[PaQSO] 2008 Logging Software for Multi's

[Ron Notarius W3WN]

My thanks to everyone who's responded so far.

A quick summary of comments received:

Of the packages I mentioned:

WB3W:  No bad things said, and many good things.  Especially on it's keeping up to date.

N1MM:  A lot of good reports for everything BUT the Pa QSO Party.  Several people report that Pa QSO is the one contest that they WON'T use N1MM for, because of how it scores and how it treats Rovers and Portables, and how it lumps the multipliers together.  It also doesn't print out all the contest forms correctly.

N3FJP:  Again, a lot of kudos for the package outside of state QSO parties.  But it doesn't get high marks for management of the QSO Parties.  

One of these two packages, I found out after the initial post -- sorry, don't recall which one offhand -- will not add support for additional state QSO parties and is dropping existing support as state parties update their rules.  Encouraging, isn't it?

I've also had one recomendation for Win-EQF.  However, it appears that I'd have to run the app separately on each computer and merge the log later, which kinda defeats the purpose of going to another package other than KA3JWE.

And I've had one strong recommendation for WriteLog.

So, right now, WB3W is "leading the field" based on actually use.  And I'll take a look at WriteLog & Win-EQF to see if they're in my ballpark.  Or at least, I will as soon as I'm done with this month's WASHRag, and after I throw together a short presenation on contesting for the next WASH meeting (guess which event I'm going to promote? )

Thanks again all!

73, ron w3wn


-----Original Message-----
From: paqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:paqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Ron Notarius W3WN
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 11:23 AM
To: paqso at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [PaQSO] 2008 Logging Software for Multi's


I'd originally planned to continue to use the last version of the KA3JWE software for this year's contest, same as I did last year.

But there's a real possibility that we might go Multi-Multi instead of just Multi-Single this year.  (Having two fully operational HF stations is a big help with that!)

I may elect to keep things relatively simple -- ie, use one station (the Corsair II) solely CW, the other (TS-480SAT) solely SSB (and packet if I have that operational in time), keeping separate logs on each and merging them post-contest.  And if I don't find a better solution, that's probably what I'll end up doing.

But I'm curious as to what other software packages other Multi-transmitter stations are using, specifically:  
-- WB3W looks interesting but I know nothing of it beyond a good reputation.  
-- N1MM looks interesting, but I'm not entirely comfortable, based on reading the PDF file, as to how well it will work.
-- N3FJP is a package I'm familiar with, since WASH owns a copy primarily for Field Day use.  But again, I'm not familiar with how it currently handles Pa QSO, and reading the online information makes me wary of buying it just for this purpose, and only then find out that it won't quite do what I want.

I don't mind spending or contributing a few shekels towards a package, so I'm not limiting myself to freeware or shareware.  But, if I have to acquire something, I want a software app that will work with two independant stations, and will be relatively easy to use -- and I need enough time to become familiar with it, since I'll have to show some of the operators how to use it "on the fly."

Any suggestions or thoughts welcome!

73, ron w3wn