I’m still pretty much learning about the different options available when it comes to Logging software. I have used a few different packages over the years and but never committed to any. Some of the ones I have used are in no particular order:

Each software seems to have its own focus. A fit for the activity an operator maybe engaging in at the time. Take for instance N3FJP’s Field Day Contest Log. Obviously, its focus is designed around Amateur Radio Field Day operations. So one of the things you need to consider when choosing a software. Is where and how you will be using it.

Things to consider:

  • like do you need offline logging? If you have no internet connection.
  • Will you need to be looking up calls as you make contacts?
  • Do you want other hams to see your log in real time? (Some contests have rules regarding Real-time logging.)
  • Does the contest you want to participate in have special logging requirements?

So, what do I use? Well, I’m still not committed to any particular logging software currently. I have a more to learn before I can do that. But currently I’m using HamRS for windows desktop.

HamRS

HamRS is available for multiple platforms including Linux, Windows and Mac. As well as for mobile platforms Android, IOS and the Amazon app store (which includes android and Fire Tablets). HamRS also appears to be working on a new online / offline hybrid version. Which should be available soon. The beta version is available currently as an online only version.

Reason why I have gravitated towards HamRS:

  • It’s very simple and clean to use. This is important to me as many logging packages have so much going on it make logging a contact confusing. This is particularly a problem for those just starting out. Consider your still new to being on the air. Trying to multitask talking and logging is difficult for a newbie. HamRS’s simplified interface make it easy to focus more on making the contact then trying to record it.
  • POTA Integration. HamRS will pull in all the POTA spots from POTA.app and allow you to directly filter them for the band and mode you are working on. the same at the POTA.app website does. but HamRS allows you to press copy to pre-populate the log entry with call and park info. However, the spot list does require internet
  • Simplicity in exporting the log files for upload to sites like QRZ.com, and Club log

Cons against HamRS

  • No Rig control. Meaning you will need to manually tune your rig, and if not working from POTA spots. You will also have to manually enter your frequency and power level.
  • You cannot spot or re-spot contacts directly in HamRS. To do this you will need to keep the POTA.app web page open. (I think this probably is a limitation imposed by POTA.app to prevent spamming.)

For more information check out this video Ham Radio 2.0 | HAMRS, Ham Radio Logger

Ham2K PoLo Portable Logger

Out of my list above PoLo is probably the one I know least about. What I do know is d PoLo is Open Source according to their website. Which is unusual for Amateur Radio software to be released as open source. Consider many of us came from a time when there was what we called freeware. Which as the internet grew ending up becoming shareware then pay ware. Freeware was like open source in many cases supported by a community of developers just like open source is. But were not here to talk about that. However, it is great to see members of the ham community embracing open source. Which is a big plus in PoLo hat. Here is a link to PoLo on Github. https://github.com/ham2k/app-polo PoLo is available in both Android and IOS app stores. it doesn’t have a desktop version. From what i can see.

PoLo is designed with portable operations in mind. Meaning it will work when offline. with obvious limitations. But some of those have been minimized by allowing some information to be pre-downloaded. This like HamRS should be a great choice for POTA operations.

I can’t really say much about PoLo as so far i have only download the app. I have not gotten to use it much yet. PoLo does look very promising. I will be revisiting it. For now, I recommend checking out Ham Radio 2.0’s video on Polo

Pros

  • It is open source. Meaning of you want you can contribute to the project or fork it and change it to your own liking
  • It supports customized logging and multiple activation types such as:
    • POTA – Parks On The Air
    • SOTA – Summits On The Air
    • WWFF – Worldwide Flora & Fauna? What is this?????
    • Field Day, Winter Field Day, and many more.
    • Bunkers on the air. -> see my article On Bunkers on The Air

Cons

  • No desktop version – I may be wrong about this but i can’t find or access it.

DX Labs DX Keeper

I have tried DX labs suite of software which is a comprehensive package including DX Keeper for logging. The main benefits of DX Keeper. Is that with other DX labs software like DX Commander you get full rig control. Meaning as you log QSO’s, things like the Frequency band and mode are pre-populated based on setting of your radio. making the workload a bit quicker and easier.

DX Labs also comes with DX Spot Collector. Which allow you to click on a call and tune your radio immediately to the required frequency. While also setting the information in DX Keeper for logging

The main issue with DX Labs is the software is everything you should ever need in the hobby. Far too much for most operations. As you can see from the above image. That is just one of the programs in the suite. While it is easy to understand and setup it’s probably not where a newbie should start. Though at some time you should give it some consideration for your shack. as it has many features you will need over the long run. It might be a great place to compile a comprehensive log from all of your operations. Sort of a centralized logging repository.

N3FJP

More to come.

Check out Ham Radio with K0PIR Best Logging Software for POTA

N1MM

More to come here as well.

Discover more from KC2ZQO

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