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DX Monitor Suddenly Too Slow

Jim McCook W6YA
 

Hi Peter,

For the past couple of weeks I've noticed an increasingly sluggish slowdown of DX Monitor, which does not happen with any other programs on my computer.  Everything else responds instantly.  Clicking on any title of the main or bandmap windows does nothing, although sometimes a dropdown menu will appear after a long period.  Clicking on one of those options does nothing.  Bandmap scrollbar doesn't work, but if I try to drag it down it will sometimes go down an inch or so, then freeze.  The program is now useless.

I tried using it in Safe Mode.  It appears to work fine there.  Is this a conflict with another program?  I haven't added anything new except Windows 10 updates and have only been using what was already installed, mostly ordinary Email and reflectors that I watch.  I am using DXSCAPE, but would like to get Dx Monitor working again.  Any ideas?   73, Jim W6YA

K5OA
 

I just started getting decide by zero error but uploaded latest and all ok now!
Window 10 64 unit.
Window 11 pc did not see a issue.

73, Russ K5OA

On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 10:31 Jim McCook W6YA <JimW6YA@...> wrote:
Hi Peter,

For the past couple of weeks I've noticed an increasingly sluggish slowdown of DX Monitor, which does not happen with any other programs on my computer.  Everything else responds instantly.  Clicking on any title of the main or bandmap windows does nothing, although sometimes a dropdown menu will appear after a long period.  Clicking on one of those options does nothing.  Bandmap scrollbar doesn't work, but if I try to drag it down it will sometimes go down an inch or so, then freeze.  The program is now useless.

I tried using it in Safe Mode.  It appears to work fine there.  Is this a conflict with another program?  I haven't added anything new except Windows 10 updates and have only been using what was already installed, mostly ordinary Email and reflectors that I watch.  I am using DXSCAPE, but would like to get Dx Monitor working again.  Any ideas?   73, Jim W6YA

K5OA
 



On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 18:20 Russell Guidry <russ.guidrysr@...> wrote:
I just started getting decide by zero error but uploaded latest and all ok now!
Window 10 64 unit.
Window 11 pc did not see a issue.

73, Russ K5OA
On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 10:31 Jim McCook W6YA <JimW6YA@...> wrote:
Hi Peter,

For the past couple of weeks I've noticed an increasingly sluggish slowdown of DX Monitor, which does not happen with any other programs on my computer.  Everything else responds instantly.  Clicking on any title of the main or bandmap windows does nothing, although sometimes a dropdown menu will appear after a long period.  Clicking on one of those options does nothing.  Bandmap scrollbar doesn't work, but if I try to drag it down it will sometimes go down an inch or so, then freeze.  The program is now useless.

I tried using it in Safe Mode.  It appears to work fine there.  Is this a conflict with another program?  I haven't added anything new except Windows 10 updates and have only been using what was already installed, mostly ordinary Email and reflectors that I watch.  I am using DXSCAPE, but would like to get Dx Monitor working again.  Any ideas?   73, Jim W6YA

VE3SUN - Peter Jennings
 

Jim,

The most common reason for slowing down of DX Monitor relates to the propagation calculations.

Usually, DX Monitor can be slow (depending on your CPU) after turning on the SNR filter, or show Signal Strength in the Tools menu. 

But once the cacluclation data is cached the program should resume normal speed unless you have an old slow computer.

You can pause calls to HamCap in the Tools menu and see if this fixes the issue or turn off the options.

Other reasons for slow operation can be Windows security or third party security programs taking time to check files being accessed.

Peter



On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 9:21 PM K5OA <russ.guidrysr@...> wrote:


On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 18:20 Russell Guidry <russ.guidrysr@...> wrote:
I just started getting decide by zero error but uploaded latest and all ok now!
Window 10 64 unit.
Window 11 pc did not see a issue.

73, Russ K5OA
On Sat, Oct 22, 2022 at 10:31 Jim McCook W6YA <JimW6YA@...> wrote:
Hi Peter,

For the past couple of weeks I've noticed an increasingly sluggish slowdown of DX Monitor, which does not happen with any other programs on my computer.  Everything else responds instantly.  Clicking on any title of the main or bandmap windows does nothing, although sometimes a dropdown menu will appear after a long period.  Clicking on one of those options does nothing.  Bandmap scrollbar doesn't work, but if I try to drag it down it will sometimes go down an inch or so, then freeze.  The program is now useless.

I tried using it in Safe Mode.  It appears to work fine there.  Is this a conflict with another program?  I haven't added anything new except Windows 10 updates and have only been using what was already installed, mostly ordinary Email and reflectors that I watch.  I am using DXSCAPE, but would like to get Dx Monitor working again.  Any ideas?   73, Jim W6YA

Jim McCook W6YA
 

Peter, 

Thanks for those suggestions, which helped a lot.  The first thing I did was change check DX Summit from every 1 minute to every 2.  That seemed to help a little.  Then I got rid of show SNR Filter, Show SNR. and Show SNR Icons.  That helped a whole lot.  What made the big difference was uninstalling HamCap, which wasn't giving good information anyhow.  Now when I see all spots in the Main window, I can  use the scroll bar by holding down the left mouse button for several seconds before attempting to scroll.  Only the scroll button moves, but not the spot list until I release the scroll button.  I think that's normal.  Bandmap scrolling is completely normal, though.  My computer is fast with lots of memory, and this problem only began a couple of weeks ago after working normally for years.  I suppose it's possible that changes in my ESET Security software could have been a big factor.  I think Leo Laporte still recommends it.  As always, your help is much appreciated!   73, Jim W6YA
Peter Jennings
 

Thanks for feedback Jim.

I am sure your information on what worked for you will be helpful to others in the future as well.

HamCap requires updated SSN information to work correctly. And since it uses VOACAP to do a lot of calculations, this can all slow things down. Particularly if some security software is adding time to check safety on each calculation as files are accessed.

These kinds of problems can be hard to figure out and Windows and security interfere when programs utilize other programs to do something.

These days there are lots more resources for propagation than back in the day when DX Monitor was written.

73
Peter



On Sun, Oct 23, 2022 at 11:41 AM Jim McCook W6YA <JimW6YA@...> wrote:
Peter, 

Thanks for those suggestions, which helped a lot.  The first thing I did was change check DX Summit from every 1 minute to every 2.  That seemed to help a little.  Then I got rid of show SNR Filter, Show SNR. and Show SNR Icons.  That helped a whole lot.  What made the big difference was uninstalling HamCap, which wasn't giving good information anyhow.  Now when I see all spots in the Main window, I can  use the scroll bar by holding down the left mouse button for several seconds before attempting to scroll.  Only the scroll button moves, but not the spot list until I release the scroll button.  I think that's normal.  Bandmap scrolling is completely normal, though.  My computer is fast with lots of memory, and this problem only began a couple of weeks ago after working normally for years.  I suppose it's possible that changes in my ESET Security software could have been a big factor.  I think Leo Laporte still recommends it.  As always, your help is much appreciated!   73, Jim W6YA

Jim McCook W6YA
 

Peter,

I frequently use VOACAP Pro to figure out propagation, so don't really need those functions with DX Monitor.  VOACAP Pro works pretty well for short path conditions, but not for LP except trans equatorial propagation.  I know there are a lot of newer resources but I still think DX Monitor is king because of all the options it offers.  For me the most useful features are adjustable time limits, a separate bandmap, color coding by band/mode (W6YA frequency colors) and limited spotter range on the main window.  I also like the LID LIST to get rid of spots from those who use goofy spotter names instead of call signs or certain keywords, such as ft8.  I can also hide spots for ft4/ft8 because those are clutter for me.  It also helps to remove spotters who keep spotting useless stuff.  I also appreciate the DX Alert list to highlight special expedition calls or anything else of special interest.  I could go on, but I don't understand why others don't use your excellent program.

73, Jim
Jim McCook W6YA
 

I meant "why many others"
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