I have been using HRD for well over 20 years. Starting with the free version by Simon and now the paid version by Mike and the rest of the owners. New release coming out on Monday with some of the JTAlert features. I've not seen the beta yet, but will give it the deep dive on Monday. Once purchased, it's yours to use forever on all computers using your call sign. But if you want any of the future enhancements, an annual service contract is necessary, but all "fixes" are still free.
2nd choice is the N3FJP Amateur Contact Log. Does everything you need for a decent price. I don't use this but help others get it set up and running (easy). I've also purchased the full N3FJP suite of programs and use the contest ones all the time. Once the suite is purchased, ALL N3FJP future updates and programs are FREE. They just work and support is PERSONAL and fast by Scott.
Both of these upload to LoTW on demand, NOT after each contact. LoTW does NOT recommend uploading every contract as it takes as much server time to do one as it takes to do several hundred QSO's uploaded in a single batch. This single process may be blocked in the future by LoTW as it's a major server hog.
Hope this helps. Sometimes free is not the best choice.
73's
George - WB5JJJ
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