[OKDXA] Contest/Station Logging Software Question

[Jay Bromley]

John,
I was a CT and NA man, but now using "Writelog" for contesting.  With a 
couple of plug-ins I have templates for just about every contest and the 
other plug-in is for it is MMTTY.  I guess the reason I stay with Writelog 
over other contest programs is there is much support on the Web using it. 
K9AY and AA5AU both have super web sites to get you going with Writelog.

I am sticking with DX4WIN for general logging.  I guess because I don't want 
to learn everything again.  They seem to be in the game like the Writelog 
folks and their stuff just works.

Both are not freeware, but are not all that bad and support on both seems 
good.

For general logging I started out with "Log Master Speaks", then went to 
"Logic", (sorry I can't remember the version), and now to DX4WIN.  So I have 
been doing this computer logging thing for a long time.  The only thing in 
the early days I wasn't good at merging log files from NA and CT.  So some 
of my contest programs were lost over time.  It sure would have helped out 
more with LoTW.  Those floppies I made during those DX contests I just pitch 
in the trash, not thinking their was a use for them beyond the contest. 
Being a clean freak cost me big time.

I also have played with a lot of freeware like Ham Radio Deluxe, Logger32, 
etc.  HRD is more of a rig control program with a log feature.  However for 
DXing it has some of the nicest summary sheets for band and mode totals I 
have seen.  As a bonus it has a great PSK program.  Logger32 is a very nice 
looking program and you can set it up for RTTY using MMTTY.  To me Logger32 
seems a little clunky, compared to other programs I have used.  However I 
keep it in the computer to help some of the guys around here.  Some guys 
including me have had problems going to the latest versions on Logger32 or 
even installing it for the first time.  Seems the virgin computers work best 
the first time you load Logger32.  You can't beat the price of either since 
these are free, hihi.

All logging programs these days have ADIF file ( among others) feature for 
your TQSL to stamp and then convert to LoTW's TQ.8 and then upload.  I 
usually use ADIF files for merging logs like from Writelog to DX4WIN and 
then fix everything up from DX4WIN.

So I guess the bottom line is I keep DX4WIN for the familiarity of it.  I 
like Writelog for contesting mainly because of it's RTTY capability and by 
using AA5AU suggestions on contest exchanges I can be on the air making 
contacts in less then 10 minutes.

73 de w5jay/jay..


> Howdy!
>
> Now that I'm getting around to rebuilding my station, and since so many
> things have changed since I was last active, I have some research to do
> regarding many things that have changed. This post is regarding logging
> software.
>
> I sure could use some recommendations/suggestions/pros/cons on software as
> follows:
>
> 1. Contest Logging - Almost of my earlier contest logging experience
> was with CT pre-Windows versions. I also did a couple of contests using
> TR-Log.
>
> 2. Station Logging - I was using Logic 5 before I became inactive.
> Appears as though many more are available
>
> Any input would be appreciated.
>
> 73 ............... K5XA
>
> John Guida
> k5xa at godfather-ridge.com
>
>
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