---
layout: base.njk
lang: en
title: KST4Contest Functions
description: Technical overview of the KST4Contest functions for ON4KST chat processing, candidate evaluation, sked planning, AirScout and logger integration.
---

<section class="hero">
  <p class="eyebrow">Functions</p>
  <h1>How KST4Contest supports the contest workflow</h1>

  <p class="lead">
    KST4Contest combines ON4KST messages with station, band, Worked, sked,
    AirScout and logger information. The individual functions use this shared
    context instead of treating every message or interface as an isolated
    event.
  </p>

  <p>
    Some information is received directly from another program. Other
    information must be derived from chat messages, station names or the
    current operating state. The distinction matters: a detected band or a
    calculated priority is useful context, but not automatically a confirmed
    fact.
  </p>

  <div class="actions">
    <a class="button" href="/manual/en/features/">Read the technical description</a>
    <a class="button secondary" href="/manual/en/configuration/">Open configuration</a>
    <a class="button ghost" href="/download/">Download KST4Contest</a>
  </div>
</section>

<section class="section">
  <div class="section-heading">
    <p class="eyebrow">Shared context</p>
    <h2>Why the functions affect each other</h2>
    <p>
      A newly detected frequency can change the known bands of a station. This
      can affect its Worked state, filters, priority, map path and a later sked
      handover. The same principle applies to information received from a
      logger or entered manually.
    </p>
  </div>

  <div class="grid">
    <article class="card">
      <h3>Received information</h3>
      <p>
        ON4KST messages, logger packets, Win-Test network data and AirScout
        responses provide information at different levels of detail. Missing
        fields are not automatically equivalent to negative information.
      </p>
    </article>

    <article class="card">
      <h3>Derived information</h3>
      <p>
        Bands, frequencies, activity and candidate priorities may be derived
        from several sources. Explicit NOT-QRV information overrules a merely
        inferred band opportunity.
      </p>
    </article>

    <article class="card">
      <h3>Operator decision</h3>
      <p>
        Scores, filters, AP windows and path assessments reduce the amount of
        information that must be evaluated manually. They do not guarantee a
        contact or replace checking the actual operating situation.
      </p>
    </article>
  </div>
</section>

<section class="section">
  <div class="section-heading">
    <p class="eyebrow">Function overview</p>
    <h2>Functions in their intended order</h2>
    <p>
      The pages below explain the operating problem behind each function, the
      information it uses and the limitations that remain.
    </p>
  </div>

  <div class="grid">
    {% for feature in collections.sortedFeatures %}
      <article class="card feature-card">
        <div class="feature-icon">{{ feature.data.icon }}</div>
        <p class="eyebrow">{{ feature.data.category }}</p>
        <h3>
          <a href="{{ feature.url }}">{{ feature.data.title }}</a>
        </h3>
        <p>{{ feature.data.summary }}</p>
        <a href="{{ feature.url }}">Read how it works →</a>
      </article>
    {% endfor %}
  </div>
</section>

<section class="section">
  <div class="cta-panel">
    <p class="eyebrow">Technical details</p>
    <h2>The manual remains the authoritative description</h2>

    <p>
      These pages provide a practical overview. Configuration parameters,
      interface requirements, exact behaviour and version-specific limitations
      are documented in the manual. Where the short description and the manual
      differ, the manual should be corrected first. Two competing descriptions
      of the same function would not improve matters.
    </p>

    <div class="actions">
      <a class="button" href="/manual/en/">Open the English manual</a>
      <a class="button secondary" href="/manual/de/">Deutsches Handbuch</a>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>