this ... + + +sh/sun 5b4 +Location Rise Set Azim Elev +5B Cyprus-5B 04:23Z 15:40Z 244.0 18.8 + + +You can also specify multiple arguments like this ... + + +sh/sun gw4veq 5b4ab zs + + +and then the output would look like this ... + + +sh/sun gw4veq 5b4ab zs +Location Rise Set Azim Elev +GW4VEQ Brungwran, Isle of Anglesey IO 07:14Z 17:48Z 204.9 24.9 +5B Cyprus-5B 04:23Z 15:40Z 244.5 18.3 +ZS So-Africa-ZS1-ZS 04:31Z 17:28Z 289.9 41.3 +ZS So-Africa-ZS5-ZS 03:44Z 16:34Z 278.5 32.0 +ZS So-Africa-ZS6-ZS 03:59Z 16:42Z 277.6 35.0 + + +Moon + +

+The SHOW/MOON command works in the same way as the +SHOW/SUN command. This program however, calculates the +rise and set times of the moon for a prefix or callsign, together +with the current azimuth and elevation of the sun at these +locations. + +Example: + + +show/moon ea + + +The output from this command would look like this .. + + +sh/moon ea +Location Rise Set Azim Elev RGain dB +EA Spain-EA 08:15Z 20:09Z 257.2 9.5 -0.6 + + +You can see that the output is similar to the SHOW/SUN +command, with slightly different fields. + +Heading + +

+The SHOW/HEADING command works in the same way as the +SHOW/SUN and SHOW/MOON commands but outputs beam +headings for a specified callsign or prefix. Reciprocal beam headings +are also calculated. + +Example + + +show/heading zl + + +The output from this command would look like this .. + + +sh/heading zl +ZL New-Zealand-ZL1-ZL: 7 degs - dist: 11238 mi, 18087 km Reciprocal heading: 355 degs +ZL New-Zealand-ZL2-ZL: 9 degs - dist: 11540 mi, 18574 km Reciprocal heading: 353 degs +ZL New-Zealand-ZL3-ZL: 19 degs - dist: 11634 mi, 18724 km Reciprocal heading: 345 degs +ZL New-Zealand-ZL4-ZL: 34 degs - dist: 11783 mi, 18963 km Reciprocal heading: 332 degs + + +Announcements. + +Making announcements. + +

+Occasionally, you may wish to post something that does not fall into +the normal parameters for a DX callout. You may wish to tell +everybody connected that 10 FM is open for example, or ask if anyone +knows the QSL manager for a certain callsign etc. You can do this +using the ANNOUNCE command. + +Example: + + +announce 10 FM is open in IO84NB to europe. + + +That would let everyone know locally that this was the case, however +it would not be forwarded to other nodes connected. To send +announcements to other connected nodes as well, you would use the +FULL extension. + +Example: + + +announce full Anyone seen EA7WA today? + + +Be cautious in your use of announce full. There are many other tools +available to get the information you require and the judicious use of +this command is frowned upon as it creates a great deal of traffic +across the network. + +Listing announcements. + +

+You can list previous announcements in the standard format with the +SHOW command. As before you can list just the last 5 or as +many as you wish. + +Example: + + +show/announcements +show/announcements 10 + + +Nodes and users. + +

+You can check which nodes are connected in the network, who is +logged on locally, who is logged on at all the nodes or even +just one node in particular. This is handy if you wish to see whether +a friend is connected at the node they use. To see who is connected +to the nodes, the SHOW/CONFIGURATION command is used. + +Example: + + +show/configuration +show/configuration/nodes +show/configuration (node_call) +show/configuration (prefix) + + +The first of our three examples would output something like this, + + +sh/c +Node Callsigns +EI5TCR (7 users) +GB7ADX +GB7BAA G4FPV G8TIC +GB7BIG (GD0TEP) GD3UMW +GB7BPQ (G0INA) G0RCI G3AKU G3OCA +(GB7CDX) G3JNB G4ALR +GB7DJK G0FYD G0REK G1TLH G4PEL G4SOZ + G4TVR G7SQW K8AZ M0CTQ-1 MM1CXE-10 + ON7WP +GB7DXA G0RDI G8SJP +GB7DXC (G0HDB) G0WFK (G1FYC) G3KWK G3LME + G3OIL G4BGW G4FUJ (G4PDQ) GW7SMV +GB7DXE G1NNB +(GB7DXG) GU6EFB GU7DHI +GB7DXK G1NTW G3IBI G3NSM G3XAQ G4CUS + G4XQY G7GAN +GB7DXM G1EUC G3GAF G3LAS G4ZTR G8WXU + M0BCT M1EMF + + +You will notice that EI5TCR is showing only that it has 7 users and not +giving the actual callsigns. This means that this node is on a limited +protocol of some kind, probably because of a contest situation where +slow radio links can block up and fail if too much information is sent +between nodes. + +The second example would just show the nodes connected in the +network, like this, + + +sh/c/n +Node Callsigns +GB7BAA GB7BAA GB7BPQ (GB7CDX) GB7DJK GB7DXA + GB7DXC GB7DXE (GB7DXG) GB7DXK GB7DXL + GB7DXM GB7DXS GB7IPT GB7MRS GB7UJS + GB7YDX KL7G N2TLY (ON0DXK) +GB7BIG EI5TCR GB7ADX GB7BIG GB7UDX +GB7MBC +PA4AB-14 PA4AB-14 +PI4TUE-8 PI4TUE-8 + + +If we insert the node_call pi4tue-8 into the third example, then +this would be the output, + + +Node Callsigns +PI4TUE-8 9A1CMA-6 DF6PW DL4FAY DL4KAK DL4WF-2 + F5NOD-2 F5PAC IZ0CSR N6CR OH2BLD + ON1LVL-13 ON4CBT ON4CJP ON5DXL-14 ON7NQ + PA0RCT PA3DYS PA3FDO PA5KW-4 PI4TUE-9 + YT1XX + + +As you can see, only the users of the requested node are shown. + +You can also use a prefix to show only a group of nodes. For example +you may only wish to see who is connected to the nodes in the UK. To +do this simply use a prefix like this ... + + +show/configuration gb7 + + +To show the locally connected users, the SHOW/USERS command is +used + +Example: + + +show/users + + +The output of this command would look like this, + + +Callsigns connected to GB7MBC +G0JHC G0NEI G0VGS G0VGS-2 G0YLM +G3JAG G3OWO G3UEU + + +Talk mode. + +

+You can send a single comment or start a dedicated talk session to +another user by using the TALK command. + +

+Talk mode is used to send a one line comment or greeting to a +specific user connected either at your node or another in the +network. You can also enter into a dedicated talk session with +another user. Talks will be automatically forwarded to other nodes +if the station you are talking to is not connected locally. +You can find out who is connected by using the +SHOW/CONFIGURATION command, (described earlier). + +Examples: + + +talk g0rdi Having a good day Iain? + + +This example would send the line "Having a good day Iain?" to the +user g0rdi but would leave you in normal mode. + + +talk g0rdi +Entering Talkmode, /EX to end, / to run a command +Talk (G0RDI)> + + +As you can see, you can still run commands whilst in talk mode. +Simply prefix the command with a / like /sh/dx and you will get +the expected output. +If the user is connected to another node, you may have to use a +slightly extended version of the TALK command. + + +talk g0rdi > gb7djk + + +To exit talk mode, you issue the command /ex. + +Whilst in talk mode you will still receive DX spots. This means that +you can chat to a friend whilst working DX. + +Mail. + +

+You can send and receive both personal mail and bulletins with DXSpider +quite easily. + +The "directory" command. + +

+To list mail you would use the DIRECTORY command. On its +own, this command will output the last ten messages received by the +node, either to or from yourself or bulletins such as "DX" and "ALL". +As with other commands you can display more by specifying a number +with the command. You should be aware that Spider will accept +these commands by separating with either a slash or a space, so +dir new and dir/new work in the same way. + +Example: + + +directory +directory/20 +directory 20 + + +Of course most of the time you will only want to list new mail sent +to you personally since your last login. However you might also like +to check for general mail received by the node. In fact if there is +new mail for you, the cluster will tell you when you login. You will +also be informed if new mail arrives for you during the time you are +logged in. +Mail is not only sent to callsigns though. Mail can also be sent to +subjects like "all" or "local" or "dx" etc. You can treat these +bulletins in the same way as personal mail with the directory +command. + +Examples: + + +directory/new +directory/own +directory/own/10 +directory/all +directory/from + + +The last option will only show mail from a callsign if it was sent to +you personally or was sent as a bulletin. There are some additional +commands and these can be found in the DXSpider Command Reference section. + +Reading mail. + +

+The output of the DIRECTORY command could be something like +this. + + +dir + 20735 2 ALL GW7SMV 21-Feb 1204Z REC 9E1S QSL TDY 50Mhz.... + 20823 308 UK G0HDB 22-Feb 2334Z Help - which district code? + 20824 105 ALL W9AE 23-Feb 0349Z S0NY QSL address? + 20825 2 UK G0LRJ 23-Feb 0806Z QSL REC LZ2CJ/1.CARD NO-750. + 20858 2 ALL GW7SMV 24-Feb 0905Z REC S92DX QSL CARD TDY 50Mhz + 20921 200 ALL GM4FDM 27-Feb 2203Z Trip to VP8 + 20949 375 ALL K0MN 27-Feb 0428Z ST0P cards are gd @ ARRL + 20950 2 UK G0LRJ 28-Feb 0835Z QSL REC SV9/IZ0CKJ/P EU-187. + 20987 569 ALL GD0TEP 1-Mar 1733Z Portable contests + 21076 2 ALL G4AFJ 3-Mar 1743Z kh6nd/kh5 qsl received + 21184-p 599 GW4HAT G0VGS 4-Mar 1518Z Re: Time + + +The first column is the actual message number. If the message is a +personal one to you, you will see a letter 'p' after this number. If +the message has been read, there will be a '-' between the message +number and the 'p'. This only works for personal messages. The next +column shows the file size of the message. The third column shows the +address the message was sent to and the next column shows who sent it. +The rest is fairly self-explanatory. + +Reading a message is as simple as typing read, followed by the +message number that you wish to read. + +Example: + + +read 25 + + +will read message number 25. However the mail will be displayed in it's +entirety unless you specify a page length. You can set your page length +to any number you like and when the message reaches that number of lines +you will get a prompt giving you options. + +Example: + + +set/page 20 + + + +Sending mail. + +

+Sending mail is done in the time honoured way. First you specify +a recipient for the message, then you will be prompted for a subject. +Once you have done this you will be asked to type your message. +Please remember that there is no automatic word wrap, so unless you +are using a client that wraps lines automatically, remember to hit +return at the end of each line. + +Example: + + +send m0azm +Enter Subject (30 characters): +See you Thursday +Enter Message /EX to send or /ABORT to exit +Hi Ian, +Just a quick note to say that I can make Thursday after all. The +appointment I had has cancelled so we are go! +Cheers +Ian + + +At this point you can either hit return and enter /ex to send the +message or use /abort at any time to abort it. You can now display +the message in the normal way. There are several send options and +these are listed in the Command Set section. These include sending +mail to several recipients and asking for a return receipt. + + +Replying to mail. + +

+If mail is addressed to you or to a bulletin address, you can use the +REPLY command to reply to it. Using this command, the +subject will be automatically set for you as "Re: subject", whatever +the subject was. + +Example: + + +reply 2500 + + +Deleting mail + +

+To delete a message, you use the delete command. +You can only delete messages sent to or received by yourself. +Bulletins are dealt with automatically or by the sysop. + +Filtering (From version 1.45) + +General filter rules + +

+Upto v1.44 it was not possible for the user to set their own filters. From +v1.45 though that has all changed. It is now possible to set filters for just +about anything you wish. If you have just updated from an older version of +DXSpider you will need to update your new filters. You do not need to do +anything with your old filters, they will be renamed as you update. + +

+There are 3 basic commands involved in setting and manipulating filters. These +are accept, reject and clear. First we will look +generally at filtering. There are a number of things you can filter in the +DXSpider system. They all use the same general mechanism. + +

+In general terms you can create a 'reject' or an 'accept' filter which can have +up to 10 lines in it. You do this using, for example ... + + +accept/spots ..... +reject/spots ..... + + +where ..... are the specific commands for that type of filter. There are +filters for spots, wwv, announce, wcy and (for sysops) connects. See each +different accept or reject command reference for more details. + +There is also a command to clear out one or more lines in a filter. They are ... + + +clear/spots 1 +clear/spots all + + +There is clear/xxxx command for each type of filter. + +

+and you can check that your filters have worked by the command ... + + +show/filter + + +

+For now we are going to use spots for the examples, but you can apply the same +principles to all types of filter. + +Types of filter + +

+There are two main types of filter, accept or reject. You +can use either to achieve the result you want dependent on your own preference +and which is more simple to do. It is pointless writing 8 lines of reject +filters when 1 accept filter would do the same thing! Each filter has 10 +lines (of any length) which are tried in order. If a line matches then the +action you have specified is taken (ie reject means ignore it and accept +means take it) + +

+If you specify reject filters, then any lines that arrive that match the filter +will be dumped but all else will be accepted. If you use an accept filter, +then ONLY the lines in the filter will be accepted and all else will be dumped. +For example if you have a single line accept filter ... + + +accept/spots on vhf and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16) + + +then you will ONLY get VHF spots from or to CQ zones +14, 15 and 16. + +

+If you set a reject filter like this ... + + +reject/spots on hf/cw + + +Then you will get everything EXCEPT HF CW spots. You could make this +single filter even more flexible. For example, if you are interested in IOTA +and will work it even on CW even though normally you are not interested in +CW, then you could say ... + + +reject/spots on hf/cw and not info iota + + +But in that case you might only be interested in iota and say:- + + +accept/spots not on hf/cw or info iota + + +which achieves exactly the same thing. You should choose one or the other +until you are comfortable with the way it works. You can mix them if you +wish (actually you can have an accept AND a reject on the same line) but +don't attempt this until you are sure you know what you are doing! + +

+You can arrange your filter lines into logical units, either for your own +understanding or simply convenience. Here is an example ... + + +reject/spots 1 on hf/cw +reject/spots 2 on 50000/1400000 not (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16) + + +What this does is to ignore all HF CW spots and also rejects any spots on VHF +which don't either originate or spot someone in Europe. + +

+This is an example where you would use a line number (1 and 2 in this case), if +you leave the digit out, the system assumes '1'. Digits '0'-'9' are available. +This make it easier to see just what filters you have set. It also makes it +more simple to remove individual filters, during a contest for example. + +

+You will notice in the above example that the second line has brackets. Look +at the line logically. You can see there are 2 separate sections to it. We +are saying reject spots that are VHF or above APART from those in +zones 14, 15 and 16 (either spotted there or originated there). If you did +not have the brackets to separate the 2 sections, then Spider would read it +logically from the front and see a different expression entirely ... + + +(on 50000/1400000 and by_zone 14,15,16) or call_zone 14,15,16 + + +The simple way to remember this is, if you use OR - use brackets. Whilst we are +here CASE is not important. 'And BY_Zone' is just the same as 'and by_zone'. + +As mentioned earlier, setting several filters can be more flexible than +simply setting one complex one. Doing it in this way means that if you want +to alter your filter you can just redefine or remove one or more lines of it or +one line. For example ... + + +reject/spots 1 on hf/ssb + + +would redefine our earlier example, or + + +clear/spots 1 + + +To remove all the filter lines in the spot filter ... + + +clear/spots all + + +Filter options + +

+You can filter in several different ways. The options are listed in the +various helpfiles for accept, reject and filter. + +Advanced filtering + +

+Once you are happy with the results you get, you may like to experiment. + +

+The previous example that filters hf/cw spots and accepts vhf/uhf spots from EU +can be written with a mixed filter, for example ... + + +rej/spot on hf/cw +acc/spot on 0/30000 +acc/spot 2 on 50000/1400000 and (by_zone 14,15,16 or call_zone 14,15,16) + + +Note that the first filter has not been specified with a number. This +will automatically be assumed to be number 1. In this case, we have +said reject all HF spots in the CW section of the bands but accept +all others at HF. Also accept anything in VHF and above spotted in or +by operators in the zones 14, 15 and 16. Each filter slot actually +has a 'reject' slot and an 'accept' slot. The reject slot is executed +BEFORE the accept slot. + +

+It was mentioned earlier that after a reject test that doesn't match, the +default for following tests is 'accept', the reverse is true for 'accept'. +In the example what happens is that the reject is executed first, any non +hf/cw spot is passed to the accept line, which lets through everything +else on HF. The next filter line lets through just VHF/UHF spots from EU. + + +Hints, tips and common questions. + +

+SET/BEEP command. You can find information +on this in the "DXSpider Command Reference" section. + +