DXLab

DXLab is a suite of interoperating applications designed to automate DXing activities. Each application can be independently installed and utilized; when multiple applications are running, they sense each other's presence and interoperate appropriately. All DXLab applications are free, and contain no advertising; they run on Windows 95, 98, 98SE, NT, 2000, and XP. Commercial use is expressly forbidden.

 

Downloading and Installing DXLab applications

Current members of the DXLab suite are:

Commander

DXZone Rating * controls frequency, mode, and receiver bandwidth for Icom, TenTec, Kenwood, and Yaesu radios
* provides 20 memories, each specifying frequency, mode, and receiver bandwidth
* displays frequency-dependent settings for amplifiers and tuners
* supports one-click execution of up to 8 transceiver-specific command sequences
* provides frequency and mode information to WinWarbler and DXKeeper
* enables WinWarbler to activate PTT via the transceiver control com port
* enables PropView to QSY your transceiver to monitor specified IARU/NCDXF propagation beacons
DXKeeper DXZone Rating * records and manages QSOs
* tracks progress towards DXing objectives
* prints QSL cards and labels
* prints envelopes and address labels
* provides real-time upload to eQSL.cc
* logs WinWarbler QSOs
* uses Commander for Icom, TenTec, Kenwood, and Yaesu transceiver control
* uses DXView for progress reporting and plotting
* uses Pathfinder for QSL route lookup
DXLabLauncher   * captures the location of each DXLab application
* start some or all DXLab applications with one click
DXView DXZone Rating * displays DXCC info and country maps
* plots QSOs, spots, beam headings, solar position, and the solar terminator in real time on a world map
* controls Hygain, M2, Yaesu, ARSWIN, and Heath rotators
* plots WinWarbler QSOs
* supports DXKeeper progress reporting and plotting
* plots spots captured by SpotCollector
* supplies spot frequency and mode to Commander for 1-click QSY from plotted spot
* enables PropView to rotate your antenna to monitor specified IARU/NCDXF propagation beacons
* uses Pathfinder for QSL route lookup
Pathfinder DXZone Rating * locates QSL information from web-accessible sources
PropView DXZone Rating * uses DXView to specify locations via point-and-click on a world map
* uses the IONCAP engine to predict minimum and maximum usable frequencies between specified locations
* illustrates open bands graphically as a function of time and probability
* obtains the current solar flux reading from SpotCollector
* creates schedules for monitoring IARU/NCDXF propagation beacons -- by band, by location, or by bearing
* uses Commander to to QSY your transceiver to monitor beacons per the current schedule
* uses DXView to rotate your antenna to monitor beacons per the current schedule
SpotCollector DXZone Rating * collects and aggregates spots from multiple sources -- including packet, Telnet, and IRC -- to create a local database that you can display, sort, and filter in real time
* plots spots on DXView's world map
* consults your current DXKeeper log and highlights spots of stations with whom you need a QSO to meet specified DXing objectives
* supplies frequency and mode to Commander for 1-click QSY
* uses Pathfinder for QSL route lookup
* maintains a 31-day graphical record of solar parameters (SFI, A, and K)
WinWarbler DXZone Rating * conducts PSK31 QSOs, with simultaneous three-channel decoding and display
* conducts RTTY QSOs, with dual-channel diversity decode when an external RTTY modem is available
* includes a GPS interface
* plots QSOs on DXView's world map
* logs QSOs to ADIF files, or to DXKeeper
* provides macros with comprehensive substitution commands, including GPS location, course, and speed
* uses Pathfinder for QSL route lookup
* uses Commander for Icom, TenTec, Kenwood, and Yaesu transceiver control of frequency and PTT activation
    If you have questions or suggestions, please send them via email to the DXLab reflector.