[Elecraft] N3FJP FD Logger

[David Gilbert]

For one thing, if you're jumping back and forth between CW and SSB it's 
nice to have the computer log the mode appropriately ... it's pretty 
easy for any operator to forget to change the mode manually each and 
every time.  Rig control does it for you.  And with regard that, the 
N3FJP software doesn't properly pick up digital modes anyway ... if you 
switch the rig to RTTY or PSK you have to manually type in the new mode 
when you make the change.  It isn't even available as a drop-down selection.

Also, the original requester wanted to key the K3 from the N3FJP FD 
logger using various message macros.  That's certainly possible, but if 
I remember correctly (I could be wrong) there is no full-time display to 
show which function keys hold which messages.  You'd need a paper crib 
sheet to educate each new operator.  With N1MM, the macros can be sent 
from the function keys, but they are also accessible as on-screen mouse 
buttons that display text to help you remember which one to click on.

One of the coolest benefits of rig control with a competent program like 
N1MM, however, is the band map capability.  Even without packet feeds, 
the bandmap can show you stations displayed by frequency ... the ones 
you've already worked are shown in gray text and the ones you had 
previously flagged to try later show up in color.  Clicking on a 
callsign automatically resets the rig to that frequency.  That's a neat 
feature for the average Field Day operator that is don't mostly 
search-and-pounce.
 
Besides, the various operators don't need to know how to set up N1MM.  
Once it is installed, and without the bells and whistles turned on, in 
my opinion it is as simple to use as N3FJP with less chance for human error.

Dave   AB7E




R. Kevin Stover wrote:
> Writelog and N1MM are both more powerful software packages but how much 
> power do you need for field day? We're not talking about dedicated CQ WW 
> teams who get together and practice using software for three months 
> prior. For the most part FJP's FD logger gets used by folks on field day 
> who "contest" once per year. They have neither the time nor inclination 
> to learn something like N1MM.
>
> I'm wondering why anybody would "need" rig control during field day.
>
>
> Jim Brown wrote:
>
>   
>> Writelog and N1MM are much more powerful contest loggers, have 
>> lots of slick features, and take a bit longer to learn. But they 
>> are WELL worth the effort. N1MM is FREE. Writelog is not. I 
>> started with Writelog, used it for 2-3 years, switched to N1MM a 
>> few years ago and like it better. 
>>
>>   
>>     
>
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