DXSpider
	
	
	
    
  

  
	 
	  

	  
DXSpider

	  

	

	
Dirk Koopman G1TLH

	

	
	
Last modified: Fri Jul 20 21:21:00 GMT 2007


	
Introduction

	
	The DXSpider DX cluster system is written in perl 5.004 running under Linux as an exercise in
	self-training for both protocol research and teaching myself perl. It also runs perfectly
	happily under Microsoft Windows from Win98 upwards using either
	Activestate perl or one
	of the unix subsystem/environments for windows such as
	Cygwin.

	
What is a DX Cluster?


	A DX Cluster is a means for Amateur (Ham) Radio operators to tell each
	other, in realtime, about DX stations (other interesting or rare
	Amateur Radio stations all over the world).

	
To quote what is probably the most comprehensive  source of DX Cluster related 
	  information, the DXCluster.info, 
	  a Cluster is:-

     
One station is set up with PacketCluster and is linked to one or
      more other stations who have installed the software. These nodes
      when connected are called a cluster. Clusters are connected to
      clusters, expanding the network. Individual users connect to the
      nodes on a frequency different from what the node stations are
      linked on. Users are capable of announcing DX spots and related
      announcements, send personal talk messages, send and receive
      mail messages, search and retrive archived data, and access data
      from information databases among its many features.

	
It's a rather specialised (and not as robust) form of IRC really.

	
The original package runs under DOS and was created by Dick Newell AK1A
	  but is no longer under active development. Most replacements also run under
	  DOS and/or are closed source. I wanted something in open source (so I don't
	  have to do all the work) and for Linux. A side benefit of writing
	  the program in perl is that it works perfectly well on other versions of
	  unix as well as all flavours of Windows from Win98 upwards.

 	
This document will contain all the instructions for its
	installation and use - eventually...

	
Contents

	
    
	  
  1.  Download the software and any patches.
	  
  2.  DXSpider Installation manual.
	  
  3.  DXSpider Administration manual.
	  
  4.  DXSpider User manual.
	  
  5.  DXSpider Filter manual.
	  
  6.  We have a new Wiki where, hopefully, more up to date versions of the documentation can be found (this is work in progress).
	  
  7.  Peruse the FAQ
	  
  8.  If you are on the bleeding edge, see the CVS Addendum.
	  
  9.  Browse the Git Repository.
	  
  10.  Explaining the client programs.
	  
  11.  Periodic jobs, e.g. starting connection to other clusters.
	  
  12.  Programming new commands or altering existing ones.
	  
  13.  Local customisation of the cluster daemon.
	  



	
 

	

	  

	
	  Copyright © 1998-2004 by Dirk Koopman G1TLH. All Rights Reserved