[NLRS] Logging software
Thomas Murphy
thomasmurphy.mssm at gmail.com
Sun May 18 17:37:21 EDT 2025
For portable logging, consider the FOSS Ham2k Portable Logger:
https://polo.ham2k.com/
It's had a couple hiccups with maintaining support for old/slow Android
devices this spring, but is award winning and you can contribute to its
development. Lots of clever shortcuts listed in the manual for ease of
entry (change band/mode/frequency/time and self-spot directly from the
QSO field!). Lots of support for specialty portable operating programs
or just create a generic logbook for your outing.
- Thomas / WN1C
On 2025-05-11 14:59, KB0DCO Thomas wrote:
> Hi Gang,
>
> Thanks to those who replied to my inquiries back in 2023! (I was
> looking through my emails…. And found that my draft was never
> completed and sent!)
>
> I have checked out some of the following logging softwares:
>
> N1MM: Took some time to get it up and working. Due to the file
> locations issues with windows now syncing on the cloud with “One
> Drive”. is one main hurdle to overcome. I just want it locally on my
> WIN 10 HP Laptop computer.
>
> DX4WIN seems to have a cost associated with it.
> DXLab
> DXKeeper
>
> And will look at the HAMRS for my IPAD. (If it is a one time fee vs. a
> subscription, then I might consider that.) I prefer free versions. Or
> I might just try to setup my own in a Excel Spreadsheet.
>
> I just downloaded and sent off for a postcard for LOTW in late 2023. I
> looked into my EQSL. I had set up an account years ago! And my old
> password still worked! I think why I never got back to it, was I
> couldn’t figure out how to upload an image of my own QSL card to use,
> versus making a new one with their web based EQSL program.
>
> I saw one named ClubLog… but will need to check if that is only used
> for ham club use. Like for group club events.
>
>
> I went to a “Hams In The Park” event at a regional park in the twin
> cities… where a fox hunt I was participating in. It looked like a
> Field Day event with different people were on the air with other parks
> in the nation. But only on the air for a limited amount of time
> compared to the 24 hour run time of FD.
>
> I was under the impression that you could go to any city park and
> setup and play radio. I will have to see how often these events happen
> throughout the year. At first I thought Hams In The Park was a
> national scheduled event.
>
> Later on I found out it was just a bunch of hams locally playing radio
> and not a national event, or even a ham club event. Cause I tried
> looking it up online and found a webpage for HITP, but the person who
> organized it moved out of the area and I tried to contact the new
> person. And I didn’t get a response back from them. Their website
> stated they were trying to coordinate with other hams in other parks
> to make contacts with each other.
>
> I found out later that the (Hams In The Park) and (Parks On The Air)
> are two different things.
>
> I have been interested in POTA… but haven’t really gotten started with
> it. I’m a FREE TO PLAY kind of person… and POTA seems to be in the
> parks where you need to pay to gain access to. I read somewhere you
> can access these parks for free, but only once or twice a year.…… Too
> bad Parks On The Air…. doesn’t mean “Any kind of parks”.
>
> Cause all I want to do is go to my local parks near by and activate
> them, not needing to travel to specific parks. But with more research…
> maybe I can sneak in for a time or tag along with someone else. I am
> all for having fun… but limiting my financial costs for the gas to get
> there to setup, operate, and teardown time. I am considering some sort
> of portable Chameleon Antenna setup. (Lots of configurations to consider.)
>
> And just like fishing…. Now since I have been able to get a free MN
> fishing license now every year. I should look into if I can get
> something similar for those special parks! I will go to the MNDNR
> website to see if they might have some info. on that.
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 6, 2023 at 12:01 PM Kirk P <inservice2him at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Yes I missed/overlooked the ios... sorry
>
> Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> <nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Mike Cizek W0VTT
> <mgcizek at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, April 6, 2023 10:16:38 AM
> *To:* nlrs at mailman.qth.net <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
>
> *Subject:* Re: [NLRS] Logging software
>
> This is an interesting topic, but seems to have gone astray…..none
> of the programs mentioned will run on iOS and he’s looking for
> something to use on his iPad. Robert, you may be looking for
> something that doesn’t exist.
>
> There are a very few loggers designed for iOS; some will run on
> both iOS and Mac computers (Rumlog, MacLoggerDX) but neither
> appear to be contest friendly. They seem more interested in fancy
> graphics than in function. Are you open to using another device
> besides your iPad? A Windoze tablet or small netbook?
>
> N1MM+ is used by more contesters than everything else put
> together, but it is not really intended as a day to day logging
> program. You can run it on a Mac using Parallels or VMWare, but
> not on iOS devices. It’s a free download.
>
> A list of VHF & up contests is here:
>
> https://www.qsl.net/n2sln/contestcalendar.html
>
> A comprehensive contest calendar is here:
>
> https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php
>
> I’m interested in this thread because I played a bit with Mac
> computers (completely bricking one!) and would like to learn more
> about them. Maybe even making a complete change from
> Windows/Android to Mac/iOS.
>
> ----
>
> 73,
>
> Mike Cizek W0VTT
>
> *From:* nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> <nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net> *On Behalf Of *Kirk P
> *Sent:* Thursday, 6 April, 2023 09:11
> *To:* Jon Platt <w0zq at aol.com>; NLRS at mailman.qth.net
> *Subject:* Re: [NLRS] Logging software
>
> I use writelog for contesting.
>
> I use dx4win and dxlab for general logging. Both of these programs
> offer a contest logging feature, though in not familiar with its use.
>
> I would assume for the casual contester those functions would
> suffice for logging within a given contest.
>
> I'll add, contest software, wtitelog and n1mm, as well as
> others, have really made importing contest qsos into a general
> logging program a breeze.
>
> Moving files into lotw from them is also just a few clicks.
>
> Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
> Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:*nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net <nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
> on behalf of Jon Platt via NLRS <nlrs at mailman.qth.net>
> *Sent:* Thursday, April 6, 2023 9:02:51 AM
> *To:* NLRS at mailman.qth.net <NLRS at mailman.qth.net>
> *Subject:* Re: [NLRS] Logging software
>
> I think this subject is divided into contest logging software and
> general logging software? Myself, I am not aware of a software
> package that does both well, perhaps someone else does.
>
> For contest logging I use N1MM. You can find it online. It
> supports every significant HF through VHF contest, generates the
> all important Cabrillo files for submitting your score, is
> maintained and updated, supports digital modes such as RTTY and
> WSJT-X, and radio control if you use that. While there is a
> learning curve, once you have learned it its the same fit and feel
> user interface for all contests from FD to RTTY RU, to VHF
> contests. It supports all State QSO Parties including MnQP.
>
> I do not use any general logging programs so someone else can
> comment on that. I'm an old dog that still maintains a paper log,
> and if you need confirmation I am happy to send a real old school
> QSL card. Contest logs are submitted to LoTW but my general day
> to day contacts are not. Others may have some ideas on a good
> general duty logging software app that they use.
>
> 73, Jon
>
> W0ZQ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: KB0DCO Thomas <kb0dco at gmail.com>
> To: Northern Lights Radio Society <NLRS at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thu, Apr 6, 2023 2:17 am
> Subject: [NLRS] Logging software
>
> Hey Gang,
>
> I have not been on here well over a decade!
>
> Looking to get my all mode radio in operation in my mobile again
> here soon. I have an iPad and looking for free logging software,
> but have not had much luck in the App Store.
>
> So I might have to create one from scratch in an Excel spreadsheet
> app. Has anyone else try to create a logbook in excel
> spreadsheets? I’m looking to do this mainly in the mobile on my
> iPad… which to me seems to be the best device choice to use for me.
>
> I decided to download N3FJP, ARRL Contest Logs, VHF/UHF. I was
> trying to search for the name of contests I used to do years ago
> working multiple bands. Which was 6M, 2M, 70CM (432) exchanging
> Grid Squares, Callsigns, and Signal Reports. Getting multiplier
> points for working one station on those 3 bands. (I always used to
> call it the Six Meters to Light contest. And I knew it was in the
> winter time…. February maybe?) as far as I knew it was an ARRL
> contest. Then there was the mono band contests too. Which I did
> from home for the VHF Sweepstakes, (I think it was sweepstakes?
> Not sure.) UHF Sweepstakes (432-440) not sure if there was one for
> 6M or not. And I think there was one for 220, but I do not have
> the equipment for that band.
>
> So I just recently downloaded Grid Tracker and trying to figure
> that one out yet. Since I was looking for a software to keep track
> of all the grid squares I log for my satellite and 6M and VHF/UHF
> contests.
>
> So the software I am trying to look for will handle multiple things.
>
> Such as:
>
> Satellite contacts
>
> 6 Meter contacts
>
> Field Day contacts
>
> MN QSO Party contacts
>
> 6M to Light Contests contacts
>
> I have yet to look into and figure out about Log Book Of The World
> and EQSL. So then all of my contacts get uploaded online so
> everyone can see them. I have been trying the logbook on QRZ, to
> me there something not working correctly on it. I tried to send a
> request from the person I had the QSO with to confirm it. But keep
> getting error messages like:
>
> 1 records skipped.
>
> O records successfully requested confirmation.
>
> You have requested confirmation for the following QSOs in your
> logbook,.
>
> Unfortunately the records listed below were not requested for the
> following reasons:
>
> Reason
>
> XX0XXX 2023-03-20 05:28:00
>
> Cannot Request Confirmation for Assisted Contact
>
> I put in all the data and save it. Which is really the only part
> that works.
>
> The star should be yellow once it is confirmed. But yet have not
> seen one yet. In the past, when I worked Satellites about a decade
> ago… I used to get QSL cards within a week of the contact. Now I
> guess everyone went to doing digital QSL Cards… So if anyone can
> help me with me for portable logging and from home logging would
> be greatly appreciated.
>
> --
>
> KBØDCO
> Thomas Gagnon
> Sent from my IPAD 4th Gen. Air Touch
>
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