### Manual of RUFZ - Software ### @DL4MM ### Version: 3.2 31.12.2002 ### *** What is RUFZ ? *** "RUFZ" is the abbreviation of the German word "Rufzeichen-Hoeren" which means "listening of callsigns" and is training-software to improve CW-abilities, particularly the listening of usual Amateurradio-calls. It should be used by an advanced CW-operator to perfect memory-copying at higher speeds. Otherwise the initial-speed can be selected very low, so also newcomers have a good training possibility. For learning CW RUFZ is surely not suitable. In this case you should use other CW-training-programs. *** How does RUFZ work ? *** At the beginning of the program you are in the Start-Menu and you have to type your own callsign. Parallel you may fit CW-Output to your individual requirements. With the function keys you can adjust volume, pitch (middle- frequency of random generator) shape and initial speed and you can listen in a bit. Additional you can choose Overwrite or Insert-mode for the later input of computer's calls. These and some other functions will be described more detailed later. After typing your own callsign and confirming it with the attempt is starting. The computer transmits the first call with the adjusted initial speed, which has been randomly-selected from a database with app. 35000 real existing calls. This call you have to type correctly into the keyboard. While typing you have some editing possibilities for the command line. After confirming input with the computer transmits the next random call. (Only after ) If the last call was correct the speed increases else decreases. The computer adapts automatically to participants individual skill. In this way, always listening on individual limit, an outstanding training-effect will be reached. Compared to other programs RUFZ is very stressing, but only with stress training really helps ! To have some fun there is scoring. Depending on difficulty the computer gives a maximum number of points for each listened call. There is a quadratic influence of speed and a linear influence of the length of the call for the maximum points. This maximum points the participant could have in case his call was correct. But for each error the points are reduced drastic. (One error to 1/4, 2 errors to 1/9, 3 errors to 1/16). Additional there is a (logarithmic) deduction for the time needed to type. But do not be hectic, this deduction is not essential. Beginning with RUFZ-version 3.0 you have the possibility to listen the call once again if you were not sure. (with F6) (but only 1x) In this case there is an deduction of 50% of the maximum-points. The points for each call will be summarised. After 50 listened calls the attempt is over and the score appears in the upper left window, and additional red in short form as part of the score-list in the score window. If you do not want to listen the full number of 50 calls, you can abort attempt by pressing F10. Scored are the points until this moment. After you are back in the start-menu and you can start a new attempt or you can quit program with F10. The scores will be saved automatically. *** Description of Menus *** < Start-Menu > F1 Help The file you just see, will be displayed With Cursor and Page Keys, HOME and END key you can navigate. F2 InitSpeed Initial speed of attempt, setting is in characters per minute (CpM) PARIS-Speed (Suggested is apr.80% of individual max. speed) This setting is loaded/saved automatically from/to configuration-file. F3 Testing transmit the string VVV TEST TEST AR with the coosed CW-settings while transmitting you can listen in and fit the headphone F4 Scores jump to score-menu Display of complete scores and possibility for individual settings in score-list F5 Ins/Ovr (you may use also key) Switching between Insert and Overwrite mode At input of calls while an attempt, a character will be inserted at cursorposition, or the character will be overwritten. This setting is loaded/saved automatically from configuration-file. (the item Save Configurationfile at version 3.0 is removed, since version 3.1 configuration will be saved automatically !) F6 Tone jump to tone-menu Possibilities to adjust volume, pitch and shape of CW-signal. These settings are loaded/saved automatically from/to configuration-file. Notice ! volume and shape can be changed only if a soundcard is detected ! F7 Password useful for contest with several participants, when certain adjustments should be changeable only by the administrator (Scores ..) If you wish to remove password, after input of old password, just type an empty string (nothing) twice. In case of lost password you can overwrite RUFZCONF.DTA with the original file from the original-disc. (All individual settings are back to default values) F8 Check If you are in doubt, whether displayed speed is correct, you can use this function. The word PARIS will be transmitted for a minute. After that you can see the number of really transmitted characters. Time can be checked with an external manual timer. F9 Language program-language will be changed to GERMAN and back to ENGLISH. Further languages are planned. This setting is loaded/saved automatically from/to configuration-file. F10 Quit End of program CtrlF10 Imeadiatly exit without prompt (bosskey) INS same function as F5 < Score-Menu > Attention ! The scoring beginning at RUFZ version 3.0 is NOT comparable to the points of previous versions !!! The scoring of version 3.1 is identically with version 3.0. The score-file of version 3.0 RUFZHISC.DTA kann be used at an upgrade to version 3.1. To take over old scores, you have to overwrite the new (empty) file with the old one. F1 Info RUFZ-Toplist information for International RUFZ-Toplist will be displayed If you want, you can add your score to the International RUFZ-Toplist which is kept by the author. This list is published weekly. So you can compare your performance to others around the world. You can use RUFZTOPL.TXT for mailing ! Not needed score lines may removed in THIS file. F2 Clear complete list After input of password and safety-question the complete score-list will be deleted F3 Clear line after input of password and safety-question a single line of score-list will be deleted F6 Print list after safety-question the complete score-list will be printed (on LPT1) F8 Attempts per call after input of password the maximal number of attempts per participant can be modified (1..999), useful for contests, single user should set this value to 999 This setting is loaded/saved automatically from configuration-file. F9 Nr. of same calls after input of password the max. number of same calls in the score-list can be modified (1..999), useful for single-user, to see more scores with the same call This setting is loaded/saved automatically from/to configuration-file. F10 Exit Quit Score-Menu, back to Start-Menu < Tone-Mode > Cursor Up : increase volume Cursor Down : decrease volume Cursor Left : decrease pitch (middle of random-range) Cursor Right: increase pitch (middle of random-range) Ins-Key : shape of tone more hard Del-Key : shape of tone more soft Home-Key : set default values ESC : Abort, set old values ENT : set desired values The currently settings are shown in the window. Simultaneity there is a tone-output with the adjusted values. The combination V A B represents with V the middle-frequency of the random generator, A is the lowest, and B the highest possible frequency. Attention: The display and the CW-output can be delayed a little bit to the key-pressing. This problem was reduced in version 3.1. Tone settings are loaded/saved automatically from/to configuration-file. *** Window-Description *** < Right (upper) Window / Score-Window > In parenthesis : number of participants (entries in score-list) rank, call, total points, max. speed at attempt, number of attempts < CW-Info Window > Paris-Tempo : PARIS-speed of transmitted call Paris max. : maximum speed CORRECT heard Paris min. : minimum speed heard Initialspeed: initial speed at begin of attempt (set with F2 in Start-Menu) Pitch : middle frequency of random generator Volume : relative volume Shape : Shape of CW-signal (soft/hard) menue-points Volume and Shape are available only if a soundcard is detected ! < Left upper Window while attempt > number of transmitted calls / full number of calls number of wrong copied calls points received for last call / max. possible points total number of points in current attempt After end of attempt the current rank is shown in red colour. < Error-Window > (left, middle) The errors of current attempt are shown. Left the heard calls and right the computers given call. Wrong characters are displayed in red colour. Missing or surplus characters are marked with a red dot. *** Program-Disc or downloaded file contains following files: *** RUFZ32!.EXE is a self-extracting compressed file copy it to the desired directory and after running following files extracted in the same directory: RUFZ.EXE - executable file (RUN THIS TO START) RUFZCONF.CFG - configuration-file RUFZCALL.DTA - callsign-file RUFZHISC.DTA - score-list (standard file) RUFZNOSC.DTA - score-list (without checksum, not for Toplist use !) RUFZDOCE.TXT - software documentation in German RUFZDOCD.TXT - software documentation in English RUFZNEWD.TXT - What's new ? in German RUFZNEWE.TXT - What's new ? in English Beginning with RUFZ version 3.0 a modification of configuration- and callsign- file (additional to the score-file) is no longer provided. All these files are coded, and callsign-file additional compressed) *** Installation: *** Just copy RUFZ32!.EXE to any new directory on hard-disc. (for example C:\AFU\SIMUL\RUFZ32 ) If a previous version of RUFZ exists, these files are no longer needed, and can be deleted if wished If you wish to recycle your old scores while upgrading vom version 3.0 to version 3.1, you have to copy old score-file RUFZHISC.DTA to the directory. (new file must be overwritten by old file) Attention!: Please make a backup of original-file(s)!!! *** Start of program: *** Type RUFZ to run < Additional command-line-parameter: > -NOCOLOR disables colours (for monochrome-adapters) -NOBLASTER disables existing soundcard (CW-output via built-in PC-speaker) -NOKBD disables display of typed characters while CW-output (at very high CW-speed and with slow computers a distortion of CW-output can be prevented) -HST enables special HST-mode (default : no HST-mode) special feature to support official RUFZ-contest at IARU High Speed Telegraphy (HST) Championships. Special features are: - Number of slash-calls per attempt is fixed to 5 - HST start ID instead of own callsign is required at check in - No scores of other competitors are shown for participant while attempt - No display of placement after the end of attempt - Password required for Scoremenue (F4) - Number of attempts is limited to HST default value - Password required for CW Test (F8) - Password required for Language switching (F9) - Password required for Regular and Emergency Checkout (F10 and CtrlF10) - Definition of password is automatically requested while first start of RUFZ -NOCHECK disables speed-alarm To prevent tripping of speed-alarm, it can be disabled. This could be useful for official contests in a supervised environment. In this mode no checksums are given, so regularly there is no possibility to use this scores for International RUFZ-Toplist! Results of this mode are stored separately in RUFZNOSC.DTA If this feature is used, there is still a speed-checking at start of RUFZ and a self-check of score-file. -FIX enables mode with fixed speed for training purposes transmiting speed can be fixed to the value of initial speed. Note ! This mode cannot be used for RUFZ-Toplist competition. -NOCHECK option is automatically enabled. -CT enables CT-mode A callsign-file MASTER.PED of popular contestsoftware CT by K1EA is used. Current MASTER.PED can be downloaded from http://www.k1ea.com . This file is regularly created for use with PED-Software by JE3MAS but can be used also for RUFZ. Alternative own calls can be used with the same filename. RUFZ ignores comma and zone. Note ! This mode cannot be used for RUFZ-Toplist competition. -NOCHECK option is automatically enabled. *** Hard- and Software-requirements: *** Only a simple IBM-compatible PC (>=286'er) is needed. A soundcard is strongly recommended. Because RUFZ is a time-critical software it runs only under (pure) DOS. Due to the different parallel processes of the multitasking-operating-system WINDOWS there is usually no way for a correct CW-output under WIN 3.0-3.1 and WIN 95/98. This causes excessive distortions of the Morse-code. Exception is the MS-DOS-MODE under WIN95/98. (Press F8 while booting or at "Quit Windows" and then choose "START MS-DOS-MODE") RUFZ is NOT running under WINDOWS 2000 and WINDOWS XP. SRI ! With these operating systems special programming of RUFZ is not supported. The only possibility to solve this problem is to prepare a special DOS boot disc or to boot from a special DOS/WIN95/WIN98 partition. At WIN95/98 you must start at MS-DOS-mode. Please not that in all cases special MS-DOS-level soundcard drivers of your specific soundcard must been succesfully installed. Unfortunately some of latest soundcard models like popular Soundblaster PCI 128 no longer supporting MS-DOS mode. Please check manual of soundcard. Beginning with RUFZ version 3.0 the correct timing of CW-signal is additional checked by a special function called "Speedalarm". If the test is negative, the program aborts. If "Speedalarm" occurs also under DOS, disable of hard-disc-caches like SMARTDRV/PC-CACHE and/or other drivers in CONFIG.SYS and/or AUTOEXEC.BAT could be helpful. If not, please inform author. Before making any experiments, please always backup system files and any other important data to an external media ! *** CW-Output: *** Regularly the CW-Output is made via a SOUNDBLASTER-compatible soundcard. There are no special adjustments needed, the soundcard will be detected automatically. But of course the drivers for DOS and at WIN95/98 for MS-DOS-MODE must be installed and enabled ! If no soundcard is detected, the CW-output is made trough the built-in PC- speaker. You can connect a headphone instead or parallel. *** HST-Mode *** This mode is an support an official contest of IARU High Speed Telegraphy (HST) Championships. Following features are different to "normal" RUFZ : - at an attempt there will be always 5 "long calls" including slash - no view of score-list and current standings for competitor - several functions are not needed from competitor, and so they are password-protected (use only from supervisor) - all score-list functions - test funtion at start-menue - exit of program - abort of attempt For HST use the max. number of attempts should be set according to rules ! (Score window F8) *** Problems/Suggestions: *** In case of problems, bugs or suggestions please inform author of RUFZ-software Tel: (0351) 254 00 44 FAX: (0351) 259 11 04 Email: dl4mm@darc.de Mail: Mathias Kolpe, DL4MM Franz-Mehring-Str.8, D-01237 Dresden, Germany *** Where to get RUFZ 3.2 and next Updates: *** RUFZ 3.2 and updates can be downloaded from RUFZ internet hompage. The current sources can change and will be published together with the RUFZ-Toplist or can be asked from the author. Complete information are currently available in the Internet at: http://www.darc.de/referate/dx/fedtr.htm A free 3.5"-disc is obtainable at author. Just cover mailing- and handling- costs. (Now: Europe: 2 IRC, 3 EUR/USD, DX: 3 IRC or 5 USD/EUR ) Please send only a normal letter including IRC or USD. An address-label is appreciated. Do not send a return-envelope and/or a disc. A disc is not needed, because the mailing costs for disc's are higher than the price for new one. The software will be shipped in a special hard-cover-envelope on a branded disc. **** COPYRIGHT *** The UNMODIFIED RUFZ-software may be distributed FREE OF CHARGE under radio- amateurs and SWL. A commercial profit-oriented usage, or an addition of this software to disc's or CD's with Free- and/or Shareware which are distributed profit-oriented, is forbidden without written permission of author. *** USAGE: *** There is no guarantee for the applicability of RUFZ for a certain purpose. The use of RUFZ is always at your own risk. No liability is taken over. What is RufzXP ? "Rufz" is the abbreviation of the German word "Rufzeichen-Hören", which means "Listening to Callsigns". RufzXP is an excellent training software for improving code speed and CW practice, particularly (ultra) high speed memory copying of true amateur radio calls. Focussing on improvement of CW proficiency, it is no contest simulator and does not provide for QRM. It provides additional tools for keeping track of training progress and comparing with other operators via International RufzXP Toplist. RufzXP is a "must" for every serious high speed telegraphy operator and is an official competition of IARU High Speed Telegraphy Championships. The appendix "XP" indicates that this completely new version takes advantage of latest software technology and runs with MS Windows XP (and additional 2000, NT, ME, 98). Altough it has not fully tested yet, RufzXP seems to run under Vista too. "Tancredi" is the name of this special RufzXP version. How does it work? RufzXP sends a chosen number of random selected true amateur radio calls (50 by default) to be typed into the keyboard. After key has been pressed, the computer gives its next call. If the call has been copied correctly, the transmitting speed increases, if not, it decreases. In this way software automatically adapts transmitting speed to user's maximum performance. Every last call can be heard once again by pressing F6-key (50% penalty). The number of points for each call is primarily related to the CW-speed sent, the number of errors and the length of the call. In addition typing time exerts a minor influence. But it is helpful to think about whether the heard call is useful or not. Tone settings and other options can be modified in Option Form. (F2/F12).