[Dxspider-support] Abusive show/heading commands

Sun Jan 14 22:25:56 GMT 2024

I’m in regular conversation with the author of HamClock.  He’s aware of this and is very open to suggestions. 

He’s already made a number of changes over the last few versions following my feedback to reduce the amount of traffic that HamClock generates, a big one last year was switching from regular keep-alive commands every few minutes down to just sending a ping if there’s no activity for ten minutes.

I have around twenty HamClocks connected to my node with only an FTTC connection (80Mbps down, 20Mbps up) and it’s not swamping my connection at all.  I use HamClock myself and find it a very useful tool so I personally don’t have a problem with people connecting to my node using it.

At the moment, when a HamClock is connected to a DX Spider and receives a spot, it sends a show/heading command so it can plot the received spot on the map.   If there’s any alternative to this, I’m happy to pass it on to him.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how he can reduce this but still provide the same functionality, I’m very happy to pass them on and I’m sure he’ll look into it.

But describing HamClock as sh*t software and being abusive isn’t the way to go here.  

I’m wondering if he can somehow cache the cty file locally on the HamClock and use that as a lookup.

I will mention to him that this subject has been raised again.

73 Keith G6NHU

> On 14 Jan 2024, at 22:06, John Spigel via Dxspider-support <dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> My debug file is chock full of sh/headings. Each results in a lengthy response that is unlikely used. An alternative should be agreed upon. Let's not condemn the author of clock. It's a very useful application and does provide spots for the users. Let's work with him to see what we can do to make it work within acceptable limits.
> 
> 73, John W1AN
> 
> 
> On 14-Jan-24 19:00, Peter via Dxspider-support wrote:
>> Hi Steve
>> 
>> Let us know how to take down this s**t piece  of software.
>> The command sh/head is only traceable in the debug file as I know.
>> 
>> @Dirk
>> Is there a way to create/make a log file that contains  this type of commands on a month bases? (like log/01.dat)
>> Then we can create a fail2ban filter for it (and other cmds).
>> 
>> Peter
>> PC2A
>> 
>> Op 14-1-2024 om 18:07 schreef John Spigel via Dxspider-support:
>>> Steve, I have a couple of ideas I may try to discourage the abuse. I'll post results if they work.
>>> And another solution may be to encourage the author of hamclock to start his own node just for hamclock. He could then add all the features he wants.
>>> 73, John W1AN
>>> 
>>> On 14-Jan-24 16:53, Stephen Carroll wrote:
>>>> John,
>>>> 
>>>> This issue was discussed about a year ago, search the listserver archives. A few of us were actually in contact with the software author at that time, but I don't have his email address anymore. In the end, not much changed after numerous emails back and forth. Again, good luck!
>>>> 
>>>> 73, Steve - AA4U
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Samsung Galaxy S22+ on Verizon 5G Network
>>>> 
>>>> On Sun, Jan 14, 2024, 10:29 AM John Spigel via Dxspider-support <dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk <mailto:dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk>> wrote:
>>>>> Steve, It depends on what data hamclock is seeking.  Why all the show/heading requests by every hamclock user every second? It makes little sense. Does someone know the originator of hamclock who may be able to offer a solution?  For dxspider could there be an automatic rejection of some or all commands by those hiding behind set/nohere? Before I start the pain of rejecting multiple ips, I'll wait patiently to see if another solution is offered. .
>>>>> 
>>>>> 73, John W1AN
>>>>> 
>>>>> On 14-Jan-24 16:10, Stephen Carroll wrote:
>>>>>> There's no getting around the fact that Hamclock is a bandwidth/resource hog! The software makes rigorous data queries in order to populate the map, etc. Without the queries there would be no data!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I have banned users from utilizing this software on my node. They are free to go elsewhere, but my 100mb internet connection gets bogged down (especially during contests). In the beginning I had 10 hamclock users, before I realized what was going on. I've configured my router to reject their IP addresses, this prevents them from even reaching the DXSpider computer.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Perhaps some high bandwidth nodes can handle this constant barrage of data requests, but mine can't. Good luck!
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 73, Steve - AA4U
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Samsung Galaxy S22+ on Verizon 5G Network
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Sun, Jan 14, 2024, 9:53 AM John Spigel via Dxspider-support <dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk <mailto:dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk>> wrote:
>>>>>>> The number of abusive show/heading commands has exploded in the last few 
>>>>>>> months, stealing much bandwidth especially on contest weekends. The 
>>>>>>> software causing is probably known to many on this list. The users are 
>>>>>>> setting themselves as not/here (call). Can someone offer a solution 
>>>>>>> other than banning the abusers? The software could probably use a change 
>>>>>>> as it seems the purpose is akin to a ping to see if the node is still 
>>>>>>> active. Maybe an alternative could be offered. I think this was 
>>>>>>> mentioned in the past. Consider not allowing sh/headings for those who 
>>>>>>> have set as not/here? Or ?
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 73, John W1AN
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> dxc.dxusa.net <http://dxc.dxusa.net/> 7373
>>>>>>> 
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