Logging Programs

[Robert Shields]

Marie (KC1RMS) and I (KC1RLS) are in the final stages of getting our station up and running.  My questions concern logging programs and what we should be using.

First, let me say that we plan on contesting, working special events and working towards personal achievement goals (WAS, WAG, etc) and using all modes.

1. LOTW seems to be the major starting point.  Like many of the log books that I’ve seen, the master log book is stored on the host server and the day to day transactions reside on the clients PC and must be transferred occasionally.  It seems pretty straight forward, but maybe not.  Is it correct to say that everyone needs this logging program (LOTW)?
2. Contesting programs like N1MM act as temporary client loggers with transfer capabilities to a number of  off-site “master loggers”; LOTW, ClubLog and QRZ to name a few.  My research has indicated that each master logger has features that others don’t offer.  Do you need to use each of these “master” logs to be fully covered for all contests and multiple accomplishment awards like Worked all States, or Worked all Grids besides a contest like 13 Colonies or QSO parties?  Are there other master logging programs that are out there that we should also use?
3. Assuming that the answer to question 2 is that you need them all, depending on the contest or event,  what is the proper sequence for logging?  Is LOTW my “personal” log for everything, QRZ is for contesting, ClubLog is for contesting using the N1FD call sign operated by “KC1RLS” as part of a club event?  Restated simpler, save the log from N1MM to LOTW, QRZ, ClubLog & 3830Scores?  Since QRZ claims to fill in the blanks on missing data, I assume they use the FCC database and other sources that perhaps LOTW doesn’t have.  Do you need to keep cross-loading from one master to another to fill in all of the blanks, and if so, do the sync-up properly with each other?
4. I am noticing contests or events that are recognizing EchoLink and D-Star as contacts, NASA and The 911 Commemorative event, as examples.  That being said, which logs, if any, support logging of these modes?  Some people have stated that you can’t log D-Star or EchoLink because they are not 100% radio contacts?  Is that changing now that companies like ICOM are running QSO contests specifically for D-STAR?
5. I’m open to any suggestions on what logging tools that you like.  Everyone has their favorites, but the beginner (me) needs to know what the best way is to start and move forward rather than start in one direction and then find out that I should have done it a different way.

Realizing that logging is not required other than for contests and to verify contacts for achievement awards, it would certainly be a major letdown to be collecting QSO’s for a year or more and then find out that you didn’t have one of the data fields for each contact necessary to claim the award.

Perhaps someone could create a “white paper” like Scott Andersen’s on “Contesting” that would discuss logging and doing it correctly from Day 1.

Lastly, a personal comment: Thank You to all of the club members that participate in the Forums and share with others.  When Marie and I got licensed last spring, at Near-Fest we met a lot of “interesting” people.  Many were very helpful and a few were of the generation that believes in  “if you don’t know this or that, I don’t have the time to talk to you.”  Thankfully, we found the NARS exhibit and became members.  I’m sure that there are plenty of good clubs out there, but how many have operators that open the doors to their home and are willing to teach you the many aspects of Amateur Radio?  Thank you NARS; all of the participating members, officers & committee heads!

[Nashua Area Radio Society]

For starters, go here for the 140 logging entries at DXZone. Each one has a point rating. Choose higher ratings to download an try. You should not have to pay for a good logging program.

https://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Logging/

—Layne AE1N

[Fred Kemmerer]

Hi Bob,

First, different loggers are useful for different purposes. N1MM+ is a good logger to use for contesting as it has may contest features. For general operating, a logger like DXlab would be a better choice. This type of logger is useful for DXing and casual contacts on the HF bands. Folks generally do not log contacts on repeaters or Echolink.

LOTW is an independent tool for confirming contacts through the internet.

For contests, we operate ad log using N1MM+, then transfer our logs via ADIF files to DXlab after the contest is over. Once the contacts are in DXlab, they can be uploaded to LoTW along with any casual contacts that are made directly in DXlab.

I hope that this helps. Good look with your selection of logging programs.

73,

 

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