Nick,

?

I am using ComCat right now. I have used Logic in the past an both are good. My issue with Logic is having to repurchase the software with each release. Both will automatically upload to LOTW and I can import my ADI files from WSJT in to the program to send to LOTW.

?

For Field Day we have been using N1MM

?

?

Thanks,

?

Eric

W4MC

erhowell@...

?

Hey Nick,

As I’m pretty sure you are about to see, asking what logging program is best is like asking which football team is best, or which car is bests.? If four people respond there will be five opinions.? ?? Bit I’ll share what I use, and why . . .

?

First off, I think the single most important criteria is that the logger MUST be able to import and export ADIF files of log data.? This will guarantee that you will always have the capability to move your log data to another logging platform if you choose to, and you will be able to share log date to/from LOTW, Clublog, N1MM contest logger, or any other “standard” application that uses log data.? The good news is that virtually all modern loggers do this.? But don’t waste your time putting logging data into some older, “free” software that won’t handle ADIF.?

?

I use an old, old logging program called Logic.? It has been around since the Window 3.1 days, and while it is updated periodically to keep up with Microsoft, it isn’t updated as often as it needs to be to keep us with goes on in the ham world (more on that in a bit).? I don’t know if there is still a higher price to get the initial load, but for the long term there is a fee of $35 or so a year to keep getting updates as they come out.?

?

Like most any logging program these days, Logic will auto-log the date/time/mode based on computer and radio settings so all you need to enter is the call sign.? It will make a stab at identifying the DXCC entity, CQ zones, etc as well, but you may need to update them as sometimes the DXCC entity can not be conclusively determined from the call sign—e.g. VP8, or VK9.? Also, virtually all logging software will keep track of QSL status, print QSL cards/labels, upload logs to LOTW, let you know if you have worked a station/entity before, provide beam headings based on call sign, control one or more rotators, monitor an online DX cluster, identify “needed countries” from the DX spots ?and set radio to frequency/mode of spots that you select. ?You should expect all of that, and probably a few others I have forgotten because they just happen in autopilot.

?

More recently, most loggers also work with WSJT-X so whenever you log a station in WSJT-X is automatically is added to the logger log as well.? You will want this feature as there is so much activity on FT8 and FT4 now.

?

The one feature that keeps me using Logic is one that is probably not that important to most:? Logic allows me to select font, font size, background colors, etc for each window, and allows me to edit the logging screen to put whatever fields I want to log wherever I want them on the window (in whatever font and font size I want), and to move from field to field in whatever sequence I want (skipping those that are auto-logged anyway).? I can also add custom fields—like “Mobile From” that I use to enter my location when I’m operating mobile (for the other person, the state/county I am operating in is more important than the state/county where I live).? I just really want to be able to customize the log screen.? No two hams would probably want the same layout, so any log form created by the programmer will probably not be ideal for everyone else.? And some of the loggers are just butt ugly to me.? So I stick with the one I can customize.

?

What Logic does NOT do is keep up with the goings on in the ham world.? It took a couple years before Logic caught up with others and added to auto-logging of contacts from WSJT-X.? Although it has been promised, Logic does not yet have a feature to upload logs to Clublog (that’s something you will want to do, preferably automatically like with LOTW, but if not, by exporting to and ADIF file and uploading to Clublog manually).? One of these days Logic will have them, but to be honest, they should have already been added two or three years ago.? Most other loggers did so.?

?

The DX Labs suite of programs does about everything a DXer would want, and is kept up to date with what’s going on with WSJT-X, clublog, etc. almost real time.? Jeff N1KDO is an expert with it if you have questions.? I tried it, but it suffers terribly from the butt ugly logging window, in my humble opinion. ?But functionally, it is outstanding.? ??And it is free.?

?

Ham Radio Deluxe is another logger that does “everything”, and it even includes satellite tracking if you are into that.? N3FJP’s ACLog is also pretty comprehensive.? I’ve tried them, and while the logging screens aren’t as butt-ugly, they are not customizable.? Again, both are functionally good.

?

I’m sure there are others out there I haven’t tried.? I’m sure others in the group will point them out.?

?

So Logic works for me.? But that’s based on my specific wants/needs.? YMMV.? Best advice I could give you is to look at the features of what’s out there, including price, and pick the one that does what YOU want to do in the way that suits YOU best, all things considered.?

?

But do pick one and go for it.? Any of these computer loggers will do so much for you that you will be amazed.? I can’t imagine not having one.?

?

Dave UW

?

Sent from for Windows

?

Nick,

The various web-based logs have somewhat different purposes.?

?

LOTW is the ARRL’s “official” log-matching program.? Your log is compared to that of others who upload, and where they match ARRL will (for a fee) give credit for that country/band/mode in the DXCC program.? LOTW is the only web logging program that will do that.? If you are serious about DXing and are chasing credit towards awards, LOTW is the place to go.

?

eQSL and QRZ logs are ways to share info with others you have worked, but will not get you credit toward DXCC awards.? For what I am hunting, they do me no good, so I don’t bother with them.?

?

Clublog has many features that help you to get confirmation of contacts with other hams, especially DXpeditions or somewhat rare entities.? The log matching feature lets you confirm you are in their log before spending the money to send a QSL.? The OQRS system lets you pay a fee online for matched contacts (your log and the DX log) so you get a QSL card and/or LOTW confirmation sooner and maybe cheaper than paying postage both ways.? In some cases the DX station wants $5 or so.? That’s more than the true cost of them mailing the card, but about what you’ll spend for a ccard, envelopes, 2 or 3 “green stamps”, and outgoing postage).? It also raises money to support the DXpedition.? Like it or not, these expeditions to the really rare uninhabited islands cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to pull off that has to be recovered somehow.? A small add-on the the OQRS fee is a gentle way to spread the pain around amongst those needing the confirmation.? If someone in a less rare country wants money, I’d skip them, as there are many many folks using LOTW for all contacts and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.? But if you really, really need that rare one . . .

?

As far as I know, Cabrillo has always been a means of submitting contest scores.? It was designed specifically for that, and only for that.? The amount of log data included is pretty much limited to only the data essential for scoring a contest.? It won’t include name, qth (other than DXCC entity as a contest multiplier), QSL information, etc.? (The contest logging program may support these things, but the info won’t be in a Cabrillo file).? There are other folks smarter than I am on this one, but that’s the way I believe it works)?

?

Dave UW

?

?

Sent from for Windows

?

Back in the pre-N1MM days, Writelog was among the best contest loggers, expecially for RTTY contesting.? But now N1MM is at least as good, maybe in some ways better, and N1MM is free, while Writelog has the $30/yr or so fee to get the latest updates.?

?

Hard to beat excellent and free.? So now I use N1MM

?

Dave UW

?