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Comparing (HF) Contest Software

Comparing (HF) Contest Software. CCF Meeting January 2004 Marko Holmavuo, OH4JFN oh4jfn@sral.fi. Raise your hand...now!. Who are famous with: CT? N6TR? Writelog? N1MM? Other?. Why logging software?. Not so serious effort: It makes contesting more enjoyable

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Comparing (HF) Contest Software

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  1. Comparing (HF) Contest Software CCF Meeting January 2004 Marko Holmavuo, OH4JFN oh4jfn@sral.fi

  2. Raise your hand...now! • Who are famous with: • CT? • N6TR? • Writelog? • N1MM? • Other?

  3. Why logging software? • Not so serious effort: It makes contesting more enjoyable • Serious effort: Maximize your score!

  4. Requirements for Logging SW • Stable • Easy to use (at least when the ”heat is on”) • Good and logical user interface! • Fast enough • Versatile + Configurable • Post-contest functionality • Enough features for ”serious operating” • Product support (bug fixing, further development etc)

  5. Program development • Lack of general modules • CW Keying, Different kind of algorhytms, Rig control etc. • => Developers start to work with ”must to have features” instead of doing new innovations

  6. How to support development work? • Give feedback: • If giving bug-report, make detailed instruction how to repeat misfunctionality. • If proposing new idea/feature, give detailed plan how this new feature should work • Pay license!

  7. Categories • Two categories: • ”Everyday” logging SW (e.g. DX4WIN) • Contest software • Most common differencies: • No network support • No SO2R Support • Limited number of supported contests • Raporting&tracking limitations (e.g. awards)

  8. What to choose? • For contesting: CT, TRLog, NA, N1MM, SD Super Duper, TLF( for Linux), Writelog, RCKLog, N3JFP Contest Logs, AALog Contest Module, Genlog + many others

  9. What to choose...Windows? • Windows : • ...requires more from computer • ...can be sometimes unstable • ...makes soundcard,network + other extension usage easier • ...gives more possibilities (UI etc.) • ...makes possibility to use more than 1 display • ...Can cause some timing problems when keying CW (Because of multitasking) • Special keyers are recommended

  10. What to choose... or DOS? • DOS: • ...Lightweight environment • ...Stable • ...Even old 80386 is enough for logging • ...Restricts e.g. UI development • ...Can cause ”problems” when building network, installing SW DVP etc...

  11. What to choose... • For this presentation we selected: • CT • N1MM • TRLog • Writelog + RCKLog and SD as ”wildcards”

  12. What to choose...why these? • Must be suitable for serious contesting: • SO2R Support • ”Enough” supported contests • Support for Multi-operation (M/S, M/2, M/M) • SD and RCKLog doesn’t fullfill all of these requirements

  13. N1MM • Freeware ”open source” logger => No license costs • Makes possible to develop own logger based on N1MM • Window based SW (WIN 95-XP) • MS Access database • Visual Basic implementation • Supports major contests

  14. N1MM... • Network support for Multi-operations • ”Floating window” – UI • Keyboard layout is something like in TRLog or CT • RTTY Support • SO2R development is just started... • CQ and S&P Modes • Function key functionality changes • All basic functionality (Packet, Telnet, CTY database, bandmaps, Partials etc.) • CT super check / country database format

  15. N1MM... • S&P Qso Stack • Also Remote call stacking in Multi-user mode • Multiple antennas on same band (Ctrl-F11) • Antenna relay control (via LPT) • ”Full” radio control (Dual RX ,Splits , Filters, RIT etc) • Built in QSO recording functionality (WAV) • No configurable audio codec (e.g. No MP3 support)

  16. N1MM... • SO2V (Single Operator Two VFO) mode • Statistics (Max rates, Off times, Runs, Suspect calls etc.) • Auto Master and country db downloads • Internet connection required • Online ”add call to country” feature • Auto S&P Qso spotting to cluster network • Time Sync in Multi environment

  17. N1MM... • Log file resyncronization (Multi) • User customizable goals for the contest • Supports Buckmaster or qrz.com website

  18. N1MM Conclusion • Pros: • Free, opensource => Super versatile at least if you are willing to do some coding  • Much functions • Some ”new innovations” • Active support group/update • Manual is very large and detailed • Lot of macros for key function programming

  19. N1MM Conclusion... • Cons: • UI framework /Ergonomy can be better • SO2R Functionality could be better • Lack of post-contest statistics • Much functions => Many way to do ”same” things, can feel ”heavy” to use

  20. Writelog (v. 10.3x) • Windows 95/98 , also NT / 2000 • WIN NT / 2000 (no support for LPT Functions) • 4MB HD Space, 16MB RAM Minium. • Commercial (license costs $75) • Need to request special license for e.g. Pedition • Floating/”Fixed” UI • Possibility to produce own modules (C++) for not supported contests. • RTTY and PSK31 Support (via Soundcard)

  21. Writelog... • SO2R Support • Keyboard functionality like in CT • No different CQ/S&P modes • Function key functionality remains same... • CW&PTT Keying (COM/LPT) • Antenna relay control (via LPT) • Radio control support (Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom, Ten-Tec, JRC) • Support major contests

  22. Writelog... Networking possibilities for Multi contesting (NetBEUI protocol) • Automatic log sync. • All basic functionality (Packet, Telnet, CTY database, bandmaps, Partials etc.) • CT super check / country database format • Soundcard DVK (Same features as K1EA DVK) • Support operator specific recordings • Writelog Sound mixer level controller (picture) • Support for different Audio file codecs (e.g. MP3) • Support ”listen this Qso” functionality • When using SO2R SW based mic ”switching used”

  23. Writelog... • Possibility to share logbook using the internet (needs some extra software) • Support up to 4 rigs (SO4R ;) • Rotator Control support (COM) • Search and Pounce Frequency Mem (1-4) • QSL Handling • ”Funny” Logging Simulator (ADIF) • Support Wheel Mouse (Tune your Rig with wheel)

  24. Writelog conclusion • Pros: • ”Configurable” UI, Overall design • Versatile: Modules • DVK, RTTY • Cons: • Lack of good post-contest statistics tool • SO2R Functionality could be better • No demo version available • User cannot do all configuration using Graphical UI (if INI file editing is needed, manual needed)

  25. RCKLog • Windows (95-XP) based logging SW by DL4RCK • License costs 50Euro/US$ • +5/10 Euro/US$ depending delivery/payment issues • Support major contests (inc. e.g. SAC) • Cabrillo, ADIF and STF file format supported • Online logging using EQSL web database. • Radio control support (most brands)

  26. RCKLog... • CW-Keying (COM&LPT), PTT, DVK triggering (LPT) • Soundcard DVK • can also speak e.g. callsigns from recorded letters • Supports network (up to 12 stations) • Master/Slave architecture • Supports clock synchronization • Support WinKey (by K1EL and G3WGV) • Support for TNC/Telnet cluster connection • Support for master file (Call partial check)

  27. RCKLog... • Support for Callbook CD-ROM’s • RAC, HamCall, Buckmaster • S&P and CQ modes • Supports Quick Qso Entry functionality (ESM in N1MM).

  28. RCKLog Conclusion • Pros: • Basic contest logging sw • Basic post contest tool • Cons: • Network architecture, if Master computer fails all logging ends also from other stations. • No SO2R support • Seems to be quite unstable (crashes) • Some serious UI Bugs (at least in unregistered 1.38)

  29. TRLog by N6TR • DOS-software (Programmed with Turbo Pascal?) • Windows in Command prompt mode • Commercial license ($75 inc. 1 year update subscription) • 80286 or better • Log is based on ascii-file • Support over 60 contests, more can be ”customized” • All basic functionality (CTY database, bandmaps, Partials etc.) • Radio control support • RTTY Support (with multimode TNCs) • SO2R Support

  30. TRLog • CW & PTT Keying (COM&LPT) • Paddle input • Antenna relay control (LPT) • Packet support (TNC) • Network support • DVP Support (e.g. W9XT card) • SW DVK with external software • DVK Triggering via LPT • CQ and S&P Modes • Function key functionality changes

  31. TRLog... • Separate Post-utility for statistics • Macros for function key programming • CW simulator for training • Footswitch Support • Telnet support available with external software (Windows SW)

  32. TRLog conclusion • Pros: • Very configurable and flexible • Post-Contest tools (statistic etc.) • SO2R Support • Support/development is working actively • Manual is good • Free version available (based on 6.69) • Long history • Cons: • At first configuring might be confusing • Hard to remember all config. parameters (Manual needed) • External SW needed for DVK

  33. CT by K1EA • Has been one of the most famous logging SW since 1985. • Nowadays Freeware • Both DOS & Windows (Character mode SW) versions • Website indicates that WIN95 is not supported • Binary based logfile format • Support major contests

  34. CT by K1EA • Radio control support • Network support • Packet support (TNC) • Voice Keyer control (LPT) • Support for K1EA DVP card • CW&PTT keying • Rotator support • Antenna relay control (via LPT)

  35. CT By K1EA • All basic functionality (CTY database, bandmaps, Partials etc.) • Telnet support available with external software (Windows SW)

  36. CT Conclusion • Pros: • Easy to use and learn • Freeware • Long history • Support/bug fixing is still alive. • Cons: • SO2R support • Feedback indicates that it can be quite unstable in some environments (CTWIN+Multi operation)

  37. SD • EI5DI has made a collection for Logging • 9 Different programs • SD/WIN for windows (Character-based) • SD/DOS for DOS • Many different programs for other purposes • SDI for IOTA, SDU for UBA, SDI for RSGB Common wealth etc... • Inteded for Single OP Unassisted classes

  38. SD... • All basic functionality (Dupe check, Multiplier check, Partial check, Beam headings) • Supports master.dta for super check partial • Support some of the most known contests • Radio support for Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu

  39. SD • CW-Keying via serial ports • parallel in DOS • Cabrillo/ADIF support

  40. SD • Pros: • Simple • Screen space is efficiently used • Demo version available • Cons: • No support for packet/network • No SO2R support

  41. Feature Comparison

  42. Feature Comparison

  43. Feature Comparison

  44. Overall conclusion • My personal opinion: • For serious SO2R operating, N6TR is so far best choice (let’s see how N1MM SW will ”grow”) • For SO1R(Assisted) + Multi operations there are not ”solid” answer: Check N1MM first to see if it could be your choice, if license cost is not problem, get familiar with Writelog and compare it against N1MM and CT.

  45. Future: • Electronic QSL service support (LOTW, eQSL) • SW Based SO2R audio switching (using Soundcards) • Put more focus for smooth SO2R operating • Real-time ”analyse”/support functionality

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