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Logging Software

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w7aqk

Logging Software

Good Morning All,

Every so often someone asks about good logging software. I've used the
Amateur Contest Log software, by N3FJP, for several years. I can't honestly
say it is "the best", but it certainly is very good software--and very well
enhanced! Since Scott, N3FJP, started devoting nearly full time to his
software (it was something of a sideline previously, but still good stuff!),
he has made numerous enhancements to both his logging software, and to his
various contest logging programs as well. It all just keeps getting better,
and with lots of extra conveniences. The software isn't free, but it
certainly isn't very expensive either. There is a relatively modest
additional fee to get his entire package, which includes a plethora of
contest specific logging programs, and it is all a lifetime deal.

For you contesters and DX hounds, Scott has incorporated a very "seamless"
process for interfacing with LOTW--something that could drive you nuts
otherwise!!! Once you have linked the logging software to LOTW, which isn't
all that difficult, all it takes is a couple of keystrokes to update and/or
download LOTW stuff. But this is just an example.

Here, for example, is what I just received as to info on the latest update:

Amateur Contact Log 4.8 includes the following enhancements:

- Ability to set DX spots filtering.
- Ability to display a DX spots band map (press Ctrl E from the main form to
display).
- Printing of multiple QSL strips on one label.

Note that many of the other enhancements listed in the contesting software
below were already added in AC Log 4.7 and Field Day Contest Log 4.3.

Amateur Contact log 4.8 has actually already been on the website a little
over a week. This is the first opportunity I've had to send out the
announcement because of other scheduling commitments.

Anyway, I'm not "hawking" this software so much as I am reporting that it
works, and works well. I do know a lot of folks who have gone to this
software recently, and they all seem to be pleased with it.

The main thing, perhaps, is that the creator of the software is pretty much
devoting full time to the software's development, and that should be a big
plus. Also, they are very receptive to suggestions for enhancements. If
you want to take a look, go to www.n3fjp.com.

Dave W7AQK

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NK7Z

Re: Logging Software

Hi,
I did a review of both versions of ACLog 3.x, and 4.x here:
http://nk7z.net/review-of-n3fjps-ac-log-4/

--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Tue, 2014-08-26 at 04:49 -0700, [hidden email] wrote:

> Good Morning All,
>
> Every so often someone asks about good logging software. I've used the
> Amateur Contest Log software, by N3FJP, for several years. I can't honestly
> say it is "the best", but it certainly is very good software--and very well
> enhanced! Since Scott, N3FJP, started devoting nearly full time to his
> software (it was something of a sideline previously, but still good stuff!),
> he has made numerous enhancements to both his logging software, and to his
> various contest logging programs as well. It all just keeps getting better,
> and with lots of extra conveniences. The software isn't free, but it
> certainly isn't very expensive either. There is a relatively modest
> additional fee to get his entire package, which includes a plethora of
> contest specific logging programs, and it is all a lifetime deal.
>
> For you contesters and DX hounds, Scott has incorporated a very "seamless"
> process for interfacing with LOTW--something that could drive you nuts
> otherwise!!! Once you have linked the logging software to LOTW, which isn't
> all that difficult, all it takes is a couple of keystrokes to update and/or
> download LOTW stuff. But this is just an example.
>
> Here, for example, is what I just received as to info on the latest update:
>
>
> Amateur Contact Log 4.8 includes the following enhancements:
>
> - Ability to set DX spots filtering.
> - Ability to display a DX spots band map (press Ctrl E from the main form to
> display).
> - Printing of multiple QSL strips on one label.
>
> Note that many of the other enhancements listed in the contesting software
> below were already added in AC Log 4.7 and Field Day Contest Log 4.3.
>
> Amateur Contact log 4.8 has actually already been on the website a little
> over a week. This is the first opportunity I've had to send out the
> announcement because of other scheduling commitments.
>
>
> Anyway, I'm not "hawking" this software so much as I am reporting that it
> works, and works well. I do know a lot of folks who have gone to this
> software recently, and they all seem to be pleased with it.
>
> The main thing, perhaps, is that the creator of the software is pretty much
> devoting full time to the software's development, and that should be a big
> plus. Also, they are very receptive to suggestions for enhancements. If
> you want to take a look, go to www.n3fjp.com.
>
> Dave W7AQK
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

David Gilbert

Re: Logging Software

In reply to this post by w7aqk

"Also, they are very receptive to suggestions for enhancements."

If that is true, that's a pretty significant about-face from N3FJP's
previous attitude. I used AC Log for a few years myself and bought all
of the contest modules, but any time I suggested areas for improvement
(some of them pretty basic shortfalls) the response was always that he
didn't see the point. Several other users complained about the same
thing, and hardly any serious contester has used his stuff for years.

There are still more powerful logging programs (for both DXing and
contesting) out there that are free and well supported as well, but
N3FJP's software always had a nice feel to it so hopefully things have
indeed changed for those who may be looking for a middle ground.

73,
Dave AB7E

On 8/26/2014 4:49 AM, [hidden email] wrote:

> Good Morning All,
>
> Every so often someone asks about good logging software. I've used
> the Amateur Contest Log software, by N3FJP, for several years. I
> can't honestly say it is "the best", but it certainly is very good
> software--and very well enhanced! Since Scott, N3FJP, started
> devoting nearly full time to his software (it was something of a
> sideline previously, but still good stuff!), he has made numerous
> enhancements to both his logging software, and to his various contest
> logging programs as well. It all just keeps getting better, and with
> lots of extra conveniences. The software isn't free, but it certainly
> isn't very expensive either. There is a relatively modest additional
> fee to get his entire package, which includes a plethora of contest
> specific logging programs, and it is all a lifetime deal.
>
> For you contesters and DX hounds, Scott has incorporated a very
> "seamless" process for interfacing with LOTW--something that could
> drive you nuts otherwise!!! Once you have linked the logging software
> to LOTW, which isn't all that difficult, all it takes is a couple of
> keystrokes to update and/or download LOTW stuff. But this is just an
> example.
>
> Here, for example, is what I just received as to info on the latest
> update:
>
>
> Amateur Contact Log 4.8 includes the following enhancements:
>
> - Ability to set DX spots filtering.
> - Ability to display a DX spots band map (press Ctrl E from the main
> form to display).
> - Printing of multiple QSL strips on one label.
>
> Note that many of the other enhancements listed in the contesting
> software below were already added in AC Log 4.7 and Field Day Contest
> Log 4.3.
>
> Amateur Contact log 4.8 has actually already been on the website a
> little over a week. This is the first opportunity I've had to send out
> the announcement because of other scheduling commitments.
>
>
> Anyway, I'm not "hawking" this software so much as I am reporting that
> it works, and works well. I do know a lot of folks who have gone to
> this software recently, and they all seem to be pleased with it.
>
> The main thing, perhaps, is that the creator of the software is pretty
> much devoting full time to the software's development, and that should
> be a big plus. Also, they are very receptive to suggestions for
> enhancements. If you want to take a look, go to www.n3fjp.com.
>
> Dave W7AQK
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

w7aqk

Re: Logging Software

In reply to this post by w7aqk

Hi All,

I'm not suggesting that it is a "you ask for it, and you get it" process.
Also, I think previously Scott was more restricted on how much time he could
devote to revisions. However, now that he is more or less doing this full
time, I think he spends a lot more time evaluating suggestions when making
changes. After all, it is user feedback that reveals a lot of shortcomings
not anticipated previously. In any event, I have seen him reply positively
to various queries about features, or the lack thereof. I rather doubt that
all the enhancements he has provided so far had their Genesis only from just
Scott's own contemplation.

Also, this is not a "one size fits all" software. I'm sure some folks will
find it lacking in some way with respect to their hot buttons. I, for one,
have little comprehension of the complexities of making various changes.
For all I know some requests may necessitate substantial revision, which may
well not be practical. You just have to see if it fits. There are some
very respectable brands of shoes that I just can't get to feel right on my
feet!

Dave W7AQK

AB7E Wrote:
If that is true, that's a pretty significant about-face from N3FJP's
previous attitude. I used AC Log for a few years myself and bought all
of the contest modules, but any time I suggested areas for improvement
(some of them pretty basic shortfalls) the response was always that he
didn't see the point. Several other users complained about the same
thing, and hardly any serious contester has used his stuff for years.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]