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# User Interface

> 🇬🇧 You are reading the English version | 🇩🇪 Deutsche Version

## Connecting to the Chat

1. Select a chat category in the settings window (e.g. 144 MHz VHF, 432 MHz UHF, …).
2. Click the Connect button.
3. Wait for the connection to be established.

> Disconnecting and reconnecting is only possible via the settings window. It is therefore recommended to keep the settings window open.

## Main Window Overview

The main window consists of several areas:

### PM Window (top left)

Shows all received private messages as well as intercepted public messages containing your own callsign. New messages appear in red and fade every 30 seconds from yellow to white.

### User List (Chat Members)

The central table of all currently active chat users. Columns (depending on configuration):

Column | Content
--- | ---
Call | Station’s callsign
Name | Name from the chat name field
Loc | Maidenhead locator
QRB | Distance in km
QTF | Direction in degrees
QRG | Automatically detected frequency
AP | AirScout aircraft data (when active)
Band colours | Worked / NOT-QRV status per band

Sorting: Click column headers. QRB sorting is numerical (corrected in v1.22).

### Send Field

Text input for outgoing messages. After clicking a callsign in the user list, the send field automatically receives focus – start typing immediately without double-clicking (from v1.22).

### MYQRG Field

To the right of the send button. Shows the current own QRG, can also be entered manually.

### MYQTF Field (for v1.3)

Input field for the current antenna direction. Used for the planned `MYQTF` variable.

## Filters

The filter bar (from v1.21 as a flowpane for small screens):

- Show only QTF: Activate direction filter (N/NE/E/… buttons or degree input)
- Show only QRB [km] <=: Activate distance filter (toggle button)
- Hide Worked [Band]: Hide worked stations per band (one toggle per band)
- Hide NOT-QRV [Band]: Hide NOT-QRV-tagged stations per band

## Station Info Panel (Further Info)

Bottom right: Shows all messages of a selected station (CQ messages and PMs in one panel). A message filter can be pre-configured via the default filter in the Preferences.

Sked reminders can also be activated here.

## Priority List

Shows the top candidates calculated by the Score Service. Updates automatically in the background based on direction, distance and AP availability.

## Cluster & QSO of Others

Separate window (can be minimised). Shows the communication flow between other stations – interesting during quieter contest periods.

## Menu

### Window

- Use Dark Mode (from v1.26): Toggle dark colour scheme on/off.

## Window Sizes and Dividers

From v1.21, clicking “Save Settings” also saves window sizes and divider positions of all panels in the configuration file, which are restored on the next start.

If you encounter display problems: delete the configuration file → KST4Contest creates new default values.

## Operating Tips

- Keep the settings window open: Quick access to enable/disable the beacon.
- Right-click in the user list: Opens the snippet menu and further actions (QRZ.com profile, set NOT-QRV tags).
- Enter from anywhere: When text is in the send field, Enter sends directly – even if the focus is elsewhere.
- Stop the beacon: Switch off the beacon while scanning frequencies to avoid flooding the chat with messages.