Comparing (HF) Contest Software

1
Comparing (HF) Contest Software

• CCF Meeting January 2004
• Marko Holmavuo, OH4JFN
• oh4jfn_at_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.
• gt 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!

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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
• Raportingtracking limitations (e.g. awards)

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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

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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...

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What to choose...

• For this presentation we selected
• CT
• N1MM
• TRLog
• Writelog
• RCKLog and SD as wildcards

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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 doesnt fullfill all of these
  requirements

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N1MM

• Freeware open source logger gt 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

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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 SP Modes
• Function key functionality changes
• All basic functionality (Packet, Telnet, CTY
  database, bandmaps, Partials etc.)
• CT super check / country database format

15
N1MM...

• SP 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)

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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 SP Qso spotting to cluster network
• Time Sync in Multi environment

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N1MM...

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

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N1MM Conclusion

• Pros
• Free, opensource gt 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

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N1MM Conclusion...

• Cons
• UI framework /Ergonomy can be better
• SO2R Functionality could be better
• Lack of post-contest statistics
• Much functions gt Many way to do same things,
  can feel heavy to use

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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)

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Writelog...

• SO2R Support
• Keyboard functionality like in CT
• No different CQ/SP modes
• Function key functionality remains same...
• CWPTT 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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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RCKLog...

• CW-Keying (COMLPT), 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-ROMs
• RAC, HamCall, Buckmaster
• SP and CQ modes
• Supports Quick Qso Entry functionality (ESM in
  N1MM).

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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)

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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

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TRLog

• CW PTT Keying (COMLPT)
• 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 SP Modes
• Function key functionality changes

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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)

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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

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CT by K1EA

• Radio control support
• Network support
• Packet support (TNC)
• Voice Keyer control (LPT)
• Support for K1EA DVP card
• CWPTT 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)

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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 (CTWINMulti 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

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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

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SD

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

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Feature Comparison
CT N6TR WL N1MM RCK SD
DOS SW x x - - - x
Windows SW x - x x x x
Multi support x x x x x -
RTTY Support x x x ? -
TNC Support x x x x x -
Telnet Support x x x -
SO2R Support x x x x - -
Sound Card DVK - x x x -
Audio Recording - - x x - -
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Feature Comparison
CT N6TR WL N1MM RCK SD
Rig Control x x x x x x
CWPTT x x x x x x
LPT Interface x x x x x x
Cabrillo Support x x x x x x
Rotator Control x x x x - -
External Keyer Support ? ? x x x -
CQ / SP Modes - x - x x -
Free Demo / full version x x - x x x
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Feature Comparison
CT N6TR WL N1MM RCK SD
Paddle input x x - x - -
Price Free 75 75 Free 50 25






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Overall conclusion

• My personal opinion
• For serious SO2R operating, N6TR is so far best
  choice (lets 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.

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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