[Elecraft] Logging software advice
Ray Sills
raysills3 at verizon.net
Wed Jul 2 09:06:41 EDT 2014
HI Gang:
I also use RUMLog, and it does an excellent job of logging. I'm not a
constester, so I haven't tried RUMPed, but I'd wager it does the job
as well. I also use CocoaModem.
However, there's another option, which I used during Field Day, and
that is the hardware device, Ham Central Terminal. The HCT is
designed to connect to Elecraft's K3 or KX3 (which is what I use) via
the RS-232 port on the rigs. The HCT is a good option for field use,
since it is a stand-alone device, and can run many hours on an
internal 9V battery... or external power source.. 12V is just fine.
The HCT "expands" the character display from the Elecraft rigs, so
that you can see up to 80 decoded characters. The decoding is done by
the rig, so you need to use it with a K3 or KX3. But, CW, PSK31 and
RTTY work nicely.
The unit also has a logging function, and all you need do is input the
other station's callsign, and the exchange.. which can be signal
report, section, etc.. any text characters. It will also generate an
auto-incrementing serial number, if that's needed for a contest or
event, and the number can be embedded into a macro string. There's an
internal clock which time-stamps the logged QSO, and the log file
includes your frequency of operation and mode. The HCT is also
capable of transferring the log file into a computer via RS-232. ADIF
format, IIRC.
The HCT is not a laptop, and won't offer the features of a laptop.
But then, while I would not want to drop my HCT off a cliff... I
=sure= would not want my laptop to suffer that fate. The HCT is -far-
less expensive. It's good in the outdoors, too, since it uses a
transflective display making it readable in bright sun.
73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211
On Jul 2, 2014, at 6:44 AM, Joel Black wrote:
> Phil,
>
> You have a few options when it comes to logging software for Mac:
>
> 1. RUMlog - the one I use and really like. Cost is _free_. Excellent
> support for the K3. Has a K3 interface window; uses the K3 keyer;
> interfaces great with cocoaModem; has a DXCluster function; gray-
> line map; and that's just the stuff I have on the screen right now.
> 2. Aether - I bought this program and stopped receiving support. I
> absolutely do *not* recommend this program. Cost _$45_. It
> supposedly interfaces with Fldigi via script, but I could never get
> that to work.
> 3. MacLoggerDX - Has a shareware version you can try. I forget the
> limitations. Cost is _~$100_. I have not used the program. People
> love it or hate it.
>
> The author of RUMlog also writes RUMped for contests. I have used it
> and it works well too.
>
> I tried using an iPad to log. I didn't like it. It does not have
> true multi-tasking. Sure, it will do stuff in the background, but I
> don't like how it does that for amateur radio. To me, the iPad is an
> easy way to read email and/or browse the web, get RSS feeds, read
> electronic magazines, and get SOTA notifications ;). Not much else.
> Although the keyboard is larger than an iPhone, it still doesn't
> compare to a real keyboard when entering calls and other information.
>
> I have tried both the Piglet and its predecessor. They both work
> very well. However, after experimenting with them a while, I wound
> up selling them and now have neither. It will allow you to set up an
> ad-hoc network and allow you to talk to both your WAN and the iPad
> simultaneously for call look ups.
>
> If you truly want to go small with the computer, if it were me, I'd
> probably go with either a Macbook Pro *or* the Macbook Air. It
> depends on what else you want to do with the computer (i.e. video /
> photo editing, games, etc). I use an iMac and my wife has a MBP. To
> me, the 13" screen on the MBP is a little small to have everything
> on the screen I like to see. On the other hand, the iMac's screen is
> so large I have to crane my neck to see the top of the screen with
> bifocals.
>
> Good luck with your decision.
>
> 73,
> Joel - W4JBB
>
> On 6/30/14, 7:21 PM, Phil Shepard wrote:
>> For logging, I have been running Logic 9 on an HP Windows 7
>> laptop. A few days ago the four year old laptop died (hard disk
>> failure). I was using an Elecraft RS232 to USB adapter cable for
>> the computer to K3 link.
>>
>> So, I am looking for a new setup for the K3 (and maybe KX3 too). I
>> have run out of interest in Windows PCs and have been converting to
>> Apple devices over the last year and a half. I’d like to use an
>> iPAD for the logging and perhaps rig control computer. I have
>> downloaded both RumLog and HamLog to play with. I used HamLog’s
>> Field Day log this past weekend and liked it.
>>
>> My questions are around the computer/rig interface. Is there any
>> reasonable way to use the RS232/USB cable with the iPad? It looks
>> like both RumLog and HamLog work with the Pignology Piglet to
>> network between the computer and rig. Reading the Piglet manual
>> shows a way to use a Piglet generated network to talk to the rig.
>> Can this setup also connect simultaneously to my home WiFi for
>> other internet based functions? Is there any other issue that I
>> should be concerned about with this setup?
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>>
>> 73,
>> Phil, NS7P
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