# Configuration

> 🇬🇧 You are reading the English version | 🇩🇪 [Deutsche Version](de-Konfiguration)

After the first start, the **settings window** opens – this is the central starting point for all configuration. It is recommended to keep the settings window open during operation (e.g. to quickly toggle the beacon on and off).

> **Important**: Always click **"Save Settings"** after any change! Settings are stored in `~/.praktikst/preferences.xml` on Linux and in `%USERPROFILE%\.praktikst\preferences.xml` (or `C:\Users\<Username>\.praktikst\preferences.xml`) on Windows. From v1.21 onwards, window sizes and divider positions are also saved when you click Save.

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## Station Settings

![Station Settings](client_settings_window_station.png)

### Login and Chat Categories

Enter your ON4KST chat credentials here (callsign and password).
Also, select the **primary chat category** (e.g., IARU Region 1 VHF/Microwave).

With the option for a **second chat** (Multi-Channel Login), you can log in to another category simultaneously (e.g., UHF/SHF). Both chats will then be monitored in parallel. You can optionally specify a different login name for the second chat (useful for Opposite Station Multi-Callsign Logging).

### Callsign and Locator

Enter your own callsign and Maidenhead locator (6 characters, e.g., `JN49IJ`). These values are needed for distance and direction calculations.

### Active Bands

Use the **"my station uses band"** checkboxes to select the active bands. Buttons and table rows will only appear in the user interface for selected bands. The software must be restarted after making changes.

### Antenna Beamwidth

Enter a realistic value for your antenna's beamwidth (in degrees). This value is used for the [Sked Direction Highlighting](Features#sked-direction-highlighting). A test value of 50° has proven effective; DM5M uses quads with 69°.

> **Do not** enter fantasy values – the direction calculations will become useless.

### Default Maximum QRB

Maximum distance (in km) for which direction warnings should be triggered. A realistic value for DM5M is 900 km. Stations farther away are ignored for highlighting purposes.

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## Server Settings (from v1.31)

The chat server DNS and port are configurable in the Preferences:

- **Server DNS**: Default `www.on4kst.org` (changed from `www.on4kst.info` in v1.31 hotfix).
- **Port**: Default port of the ON4KST server.

A change is only needed if the server moves or an alternative endpoint is used.

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## Log Sync Settings

Three methods are available for automatically marking worked stations. Details: [Log Synchronisation](en-Log-Sync).

### Universal File Based Callsign Interpreter (Simplelogfile)

Interprets any log file using regex for callsign patterns. No band information is available. Suitable as a fallback or for log programs that are not directly supported.

### Network Listener for Logger's QSO UDP Broadcast

**Recommended method.** KST4Contest listens for UDP packets sent by the logging software to the broadcast address when a QSO is saved. Stations are marked with band information. UDP port: default **12060**. (Used by UCXLog, N1MM+, QARTest, DXLog.net, etc.).

### Win-Test Network Listener (Additional UDP Listener)

A dedicated network listener for Win-Test. KST4Contest receives and processes Win-Test-specific UDP packets (including sked handovers) on the configured port.

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## TRX Sync Settings

Receives the current transceiver frequency from the logging software via UDP. This enables the automatic population of the `MYQRG` variable. Useful for:

- Quickly inserting your own QRG into chat messages.
- Automatic CQ beacon with current frequency.

> **Note for multi-setup**: When running two logging programs on two computers but only one KST4Contest instance, only one logging program should send frequency packets. KST4Contest cannot distinguish between sources.

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## AirScout Settings

Configuration of the interface to AirScout for aircraft scatter detection. Details: [AirScout Integration](en-AirScout-Integration).

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## Notification Settings

Three notification types are available:

1. **Simple sounds**: TADA sound for incoming messages, tick for sked direction detection, etc.
2. **CW announcement**: The callsign of a station sending a private message is output as a CW signal.
3. **Phonetic announcement**: The callsign is pronounced phonetically.

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## Shortcut Settings

Configuration of quick-access buttons that appear directly in the main window. Clicking a button inserts the configured text into the send field. All [variables](Macros-and-Variables#variables) can be used.

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## Snippet Settings

Text snippets are accessible via:

- **Right-click** on a callsign in the user list
- **Right-click** in the CQ message table
- **Right-click** in the PM message table
- **Keyboard shortcuts**: `Ctrl+1` to `Ctrl+0` for the first 10 snippets

If a callsign is selected in the user list, the snippet is addressed as a direct message:
`/CQ CALLSIGN <snippet text>`

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## Beacon Settings

Configuration of an automatic interval beacon in the public chat channel. Recommended: use the `MYQRG` variable in the text so the current frequency is always up to date. Interval and text are freely configurable.

> **Tip**: Enable the beacon when calling CQ and quickly disable it in the settings window when not calling.

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## Messagehandling Settings (from v1.25)

New settings section with the following options:

- **Auto-reply to all incoming messages**: Configurable automatic reply to private messages.
- **Auto-reply with own CQ QRG**: When someone asks for your QRG, KST4Contest automatically replies with the content of the `MYQRG` variable.
- **Default filter for the userinfo window**: Pre-configured message filter for the station info window *(for Gianluca :-) )*.

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## Win-Test Network Listener (from v1.31)

A dedicated listener for Win-Test-specific UDP packets. Enables:

- **Log synchronisation**: Worked stations are retrieved from Win-Test and marked in the user list.
- **Frequency parsing**: The current TRX frequency from Win-Test populates the `MYQRG` variable.
- **Sked handover (SKED push)**: Skeds from KST4Contest are passed directly to Win-Test via UDP. Win-Test's default UDP broadcast port (9871) is used.

Settings:
- **Enable/Disable**: Checkbox in Preferences (from v1.40).
- **Port**: Configurable UDP port for the Win-Test listener.
- **Sked UDP address and port**: Target address and port for SKED handover to Win-Test.

> **Note**: The Win-Test listener is an **additional** listener – the standard QSO UDP broadcast listener on port 12060 remains independent.

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## PSTRotator Settings (from v1.31)

KST4Contest can control antenna direction via PSTRotator.

Settings:
- **Enable/Disable**: Checkbox in Preferences (from v1.40).
- **IP address**: IP address of the PSTRotator computer (default: `127.0.0.1` when running on the same PC).
- **Port**: Communication port of PSTRotator.

> **Note**: After clicking a direction button, KST4Contest waits briefly for the rotator response. With slow rotors (e.g. SPID) there may be a small delay.

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## Sniffer Settings (from v1.31)

The QSO sniffer filters chat messages from configurable callsigns and forwards them to the PM window.

Settings:
- **Callsign list**: Comma-separated list of callsigns whose messages are always forwarded to the PM window.

Use case: Keep track of important stations (e.g. DX expeditions or trusted contest allies) without constantly monitoring the main chat.

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## Worked Station Database Settings

The internal worked database contains:

- Worked status of all stations (per band)
- NOT-QRV tags (since v1.2)

**From v1.40**: Entries have an automatic lifetime of **3 days** – manually resetting before each contest is no longer strictly necessary. For a full reset, the **"Reinitialize"** button is still available.

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## Dark Mode (from v1.26)

Toggle via the menu: **Window → Use Dark Mode**. The colors can be individually customized via CSS.

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## Saving Settings

Click **"Save Settings"** after **every** change! Without saving, all changes will be lost on the next start.

- Storage location: `~/.praktikst/preferences.xml` on Linux and `%USERPROFILE%\.praktikst\preferences.xml` (or `C:\Users\<Username>\.praktikst\preferences.xml`) on Windows
- From v1.21: Window sizes and divider positions are also saved.
- If you encounter problems: delete the configuration file → KST4Contest will create a new one with default values.
