New Release: Ham Radio Deluxe v5.23

[W4PC]

Tampa FL, St. Paul MN, Pittsburgh PA – June 27, 2012

HRD Software, LLC announces the release of Ham Radio Deluxe 5.23.

HRD developers have been working to dramatically improve the callsign lookup function and address some maintenance items. HRD 5.23 and the preliminary manual are on the web site ready for download.

Mike Carper, WA9PIE, said, “The feedback from our beta-testers indicates that this release is the best version ever of the Ham Radio Deluxe Suite.” This version of Ham Radio Deluxe features powerful new options for callsign lookup. Users can set the priority of lookup sources like QRZ.com, their logbook entries, CD databases, and Logbook’s country index. “Our users provided us valuable insight about how they’re more confident in the data in their logbook than the CD and online data sources. It only made sense to allow them to choose the priority,” Mike added. Users are also prompted when lookup sources don’t agree about the country location of stations they are adding to their log. This enables the user to make a choice about which country should be logged. The company invites hams to visit the company’s YouTube channel for a demonstration of these new features.

Rick Ruhl, W4PC, said, “Erik Gawtry, KC0WWC, really showed his stuff in this release. I feel Erik is one of the best programmers in the country and I think the hams will be amazed at the magic he has done for this release. Hams also have been key players with both their input and support of our new company. Every hamfest that we attend we meet so many new friends and supporters.”

This concludes development of the v5.x product roadmap. The company has also continued development of v6.0 and intends to release it by the end of summer 2012.

Version 6.x will have many new features which will include FSK support, a new QSL and awards tracking interface, improved cluster filters, label printing, and the Super Sweeper in Digital Master. Super Sweeper will allow multiple signals to be decoded in a single window.

A discounted pre-buy of version 6.0 is being offered for $59.95. This includes technical support for v5.2. Those that have purchased or will purchase the 5.X support will still get one year of support from the date of the 6.0 release.

You can purchase and download the product at http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com.
HRD Downloads: http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
HRD Forum: http://forums.hrdsoftwarellc.com
HRD on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/HRDsoftware

[K5CO]

I had the older (free) version of HRD in my shack system. AS PC Magazine had recommended AVG for a virus preventing software, I had added it and liked it so well that I recently added the additional program AVG PC Tuneup. When I told the program to scan all the software in my system (there are a lot of free ham programs etc.) it gave most a clean bill of health but was unequivocal about identifying HRD as CONTAINING SPYWARE. So, a word to the wise and users of the older, and maybe newer, program might need to be checked carefully as well. I guess we should always look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to our personal systems. I do banking on line and sometimes use the shack computer; I don't need any "backdoor" programs hiding in my system.

[N8MSA]

I had the older (free) version of HRD in my shack system. AS PC Magazine had recommended AVG for a virus preventing software, I had added it and liked it so well that I recently added the additional program AVG PC Tuneup. When I told the program to scan all the software in my system (there are a lot of free ham programs etc.) it gave most a clean bill of health but was unequivocal about identifying HRD as CONTAINING SPYWARE. So, a word to the wise and users of the older, and maybe newer, program might need to be checked carefully as well. I guess we should always look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to our personal systems. I do banking on line and sometimes use the shack computer; I don't need any "backdoor" programs hiding in my system.

AVG is, irrespective of PC Magazine's recommendation, widely known for questionable "heuristic", behavior-based" or "pattern-matching" malware detection. A cursory Google search will turn up tens of thousands of complaints. Interestingly, PC World rated its detection overall as "mediocre" and noted higher false detection rates than the competition (while noting none of them are "perfect").

http://www.pcworld.com/article/24890...abilities.html

In truth, all Internet security applications generate false positives to one degree or another. That is precisely why it's a good idea to do a little research - such as contacting AVG support, or heaven forbid, W4PC - before making these kind of accusations.

And, for the record: neither Microsoft Security Essentials or Norton Internet Security 2012 detected anything of issue on any of my systems.

[VE3CLG]

Yes AVG will detect it as virus or malware.But the HRD is clean.

[K5CO]

Yes AVG will detect it as virus or malware.But the HRD is clean.

That may be the case, but I doubt it. I have 232 pieces of software in that system, including a range from Microsoft thru many "free" ham programs. AVG identified ONE piece and there had to be some reason it did so. Perhaps there was a good reason that the original was "free".

[VA3SIK]

232 pieces of software and it only picks one is irrelevant. AVG is known for false positives, chances are HRD merely uses a software routine that is similar to some piece of spyware, this is common, and the fact that HRD is capable of so many fantastic things, it's nearly impossible to avoid using the same routines as some spyware. I'll bet it was picking up on something to do with callsign lookups or something else along those lines that requires a network connection, as spyware often uses network connections, and i'm willing to bet HRD isn't in any central whitelists.

[W5LMM]

That may be the case, but I doubt it. I have 232 pieces of software in that system, including a range from Microsoft thru many "free" ham programs. AVG identified ONE piece and there had to be some reason it did so. Perhaps there was a good reason that the original was "free".

NEGATIVE> HRD does NOT have Spyware. It's a false positive.
(I have nothing to do with HRD, other than I like the program, and I've been an IT/Network engineer for 25 years. I know spyware, believe me.)

[KA9JLM]

QUOTE > "Yes AVG will detect it as virus or malware.But the HRD is clean."

That may be the case, but I doubt it. I have 232 pieces of software in that system, including a range from Microsoft thru many "free" ham programs. AVG identified ONE piece and there had to be some reason it did so. Perhaps there was a good reason that the original was "free".

I think the reason that HRD is being flagged is because it is a Unsigned piece of Microsoft software.

The Windows 7 , 8 and Vista UAC flags HRD also.

Maybe version 6 will be signed as it will be a paid version ?

Some Unsigned software can have Registry entry problems also.

.

[W4PC]

I had the older (free) version of HRD in my shack system. AS PC Magazine had recommended AVG for a virus preventing software, I had added it and liked it so well that I recently added the additional program AVG PC Tuneup. When I told the program to scan all the software in my system (there are a lot of free ham programs etc.) it gave most a clean bill of health but was unequivocal about identifying HRD as CONTAINING SPYWARE. So, a word to the wise and users of the older, and maybe newer, program might need to be checked carefully as well. I guess we should always look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to our personal systems. I do banking on line and sometimes use the shack computer; I don't need any "backdoor" programs hiding in my system.

We have not and never will put spyware in HRD.. we're talking about products we sell to fellow hams.. I just don't have it in me to steal information or data or anything from fellow humans

Rick - W4PC

[K2BEW]

I had the older (free) version of HRD in my shack system. AS PC Magazine had recommended AVG for a virus preventing software, I had added it and liked it so well that I recently added the additional program AVG PC Tuneup. When I told the program to scan all the software in my system (there are a lot of free ham programs etc.) it gave most a clean bill of health but was unequivocal about identifying HRD as CONTAINING SPYWARE. So, a word to the wise and users of the older, and maybe newer, program might need to be checked carefully as well. I guess we should always look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to our personal systems. I do banking on line and sometimes use the shack computer; I don't need any "backdoor" programs hiding in my system.

There are a lot of programs that will give a false positive to a virus scan or spyware. AVG actually gives a lot of false positives. Often the software makers are aware of this and there is probably documentation of this somewhere concerning that version of HRD on the internet. It does not at all mean that the program has a virus or "backdoor". It is perfectly safe to install and use. Simon and the new owners have never had spy ware in HRD.

The only issue with older versions is it may not work with QRZ for call sign look ups etc...