[Dx4win] LOTW, DX4WIN and contest logs

[Tony McClenny]

Tom could not have expressed my exact sentiments any better.  I have DX4Win
for many years and after each contest I merge my contest log into DX4Win
thus having every contact I have ever made in a single, easy to access log.
Prior to using DX4Win I wrote a logging program first in dBase II on a CPM
O/S and later in dBase III (I think) and finally in dBase IV so my own log
program worked for a number of years.  Finally, someone wrote a far better
program and I purchased and upgraded it ever since.  

At this time, I use N1MM for all contest activity - a great gift to amateur
radio.  In a few minutes time, after the contest, my N1MM export is imported
into DX4Win.  Try it you will most likely really be glad you did.

- Tony -
 N3ME
 
Tony McClenny
118 Ashwood Street
Bethany Beach, DE 19930-9699
(302) 539-5638
www.n3me.net
-----Original Message-----
From: dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:dx4win-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of Larry Gauthier (K8UT)
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 20:22
To: Mel Martin; dx4WIN
Subject: Re: [Dx4win] LOTW, DX4WIN and contest logs

Tom,

I agree wholeheartedly with Mel. I use DX4Win as my core logging program, 
and N1MM as my contesting software. After every contest I export/import into

DX4Win using the nice ADIF2DXQ.exe utility from AD1C.

Disk space is cheap. DX4Win can handle your QSO counts. Bring the contest 
records into DX4Win and let it be your core logging program and your ONLY 
point of origin for QSL'ing -- including uploads into LoTW.

EDITORIAL: LoTW, despite its name, is NOT a logging program and could best 
be described as "eHarmony.com for QSOs, with ARRL Award credits." LoTW 
permits duplicate uploaded QSO records and there is no mechanism (nor plan) 
to offer a "delete QSO" function. I think each DXer needs a single composite

view of their QSO counts, totals, awards, and QSL status. If you maintain 
two sources of QSO knowledge, and/or start QSLing from two applications 
(N1MM and DX4Win) you run the risk of eventually duplicating records on 
LoTW... which means your total LoTW QSO upload count will never reconcile 
with your local QSO count(s). As an ex-IT database guy, that scenario makes 
my head hurt.

-larry
K8UT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mel Martin" <ve2dc at videotron.ca>
To: "dx4WIN" <dx4win at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 14:25
Subject: Re: [Dx4win] LOTW, DX4WIN and contest logs


> Hi Tom.
>
> I just can't think of any good reason not to import all your contacts
> into DX4Win. I would seem to me to be a lot easier to keep track/backup
> of one large log instead of dozens of small ones. I use Writelog. After
> the contest I import everything and delete all contest logs after a few
> months have elapsed.
>
> Tom Brown wrote:
>> Soliciting opinions on this.  I keep my everyday log in DX4WIN but also 
>> operate contests from time to time using N1MM logger.  I'm pretty high 
>> with most award counts so it's rare that I work a new one during a 
>> contest, although a band credit here or there is possible.  I do not 
>> import my contest logs into DX4WIN because I don't feel the need to bring

>> in so many unneeded records.  Lately, I've been thinking about uploading 
>> my contest logs to LOTW and then picking up only LOTW confirmations from 
>> the contest and importing them into my log when I do my normal DX4WIN 
>> LOTW up and down.  Any opinions on this? Pros and cons?
>>
>> Thanks - Tom, W2EQ
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>
> -- 
> Mel, VE2DC
>
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