File / New

To create a new file, Win-Test first shows the classical dialog box, allowing to give a name and a path to this file. The default extension is .wtb, which you must respect if you write it.

Creating a new Win-Test file

Once the file is created, the contest parameters must be captured in the following dialog box :

Contest parameters

"Station" parameters :

• Callsign : The one used during the contest. Do not specify the departement (REF contest), or the zone number in this field ! On the other hand, the potential /P, /M or /MM must be specified.
• Locator : Mandatory for a VHF contest. Optional but useful for an HF contest (this will allow to get accurate beam headings or sunrises/sunsets)
• Exchange : Type your zone, your state, your departement... according to the contest you will run. For example, for a CQWW DX contest, specify your WAZ zone. Let this box empty if the sent report is a serial number (for the WPX, for example). If there is a domestic and a DX side in the contest, specify DX if it is your case. Ex : For the ARRL DX, if you are not W ot VE, you must type DX. The power you will send will be taken from the "power" box (see below). NB : The exchange is what Win-Test will send in the CW/RTTY mode.
• Name : The one of the callsign's owner.
• Address : You have 3 free lines to give the address of the station. Keep the last one to specify your zip code and town, as well as your country for an international contest.

• Contest : The contest you will run. Multipliers and dupes checking, points counting etc... will depend on this choice. Please be careful ! Regarding VHF contests, Win-Test supports 2 "generic" contests : "European VHF" and "European VHF (gridsquare counting as multiplier)". These 2 contests will be compatible with the vast majority of the minor contests having the same points counting.
• Category : Choose the category in which you will participate. Check in the rules that the corresponding category really exists in the specified contest !
• Overlay : Some contests rules show overlays. Check in the rules that the corresponding overlay really exists in the specified contest !
• Mode : Choose the mode in which you will participate. Check in the rules that the corresponding mode really exists in the specified contest !
• Power : Your effective power, compulsory for the ARRL DX, on the DX side. Do not type the W unit ! However, if your allowed to transmit more than 1 kW, specify KW.
• Class : Choose your power class.
• Operators : Type the operators list. To get a strict compatibility with the cabrillo format, leave a simple free space between 2 callsigns.

"Network" parameters :

• Station name : Useful if you are running Win-Test in a network. All the computers in the network must have different names. Use eloquent names to easily recognize a computer in the status window.
• Enable time distribution in network : Useful if you are running Win-Test in a network. In order to synchronize the time of the QSO recordings, one computer (and only one) must be declared "time master".

Summary

Last update : 2004 may 14