Comparing HF Contest Software

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) The software should be able to use without mouse. It is not so uncommon, that in some conditions e.g. external mouse is RF-magnet, so if this happen e.g. during DX-contest pedition, it is not so good situation. The software should be able to use without mouse. It is not so uncommon, that in some conditions e.g. external mouse is RF-magnet, so if this happen e.g. during DX-contest pedition, it is not so good situation.

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 Software developer should start to work with basic features, which will take a lot of time. This is thankless ”phase” of logging sw development, because everybody keep such features as de-facto/standard. There should be available good ”standard” libraries for country resolving, cw-keying etc, so people can focus to develop new features.Software developer should start to work with basic features, which will take a lot of time. This is thankless ”phase” of logging sw development, because everybody keep such features as de-facto/standard. There should be available good ”standard” libraries for country resolving, cw-keying etc, so people can focus to develop new features.

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! Bug report should also contain information your hw-configuration etc. Just information that this sw doesn’t work is not good report Bug report should also contain information your hw-configuration etc. Just information that this sw doesn’t work is not good report

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 Be carefull with extension devices (mouses, USB devices etc) those can have some significant affect on RF-problems!Be carefull with extension devices (mouses, USB devices etc) those can have some significant affect on RF-problems!

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... It takes just couple of minutes to install pure DOS computer again...instead Windows OS takes much more timeIt takes just couple of minutes to install pure DOS computer again...instead Windows OS takes much more time

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 MS Access database makes easily possible to write your own statistic/analyse softwares (e.g. Excel) MS Access database makes easily possible to write your own statistic/analyse softwares (e.g. Excel)

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 Bandmap includes nice functionality, you can run trough mults/qso separately and work them. Bandmap includes nice functionality, you can run trough mults/qso separately and work them.

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) S&P Qso stack: Auto complete calls: Full radio control: You can control many things in your radio, set second vfo freq etc.S&P Qso stack: Auto complete calls: Full radio control: You can control many things in your radio, set second vfo freq etc.

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 SO2V: SO2V:

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 *Some New innovations: Antenna control, band map handling (runnin mult/qsos), Check window give hints e.g. G calls don’t use 7,9 ON HF! *There have been coming lot of updates during year 2004, so it seems that support/development is working well!*Some New innovations: Antenna control, band map handling (runnin mult/qsos), Check window give hints e.g. G calls don’t use 7,9 ON HF! *There have been coming lot of updates during year 2004, so it seems that support/development is working well!

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 UI: *User doesn’t get indication when ever he/she can click things or not. *Ergonomy is not always good (color selection, no possibility to configure colours) *General UI look and feel is not professional, it can be. *Lot of different colors used, e.g. UI: *User doesn’t get indication when ever he/she can click things or not. *Ergonomy is not always good (color selection, no possibility to configure colours) *General UI look and feel is not professional, it can be. *Lot of different colors used, e.g.

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) SO2R: E.g no DUAL CQ, not so much macros for e.g. instat qsy for 2nd radio frequncy I had some timing problems with laptop+writelog+CW.SO2R: E.g no DUAL CQ, not so much macros for e.g. instat qsy for 2nd radio frequncy I had some timing problems with laptop+writelog+CW.

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 *Many people indicate that they have been using trlog under dos-promt with 95-ME. SO2R support is very good, dual cq:s, bandmaps etc. -N6TR was first program where SO2R support was available*Many people indicate that they have been using trlog under dos-promt with 95-ME. SO2R support is very good, dual cq:s, bandmaps etc. -N6TR was first program where SO2R support was available

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) Post utility offers very good features and analyzes: Filter LogsAnalyze logs by including or excluding specific multipliers from the log. Log ReportsGenerate reports that show band changes, continent distributions, multipliers worked, QSO distributions, prefixes worked, and CQ or ITU zones worked. OH2MM CQ World Wide ReportA suite of contest log analysis tools specifically designed for the CQ World Wide DX Contest. Post utility offers very good features and analyzes: Filter LogsAnalyze logs by including or excluding specific multipliers from the log. Log ReportsGenerate reports that show band changes, continent distributions, multipliers worked, QSO distributions, prefixes worked, and CQ or ITU zones worked. OH2MM CQ World Wide ReportA suite of contest log analysis tools specifically designed for the CQ World Wide DX Contest.

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 SO2R: -Different messages for different situations (in-active radio message in dual cq etc) -Two bandmaps etc Configuration: Most of the parameters can be configured via userinterfaceSO2R: -Different messages for different situations (in-active radio message in dual cq etc) -Two bandmaps etc Configuration: Most of the parameters can be configured via userinterface

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 CT: No reports about using SBDVP with CT, even it is possible to modify SBDVP to support it Audio Recording: No built in feature, it is possible to use e.g K1EA DVP board for thatCT: No reports about using SBDVP with CT, even it is possible to modify SBDVP to support it Audio Recording: No built in feature, it is possible to use e.g K1EA DVP board for that

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