[SFDXA] Comment - HRD and alternative

[Sebastian]

Resurrecting an old subject here.

In the months that passed after I wrote that message, I think the new
owners of HRD have done more damage than good to the software.  I won't go
into details here as to why I feel that way, only to say that it has to do
with every new release breaking more things that used to work.  So after
using HRD since 2008 when I got back into radio, I switched to DXLab a
couple of months ago.

It wasn't easy, as HRD is more user friendly than DXLab; and like Norm said
"the 'best one' is the one you know how to navigate through and make use of
its features".  But learning the differences between the two programs has
proven to me that DXLab is light years ahead of anything the owners of HRD
have planned.  And there were hundreds of issues with my data that DXLab
was able to report, and subsequently took me days to fix.  For the first
time, my log actually matches what's on LoTW, and even ClubLog reports are
finally completely accurate.  I even found a couple of 'new' countries that
I had worked years ago which HRD got wrong.

Perhaps in time, I'll get some value out of the money I paid to the new HRD
owners.


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Norman Alexander <npalex at bellsouth.net>
Date: Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Subject: [SFDXA] Comment - HRD and alternative
To: SFDXA at mailman.qth.net


Although I have not tried HRD logging and radio control software I know it
was
very well liked by many users.  Just as DXBASE has it staunch supporters
also.
I have tried, DXBASE, and LOGGER 32 but never succeeded in mastering
either.  I
think most logging programs fine that the 'best one' is the one you know
how to
navigate through and make use of its features.  Given that experience often
wins
out over cost, features, and having to learn something new or different
inspite
of deficiencies.


As and alternative to HRD, and DXBase both programs that have lost support
of
their authors and won't be free going forward, I would recommend DXLAB
Suite of
logging and tracking applications.  Like all things new or different from
what
you are use to, the learning curve may seem very steep. But besides being
FREE,
and supported almost beyond belief it is very flexible.  First it will
import
log files directly from DXBASE, and any file in ADIF format.  That makes
that
transition very easy.  It is modular in that it is composed of 8 modules
performing different functions, log,spotting,radio control, status,QRZ info
look
up,and digital operation.  These can be activated as you need the feature.
 The
award tracking is very broad reaching for both US and other country awards.
The
LoTW and eQSL interface is very easy with just a couple of key strokes to
upload
data and update your log confirmation status. Also for those that like the
HRD
command interface, it can be linked to DXLAB as well.  And this is all
free- so
when you get tired of paying for renewals, or waiting for answers via phone,
adopt DXLabSuite, join the reflector and become amazed as the rest of us
have on
the incredible response the author Dave AA6YQ will give on any issue or
question.  Regular updates for new info, features, or fixes happen
automatically
again with a click of the mouse will cause those to happen.

The documentation is very thorough and easily reached online or use of the
HELP
buttons.  I realize this sounds like a commercial, but it is really meant to
help those with DXBASE or other programs that do have costs or will cost
make a
well supported choice for an alternative.

 Regards,


Norm W4QN





________________________________
From: "Sebastian, W4AS" <w4as at bellsouth.net>
To: SFDXA at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Fri, February 17, 2012 12:00:16 PM
Subject: Re: [SFDXA] Speaking of HRD...

The price is actually $59.95, includes telephone and email support and
'free'
upgrade to version 6 which is due out by Dayton.

The $49.95 price was a hamfest special deal.

Simon Brown (the original author), has been employed by an SDR company
(RFSpace)
for quite some time now, and he had pretty much abandoned HRD.  Rick
mentioned
to me that negotiations started at $200k (and went down from there).  I
don't
know where it ended but I'm sure it wasn't cheap.

If you think paying for HRD is an issue, you should see what happens every
time
QRZ.com changes something and you can longer 'scrape' the data from them in
your
logging program.  I'll bet QRZ will soon stop non-$ubscribers from
automatically
entering their data via logging programs.  They already have a limit on how
many
calls you can query in a day from their web site.

73 de Sebastian, W4AS



On Feb 17, 2012, at 9:47 AM, Bill wrote:

>
> Speaking of HRD...
>
> In Orlando, Rick Ruhl W4PC, of CSS Software had a booth for
> his ROC Software for Timewave Products. He is also a partner with Randy
> Gawtry, CEO of TimeWave, in the purchase of Ham Radio Deluxe(HRD). I
> think there is a third person as well but I forgot who.
>
> The new price for HRD will be $49.95 for the version 5.1, but it will
> include the new Version 6 which will fix all the bugs you didn't know
> about. So the widely used software will go from Freeware to Payware.
>
> I've been a buyer and user of Rick's software for many years upgrading
> regularly. I  know he will do a great job with it. But going from free
> to paid will be hard for some to handle. I will guess all the old
> versions will be available but I didn't ask.
>
> Bill Marx W2CQ