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The new version of B-Log features new fields (a total of 15), a fully configurable display grid, publishable export modes for utility, shortwave broadcast, and mediumwave DXers, a report generator, new search and sort modes, and provisions for attaching a file or URL to each log entry. B-Log is still flexible, adaptable, and easy to use. But now it's much more powerful, and useful for a much wider variety of radio hobbyists.

Description

B-Log is a very simple, free-form logging program that offers useful features for the shortwave or scanner hobbyist, including SWBC listeners, AM-BC listeners, utility listeners, and amateur radio operators. The program is both simple to learn and use, and very powerful.

The program is composed of only two main screens. You enter your listings from the entry screen. The display screen provides all the tools you'll need for displaying, sorting, searching, and editing your log file, and the is the location of the export and reporting controls.

You can tailor B-Log to suit your particular logging needs by your choice of and use of the 15 available fields. The display screen provides both an adjustable tabular summary display and boxes for detailed display and editing of each field in the selected record. After you decide how you will tailor B-Log to your requirements, you can adjust the size and order of the columns in the tabular display, sliding those you don't use off the right hand side of the screen.

The program lets you either attach a file or associate a URL with each of your log entries. A single button click either opens that file or connects your browser to the URL. You can attach any file type that your operating system knows how to launch: .wav, .txt, .jpg, .zip, etc.

The files and directories used by B-Log are compatible with those used by Scan320, so you can use this program in conjunction with your Scan320 logging activity. This feature might come in handy, for instance, if you'd like to log a station you hear while you're using Clifton Turner's RX320 control program, or even if you would like to log a station heard while operating a non-computer-controlled receiver. You can maintain all of your log entries in one single file.

Features

• Freeware for Win95/98 or later PC systems. Requires at least 800 x 600 pixel monitor resolution.
• Fully compatible with the logging utility incorporated into Scan320. If you're a Scan320 user, B-Log will use your existing log file, modes, and codes.
• UTC clock display, with time obtained from your operating system. There is no need to set your time zone with this program.
• Supports either mm/dd/yyyy or dd/mm/yyyy date formats, and automatically adapts to systems configured to display freqeuncies as either "14313.5" or "14313,5"
• 14 fields plus a service or activity code field let you tailor B-Log to your every logging need. The design supports multiple styles of logging in the same log file.
• You can attach a file or enter a URL for each log entry. One button click either opens the file or connects you to the URL.
• QSL tracking: fields are provided to record reception reports sent and QSL cards received.
• B-Log remembers all your Code, Mode, and Country entries. When creating a new log entry, you can either enter new data into these fields or pick from a list of your previous entries.
• Configurable display grid. You can adjust column widths and column ordering, tailoring your log summary perfectly to your requirements.
• Powerful new search features and enhanced sorting make it a snap to find and organize your log data. You can sort on any column or use the four special-purpose sorts.
• B-Log automatically generates publishable listings in the formats preferred by utility monitors, shortwave broadcast DXers, and mediumwave DXers. The listings are generated to file and to a preview screen. You can copy the formatted listings to the clipboard for effortless transfer into an email, a Usenet posting, or into your word processor.
• A report generator lets you export log information in just about any tabular format you prefer or require. You can save report setups.
• The log file is formatted as a tab-delimited text file for simple, solid export into any spreadsheet or database program. If you are upgrading from B-Log Version 1.0, Version 1.1 will convert your old log format to the new one automatically.

Download

This software is freely available, without limitation, for your personal, non-commercial use.

Installation and Removal

B-Log runs on any Windows PC using Windows 95 or later operating systems. It requires a screen resolution of at least 800 x 600 pixels.

The distribution archive consists of B-Log.exe, the B-Log Readme.txt file, and the B-Log html help file and illustrations located in the LogHelp subdirectory.

Create a directory for B-Log (or, if you will be installing Scan320, a directory for that program.) Unzip the archive into that directory. Verify that your unzipper has created the LogHelp subdirectory and has filled it with the B-Log html help file and its illustrations. (If you are installing B-Log into the same directory as Scan320, let your unzipper overwrite the contents of the LogHelp subdirectory.)

The first time you start B-Log, it will either create or increase the number of subdirectories under your working directory.

If you are upgrading B-Log from a previous version, or adding B-Log to a Scan320 installation, first delete your old copy of B-Log.exe and the contents of the LogHelp subdirectory. Then unzip the B-Log archive into your existing B-Log or Scan320 working directory. B-Log will use all your existing log and data files.

Either create or update your B-Log desktop icon.

The subdirectories used by B-Log are the LogFiles, LogFiles\ReportSetups, LogHelp, and Export subdirectories. The others are used by Scan320.

B-Log doesn't write anything to your registry, nor does it install any DLL's into your system directory. If you choose to delete B-Log, just send your working directory and all its contents to the recycle bin.

Thanks!

Thanks very much for trying my program. I hope that you'll enjoy using it. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email me at ab9b@qsl.net.