[Dxspider-support] Abusive show/heading commands

Mon Jan 15 00:17:45 GMT 2024

How can I tell if a station is using Hamclock software?

*Regards,Anthony *
*   N2KI*

On Sun, Jan 14, 2024 at 6:22 PM Keith Maton via Dxspider-support <
dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk> wrote:

> 
> I’ve had some feedback already. He’s looked at the cty file in the past
> and it isn’t detailed enough.
>
> I’ve mentioned the wpxloc.raw file which he wasn’t aware of and thinks may
> be suitable. He’s going to contact Jim with a view to using it locally for
> the map plotting.
>
> Hopefully that will be a good solution. In the meantime, if you have any
> HamClock users you don’t want, tell them they can use my node. I don’t
> mind.
>
> 73 Keith
>
> —
>
>
> On 14 Jan 2024, at 22:45, John Spigel via Dxspider-support <
> dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk> wrote:
>
>  The sh/h result will be user specific so you see simultaneous requests
> to dxspider with each spot from each user. The clock software could contain
> a sh/heading app within.
> 73, John W1AN
>
> On 14-Jan-24 22:31, Keith Maton via Dxspider-support wrote:
>
> Answering myself.
>
> The cty file does contain prefixes and long/lat.  I’ve just suggested to
> Elwood that he could do this locally within HamClock rather than querying
> the cluster.
>
> I’ll keep the list updated.
>
> 73 Keith
>
>
>
>
> On 14 Jan 2024, at 22:25, Keith Maton via Dxspider-support
> <dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk> <dxspider-support at tobit.co.uk> wrote:
>
> 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> <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> 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> 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 7373
>>>
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>>
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