++++++++++++++ See also Contesting Software ++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" , "Elecraft-list" Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 08:38:47 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Alas, it is time for contest logging software Folks, I'm in the process of transcribing my ARCI QSO party log and calculating my score. I don't want to have to do this ever again, painfully slow. So it's time to get some good software and learn how to use it. Here are my requirements/wants: HIGH WANTS 1) Rig control for Icom 746pro and Elecraft K2 MUST HAVES 1) Easy of use, I only do a few contests a year. So I want something easy and very intuitive for a CASUAL user. 2) Windows 2000 based. It's what I have to use, it's what I want to use. Don't start a MS/UNIX bashing thread. With 20+ years in the computer industry I know all the arguments, and weary of all the griping/whining. 3) Automatic contest scoring for things like the ARCI contests, ARS Sprints, NJ QRP HB Sprints. When the contest is over I want to press a button and have my log, score sheet, summary....whatever; prepared, double checked and emailed in a matter of milliseconds. SOFTWARE UNDER CONSIDERATION SO FAR: YPLOG Can it do the scoring I want? Can it control a K2? WRITE LOG Ditto can it do the Scoring? N1MM Logger Again Scoring issues. MAY CONSIDER Palm based loggers. All I've found so far have some issues with awkward data entry/edit issues, and AFAIK none have scoring. WILL NOT CONSIDER 1) DOS based programs! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! ;-) Anybody sending ideas for DOS based programs will have your email send to the Recycle Bin. (/dev/null for you UNIX geeks). Comments, suggestions, ideas....? 73, Rod N0RC Ft Collins, CO ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 09:33:42 -0600 To: "Rod N0RC" , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" , "Elecraft-list" From: Larry East Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Alas, it is time for contest logging software At 08:38 AM 4/16/02 -0600, Rod N0RC wrote: >Folks, > >I'm in the process of transcribing my ARCI QSO party log and >calculating my score. I don't want to have to do this ever again, >painfully slow. So it's time to get some good software and learn how >to use it. Here are my requirements/wants: ...snip... Have you considered QRPDUPE? It has a few kinks, but it's free. Download it from http://www.dancris.com/~bkassel/index.htm#top and check it out. 72/73, Larry W1HUE/7 +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" , "Elecraft-list" Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 10:42:33 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Alas, it is time for contest logging software Many have suggested QRP-DUPE. An error of omission on my part, mea culpa. QRP-DUPE is in the running. Rod N0RC Fort Collins, CO ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 17:14:08 -0400 From: aluscre To: Rod N0RC Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion , Elecraft-list Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Alas, it is time for contest logging software Rod I have been using LOGic by PDA for over 7 or 8 years. It is currently at version 6 runs under Windows (95, 98, 200 or XP). It can do almost anything you would like as far as general log, award tracking, scoring contests (even setting up scoring for any new contests. It is not cheap, but I think it is a great value. You can download a free demo at their site http://www.hosenose.com/logic6/demo.asp . There also are links to FAQ and Tips and tricks on the software portion of my web site http://www.qsl.net/k8zt/logging.html . It is not a specialized "contesting software" such as TR, NA or CT but works fine for most of my contesting needs and allows me to use one program for all my logging needs. It also can track QSL cards, print labels and/or QSL cards, track almost any award from the common (WAS, DXCC, etc. to the esoteric Polish Providences, Helvetica, local club awards, etc.), It has rig control for almost any brand and model of computer controllable rig. It also can interface with CD-ROM callbooks, on-line callbooks, Packet cluster, Antenna Rotators and more. Rod N0RC wrote: > Folks, > > I'm in the process of transcribing my ARCI QSO party log and > calculating my score. I don't want to have to do this ever again, -- snip -- |--------------------------| Anthony A. Luscre K8ZT Stow, Ohio |--------------------------| Visit My Website at http://www.qsl.net/k8zt |--------------------------| ++++++++++++++++ From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Elecraft-list" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Alas, it is time for contest logging software Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 07:11:03 -0600 Thanks to all, Too many to emails to respond to individually, please accept this post as a personal thank you if you did respond. No doubt some of my wants/needs are idealist: ...on touch button does it all, calc score, email it... etc.; intuitive use...etc. No doubt. Full function software that is easy to learn and use (superior ergonomics) is difficult to achieve. (One program I use for general logging comes close, XMLOG, www.xmlog.com) I realize I'll have to make compromise, and am willing to do so. But I'll never stop pursuing the ideal (or optimal), in this matter or any endeavor I undertake. But I digress... YPLOG and Writelog drew positive comments. Prior to posting my query, I read several reviews of many programs on eHam: www.eham.com. (I also went to the websites of these programs, and others, to study the product features) These two programs caught my attention and seemed to fulfill many/most of my wants. I'm still not clear how well they can handle scoring for the popular QRP events. So, I will start dialogs with the authors (and users) of at least these two. These programs offer the full rig control I desire and seem to handle the K2. For now I'll likely use QRP-DUPE, it satisfies the ease-of-use/intuitive criteria. 73, Rod N0RC Ft Collins, CO ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 09:35:38 -0700 From: "bob baxter" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [124875] Re: Alas, it is time for contest logging software Rod, I used a new program by Scott N3JFP for all ARCI contests. Check it out at http://www.n3fjp.com/index.html It took me all of 5 minutes to get my log and summary sheet emailed--think I can do it in 2 min. the next time. The whole program is on one page so you can see the log, states worked, score, etc. without clicking to another page. It doesn't have rig control but does have computer generated cw setup in macros. One feature I liked was when you type in a call sign you have worked on another band it automatically fills in the info for you. It's not free but it's reasonable. ($10) Bob Baxter AA7EQ Bisbee, Az. ++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: n5qq at arrl.net From: "Ron Chambers" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest logging software Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 08:30:13 -0500 Suggest to stay with some of the tried and true ones that have support for all modes and contests. If you're a Windows' fan and have the latest and greatest PC's, go after Writelog. If you still have access to cheap old DOS machines for your ham stuff, then NA and CT would be the pick. BUT, if you are a real CW Contester, ===> try TR Log (DOS based), (eventhough it is heavily geared toward USA Sprint, NAQP, Sweepstakes...) 73 Ron N5QQ ex K5PN, KE5IR, WB0RIE, WB5JIL, WA5BNQ, WN5BNQ ++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 10:27:20 -0500 From: "Kenneth E. Harker" To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest logging software A good place to start when looking for contest logging software is the eHam.net reviews (which unfortunately lump contest-specialty logging software and non-contest-specialty logging software together): http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/27 In particular, check out: TR by N6TR http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/27 NA by K8CC http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/26 CT by K1EA http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/23 SD by EI5DI http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/522 WriteLog by W5XD http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/40 N1MM Logger http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1383 These six logging programs probably account for the vast proportion of those in use by those hams who contest regularly. TR, NA, CT, and SD are DOS-based applications, whereas WriteLog and N1MM are Windows-based applications. All of these applications will support all the major worldwide and North American CW and phone events, as well as quite a few regional contests. SD supports a few more European contests than the others out of the box, but many of these logging programs can be configured to handle new contests or contests not predefined in the software. The RTTY contesting support in these programs varies widely. There are also contest logging apps available for Mac and Linux. -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth E. Harker "Vox Clamantis in Deserto" kharker at cs.utexas.edu University of Texas at Austin Amateur Radio Callsign: WM5R Department of the Computer Sciences Central Texas DX & Contest Club Taylor Hall TAY 2.124 Maintainer of Linux on Laptops Austin, TX 78712-1188 USA http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- +++++++++++++ To: g0hvs at yahoo.co.uk Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Tue, 27 May 2003 22:20:45 -0400 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest logging software From: Michael E Dobson I used N1MM Contest Logger during the WPX contest and found it very useful with all the contesting features. It uses the MMTTY engine for RTTY and fully supports the major RTTY contests. Best of all it is free. Mike WA3KYY K2 #2221 +++++++++++++ From: "Dave Sergeant" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 07:33:26 +0100 Subject: [Elecraft] re: Contest logging programs I have been using EI5DIs super duper and can recommend it for UK and major international contests. I particular wanted a program which would run on my old Toshiba 386 laptop rather than tying up one of the main computers and SD works well for this. A search on the web for other DOS logging software showed that there is not much left and many of the US 'general purpose' ones are totally unsuitable for UK/RSGB contests. Paul has recently brought out a Windows version of SD, but it is not yet publicly released. RTTY contests I guess are a slightly different game, I don't know how SD would work with them as I have no experience of such contests.. 73 Dave G3YMC dsergeant at btinternet.com http://www.dsergeant.btinternet.co.uk ++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:30:50 -0400 To: Elecraft Reflector From: Hank Kohl K8DD Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Contest logging software At 5/27/2003 10:27 AM -0500, Kenneth E. Harker wrote: These six logging programs probably account for the vast proportion of >those in use by those hams who contest regularly. TR, NA, CT, and SD are >DOS-based applications, whereas WriteLog and N1MM are Windows-based >applications. CTWin is CT for Windows (above Windows 95) available at www.k1ea.com CT (DOS) and CTWIN are freeware. 73 Hank K8DD +++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 14:46:01 +0100 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Neill Taylor Subject: Re: [Elecraft] re: Contest logging programs Dave G3YMC wrote: >I have been using EI5DIs super duper and can recommend it for UK and >major international contests..... I would support Dave's remarks and add that SD also interfaces very nicely to the K2 using the I/O port (KIO2 or KPA100), if you choose to make that connection. Use the "Kenwood" radio port set-up in SD. Then you have automatic frequency logging, and some rig control from the PC, as well as the automatic keyer etc. that makes it all so easy I sometimes wonder if it should be classed as cheating. Neill G4HLX K2/100 #2425 +++++++++++++++