[KCDXC] After DXbase 10-15 years? --DXLabs

[Kevin Schavee]

I just seen on the DXBase reflector that Joe WA6AXE is no longer supporting
the DXBase program as well now too.

What now?

What I'm looking for in a logging program is of course logging, but also
printing my labels, internet cluster, and good Packed Cluster DX alerts

First week into it and I find DXlabs does all this and better than DXbase
plus so much more.
The only bump in my  install was configuring my label paper. Somehow the
margins for my Avery 8160 was different
than the default. Everything else went with no problems. I have DXLabst
installed on two PC's already but not the laptop yet.

The DXkeeper logging program imported my exported  ADIF file from DXBase
 just fine as I compared my DXCC totals beforehand. No problems importing my
log.

The log can be auto populated through the capture window from the packet
spot. The info is first placed in a DXkeeper capture window then can be
saved to log by just a mouse click.

The SpotCollector program allows up to. 4 Internet cluster connections, as
well as a  packet cluster connection (TNC), and a connection to IRC chat (DX
Summit). It's spot filtering is pretty good but not quite as individualized
as the VE7CC I was running
DXBase software through.

One big advantage over DXbase is that SpotCollector  audio announces DX
alert on the first spot only and you can set the time to how long between
spots for a new audio alert. If you had audio announce on  for, say BS7 for
example,  you'll appreciate this feature.  SpotCollector takes the multiples
and displays them as one spot with the first and last spot times. Less noise
and clutter for multi-spots. You can see all the spots for a station by a
right click in SpotCollector

I miss the feature in DXBase whereas a spot from the Internet cluster would
display previous QSO's automatically below the Worked,confirmed,needed box.
This is possible as a click and log filter option in DXView. I liked the
"auto previous QSO" display feature in DXBase.

DXView populates your "needs" check boxes nearly the same as in DXBase.

Printing is easy and because it is so easy I am now printing address's
directly to envelopes instead of using labels.
DXKeeper even prints par avion/air on your air mail if needed.
SAE envelopes are just as easy too.

Commander displays my current Yaesu frequency on the  PC monitor. It allows
use of memories from screen and of course click to QSY rig to mode and
frequency from packet spot. The display is better than DXBase so now I find
I use  this type of feature more.

Maybe I  just haven't gotten used to using Winwarbler yet but I find tuning
a station easier with MMTTY.

PropView has good propagation prediction. DXView has great world maps that
work with Google., There is Rotator Control,. DXCC reports are work about
the same as those in DXBase. I've use Pathfinder address and manager look
ups for ever and
love it.. The log backup in DXKeeper is really easy and runs while the
DXKeeper program log is running. Excellent
yahoo groups support for DXLabs. It's free,


73
Kevin

73
Kevin