### Manual of RUFZ - Software ### @DL4MM
### Version: 3.0  25.06.97 ###

*** What is RUFZ ? ***

"RUFZ" is the abbreviation of the German word "Rufzeichen-Hren" 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 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. These and some other functions will be described more detailed later.

After typing your own callsign and confirming it with <ENT> the attempt is 
starting. The computer transmits the first call with the adjusted initial 
speed, which has been randomly-selected from a database with more than 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 <ENT> the computer transmits the next random call. (Only 
after <ENT>) 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 don 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 <ENT> 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
F2  InitSpeed
    Initial speed of attempt  ( 40..625 CpM PARIS-Speed )
    (Suggested is apr.80% of individual max. speed)
    This adjustment is loaded from configuration-file.
F3  Testing
    transmit the string VVV TEST TEST AR
    while transmitting you can listen in and fit the headphone
F4  Scores
    jump to score-menu
    Display of complete scores and possibility for individual adjustments
F5  SaveConf. (Save Configuration)
    After input of password (if PW enabled) the configuration will be saved
    to configuration-file to keep it for next program-start
F6  Tone
    jump to tone-menu
    Possibilities to adjust volume, pitch and shape of CW-signal.
    These adjustments are loaded from configuration-file.
F7  Password
    useful for contest with several participants, when certain adjustments 
    should be changeable only by the administrator (Scores ..) 
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 
F9  Language
    program-language will be changed to GERMAN and back to ENGLISH
    This adjustment is loaded from configuration-file.
F10 Quit
    End of program

< Score-Menu >

Attention ! The scoring beginning at RUFZ version 3.0 is NOT comparable to the 
points of previous versions !!!

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.
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 contest
F9  Nr. of same calls
    after input of password the maximal number of same calls in the score-list
    can be modified (1..999), useful for single-user, to see more scores 
F10 Exit
    Quit Score-Menu, back to Start-Menu

< Tone-Mode >

Cursor Up   : increase volume
Cursor Down : decrease volume
Cursor Left : decrease pitch (middle)
Cursor Right: increase pitch (middle)
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 adjusted values are shown in the <CW-INFO> 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.

With F5 in the Start-Menu the tone-adjustments also saved, and will be loaded 
at the next program-start

*** 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)

< 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: ***

RUFZ30!.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
RUFZDOCE.TXT - documentation in German
RUFZDOCD.TXT - documentation 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 RUFZ30!.EXE to any new directory on hard-disc.
(for example C:\AFU\SIMUL\RUFZ30 )
If a previous version of RUFZ exists, these files are no longer needed, and 
can be deleted if wished

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-adapter)
-NOBLASTER   disables existing soundcard 
             (set via built-in PC-speaker)

*** 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. 
This causes excessive distortions of the Morse-code. Exception is the MS-DOS-
MODE under WINDOWS95. (Press F8 while booting or at "Quit Windows" and then 
choose "START MS-DOS-MODE") 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 or PC-CACHE could be helpful. If not, please inform author. 

*** 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 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.

*** 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
PR:    DL4MM@DB0TUD.#SAX.DE
Email: KOLPE@t-online.de
Mail:  Mathias Kolpe, DL4MM
       Franz-Mehring-Str.8, D-01237 Dresden, Germany

*** Where to get RUFZ 3.0 and next Updates: ***

RUFZ 3.0 and updates can be downloaded free from Packet-Radio-Net or also 
permanently from the Internet. The current sources can change and will be 
published together with the RUFZ-Toplist or can be asked from the author.
A free 3.5"-disc is obtainable at author. Just cover mailing- and handling-
costs. (Now: Europe: 2 IRC,
5 DM or 3 USD, DX: 3 IRC or 5 USD )

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.

