Fw: [PaQSO] 2008 Logging Software for Multi's

[Bob Foster]

Hi Ron & All,

I've used WriteLog for many years, and it has performed flawlessly.  It 
works with many contests besides the PA QSO Party, too.

Just one thing about WriteLog and the PA QSO Party (at least the version I 
have): to compensate for the 1.5 and 2.0 points on different CW bands, the 
program moves the decimal point and makes it 15 points and 20 points per 
QSO.  The final score it shows has to be divided by 10.  So if it shows 
10,000 points, it is actually 1000 points.  I asked the author of WriteLog 
about it, and he told me that the programming language he used only permits 
whole numbers to be used.  It is easy to move the decimal point, however. 
This may have been corrected in newer versions of WriteLog.

WriteLog also sends superb perfectly spaced CW (you don't need a key, and 
the program keys the radio and sends the correct serial numbers as needed). 
WriteLog also works for RTTY contesting and PSK contesting, if you so 
desire.  It does lots of other stuff, too.

For any type of contesting, it would be very difficult to beat WriteLog!

73, Bob, K3QIA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Notarius W3WN" <wn3vaw at verizon.net>
To: <paqso at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 7:53 PM
Subject: RE: [PaQSO] 2008 Logging Software for Multi's


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

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