[Elecraft] Very late to the party - computer rig control and sound card modes for K3

[Jim Brown]

On 7/18/2023 1:58 AM, Paul Barlow wrote:
> I'm still using a paper log, and QRP CW is my 'thing'.

One other thing. By all means, get into computer logging. MANY reasons 
to do so, including easy interface with LOTW. Like you, I've always been 
primarily a CW op, work some QRP, but also do lots of serious 
contesting. When I got back on the air in 2003 after many years off, I 
was lucky to discover DXKeeper, part of the excellent DXLab Suite, all 
of it FREEware! A nice free utility called JTAlert can automatically log 
to DXKeeper (and to several other free loggers).

LOTW has become very much the standard for confirming contacts, so that 
we don't need to spend thousands on stamps to request and mail paper 
cards. I'd guess that 90% or more of hams running digital modes use 
LOTW. Being outside the US, you must jump through a few hoops and mail 
things to document your license, but once you've done that, it's free 
until you want to claim an award using it, at which time the cost per 
QSO is a small fraction of the cost of mailing a paper QSL. Those hoops 
are to prevent those who want to scam the system by getting confirmation 
of QSOs that don't exist. :)

73, Jim K9YC