[Dxbase] "My TwoCents"

[Merle Bone]

I also use DXBase (2007) to help me find, work, log, QSL and 
report needed DX stations. In normal operation I use the "Log 
Window" with the last 6 QSOs showing - less then that is awkward 
for my operation. I use the "Internet Cluster" window with the 
last 15 spots. The DXBase "needed colors" are critical to my 
efficient search for new band countries. DXBase drives my K3 from 
the "DX Cluster" window - click to QSY with split. I wouldn't use 
a logging program without this capability.

 I use the DX Summary window to show me bands and modes worked 
for countries of interest. That doesn't leave "a lot of screen 
real-estate" unused. I also use the "QSO History" window with 3 
viewable slots.  The second most important functions of DXBase 
are the "control functions." I control two transceivers ( K3 and 
Orion) and 2 Yaesu Rotors from DXBase to tune the rigs and point 
the antennas.

The QSL "management and label printing facilities" are very 
important to me. I print labels from most of my qsos when I QSL. 
I direct QSL for the DX Challenge (Too old to wait for the 
Bureaus). One of the primary things that has kept me using DXBase 
(2006 and 2007) has been Joe's fantastic qso reports. I will use 
his latest tool for reporting my CQ Marathon results after 
January first. If I lost these tool capabilities I would not 
hesitate to change logging programs - in search of good reporting 
tools (The internal DXBase search tool is very "primitive"). I am 
working on the DX Challenge and Joe's reports are extremely 
helpful for QSL'ing, status tracking.  I also use his DX-Atlas 
"pin map tools" to judge the effectiveness, or weakness, of my 
antennas - used to plan new antennas where possible. I really 
"dread the thought" of loosing Joe's reporting tools and possibly 
his future help. After watching the effort associated with the 
"updater," I am concerned that all of Joes reporting tools might 
be "long in getting delivered." For me, the truth is that I have 
become dependant on many of the "ancillary tools" in - and 
around -DXBase 2007 (Like DX Atlas). Getting a new program that 
had a lengthy delivery time for those tools would be a real 
issue.

Although I am no "programmer," and computer technology is not my 
hobby, I am getting very close to needing the capabilities of the 
new Windows 7 operating system. I would love to have a simple 
upgrade to DXBase 2007 that would "flawlessly load" and execute 
the current DXBase 2007 capabilities on a Windows 7 machine - 
without "handcrafting" or "system knowledge" on my part. That 
would allow me to wait till ?? for the "new and improved" DXBase 
20XX product. It would also extend the life of Joe's fantastic 
tools and maybe his help.

Maybe that was 3 cents ----- Flame suit on -------
Merle - W0EWM

Resent to fix format