N1MM and Salmon Run

STEPS 1-8 SHOULD BE “PORTS 101” FOR ALL HAMS

1. Turn on computer
2. Run Device Manager – Computer Management > Device Manager
3. Plug in USB/Serial adapter you are going to use for CAT interface
4. In Device Manager, look at ports (COM and LPT)

   
   
   

5. Write down COM port number COMx (N1MM only supports COM1-COM8)
6. You can change the assigned port number:
• With Device Manager:
• Right Click on the port
• Choose Properties from the dropdown menu
• Choose the Port Settings tab
• Click on the Advanced button
• Select another port number
• Click OK and ignore any warnings

  
  
  

7. Plug in the keying interface (USB/Serial DTR to base of open collector transistor – any NPN switching transistor will work)

   
   
   

8. Write down the keying port number COMy and change it if necessary
9. Install N1MM Logger (Version 14.08.00 or later)
10. The contest template for State QSO Party will be automatically installed.
11. N1MM Logger shoud NOT be installed under Program Files or Progarm Files (X86) -- Ask me why.
12. Hook up CAT port to radio and open N1MM Logger
• Configure Ports Config > Configure Ports, Mode Control, Audio Other
• For the CAT port, choose your radio
• Use the SET button to choose baud rate, e.g., 9600, N,8,1 (must match the radio setting)
• Check CW for the keying port – SET DTR=CW
• "VERY IMPORTANT – CLICK OK TO EXIT CONFIG OR SETTINGS WILL NOT BE SAVED.

  
  
  

13. With Windows Explorer:
• Create a folder under N1MM called CONTESTS
• Create a folder under CONTESTS called SalmonRun
14. With N1MM Logger:
• Choose File > New Database
• Migrate to the SalmonRun folder you created in step 11
• Rename the database file from New.mdb to SalmonRun.mdb
• This and all subsequent Salmon Run contests can go into this same file
15. With N1MM Logger:
• Select File > New Log In Database
• Set the contest parameters
• Contest type: QSOPARTY
• Single Op/Multi Op/Rover etc.
• All band (no credit for single band)
• Power: High/Low/QRP
• Mode: SSB, CW, Digital, Mixed
• State Log: choose WA
• Sent exchange: Select your county abbreviation, e.g., KING
• Operator: Your call
• Select OK

  
  
  

16. Config > Change your station data (be sure to enter RTKCC as your club)
17. Set CW messages. Function Keys have preset purposes – don’t change the “purpose” of any of the following function keys:
• F1 is CQ
• F2 is exchange
• F3 is Thank you
• F4 is your call
• F5 is his/her call
• F6 is Dupe
• F8 is AGN?

  
  
  

Rules for Salmon Run

The rules can be found HERE.

Submitting Your Log

After the contest is over, you can create a Cabrillo file to send to WWDXC – File > Generate Cabrillo File. Email the Cabrillo file to salmonrun@wwdxc.org.

County Abbreviations

A list of county abbreviations can be found HERE.

How to Log County-Line Stations

Regardless of whether you are an in-state or out-of-state participant, if you work a county-line station, simply log it using the KITT/GRAN/WAL format in the Exchange field. Separate QSOs will appear in your log, one for each county.

How Mobile/Rover Works

First, set File >Open Log in Database >Contest tab >Mode Category = "Rover" on the contest setup page, else none of this works.

Typing "roverqth" into the callsign field and hitting Enter pops a window for you to input the county designator, typically 3 or 4 characters (hit Enter again). This changes the current QTH.

The new "RoverQTH" is displayed in the top border of the Entry window, beside the frequency display. The new macro {ROVERQTH} when placed in your F-key messages will always send the current county designator... and log it as such. Note the "RoverQTH" column in the log window.

Now, a mobile/rover in a QSO party/VHF contest will have a quick, easy way of changing counties and re-programming F-key messages in one step. Also, you will have a complete, composite log. No cutting and pasting Cabrillos anymore.

RoverQTH can be 10 characters long but most Cabrillo output is five or six characters long. The macro {ROVERQTH} sends the RoverQTH.