We opened up the net at around 9:00 p.m. and were immediately plagued with problems, kf5rd, Pete, had trouble linking things up through his HT and had to tap ae5ft, Gene, for some help. Then as we began talking and asking for check-ins, the QRM went crazy. It sounded to me, at first, like the squelch tail was incredibly long on the VHF machine and that someone was trying to get into a linked UHF machine and wasn't making it. So it would take several seconds (maybe 10-20, it seemed) for things to settle down.
But we pushed on.
The topic was logging software. I had posted several logging programs on this blog with their web address and cost just a few days ago. (It is two down from this one.) So most of the programs that came up were mentioned on the blog already. That being said, the big question was, "What experience have you had?" My experience was limited, but there were several folks who had good info to share.
It went like this:
kc5eqj, Scott, mentioned that the University station in Fayetteville uses N3FJP logging software. He had used it but was interested in hearing about any software that might be better suited for personal use. ke5lnn, Dave, said that he had recently been looking at G8PUT, which was recently reviewed in QST. ae5ft, Gene, added that the N3FJP software is excellent logging software, especially for contesting, and the cost is reasonable $50 for all the options. He agreed with ke5lnn, Dave, that G8PUT looks like it has some great features. He added that XMLOG is free, and the one he uses, MicroLog is only $10 and includes an up-to-date logbook.
ke5lnn, Dave, added that he just downloaded G8PUT, and has started using it. He said that he's been contacted by the company that an update is already in the works. One feature he likes is that you can push a button and see if you've ever made contact with the folks you just logged in.
ke5zcz, Mike, liked the sound of the G8PUT mentioned in QST, but thought he might need something simpler to start out with.
ae5ft, Gene, further mentioned that if simple is what you want, try eQSL. It is an on-line logging system and offers a whole set of electronic awards. It allows you to make and send electronic QSL cards as well. But if you want a program that you download into your machine and can use, independent of the internet, MicroLog is simple and has the added feature of the callbook data.
wa5vxi, Manuel, mentioned just using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. He also said he was aware of Ham Radio Deluse having a logging function along with it's radio control software package.
kc5zqm,Doug, said that he didn't have a lot of logging experience, but when he did log, he used a form that he designed with AutoCad. He also suggested a future Tech Net Topic of "Mobile Installations and Operations". (Note from moderator: That sounds like a great topic to me!)
ae5ln, Paul, had a question, "How does logging software track a frequency?" ae5ft, Gene, clarified with an explanation that new radios sometimes have a feature that allows a plug in the back of the radio to cable up to a plug to your computer, with the radio supplying the usable data to the computer. Older radios often lack that feature.
kc5ert, Jeff, mention that he bought a copy of MicroLog at Green County Hamfest this year and is looking forward to trying it out on Field Day. He likes it because it works, "stand alone" without the need to be hooked up to the internet. He said he had heard that if you have an old copy of MicroLog, you can download the current call book information. ae5ft, Gene, mentioned that Jerry (the owner of the software company) mentioned that he does not have that available for downloading and that you must buy a new CD to get the callbook (only $10 at hamfest, $12 over the net).
End of Tech Net
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