ClusterClient

For many years, the DX Cluster network has been used to check for that elusive 
"DX" - in the hey-day of packet, cluster access was achieved via a TNC and a 
basic packet terminal (such as paKet62 or WinPack)...

Nowadays, radio amateurs rely heavily on the internet to provide 
up-to-the-minute information on band conditions, beacon reports and activity.

I like to operate /P from my village green (among other places) and often find 
the DX cluster a useful tool to see what's happening on the HF bands. With the 
advent of compact netbooks and USB broadband dongles, getting 'net access "in 
the field" has never been easier.

A netbook typically offers a low screen resolution so any fancy graphics, 
windows, tables and such would immediately make a bit of a mess on such a small 
screen - In the absence of a simple DX cluster viewer, I wrote 'ClusterClient'.

ClusterClient is a DX Cluster monitor application that connects via telnet to 
your favourite DX cluster. It offers a simple window with a spot counter (for 
each band) on the left-hand-side and a couple of text-boxes that permit easy 
"spotting" of stations heard/worked. The simple screen layout is thus ideal for 
laptops and can be re-sized to suit operating preferences.

Spots can be filtered to display only the bands you're interested in - no 
complex cluster filter commands to worry about, just (un)tick the bands on the 
filter window!

This software came about as a result of my work on a /P logging package called 
MiniLog (http://www.m0pzt.net/projects.php#MiniLog) and a few people asked if I 
could make the DX cluster window a "standalone" package...

ClusterClient is a free application written by Charlie Davy, M0PZT and is 
available at: http://www.m0pzt.net/projects.php#ClusterClient


      

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