feat: record a contact by hand when automatic recording is off

A red dot in the slot the counter will occupy. Click it and the counter starts,
the dot disappears, and logging the QSO writes the file exactly as an automatic
recording would — the save path already keyed off an active take, not off the
setting.

With automatic recording disabled the capture engine is not idle, it is not
running at all, so a manual take starts it. Two consequences handled here:

  - It is released again when the take ends — logged, cancelled, or dropped for
    being a digital mode. An operator who records one contact does not expect
    their microphone held open for the rest of the session. The release is a
    deferred call at the top of the save path so every exit goes through it,
    rather than one that has to be remembered at each return.
  - There is no pre-roll. An automatic recording opens with the seconds BEFORE
    the callsign was typed; a manual one can only begin now. The button's
    tooltip says so, because otherwise the difference between two files is a
    mystery to the person holding them.

The button only appears where it can work: devices configured, automatic
recording off, and a mode whose audio is worth keeping. That state is asked of
the backend rather than inferred from a preference in the interface, so the two
cannot drift apart, and it is re-read when settings are saved.

app.go

@@ -539,6 +539,11 @@ type App struct {
 	ampInsts       map[string]*ampInst // one running client per enabled configured amplifier, by config ID
 	audioMgr       *audio.Manager
 	qsoRec         *audio.Recorder // continuous QSO recorder (rolling pre-roll)
+	// qsoRecManual marks a take the operator started by hand while automatic
+	// recording is OFF. Such a take opened the sound devices itself, so it must
+	// close them again when it ends — an operator who records one contact does
+	// not expect their microphone held open for the rest of the session.
+	qsoRecManual atomic.Bool
 	solar        *solar.Manager     // live space-weather (SFI/SSN/A/K) for the header + QSO stamping
 	lotwUsers    *lotwusers.Manager // LoTW user-activity list (badge next to the callsign)
 	scp          *scp.Manager       // Super Check Partial / N+1 callsign master list
@@ -7059,6 +7064,10 @@ func (a *App) saveQSORecording(q *qso.QSO) {
 			applog.Printf("qso-rec: PANIC in saveQSORecording: %v", r)
 		}
 	}()
+	// Every exit from here ends the take, including the digital-mode discard and
+	// the snapshot failure below — so release the devices from one place rather
+	// than remembering to do it at each return.
+	defer a.stopManualQSORecorder()
 	if a.qsoRec == nil || !a.qsoRec.Active() {
 		return
 	}
@@ -7536,12 +7545,74 @@ func (a *App) QSOAudioResetClock() bool {
 	return a.qsoRec.Active()
 }
 
+// QSOAudioManualReady reports whether a recording can be started BY HAND: the
+// capture devices are configured, but automatic recording is off.
+//
+// It is what decides whether the entry strip offers a record button. Without
+// it the button would appear for operators who have no sound card configured
+// and could only ever produce an error.
+func (a *App) QSOAudioManualReady() bool {
+	if a.qsoRec == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	cfg, _ := a.GetAudioSettings()
+	return !cfg.QSORecord && strings.TrimSpace(cfg.FromRadio) != ""
+}
+
+// QSOAudioManualStart begins a recording when automatic recording is off.
+//
+// With the automatic recorder disabled the capture engine is not merely idle,
+// it is not running at all — so this starts it first. That costs the pre-roll:
+// an automatic recording opens with the seconds BEFORE the callsign was typed,
+// a manual one can only start now. Better to say that in a comment than to have
+// an operator wonder why one file has the DX's call in it and the other does
+// not.
+func (a *App) QSOAudioManualStart() bool {
+	if a.qsoRec == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !a.qsoRec.Running() {
+		cfg, _ := a.GetAudioSettings()
+		if strings.TrimSpace(cfg.FromRadio) == "" {
+			return false
+		}
+		if err := a.qsoRec.Start(cfg.FromRadio, cfg.RecordingDevice, cfg.PrerollSeconds); err != nil {
+			applog.Printf("qso-rec: manual start failed: %v", err)
+			return false
+		}
+		fromGain, micGain := float64(cfg.FromGain)/100, float64(cfg.MicGain)/100
+		if cfg.FromGain == 0 {
+			fromGain = 1
+		}
+		if cfg.MicGain == 0 {
+			micGain = 1
+		}
+		a.qsoRec.SetGains(fromGain, micGain)
+		a.qsoRecManual.Store(true)
+		applog.Printf("qso-rec: manual recording started by the operator")
+	}
+	a.qsoRec.BeginQSO()
+	return a.qsoRec.Active()
+}
+
+// stopManualQSORecorder releases the sound devices after a hand-started take,
+// but only if this session opened them. When automatic recording is on the
+// engine belongs to the app and must keep running for the next contact.
+func (a *App) stopManualQSORecorder() {
+	if a.qsoRec == nil || !a.qsoRecManual.Swap(false) {
+		return
+	}
+	a.qsoRec.Stop()
+	applog.Printf("qso-rec: manual recording finished — sound devices released")
+}
+
 // QSOAudioCancel drops the in-progress recording (callsign cleared, QSO
 // abandoned without logging).
 func (a *App) QSOAudioCancel() {
 	if a.qsoRec != nil {
 		a.qsoRec.DiscardQSO()
 	}
+	a.stopManualQSORecorder()
 }
 
 // RestartQSORecorder applies new audio settings to the running recorder.

changelog.json

@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@
       "The protocol trace checkboxes (CAT and WinKeyer) now show whether the trace is really running. They came back unticked on a trace that was still on, so ticking the box to enable it actually switched it off and the log sent afterwards contained no trace.",
       "A radio reporting LSB or USB now selects SSB in the entry form. Radios report the sideband, the mode list holds SSB, so nothing matched and the mode stayed empty while the frequency tracked correctly. It also keeps the logged mode ADIF-valid: LSB and USB are submodes there, not modes.",
       "Kenwood CAT can go over the network: give a host:port instead of a COM port and OpsLog talks to a serial bridge (ser2net, an Ethernet-serial adapter, a Raspberry Pi at the radio). This is not the radio's own RJ45, which speaks Kenwood's KNS protocol.",
-      "The CAT backend list is renamed by how the radio is reached: OmniRig, FlexRadio (API), Yaesu (USB), Kenwood (USB, network), Xiegu (USB), Icom (CI-V USB), Icom (CI-V network), TCI."
+      "The CAT backend list is renamed by how the radio is reached: OmniRig, FlexRadio (API), Yaesu (USB), Kenwood (USB, network), Xiegu (USB), Icom (CI-V USB), Icom (CI-V network), TCI.",
+      "With automatic recording off but the audio devices configured, a red dot appears where the recording counter goes. Click it to record the contact by hand: the counter starts, the dot disappears, and logging the QSO saves the file as usual. The sound devices are released again afterwards."
     ],
     "fr": [
       "Le backend Kenwood est désormais éprouvé face à une radio qui répond : OpsLog dialogue avec l'émulateur TS-2000 qu'il embarque déjà pour les amplis ACOM, ce qui vérifie fréquence, mode, VFO, split et PTT de bout en bout. Un essai sur un vrai Kenwood reste nécessaire, mais le dialogue n'est plus non testé.",
@@ -22,7 +23,8 @@
       "Les cases de trace du protocole (CAT et WinKeyer) reflètent désormais l'état réel de la trace. Elles réapparaissaient décochées alors que la trace tournait : cocher la case pour l'activer la désactivait en fait, et le journal envoyé ensuite ne contenait aucune trace.",
       "Une radio qui annonce LSB ou USB sélectionne désormais SSB dans la saisie. Les radios annoncent la bande latérale, la liste des modes contient SSB : rien ne correspondait et le mode restait vide alors que la fréquence suivait. Cela garde aussi le mode journalisé conforme à l'ADIF, où LSB et USB sont des sous-modes et non des modes.",
       "Le CAT Kenwood peut passer par le réseau : indiquez un hôte:port au lieu d'un port COM et OpsLog dialogue avec un pont série (ser2net, boîtier Ethernet-série, Raspberry Pi près de la radio). Il ne s'agit pas de la prise RJ45 de la radio, qui parle le protocole KNS de Kenwood.",
-      "La liste des backends CAT est renommée selon la façon dont la radio est jointe : OmniRig, FlexRadio (API), Yaesu (USB), Kenwood (USB, réseau), Xiegu (USB), Icom (CI-V USB), Icom (CI-V réseau), TCI."
+      "La liste des backends CAT est renommée selon la façon dont la radio est jointe : OmniRig, FlexRadio (API), Yaesu (USB), Kenwood (USB, réseau), Xiegu (USB), Icom (CI-V USB), Icom (CI-V réseau), TCI.",
+      "Quand l'enregistrement automatique est désactivé mais que les périphériques audio sont configurés, un rond rouge apparaît à l'emplacement du compteur. Un clic enregistre le contact à la main : le compteur démarre, le rond disparaît, et journaliser le QSO enregistre le fichier comme d'habitude. Les périphériques audio sont ensuite relâchés."
     ]
   },
   {

frontend/src/App.tsx

@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import {
   StartCWDecoder, StopCWDecoder, SetCWDecoderPitch,
   ChatAvailable, GetChatHistory, SendChatMessage, GetOnlineOperators,
   QSOAudioBegin, QSOAudioCancel, QSOAudioRestart, QSOAudioResetClock,
+  QSOAudioManualReady, QSOAudioManualStart,
   GetAwardDefs,
   GetUIPref, GetActiveProfile, ListProfiles, ActivateProfile, QuitApp,
   ReportLiveActivity, LiveLastQSOAgeSec,
@@ -771,6 +772,19 @@ export default function App() {
   // Bumped on every (re)start so the timer resets even when `recording` was
   // already true (jumping spot→spot keeps recording=true but starts a fresh take).
   const [recTick, setRecTick] = useState(0);
+  // True when the sound devices are configured but automatic recording is OFF —
+  // the only case where a record button makes sense. Asking the backend rather
+  // than reading a preference here keeps the two from drifting apart.
+  const [manualRecReady, setManualRecReady] = useState(false);
+  const refreshManualRecReady = () => { QSOAudioManualReady().then(setManualRecReady).catch(() => {}); };
+  useEffect(() => { refreshManualRecReady(); }, []);
+  const startManualRecording = () => {
+    QSOAudioManualStart().then((active) => {
+      setRecording(active);
+      setRecTick((t) => t + 1);
+      if (!active) setError(t('rec.manualFailed'));
+    }).catch((e: any) => setError(String(e?.message ?? e)));
+  };
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!recording) { setRecSeconds(0); return; }
     const start = Date.now();
@@ -3680,6 +3694,21 @@ export default function App() {
           DUPE
         </span>
       )}
+      {/* Not recording, but able to: offer a record button in the slot the
+          counter will occupy. It disappears the moment recording starts, so the
+          two never fight over the space — and it is only offered on modes that
+          produce audio worth keeping. */}
+      {!recording && manualRecReady && RECORDABLE_MODES.has(mode.toUpperCase()) && (
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          onMouseDown={(e) => e.preventDefault()}
+          onClick={startManualRecording}
+          title={t('rec.manualStart')}
+          className="absolute right-2 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 z-10 inline-flex items-center justify-center size-4 rounded-full cursor-pointer hover:bg-destructive-muted"
+        >
+          <span className="size-2.5 rounded-full border border-destructive bg-destructive/40 hover:bg-destructive" />
+        </button>
+      )}
       {recording && RECORDABLE_MODES.has(mode.toUpperCase()) && (
         <button
           type="button"
@@ -6191,7 +6220,7 @@ export default function App() {
         <SettingsModal
           initialSection={settingsSection}
           onClose={() => { setShowSettings(false); setSettingsSection(undefined); }}
-          onSaved={() => { loadStation(); loadLists(); loadCATCfg(); reloadWk(); }}
+          onSaved={() => { loadStation(); loadLists(); loadCATCfg(); reloadWk(); refreshManualRecReady(); }}
           onMainPaneChanged={(side, v) => { if (side === 'left') setMainPaneLeft(v as MainPaneKind); else setMainPaneRight(v as MainPaneKind); }}
           flexAvailable={catState.backend === 'flex'}
           icomAvailable={catState.backend === 'icom'}

frontend/src/lib/i18n.tsx

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ const en: Dict = {
   'imp.ctyDesc': "Recompute Country, DXCC & CQ/ITU zones from cty.dat, overriding the file — corrects what contest software exports wrong (e.g. RG2Y as Asiatic instead of European Russia). ClubLog's DXpedition overrides are applied on top per QSO date (e.g. TO974REF → Reunion, TO2A 2012 → French Guiana) whenever the ClubLog data is downloaded. Everything else in the ADIF is kept as-is. Tip: use Update duplicates to re-fix QSOs already in your log.",
   'imp.stationTitle': 'Fill my station fields from my profile',
   'imp.stationDesc': "Backfill empty MY_* fields (my grid, rig, antenna, address, city, state, county, SOTA/POTA ref, TX power…) plus Operator and Owner callsign from your active profile. Existing values are kept. Only STATION_CALLSIGN is left untouched so a mixed-call log isn't re-routed. It ALSO stamps your default confirmation statuses (paper QSL, LoTW, eQSL, Club Log, HRDLog, QRZ.com sent and received) on the ones the file leaves empty — a WSJT-X log carries almost none. Enable when importing your own log.",
-  'imp.cancel': 'Cancel', 'imp.mapAdd': 'The file puts a field in the wrong place\u2026', 'imp.mapTitle': 'Move fields on import', 'imp.mapDesc': 'Contest software stores the exchange where its own module keeps it. The RSGB IOTA contest exports the island reference in STATE \u2014 imported as-is it becomes a US state and the IOTA award stays empty. The destination is only filled where the file left it blank.', 'imp.mapMore': 'Add another', 'imp.import': 'Import',
+  'imp.cancel': 'Cancel', 'rec.manualStart': 'Record this contact. Automatic recording is off, so capture starts now \u2014 there is no pre-roll of what came before.', 'rec.manualFailed': 'Recording could not be started \u2014 check the audio devices in Settings.', 'imp.mapAdd': 'The file puts a field in the wrong place\u2026', 'imp.mapTitle': 'Move fields on import', 'imp.mapDesc': 'Contest software stores the exchange where its own module keeps it. The RSGB IOTA contest exports the island reference in STATE \u2014 imported as-is it becomes a US state and the IOTA award stays empty. The destination is only filled where the file left it blank.', 'imp.mapMore': 'Add another', 'imp.import': 'Import',
   'imp.progressTitle': 'Importing ADIF…', 'bulk.progressTitle': 'Updating the selected QSOs\u2026',
   'imp.progressCount': '{done} / {tot} records · {pct}%', 'imp.progressCountOnly': '{done} records…',
   'imp.complete': 'Import complete.',
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ const fr: Dict = {
   'imp.ctyDesc': "Recalcule Pays, DXCC & zones CQ/ITU depuis cty.dat, en écrasant le fichier — corrige ce que les logiciels de contest exportent mal (ex. RG2Y en Russie asiatique au lieu d'européenne). Les exceptions DXpédition de ClubLog s'appliquent par-dessus selon la date du QSO (ex. TO974REF → Réunion, TO2A 2012 → Guyane française) dès que les données ClubLog sont téléchargées. Tout le reste de l'ADIF est conservé tel quel. Astuce : utilise Mettre à jour les doublons pour re-corriger des QSO déjà dans le log.",
   'imp.stationTitle': 'Remplir mes champs station depuis mon profil',
   'imp.stationDesc': "Complète les champs MY_* vides (locator, rig, antenne, adresse, ville, état, comté, réf. SOTA/POTA, puissance TX…) plus Opérateur et Indicatif propriétaire depuis le profil actif. Les valeurs existantes sont conservées. Seul STATION_CALLSIGN n'est jamais touché pour ne pas re-router un log multi-indicatifs. Elle applique AUSSI tes statuts de confirmation par défaut (QSL papier, LoTW, eQSL, Club Log, HRDLog, QRZ.com envoyé et reçu) sur ceux que le fichier laisse vides — un log WSJT-X n'en contient pratiquement aucun. À activer quand tu importes ton propre log.",
-  'imp.cancel': 'Annuler', 'imp.mapAdd': 'Le fichier met un champ au mauvais endroit\u2026', 'imp.mapTitle': 'D\u00e9placer des champs \u00e0 l\u2019import', 'imp.mapDesc': 'Les logiciels de concours rangent l\u2019\u00e9change l\u00e0 o\u00f9 leur module le garde. Le contest IOTA de la RSGB exporte la r\u00e9f\u00e9rence d\u2019\u00eele dans STATE \u2014 import\u00e9e telle quelle elle devient un \u00e9tat am\u00e9ricain et le dipl\u00f4me IOTA reste vide. La destination n\u2019est remplie que l\u00e0 o\u00f9 le fichier l\u2019a laiss\u00e9e vide.', 'imp.mapMore': 'Ajouter une ligne', 'imp.import': 'Importer',
+  'imp.cancel': 'Annuler', 'rec.manualStart': 'Enregistrer ce contact. L\u2019enregistrement automatique est d\u00e9sactiv\u00e9 : la capture commence maintenant, sans les secondes qui pr\u00e9c\u00e8dent.', 'rec.manualFailed': 'L\u2019enregistrement n\u2019a pas pu d\u00e9marrer \u2014 v\u00e9rifiez les p\u00e9riph\u00e9riques audio dans les R\u00e9glages.', 'imp.mapAdd': 'Le fichier met un champ au mauvais endroit\u2026', 'imp.mapTitle': 'D\u00e9placer des champs \u00e0 l\u2019import', 'imp.mapDesc': 'Les logiciels de concours rangent l\u2019\u00e9change l\u00e0 o\u00f9 leur module le garde. Le contest IOTA de la RSGB exporte la r\u00e9f\u00e9rence d\u2019\u00eele dans STATE \u2014 import\u00e9e telle quelle elle devient un \u00e9tat am\u00e9ricain et le dipl\u00f4me IOTA reste vide. La destination n\u2019est remplie que l\u00e0 o\u00f9 le fichier l\u2019a laiss\u00e9e vide.', 'imp.mapMore': 'Ajouter une ligne', 'imp.import': 'Importer',
   'imp.progressTitle': 'Import ADIF en cours…', 'bulk.progressTitle': 'Mise \u00e0 jour des QSO s\u00e9lectionn\u00e9s\u2026',
   'imp.progressCount': '{done} / {tot} enregistrements · {pct}%', 'imp.progressCountOnly': '{done} enregistrements…',
   'imp.complete': 'Import terminé.',

frontend/wailsjs/go/main/App.d.ts

@@ -749,6 +749,10 @@ export function QSOAudioBegin():Promise<boolean>;
 
 export function QSOAudioCancel():Promise<void>;
 
+export function QSOAudioManualReady():Promise<boolean>;
+
+export function QSOAudioManualStart():Promise<boolean>;
+
 export function QSOAudioResetClock():Promise<boolean>;
 
 export function QSOAudioRestart():Promise<boolean>;

frontend/wailsjs/go/main/App.js

@@ -1446,6 +1446,14 @@ export function QSOAudioCancel() {
   return window['go']['main']['App']['QSOAudioCancel']();
 }
 
+export function QSOAudioManualReady() {
+  return window['go']['main']['App']['QSOAudioManualReady']();
+}
+
+export function QSOAudioManualStart() {
+  return window['go']['main']['App']['QSOAudioManualStart']();
+}
+
 export function QSOAudioResetClock() {
   return window['go']['main']['App']['QSOAudioResetClock']();
 }