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tucnak

VHF and above contest logger, built around locator scoring and networking

What it does

A contest log for VHF, UHF and microwave work: scoring by distance between Maidenhead locators, ODX tracking, multi-operator networking so several positions share one log, EDI export in the format the VHF contest robots expect, and integration with rotator control, CW keying and voice keying.

Why you would want it

VHF contest scoring is distance-based, which makes it a different problem from HF -- an HF logger that treats a contact as one point cannot score a VHF contest at all. Tucnak is built for that, and for the multi-station setups that VHF contesting from a hilltop actually involves.

Before it will work

Your own locator, set correctly, because every score in the contest is computed from it. Networking between positions needs them on the same network with the ports open. Rotator and rig control need the hardware reachable, which usually means the dialout group.

How it installs

  • apt: tucnak

Known problems

The package depends on udev and passwd beyond the usual libraries, which is unusual for a logging program and reflects how much hardware it expects to drive. Its interface is dense and assumes VHF contest conventions rather than explaining them; if the terminology is unfamiliar, the contest is not the moment to meet it.

Keeping it current

  • probe: apt policy
  • strategy: apt_upgrade

Where to get help with the software itself

Ladislav Vaiz, OK1ZIA. The project page carries the documentation and contact details.

Source: catalog/packages/tucnak.yaml