Kelvin, you inspired me to try the field label function on N1MM.  There 
are some programs where it doesn't work, but it certainly works in N1MM.  I 
don't know what will happen if I open some more windows, which might 
reposition the logging window, but this seems to work.  And since the space 
bar cycles among fields, depending on the contest, my newly defined Field 
Labels worked there, also.  I had to change the hotkey from ctrl-Insert-F to 
ctrl-Alt-F, because the Insert key is sometimes captured and N1MM thinks I'm 
trying to send a message and pops up an error when it can't.I have to change 
some of the field labels, depending on which contest I'm in, but this looks 
like it will be very useful.

I agree that the main configuration screen is really complex.  I have worked 
it so far without sighted help, using Window-Eyes.  I reclassed the main tab 
control, which I think is in two rows.  I use the mouse pointer a lot.  I 
guess a lot, also.
73 -- Lloyd, W3IUU

-----Original Message----- 
From: Kelvin Marsh
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 3:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: alternative contest logging programs

Hi Tom,

Interesting ideas, and I've been there myself <smile>.  Firstly, I use
N3FJP's A C Log myself for general logging.  I too use Kimberley's voice for
the Call field, but I turn off the other fields because I get audio from
Kimberley and the screen reader at the same time.  A good example of this is
to tab into the RST Sent field.  Kimberley speaks the field name, and the
screen reader says 599 all on top of each other.

Window-Eyes gives you the ability to give a custom name to any field you tab
into, and I'm sure JAWS must do the same.  I've labelled all the fields in
the log for the screen reader, with Kimberley's voice switched on, and then
I turn her off for good.  Now, all I hear is the screen reader reading each
field name followed by the contents, and of course you can assign the sound
card for the screen reader.  I have recorded a
complete demo of how I use and setup A C Log, and the demo shows this exact
scenario at

http://active-elements.org/2012/12/15/amateur-contact-log/

Just go down to the Related Downloads heading, and what you need is in the
'1 Setting up from a clean installation MP3' file.  You can just click on
this and it will play, and the piece is about 5 minutes in.

As to N1MM, As Lloyd says, it is free, and I use it for contesting.  Once
initially setup for your rig and keyer, it is perfectly accessible.  I do
all the initial setup myself independently, but you need to be an advanced
screen reader user.  I've also created and setup all the voice files needed
for SSB contesting.  I even recorded individual numbers, and N1MM will
concatenate them for serial numbers!  A bit stilted, but interesting.  At
the time, I used a rig blaster to interface the PC to rig, and when the
Function Key was pressed, the VOX in the Rig Blaster triggered the PTT.  I
found the screen reader voice never got transmitted as it never clashed, but
you might have to consciously wait for the TX to end before reviewing the
screen!

Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID

Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities

www.active-elements.org

For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tom Behler
Sent: 02 February 2013 17:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: alternative contest logging programs

    Hi, folks.

As I think many of you know, I have gotten very much into contesting over
the past few years, and have been using the N3FJP logging software package
as my main means of logging contest contacts.

The software actually is quite good in terms of interfacing with Jaws and
windows, and the price of the entire software package certainly can't be
beat.

In recent weeks, however, I have begun to re-think the N3FJP contest logging

option at least a bit.  The reason is rather simple.

As our friend, Steve, KW3A knows all to well, I have been trying to figure
out a way to record contest voice exchanges, and transmit them with my TS590

via a connection between my laptop and the TS590.  My goal simply has been
to create voice contest exchanges on the computer, and be able to access
them as needed via one of the function keys on the computer keyboard.

While this sounds like it would be pretty straight forward, it has not
turned out to be this easy.

It turns out that the N3FJP software uses the Windows default sound card to
play the wave files that tell you which fields you are in as you enter
contest log data.  And, these wave files can only be played through the
windows default sound card.  Apparently, this condition cannot be changed in

the N3FJP software, and this greatly limits what I can do in the way of
interfacing the TS590 with my laptop, where the contest voice exchanges are
recorded.

AS a result, I'm now beginning to wonder whether I might want to look at
other contest logging software that might have more flexibility in switching

sound cards for various purposes.

Some folks on this list have  mentioned using the N1MM software, and I know
some others  use Writelog, but I believe there are significant costs
associated with each of these packages.   Plus, I believe  you also have to
buy separate software for each contest.

For now, my short-term solution is to directly record at least a CQ contest
voice exchange directly on the TS590 using the VGS1 voice recorder, but the
risks there involve the possibility of making an error by hitting the wrong
voice memory key in the heat of a contest, if you have more than one
exchange.

If anyone has any thoughts on these alternative logging software programs,
please send them my way.  Any cost info would be appreciated as well.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ



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