Logging Software

[GJ6WRI]

What is the fundamental difference between the various logging programs available? What is specific to contest, hf or vhf/uhf software?
Thanks
Steve GJ6WRI

[W3GER]

Hi Steve--

I held back about replying because I can only give you a superficial answer.

But seeing that nobody else has replied......

I'm quite happy with XMLog (donationware) as my general-purpose logger.
--It keeps track of my status regarding various awards (WAS, DXCC, IOTA, etc.);
--It prints QSL cards (yes, the whole card), address labels, and the like;
--It gives me a lot of flexibility in searching (e.,g., show me all my Montana QSO's, all my 10-meter SSB QSO's, all my QSO's on February 7 2001, etc.).

OTOH, a contest logger (e.g., Google N1MM, a freeware contest logger) probably doesn't offer those features but probably offers others, such as
--immediate notification that you've already worked a station
--keeps track of multipliers worked/needed
--helps you determine what your response to a station should be (e.g., current serial number in contests that call for serial numbers (such as 59001)).

73 de W3GERry

[W5ALT]

I also cannot comment on the differences between the various software logging programs, since I never used them. Instead I wrote my own and made it do what I want it to do.

For normal logging it keeps track of normal QSO data, countries and states worked, etc. For contest mode it automatically enters the serial number and RST for the exchange (depending on the contest), etc. In both cases it grabs the frequency from the rig's CI-V interface and the time and date from the computer clock and tells me if I've already worked the station.

But if I decide I want it to do something else, I'll simply rewrite the program it to do whatever it is I decide I'd like.

73,
Walt, W5ALT

[GJ6WRI]

Thanks for the reply Gery. I guessed it was something to do with multipliers and so on.
73 Steve

PS Thanks Walt, we posted just about the same time!

Cheers
Steve GJ6WRI

[4X42238]

Hello Steve. you should try the WINLOG32 software created by G0CUZ! I'm useing this great logging software it's the ultimative software !!

[AD5ST]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (w5alt @ July 11 2004,10:26)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Instead I wrote my own and made it do what I want it to do.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Very neat, Walt. #I just this weekend embarked on a similar logger project myself (maybe it will work eventually). #Would be neat to compare source code and programs later.

[W5ALT]

Sure. Mine is written in Delphi on top of a Paradox databse.

73,
Walt, W5ALT