SkimCon is an application for radio amateurs who provide a Reverse Beacon Network node. It is used to eliminate redundant dx messages, delivered via Telnet from CW/RTTY Skimmer Server, CW Skimmer, RCK-Skimmer and RBN cluster. The observation period can be up to 9 minutes 50 seconds and the frequency range can be up to +/- 300 Hz. Three different Telnet servers emulate predetermined Skimmer at the input side and deliver the consolidated dx messages. These outputs could be the source of an RBN aggregator or for your own dx cluster. If there is a very high dx message rate at the input side, it could be necessary to reduce the time range. This can happen if the data rate is more than 180000 dx messages per hour. The I/O delay should be not more than a half second. The RBN aggregator periodically sends a Skimmer/Sett command. SkimCon forwards this command to all skimmers on the inbound side and sends a consolidated Skimmer/Sett response back to the aggregator.
How can redundant dx messages arise. Overlapping skimmer bands can be used on two or more skimmer servers to higher the skimming output. Two different skimmers will often find different dx calls on the same band, especially when different antenna's are connected. A big amount of dx calls will be redundant. These can be eliminated with SkimCon in a certain time and frequency range. The redundant dx messages will not go to the Reverse Beacon Network. It helps to reduce the dx message load.
Feature List:
Installation:
Download and copy SkimCon.exe to a folder of your choice, e.g. “C:\SkimCon\” and then double-click. SkimCon runs on Windows 7 to 11. An Ini-file will be created after closing SkimCon. All settings will be saved in it. If Telnet Logging is checked, a new subfolder and up to 7 log files will be created. SkimCon can be installed on a Skimmer server itself or on any other PC which has network access to Skimmer servers. The minimized SkimCon.exe is running in the system tray. All Skimmers to be connected at SkimCon must use the same callsign in there settings. Otherwise no dupes will be eliminated.