[PaQSO] Logging Software Thoughts

[Goody K3NG]

Good factual post.  I vote for ADIF.  A lot of non-contest general logging 
programs support importing ADIF.  If the specialized PA QSO Party logging 
programs support ADIF exporting, it makes it easy to import your PA QSO log 
into your general logging program for QSLing later.  Hopefully your database 
/ logging checking program would support this.  (Is there such a thing as an 
ADIF to Cabrillo convert?)

BTW, Michael, we do appreciate your efforts.  I can't imagine how much time 
it takes to pull off this event each year.  I know with work and family 
committments most of us couldn't put the time into this like you do.  Those 
who want to throw verbal darts should instead volunteer their time.

73
Goody
K3NG

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Notarius WN3VAW" <wn3vaw at verizon.net>
To: "Michael Coslo" <mjc5 at psu.edu>; <PaQSO at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:59
Subject: [PaQSO] Logging Software Thoughts


Hi Mike,

In view of your update post, I wanted to make a few comments about logging 
software.  I'm also posting this to the reflector so that anyone else who 
may want to comment can do so - besides, if I'm wrong on something (happens 
all the time) I want to know about it and correct it before I make a bigger 
schmuck out of myself.

Regarding Cabrillo:  I don't think that most people are aware that Cabrillo 
is really more of a set of standards than a single, rigid format.  If you 
ever look at Cabrillo formatted logs from different contests, you'll see 
that the output can be slightly different for each one.

In essence, Cabrillo format lets you define your comment and summary 
information fields (that would solve a big problem in regards to missing 
summary sheets), and what order the data (ie QSO information) is placed. 
Reading the data itself is easy, as its all pure ASCII text.  Those who 
remember a COBOL data line (where you had to line up certain data to start 
at a certain position on a text line) will be very familiar with the 
concept.

The Cabrillo specs include formats pre-designed for certain major contests, 
and for some state QSO parties (offhand, I think the FL & CA ones are 
included, and I think the New England & Mid-Atlantic ones too) so finding a 
Cabrillo format that fits the Pa QSO Party might not be that difficult.  If 
you choose to go that way.

One disadvantage to Cabrillo formats is that the submitted log won't have 
any scoring information included.  Remember that Cabrillo was originally 
designed for the ARRL to help automate contest log checking for their 
contests, and as part of the process, they automatically rescore submitted 
logs anyway.

A second alternative would be to go with the "other" standard format:  ADIF. 
ADIF was designed to be, well, just what the letters stand for:  Amateur 
Data Interchange Format.  ADIF files are also pure ASCII text, but the 
design of the file is that each piece of information is preceded by a 
definition of what that information is, and how big it is (for example, 
<FREQ:4> 7255 to indicate your transmit frequency was 7255 - this is off the 
top of my head, so the exact syntax no doubt differs).  This creates a large 
file, but in many ways it's a little easier to work with, since you don't 
have to guess as to what information goes where (especially if you don't 
know the Cabrillo template used).

I don't recall offhand if ADIF lets you store the summary information as 
part of the file, as Cabrillo can.  I'll try and check on that at home 
tonight.

Now one of the reasons that ADIF and Cabrillo are so attractive to many of 
us software logging users is that they are both close to universal.  Most 
logging programs can read and/or write either or both formats, or 3rd party 
converters are available.  That's certainly not the case with many other 
programs.  And even formats from popular contest programs, like the .BIN 
file generated from CT, are not always universally accepted.  I'd think that 
you'd want to keep conversion headaches to a minimum on your end.

Having said all this:  Ultimately, the decision comes down to you, John, and 
the rest of the NARC Board of Directors.  You need to tell us how you want 
the file.  If you want the data converted to a Excel or Lotus style 
spreadsheet, or an Access of dBase style database, or whatever - you tell 
us.  It then falls to us to make our electronic logs match your needs.  I 
know that may cause some kicking and screaming from the user base (imagine 
that), but ultimately that's the way it has to be.

IMHO, either Cabrillo (with a QSO party template) or ADIF make the most 
sense.  But then, what the heck do I know, anyway?

73, ron w3wn
Coordinator, N3SH Bonus Station, 2006 Pa QSO Party

(what, after 30+ years, I can't get a 1x2?)
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