Glossary

Words that appear in this help and in the programs - explained briefly.

CAT

Controlling the radio from the computer (reading the frequency and mode, switching transmit on). It works over a cable - usually USB.

COM port

This is what Windows calls the radio cable, e.g. COM5. You can check the number in Device Manager → Ports (COM & LPT). At any moment a COM port can be open in only one program.

Speed (Baud rate, CAT RATE)

The speed of the “conversation” over the cable, e.g. 38400. It must be the same in the radio menu and in the middleman (OmniRig, Hamlib).

CI-V

The way Icom radios are controlled. Each Icom radio has its own CI-V address (e.g. 94h) - usually you leave the default one.

Middleman

A program that holds the radio cable and serves all other programs: OmniRig or Hamlib.

OmniRig

A free middleman for Windows. It handles two radios: Rig 1 and Rig 2. See OmniRig.

Hamlib, rigctld

Hamlib is a library that knows several hundred radio models. rigctld is its small server program: it holds the radio cable and waits for programs at an address and a port. It works on Windows and Linux. See Hamlib.

HamlibStarter

A program that comes with RigAndLog. It starts rigctld for four radios (Rig 1-4) and gives the shared port Rig 0. See HamlibStarter.

Rig

Simply a radio (ham slang). Rig 1, Rig 2 - the next radios in OmniRig or in HamlibStarter.

Rig 0

The shared HamlibStarter port (4532 by default) for programs like WSJT-X. It leads to the radio you choose in HamlibStarter - like an antenna switch.

Address, 127.0.0.1

The address of a computer in the network. 127.0.0.1 means “this same computer”. 0.0.0.0 in server settings means “accept connections from other computers too”.

Port (network), e.g. 4532

The number of the “door” where a program waits for a connection. Each radio in HamlibStarter has a different door (4533-4536). This is something different from a COM port.

TCP, UDP

Two ways of sending data between programs. Hamlib uses TCP. WSJT-X sends QSO information over UDP (see UDP Hub).

MAIN, SUB

The upper and lower row of the Rig window - like two receivers in a radio. Each can show a different radio.

Active row

The row “under the dial”: the buttons, spots and frequency entry control it, and it is its radio that transmits.

VFO A / VFO B

Two frequency “dials” in the radio. The VFO button in a row switches them in the radio.

Split

Transmitting on a different frequency than you receive (e.g. a DX “up 2”). In RigAndLog SUB follows MAIN: SUB = MAIN + offset; on the same radio - VFO B in the radio (the radio decides where it transmits), on two radios - the second radio (SUB transmits, MAIN receives).

Satellite: uplink, downlink, transponder

Uplink - the frequency on which you transmit to the satellite; downlink - the one on which the satellite transmits to you. A transponder moves the signal from the uplink to the downlink: FM (one frequency, like a repeater) or linear (a whole range, SSB / CW; inverting - the top of the uplink is the bottom of the downlink). See Satellites.

AOS, LOS

The satellite rising above the horizon (AOS) and setting (LOS). The pass lasts between them - that is when you can work it.

Doppler

The frequency shift caused by the satellite's motion: when it approaches you receive higher and transmit lower; when it moves away - the opposite. On 70 cm up to about ±10 kHz.

TLE

The satellite's orbital elements written in two lines of text (CelesTrak). The program computes the satellite position from them. They get old - the program refreshes them every 2 days.

Transverter, LO

A device that moves the radio to another band (e.g. 2 m → 13 cm). LO - the frequency of its oscillator; true frequency = radio + LO (inverted: LO - radio).

PROP_MODE, SAT_NAME, SAT_MODE

Log fields (ADIF) for a satellite QSO: propagation mode (SAT), satellite name (e.g. SO-50) and mode (e.g. V/U) - needed for LoTW.

TX, RX, PTT

TX - transmit, RX - receive. PTT - the transmit button (on the microphone, in a program or via CAT).

SWR

Standing wave ratio - it tells how well the antenna is matched. The program can show it while transmitting.

TOT (time-out timer)

A setting in the radio: after the set time the radio stops transmitting by itself. It is worth switching it on.

Wine

A program that lets you run RigAndLog under Linux. OmniRig does not work under Wine - only Hamlib.