     THE DXHUNTER 5.0: MAIN FUNCTIONS WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTION

     For installation notes, see the end of this section.

     *DXHUNTER is a DOS, shareware, freely distributable program for PC and 
     TNC modem (note: no BAYCOM modem support), for DX CLUSTER management.
     You  can  run  DXHUNTER  in a DOS  session  simultaneously  with  your
     favourite  programs, such as your log: PIF and ICO files are included,
     to  use the program under Windows, so you'll not have to abandon  your
     dear old LOG program, when adopting DXHUNTER.

     *Automatic  DXCC data import from different log types (such as DXBASE,
     TOPLOG, EASYLOG...).

     *Alert on New Ones: you can set an alert type and an alert duration;
     you  can  choose between 5 different new one classes to accept  (cell,
     band,  mode, band/mode, total). Allowed alert types are SOUND,  MUSIC,
     CW and VOICE; the CW and VOICE alert types execute the spelling of the
     alerted  spots (call and frequency) also on the PC speaker, making  it
     possible to remotize alert events via radio.

     *You  can  enable the announcement of any incoming spot, wich will  be
     performed  in CW or VOICE, by spelling spot's call and frequency, also
     on the PC speaker (useful for people who are blind).

     *Some  special features allow you to decide which alerts to accept, at
     a  spot's  CALL/FREQUENCY level; the band planning can be adjusted  to
     your needs.

     *Automatic  connection/reconnection  to  the DX CLUSTER, also  via  an
     unlimited  number of intermediate nodes: your presence is not  needed,
     even when the link drops.

     *Antitimeout function, to avoid inactivity disconnections.

     *A monitor mode function allows you to operate also when disconnected;
     a  smart anti spot repetition function avoids identical spots  display
     (this filter is active also when operating in connected mode, to avoid
     looped  spots repetition). The monitor mode function supports also the
     special spot format used on forward links, between cluster nodes!.

     *Incoming new ones are saved apart, on an active list: once you select
     an item from this list, you can play it (in CW or VOICE), you can send
     its  frequency to your RTX via RS232; the spots that currently  result
     to be more probable (because they were received into a one hour window
     centered on current z time) are displayed marked.

     *DXPED and SKED reminder, with automatic deletion of expired events:
     when  a  DXPED becomes active a visual warn is displayed; when a  SKED
     becomes active, a phone-like alert is executed.

     *Prefix  recognition without errors: the DXHUNTER is probably the best
     in  the  world in recognizing simple or slashed prefixes; if you  keep
     the  data  base updated, by adding or deleting prefixes  when  needed,
     you'll  get  the  best  from this program. An  on  line  prefix  check
     function, allows you to check for any prefix with immediate response.

     *Filter  on far away originated spots: some DX CLUSTERS collect  spots
     being  originated  from  far  away sites (i.e. spots  coming  via  the
     Internet);  very  often the far away originated DXes are not  feasible
     for  you; if you want to exclude alerts on these spots, you can act on
     the  originating field (DX de...) by filtering any originating country
     you  want  (unwanted  spots will not be alerted but  still  displayed,
     anyway).

     *Remote control on RTX via RS232 port. This control includes frequency
     and  mode setting on the RTX; the control can be manual (you  manually
     type  in the desired frequency and mode) or fully automatic (linked to
     the last received spot or to the new one list).

     *Voice keyer (Sound Blaster-like card needed): you can record up to 10
     voice  messages  on the fly and then send them back with a snap,  with
     PTT activation on a selected COM or LPT port.

     *Audio  loop recorder (Sound Blaster-like card needed): you can record
     up  to 25/30 seconds of audio onto a circular RAM buffer (thus without
     disturbing  your  Hard  Disk);  you can keep  your  recording  session
     working  for  unlimited time; at any time you'll be able to play  back
     the  last  25/30  seconds  of the  current  recording,  marking  audio
     portions  to  relisten, with saving capability; you can also select  a
     slower  or  faster playback speed (6 speed levels: very useful for  CW
     relisten).  A  switch  signal  to  redirect  audio  to  headphones  is
     included.

     *Text  and audio file capture/storage functions (for audio features  a
     Sound   Blaster-like   card  is  needed);  a   multimedia   text/audio
     archiviation  program  is  included;  during  the  audio  playback  an
     hardware switch is activated, to redirect the audio to the headphones.

     *Automatic CW Key (from 5 up to 100 WPM); you can simulate your CW key
     with  very regular transmission with simple keystrokes or by recalling
     preset  strings; the key switch is performed via a selected COM or LPT
     port, in a CT like standard.

     *Unlimited and smart word search function; you can search for any word
     on  entire  DX  spots, or just on their comment fields; you  can  also
     search  for  IOTA  or LOCATOR strings in the comment  fields;  when  a
     searched word is found, an alert is executed.

     *RF  disturb  robustness:  some programs block when  RF  disturbs  the
     serial  port;  the  DXHUNTER simply warns you that you're  causing  RF
     disturbs and you might loose data.

     *Screen capacity selectable, up to 50 text lines.

     *Automatic  talk reply in NOHERE state: you can set a standard message
     that  will be automatically sent as an answer to anybody attempting to
     talk to you, when you are in a NOHERE state.

     *Save  disk space option (when enabled, all the lists are kept limited
     in size).

     *Night  mode  feature,  with  blank screen operation  (the  screen  is
     restored when an alert occurs or at user's keystrokes).

     *Minimum  hardware requirements (the program runs on any PC, from 8088
     up, also from floppy disk).

     *Different acoustic signalling of DX spots, talks, or other messages.

     *Self  documented  functions,  with  on line brief  help  comments  in
     english  language;  a  printable, justified and page  formatted  ASCII
     manual  in english language is also included; the manual is  schematic
     and  complete  at  the same time; it has been divided  into  different
     sections  for  easier  info retrieval (italian  language  program  and
     manual  also  available upon request); the manual also  includes  some
     schemes  to  build the simple required interfaces (PTT, audio  switch,
     RS232<>TTL to drive the RTX).

     This, and much more, make the DXHUNTER a unique program.
     Believe me, it will raise up your score dramatically.
     Many big DXers (scores over 310) are currently using the DXHUNTER with
     success and satisfaction: they consider it an indispensible DX tool.

     DOWNLOAD and test it NOW!!!.

     INSTALLATION NOTES.
     The minimum evaluation kit is represented by the DXHUNTE5 block.
     To obtain also multimedia functions, the DXHUTYE5 block is needed.
     To  install  the  program, download both the blocks or  at  least  the
     DXHUNTE5 block.
     Move the downloaded block(s) to a temporary HD directory.
     Unzip  the  block(s) then run the Install program; you'll be  able  to
     choose the installation directory (C:\DXHUNTER\ default, suggested).
     Move the zipped block(s) to a good quality floppy disk: you'll be able
     to reinstall the program in the future, if necessary.
     Now you can remove the temporary directory and its content.
     If  you  install the main block only, you'll be able to  enhance  your
     installation at a second time, as soon as you get the second block.
     To  do this, store the install.exe program (which comes with the  main
     block  only) then move it to the same directory where you inflated the
     second  block;  finally run install, specifying the same  installation
     directory you chose for the previous installation.

     Problems,  advices, suggestions, bugs, tips and other, may be reported
     to  the following Radio Packet BBS Address:  IK4VYX@I4UJB.IEMR.ITA.EU,
     (name is Fabrizio), or to the following Telephone number:
     +39 545 32916 (Fabrizio) after 19 UTC.

     This program has been uploaded by the Author.

     THE DXHUNTER: THE SOFTEST WAY OF HUNTING!!!.