# Features

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Overview of all main features of KST4Contest.

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## Sked Direction Highlighting

One of the core features: when a station makes a sked request **towards your direction**, it is highlighted **green and bold** in the user list.

### How does it work?

The calculation is based on the following logic:

- When station A sends a sked request to station B, it is assumed that A is pointing its antenna towards B.
- If the resulting direction from A to your own station is within half the beamwidth of your own antenna, A is highlighted.

**Example** (beamwidth 69°, half-angle 34.5°):

| Situation | Result for DO5AMF in JN49 |
|---|---|
| Sked from F5FEN → DM5M | ✅ Highlighted (F5FEN points towards DM5M, close to JN49) |
| Sked from DM5M → F5FEN | ✅ Highlighted (DM5M replies towards F5FEN) |
| F1DBN is uninvolved | ❌ No highlighting |
| DO5AMF/P (different location) | ❌ No highlighting for sked reply |

The calculation does not include topographic path calculations – this is a deliberate simplification. It may be added in a future version.

> Configuration: [Configuration – Antenna Beamwidth](Configuration#antenna-beamwidth)

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## Sked Direction Spots (Built-in DX Cluster)

From **v1.23**: Direction warnings are forwarded as DX cluster spots to the logging software when a QRG is known. Details: [DX Cluster Server](en-DX-Cluster-Server).

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## QRG Detection (QRG Reading)

KST4Contest processes every line of text flowing through the channel and automatically extracts **frequency references**. These are displayed in the user list in the **QRG column**.

Recognised formats: `144.205`, `432.088`, `.205` (with configured band assumption), etc.

**Benefit**: Without asking, you can directly look up a station's calling frequency and decide whether a contact is possible.

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## Worked Marking

Worked stations are visually marked in the user list – per band. Based on [Log Synchronisation](en-Log-Sync) via UDP or Simplelogfile.

Reset the database before each contest: [Configuration – Worked Station Database Settings](Configuration#worked-station-database-settings).

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## NOT-QRV Tags (from v1.2)

When a station indicates it is not QRV on a specific band, this can be manually marked:

1. Select the station in the user list.
2. Right-click → Set NOT-QRV for the appropriate band.

These tags are stored in the internal database and persist after a KST4Contest restart. Can be reset via the settings.

**Benefit**: Prevents repeated sked requests on bands where the station is not active – saves time for both sides.

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## Direction Filter

Shows only stations in the user list that are located in a specific direction. Toggle using the N / NE / E / SE / S / SW / W / NW buttons or by entering degrees manually.

Useful: While calling CQ in a specific direction, only show stations in that direction.

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## Distance Filter

Hide stations beyond a maximum distance. The **"Show only QRB [km] <="** button is a toggle.

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## Worked and NOT-QRV Filter

Toggle buttons (one per band) to hide already-worked stations and/or NOT-QRV-tagged stations. The filter takes effect **immediately** without manually reactivating (live since v1.22).

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## Coloured PM Rows (from v1.25)

New private messages appear in **red**. The colour fades every 30 seconds from yellow to white – like a rainbow fade. This makes it immediately clear how recent a message is.

*(Idea by IU3OAR, Gianluca Costantino – thank you!)*

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## PM Catching

Some users accidentally post direct messages publicly, e.g.:

```
(DM5M) pse ur qrg
```

KST4Contest detects such messages that contain your own callsign and automatically sorts them into the **private messages table**. No messages are missed this way.

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## Multi-Channel Login (from v1.26)

Simultaneous login to **two chat categories** (e.g. 144 MHz and 432 MHz). Both chats are monitored in parallel.

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## Dark Mode (from v1.26)

Toggle via: **Window → Use Dark Mode**

For individual colour adjustments: edit the CSS file (path in the program settings).

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## Opposite Station Multi-Callsign Login Tagging (from v1.26)

Support for stations that are active in the chat with multiple callsigns simultaneously (e.g. expedition setups).

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## QRZ.com and QRZ-CQ Profile Buttons (from v1.24)

For selected stations in the user list, there are direct buttons to open the **QRZ.com profile** and the **QRZ-CQ profile** in the browser.

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## Sked Reminders (Sked Reminder Service)

For agreed skeds, automatic reminder PMs can be configured, sent X minutes before the agreed time. Reminders are activated from the FurtherInfo panel.

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## Priority List / Score Service

KST4Contest automatically calculates a **priority list** of the most interesting contacts, based on:

- Direction detection
- QRB (distance)
- AP availability (AirScout)
- Worked status

The top candidates are shown in a separate list, helping you not to miss the most important stations during contest stress.

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## Interval Beacon

Automatic CQ messages in the public channel at a configurable interval. Recommended: use the `MYQRG` variable so the current frequency is always accurate. Details: [Configuration – Beacon Settings](Configuration#beacon-settings).

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## Simplelogfile

File-based log evaluation using regex. Details: [Log Synchronisation](Log-Sync#method-1-universal-file-based-callsign-interpreter-simplelogfile).

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## Cluster & QSO of Others

A separate window showing the QSO flow between other stations. Particularly interesting during quieter night-time hours of a contest. This window can be minimised when not needed. Future plan: filtering to stations in your selected QTF.
