A new version of SpotCollector whose Configuration window's "Spot Database Display" tab provides an Autoscroll panel with an "Enable on newly-needed Entry" checkbox has been sent to the participants in this discussion.

If the "Enable on newly-needed Entry" box is checked, Autoscroll will be automatically disabled if

- a new Spot Database Entry is created for a callsign that is "needed", meaning that confirmed QSO would advance your progress towards your award objectives

- an existing Spot Database Entry is updated to become "needed" or "more needed", e.g. a spot received after the Entry was first created contributes a grid square that makes the Entry's callsign "needed" for VUCC..

Too those who received this new version:

1. You can test this functionality by submitting a local spot for a needed station.

2. Please post feedback here so that everyone can see it.

         73,

               Dave, AA6YQ

 

Limited testing here shows that the re-enable function works.

Thanks for the quick response. My memory cells thank you!

-Steve, W7WM

Working for me. Does not need to be an ATNO, I tested with a
couple of new Marathon counters and band/mode/zones with
autoscroll being enabled as expected.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 1/31/2023 6:07 AM, Larry K8UT wrote:

UPDATE from my previous post: Initial results with live spots, SC
9.3.2 re-enables Auto-scroll when a DXCC band fill spot arrives (have
not worked this entity in any mode), but not when a mode fill (have
worked this entity on this band, but not in this mode) arrives.

That's as expected. Since DXLab does not support "Quixote Quest"
(every entity on every band in every mode), a new mode on a band
on which the entity has been worked in another mode does not meet
the definition of "needed" to re-enable autoscroll.

As I posted, it does re-enable autoscroll for a needed band/mode/zone,
Marathon counter, VUCC grid if one has enabled those awards. I presume
it will also enable on the basic band and mode WAS but not band/mode
combinations.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 1/31/2023 6:07 AM, Larry K8UT wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]
Thanks Dave,
Have installed 9.3.2, and tested using a local spot for Bouvet Island - which is the only DXCC entity I "need." Worked as advertised.
But (and I may be in the minority here...) Can you clarify Spot Collector's determination of a needed spot? I have 339 countries confirmed by combinations of modes, and - in addition to Bouvet - am now working on filling DXCC by mode. I also have 7 band Worked All States confirmed , but need WAS on 6 meters.
Will my DXCC mode needs and 6 meter WAS needs re-enable Auto-scroll? I suspect that this new feature will only work for me when Bouvet Island gets spotted. And, if I work/confirm 3Y0J, never thereafter.
UPDATE from my previous post: Initial results with live spots, SC 9.3.2 re-enables Auto-scroll when a DXCC band fill spot arrives (have not worked this entity in any mode), but not when a mode fill (have worked this entity on this band, but not in this mode) arrives.
-larry (K8UT)
------ Original Message ------

From "Dave AA6YQ" < aa6yq@... >

To DXLab@groups.io
Date 1/30/2023 23:35:25
Subject Re: [DXLab] Autoscroll - automatic enable

A new version of SpotCollector whose Configuration window's "Spot Database
Display" tab provides an Autoscroll panel with an "Enable on newly-needed
Entry" checkbox has been sent to the participants in this discussion.



If the "Enable on newly-needed Entry" box is checked, Autoscroll will be
automatically disabled if



- a new Spot Database Entry is created for a callsign that is "needed",
meaning that confirmed QSO would advance your progress towards your award
objectives



- an existing Spot Database Entry is updated to become "needed" or "more
needed", e.g. a spot received after the Entry was first created
contributes a grid square that makes the Entry's callsign "needed" for
VUCC..



Too those who received this new version:



1. You can test this functionality by submitting a local spot for a needed
station.



2. Please post feedback here so that everyone can see it.




73,

Dave, AA6YQ

Looking forward to this!

+ AA6YQ comments below

Have installed 9.3.2, and tested using a local spot for Bouvet Island - which is the only DXCC entity I "need." Worked as advertised.

 

But (and I may be in the minority here...) Can you clarify Spot Collector's determination of a needed spot? I have 339 countries confirmed by combinations of modes, and - in addition to Bouvet - am now working on filling DXCC by mode. I also have 7 band Worked All States confirmed , but need WAS on 6 meters.

 

Will my DXCC mode needs and 6 meter WAS needs re-enable Auto-scroll? I suspect that this new feature will only work for me when Bouvet Island gets spotted. And, if I work/confirm 3Y0J, never thereafter.

UPDATE from my previous post: Initial results with live spots, SC 9.3.2 re-enables Auto-scroll when a DXCC band fill spot arrives (have not worked this entity in any mode), but not when a mode fill (have worked this entity on this band, but not in this mode) arrives.

+ AA6YQ comments below

It all works for me. My only problem is if I scroll to look at a spot, the auto-enable acts to quickly. The spot I wish to look at disappears, and I must scroll again to see it. 

+ Are you describing a scenario in which you scrolled the Spot Database Display to examine an earlier Entry, a new Entry for a "needed" station was created, so SpotCollector immediately disabled Autoscroll so that you could see the newly-created Entry? If so, that's exactly how the new Autoscroll panel's  "Enable on newly-needed Entry" option is designed to work: to immediately make the newly-created "needed" Entry visible.  

      73,

           Dave, AA6YQ

The current implementation solves the absolute problem of re-enabling Auto-scroll, however, I do not have a sense of what is happening on the bands.....i.e. no spots are shown.

I end up missing all activity (which is interesting),  from the time I disable auto-scroll and when a needed spot arrives - which can be a long time (for us oldsters).

Just an observation.......

I am still thinking that restricting the auto-scroll disable to the gray box, and making the action explicit would be a solution that would meet my desires.

+ AA6YQ comments below

The current implementation solves the absolute problem of re-enabling Auto-scroll, however, I do not have a sense of what is happening on the bands.....i.e. no spots are shown.

I end up missing all activity (which is interesting),  from the time I disable auto-scroll and when a needed spot arrives - which can be a long time (for us oldsters).

+ The word "Autoscroll" blinking in blue or red font in the upper-right corner of SpotCollector's Main window should be a sufficient reminder.

        73,

               Dave. AA6YQ

+ AA6YQ comments below

I find this new auto-scroll reenable to work fine with my operating procedures.  This is especially so with a WSJTX-SpotCollector connection early in this Marathon year.   Later in the year I will be using the manual click-off to reenable scrolling to check band activity, although when on WSJTX that current band’s activity is already present in the WSJTX waterfall.

+ Thanks for the feedback, Dave!

      73,

           Dave, AA6YQ

I know I'm coming into this discussion late, and perhaps the solution that is being tested will be found to be a good one.

I have another suggestion. Move the blinking auto-scroll disabled warning message down to a more central and visible location. For instance in or near the filter pane. I am not a sophisticated user, so I don't use any of the eight SQL buttons. I could envision a few of them being moved/removed and the warning message being placed there.
--
Jim McPhee
Placitas, NM
W5ABA

+ AA6YQ comments below

I know I'm coming into this discussion late, and perhaps the solution that is being tested will be found to be a good one.

I have another suggestion. Move the blinking auto-scroll disabled warning message down to a more central and visible location. For instance in or near the filter pane. I am not a sophisticated user, so I don't use any of the eight SQL buttons. I could envision a few of them being moved/removed and the warning message being placed there.

+ I will not head down the slippery slope of re-arranging the furniture in a DXLab application based on what functions any one user does or doesn't utilize.

+ Reminder: you can configure SpotCollector to audibly announce the creation of a Spot Database Entry for a station with whom a confirmed QSO would advance your award progress. This works even if SpotCollector's Main window is not visible on any monitor.

73,

Dave, AA6YQ

+ AA6YQ comments below

I'll admit I don't understand Auto-scroll. Sometimes it flashes red or green or not at all. What does it mean?

+ See https://www.dxlabsuite.com/spotcollector/Help/SpotDatabase.htm#Navigating%20the%20Spot%20Database

How do I keep feeding the spot list without punching buttons?

+ SpotCollector's "Spot Database Display" is not a "spot list". It's a tabular, filter-able, sort-able view of SpotCollector's "Spot Database", which contains one entry for each active station operating in a particular mode near a particular frequency. See

https://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/CollectingSpots

+ New entries are continuously added to the Spot Database, whether or not Autoscroll is enabled, and however the Spot Database Display is filtered or sorted.

73,

Dave, AA6YQ

Hi Dave,

I fully understand not wanting to "re-arrange the furniture" as you called it. For me, the auto-scroll disabled warning/switch is one of the most important on the SpotCollector main screen. The first line of the first message in this thread was "I have found that there are many times when I disable (inadvertently or not) auto-scroll. Sometime later, I notice the 'blinking' auto-scroll message and re-enable it and proceed." If that blinking message is only noticed "sometime later", perhaps it is not located in an optimal position. I have encountered the same situation many times. Could it be located somewhere more central where it would be more quickly noticed and responded to by the operator? The upper right-hand corner is about as far out of the main screen view at it could be.
--
Jim McPhee
Placitas, NM
W5ABA

+ AA6YQ comments below

I fully understand not wanting to "re-arrange the furniture" as you called it. For me, the auto-scroll disabled warning/switch is one of the most important on the SpotCollector main screen. The first line of the first message in this thread was "I have found that there are many times when I disable (inadvertently or not) auto-scroll. Sometime later, I notice the 'blinking' auto-scroll message and re-enable it and proceed." If that blinking message is only noticed "sometime later", perhaps it is not located in an optimal position. I have encountered the same situation many times. Could it be located somewhere more central where it would be more quickly noticed and responded to by the operator? The upper right-hand corner is about as far out of the main screen view at it could be.

+ On my monitor, I have placed SpotCollector's Main window in the upper left; configured in this way, the AutoScroll indicator appears at the top center of the display.

+ If you prefer that the AutoScoll indicator appear more centrally, then position SpotCollector's Main window on your monitor accordingly.

      73,

             Dave, AA6YQ