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Excel ... yup, Excel
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I just log mine in Excel. (XP)
I have a Word macro that prints the backs of my qsls, and a permanent log, from the data. When I need a special column, I can just add one. I must admit I am pretty much in the dark about the benefits of various programs. Since I went to XP, I havent had a single crash, but Linux spreadsheets can do pretty much the same thing.
WØWIE John
Posted by
w0wie
on February 22, 2006
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Free contest logging software wins?
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It seems very interesting that both CT with 17% and N1MM with 18% are free. Isn't a good idea to think about the future of paid-up (and sometimes overpriced) software? There are also many free unlisted programs so fairly over 1/3 contesters prefer free software. Sure, the price zero isn't mostly the main reason to prefer a particular program but isn't interesting anyway?
73 de Martin, OK1RR
Posted by
ok1rr
on September 25, 2004
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N3FJP
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I've been using Scott's contest loggers since I read about his free SS logger in a QST stray 7 years ago. At this point I am a registered user of all of his products. I especially like the map display of the ARRL tests. Although, it can be pretty discouraging at 0245Z on the first Sunday of November, and 5 or so Sections are still not highlighted. It's great visual aid for when visitors stop by the shack and ask what all those beeps are about.
Posted by
N8CPA
on July 16, 2004
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Thanks!!
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Thanks everyone for voting, I'm sorry the survey is limited but I did find out about a few programs I've not used before. Interesting results, I didn't realize so many are still using paper logs. I'm afraid my hands and arms wouldn't last and I probably couldn't read the log afterwards. :) CU in the next one! 73, Kyle
Posted by
wa4pgm
on May 31, 2004
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TR Rules
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The thing that I like about TR is, despite the learning curve of the CW CQ and answer routines, everything is intuitive, and keyed to exactly the keystrokes we already know from general-purpose computing: need an action, press enter (it will be the right action), need to escape an operation, press escape. Finished entering the callsign? Press enter. Finished entering the exchange. Press enter. Need to fix the callsign? Just enter the proper one as you're entering the exchange. It knows. What's with all this TAB nonsense of other programs?
There are parts of TR that are complex, but the most important part, operating, is as simple as it can be.
73, kelly
ve4xt
Posted by
VE4XT
on May 23, 2004
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I still. like NA
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I have been logging contests since the ARRL CW in 1981, and feel I was the first to score contests, determine mults, compute rate, & dupe in real time at competitive rates. This was back in the days when contesters were duping their logs after the contest with their Commodure 64's. My software ran on CP/M initially, and then MSDOS. I switched to other software in '91, and have paid for copies of CT,NA,WL&TR at some time or another.
I think all of them have room for improvement in ergonomics. TR is far too complicated, and with literally trillions of possible configurations, I never did find the one that works right. As a programmer, I know it is wise to keep the number of global TRUE/FALSE variables to a minimum because the permutations and bugs become unmanageable when you don't. TR has this problem.
NA was the first to support SO2R, and does it very well. The user interface is fairly basic (a clone of CT), and K8CC's software has always been the most stable from the standpoint of bugs. He supports the CW paddle from the LPT port, including automatic character spacing (to me, essential).
When the day comes when Dave discontinues the sale and support for NA, I hope to obtain the source code so I can add some ergonomic enhancements (especially dueling CQ's).
Roy -- AD5Q
Programming since 1967
Posted by
ad5q
on May 20, 2004
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Lux-Log
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Like other "OTHER" voters, I use a couple different programs. Lux-Log is my favorite for most casual and contest logging. However, our club has used TR-LOG for FD. This year we're trying the N3FJP for FD.
Posted by
NN4DF
on May 19, 2004
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limitation of the survey software?
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G4BUO wrote:
"Maybe it's a limitation of the survey software..."
Affirmative.
Mike N2MG
Posted by
N2MG
on May 19, 2004
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TR Log
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I'll be sticking with TR for CW contests for a while. It's awesomely flexible.
Posted by
G3CWI
on May 17, 2004
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JL
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I've written my own contest logger, JL. As far as I know, it has a user base of 1. It has several incredible advantages:
* It supports all the contests I want to operate
* It has all the features I want (mostly) and none I don't want.
* I give myself excellent customer support
* I never have to say "It's 15 minutes before the contest starts, and I can't get it to work right."
Seriously, it's online at www.qsl.net/w1jq. Take a look if you're interested. I may make a bigger announcement one of these days. I'm about to "release" a new version with WAE support.
Posted by
w1jq
on May 12, 2004
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CT vs Writelog
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We have had awful time during last WPX SSB with CT in M/M . It mixed up numbers in such a way we were not able to repair the log and have sent it as it is. For example I am giving a station No. 301 and I hit "enter"
CT suddenly changes the No. I have just sent to say 334 ???
So, after such a mess we are going to try Writelog. We've been told it behaves better in M/M mode.
Wally LZ2CJ - one of LZ9W Contest Team
Posted by
LZ2CJ
on May 12, 2004
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Writelog
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I've used W5XD's Writelog since it was a Win3.1 program. It used to be really messy, but that was largely tnx Windows not Writelog. Now using W2K (P3-650) if there's a crash (VERY rare) it's still Windows not Writelog. Setup is simple. mmTTY alone is worth the price of admission. CW is perfect. DOS is a very dimly remembered severe headache - I recall hours setting up a Byterunner card to get enough COM ports but now with USB to COM, bif bip bang done. Well OK, OpenSource is a great idea so I'm looking at N1MM.
Posted by
k6xt
on May 11, 2004
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Why does this survey not include Non US contest software? I mainly use SD for CW contests and WF1B for RTTY. Like someone else said, DOS software tends to be much more stable and not require a reboot in the middle of the contest.
Paul G3WYW
Posted by
G3WYW
on May 10, 2004
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Survey limitations
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The surveys on this web site are limited to single answer questions. Perhaps some day we may have more flexible survey capabilities.
Syl
Posted by
VE5ZX
on May 10, 2004
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Poor Question
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Maybe it's a limitation of the survey software, but it's daft only to allow one response. I had to enter 'other' but in fact I currently use CT WL TR SD DL2NBU, depending on the requirements of the contest. My preference for CQWW is CT.
Posted by
G4BUO
on May 9, 2004
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log software
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I notice WIN-EQF logging programme not listed. This has to be about the best around
and the help from Tom N3EQF is outstanding.
He NEVER fails to reply and always comes up
with a full solution. Always updates as
required on line.
About 52 contests listed, and you can make
any of your own.
Posted by
ve7nh
on May 9, 2004
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Other
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I'm pleased to see there are 13% "other" users. Put me down as another "other" user. In this era when we can't build radios any more, I find it very satisfying to contest with homebrew software. I use CQPWIN, which I started as a DOS program for CQP/WPX/SS in 1992, changed to Windows in 1995 and have been using ever since. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Writelog or N1MM, but has a simple user interface, is easy to set up, and now covers 11 contests plus a generic logging mode. Version 9.2 is available on the CQP web site (www.cqp.org), and I'm currently working on version 9.5, which will finally have rig control of frequency and mode. It already has rig interfaces to send cw, ptt, switch between microphone and soundcard/DVK and switch radios for SO2R. Earlier versions had the ability to send callsigns on phone using wav files, but I removed that because I didn't find it to be useful in fast-paced contests.
73, Andy, AE6Y, P40Y
Posted by
ae6y
on May 8, 2004
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CT and DOS
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I have an old Pentium 200 laptop which is a dedicated machine for hamradio running DOS and CT and it works just fine for me. I'm always in SOSB categories, never use packet cluster and and also never use any computer radio control (apart my eyes and hands, works perfectly fine)
I tried a few of windows based loggers but the last thing I need in contest is a mouse. So CT for now.
Posted by
vk4dx
on May 7, 2004
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TLF
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TLF.
http://home.iae.nl/users/reinc/TLF-0.2.html
*
Integrated voice keyer (14 messages)
*
AUTO-CQ
*
TRLog output compatible
*
Cabrillo compatible
*
Intelligent dupe checking
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MUF calculator
*
Partial call / auto completion
*
Radio control for many TRX via Hamlib-1.1.4
*
IP networking for M/S or M/M operation (8 nodes)
*
Built-in telnet client and TNC terminal
*
Built-in cw practising simulator to learn tlf (cqww)
*
On-line log file sync over the network
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Band info output on parallel port (top ten decoder compatible)
*
NEW: Live CD version
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NEW: RTTY contesting and CW keying with MFJ1278B multi-mode controller
*
NEW: Sound recorder facility to record voice keyer messages and complete contest.
*
NEW: Native support for the TenTec ORION
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Network based CW Keyer 6-60 wpm
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ttyS0, ttyS1, USB and parallel port interfaces
*
24 CW messages
*
DXCC database
*
CQWW (SO, M/S and M/M)
*
WPX (SO, M/S and M/M)
*
ARRL Sweepstakes (SO, M/S )
*
EU SPRINT
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EUHFC
*
ARRL-DX (both sides)
*
ARRL-FD
*
Region1 field day
*
SP DX contest
*
PACC (both sides)
*
NRAU - scandinavian
*
Wysiwyg mults mode
*
DX-pedition mode
*
General qso mode
Posted by
N8VW
on May 7, 2004
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N3FJP
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I have used N3FJP logger for the last several years in various contest. I have used the program for several State QSO parties and works great. I have used it in VHF QSO party and SS phone and CW the last few years and in fact use the General logger on my ham station LAN for the last 2 years. I have used the ARRL LOG BOOK OF THE WORLD "LoTW" feature of the software as well as the DX spotting feature. You can't beat the cost nor the support. I especially enjoy the Windows XP displays.
W7TYN
Posted by
w7tyn
on May 6, 2004
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N1MM
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as a contester on both HF and VHF/UHF/SHF i like to have one program for contesting i think this is the best program for me and our group.
because here in EU, N1MM is also working fine with the EU region 1 V-U-SHF contest.
PE9DX-John member PI4GN/PA1T contest team.
Posted by
pe9dx
on May 6, 2004
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Good old DOS times ...
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When we had only DOS all things were fine. Changing from good old DOS to something up2date (Linux, MS) still has to be accomplished by many contesters. I personally still like CT for DOS and the CT+DOS multi-multi activities still show up in the year 2004! But it�s getting exceedingly difficult do keep the old DOS machines in good shape and to adopt all newer tasks in modern contest environments. A good contest program is very easy to use (a minimum of commands, just needs a keyboard - no mouse!) and is permanently updated to accomplish all newly invented contests and contesting techniques. CT still rocks (even under MSoft ;-) Oliver OE5OHO
Posted by
oe5oho
on May 6, 2004
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TR
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Hi
Im using TR and very happy with that one
73 Al 4L5A/D4B
Posted by
4L5A
on May 6, 2004
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TR Log
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Suprised to see TR Log not ranked higher. I think more than 13% of the top contesters use it.
My reasons for using TR:
1) flexibility (especially for CW).
2) SO2R capability.
3) can send CW with a paddle.
4) simulator.
5) auto send (big plus for slow typist).
6) fewer keystrokes than other programs.
7) minimal computer requirements (still runs great on an old 20mhz 486SX).
....Drawbacks:
1) steeper learning curve.
2) awkward post contest analysis.
3) "unexciting" display.
4) DOS becoming less available.
5) can't use USB ports.
6) lacking as a general purpose logging program.
- Marv, N5AW
Posted by
n5aw
on May 5, 2004
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Top Ten
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It would be more interesting to know what logging software is being used by Top Ten winners of major contests. IMHO the best software for the contest is the one which actually lets you concentrate on contest and and not to think which button to push or where to click.
73, VE3DZ
Posted by
ve3dz
on May 5, 2004
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CTWIN
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Is better for Multi station. At WinNT OS platform is running nice. But maybe in future I will be upgrade to N1MM or Writelog.
73 de Milan,OK1VWK/OL1F/OL7R
Posted by
OK1VWK
on May 5, 2004
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Writelog
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I have only used this software a few times and so far nothing comes close, only bad thing about it is that it doesnt have as many contest as many other contest loggers
Posted by
mm3awd
on May 5, 2004
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N1MM
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Hi, I voted for N1MM. Thanks for the great software. Very enjoying for contest.
Jon, YC2ECG.
Posted by
yc2ecg
on May 5, 2004
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dBase 3+
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In the spirit of homebrew, I wrote a general purpose Contest logger based on the Cabrillo data-table definitions. It will log 'any contest' into the 2 dominant variants of cabrillo data. (but it doesn't do any scoring). The only file conversion it does is to ADIF and MS Excel.
The 'perfect fit' of 20 year old dBase 3+ with Cabrillo is uncanny, and not lost on some contest managers either !! Making dBase 3+ export a modern day Excel spreadsheet file was easier than I thought.
I tried N1MM logger, but it collapsed when trying to log a KG4 in Florida...
Also use MS Excel(c) spreadsheet HB contest logger when I want glamour.. David VK2CZ (VK8AA and VK9XD for contests).
Posted by
vk2cz
on May 5, 2004
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DXKeeper
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Dave Bernstein's DXLab suite of programs is great. While DXKeeper is not optimized for contesting, it works well as a general purpose logger that can keep up with most contest loggers.
Posted by
AD0K
on May 4, 2004
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N1MM
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Even though N1MM is used by very serious contesters, it is also very well suited to casual contesters like myself. I found it extremely easy to use and makes casual contesting absolute fun and addictive (the bandmaps spoiled me forever).
The n1mmlogger group at yahoo is also the best group I belong to. People are friendly and to the point, without the rifraf of other groups.
Tom, the author, is always on the group ready to help.
Give it a try, you can't beat the price :-)
Posted by
ko4bb
on May 4, 2004
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CT
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CT is best!
73&88,
Nilay, TA3YJ & Berkin, TA3J
Posted by
TA3J
on May 4, 2004
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N1MM
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Absolutely the best contest software available! Tremendous support via the reflector. Even a "novice" Windows user like myself can navigate this program. Thanks, Tom, for the superb contesting program.
Posted by
W8JWN
on May 4, 2004
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Old and reliable beats new and flashy
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I just trust plain old DOS running CT much more than Windows. The middle of a contest is no time to reboot and wait for scandisk to run. DOS is stable, and very fast even on old hardware. And there's no worry about some unrelated software installation changing the registry and DLLs, making a previously reliable program unstable.
Thanks Ken, for all the years of hard work on CT!
Posted by
KR0U
on May 3, 2004
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N1MM
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I still use TR on an occasion, but N1MM is very nice. I really like working in the Windows environment, the great bandmaps, and the "Enter Sends Message" mode of N1MM. The CW generation under Windows is excellent. Check it out for free at:
http://www.n1mm.com
73, Craig - N7OR
Posted by
N7OR
on May 3, 2004
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contest logging sftwre
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Have used both Writelog and N1MM for the last few years in RTTY contests. Both have good features.Writelog is more mature at the moment. Like to use N1MM for the minor tests.
It is less tiring.
73 CU in the contests de Jerry NO2T
Posted by
NO2T
on May 3, 2004
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N1MM
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Hi!
I voted for N1MM.
Thank you Tom (and others) for providing such an excellent piece of software and even better, it is completely free.
Support, requests, everything what is asked on the mailing list is instantly solved.
73
Simon, S53ZO
http://lea.hamradio.si/~s53zo
Posted by
S53ZO
on May 3, 2004
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Software
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Writelog is such a good program, no other program comes close. Do use N3FJP software for specialty contests such as some state QSO parties and QRPARCI events.
John K3MD
Posted by
K3MD
on May 1, 2004
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17% (334)