[Elecraft] Final Thoughts on Logging Software

[Ken G Kopp]

Thanks for your detailed report.

Will the program track US Counties for CQ's USCA?  This is an absolute must
for me.

73

Ken Kopp - K0PP
On Feb 29, 2016 13:37, "Terry Brown" <n7tb at comcast.net> wrote:

> Hello All Elecraft Users,
>
>
>
> Several days ago I started a thread asking for recommendations for logging
> software.  I later reported that I was in the process of deciding what way
> I
> wanted to go.  I thought it would be helpful to the group to share what I
> found after a day or so reviewing, installing and comparing logging
> programs
> that interface with the KX3, with the understanding that logging software
> is
> a very personal preference.
>
>
>
> I had been using LOGic9 which I recently upgraded to after about a 9 year
> hiatus from amateur radio.  I had been using LOGic8 for years.  With the
> upgrade, I was getting crashes and at one point the program locked up.
>
>
>
> What I found was that all the logging programs that were suggested were
> very
> good and would do most of the things any ham would want.  I spent a great
> deal of time with the DX Suite of programs and found them very thorough but
> a bit of learning curve ahead of me.  When I imported my log data, it threw
> out many of them.  I was running Amateur Contact Log and was amazed to find
> that when the spotting window was opened, I could click on the spot and my
> radio would go to that.  (later I found other programs, including LOGic,
> did
> as well).  I was about to switch but found that the QTH field was not in
> that program.  I finally decided to go back to the new LOGic documentation
> and re-read it, because I had not done that for 9 years.  You would think
> that with a Ph.D., I would have done that first, but no, I didn't think I
> "needed" to!
>
>
>
> Long story short, I found that LOGic9 was an amazingly powerful yet
> customizable all-in-one logging, contesting, and awards package.  Regarding
> changing my radio frequency to the spot frequency, LOGic 9 did it extremely
> well.  In fact, i have a friend in Rarotonga who is on periodically.  I
> found I could set his call in the filter, let LOGic run recording spots and
> if his call was recorded, LOGic would send me an email telling me he was
> on.
> It will even give you an audible announcement, or send email, if a contact
> comes up that one might need for any of the many awards that one might be
> going for.  Logic tracks all the awards that are most common, and you can
> create your own awards that LOGic will track as well.  Having an audible
> notification is helpful if you are doing other things in your shack.  There
> are multiple spotting sites that one can configure to run with LOGic.  The
> logging form is totally customizable with preselected fields with the
> capability of creating your own custom ones as well.   I run LOGic on a
> computer that is on 24/7 for a weather station I have, so keeping LOGic
> running in the background will be great for giving me notifications.
>
>
>
> Contesting forms are included that are fully customizable, and I don't
> think
> you have to download your contacts into your regular database at the end of
> a contest, but can have them automatically recorded there if you desire.
> As
> one would expect, LOGic has full capability to interface with LOTW and
> download contest logs.
>
>
>
> I found LOGic was probably the most all-inclusive, customizable software I
> came across, and I looked at a lot.  I like the fact that when I am using
> my
> laptop portable, I can copy my log, then when I go to my main computer, it
> will import, if I select it, only the QSO's that are not already in the
> log.
> Going from one computer to another is very easy.
>
>
>
> Anyway, most of my problems were self-imposed.  If I had spent some time
> with the manual (and the program itself has extensive and thorough help
> available) I would have avoided a lot of my frustrations and crashes.  The
> software is so customizable, that I had created some fields without the
> proper properties.   When I reread the manual, I realized again why I chose
> LOGic years ago.
>
>
>
> I am now happy using LOGic9 and enjoying all its power and flexibility.  It
> is not free, however, it is $129.00.  With the amount of time I spend in my
> shack, and the amount of money I paid for my wonderful Elecraft equipment,
> it was a small investment in the greater scheme of things.  I believe my
> upgrade was less than $90.  With a registration, you get free updates for a
> year.  It has great importing flexibility so you can import your logs from
> other logging software to see how it works in LOGic.
>
>
>
> There is a free 30 day trial you can use to try it out if you are
> interested.
>
>
>
> I understand from the author that they are still working on polishing up
> the
> interface software for the K3 (KX3), occasionally there are issues.  Things
> are running well for me now.   The author gave me detailed instructions for
> using OmniRig with the software if I have problems in the future.  I
> suspect
> any remaining issues will be resolved shortly anyway.
>
>
>
> I hope these ramblings are useful for others who may be looking to start
> using or change their logging software.   For sure, logging software is a
> personal preference, and it was clear to me from all the direct emails I
> received and from those on the group, that most people are very happy with
> the software they are using.
>
>
>
> Sometimes it is good to take a fresh look at what is out there.   With the
> log importing capabilities of most packages, going from one to the other is
> pretty easy to do "test runs."  If I had not had problems, I never would
> have taken the time to look at the various products out there.  I am glad I
> took the time to do it.  Others might find it useful to take some time to
> do
> the same.
>
>
>
> Very 73's,
>
>
>
> Terry Brown, N7TB
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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