Transcript Comparing (HF) Contest Software CCF Meeting January 2004 Marko Holmavuo, OH4JFN

Comparing (HF) Contest
Software
CCF Meeting January 2004
Marko Holmavuo, OH4JFN
[email protected]
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
• Serious effort: Maximize your score!
Requirements for Logging SW
• Stable
• Easy to use (at least when the ”heat is on”)
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– Good and logical user interface!
Fast enough
Versatile + Configurable
Post-contest functionality
Enough features for ”serious operating”
Product support (bug fixing, further
development etc)
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
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!
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)
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
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
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...
What to choose...
• For this presentation we selected:
– CT
– N1MM
– TRLog
– Writelog
+ RCKLog and SD as ”wildcards”
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
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
N1MM...
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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
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)
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
N1MM...
• Log file resyncronization (Multi)
• User customizable goals for the contest
• Supports Buckmaster or qrz.com website
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
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
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 $75)
– Need to request special license for e.g. Pedition
• Floating/”Fixed” UI
• Possibility to produce own modules (C++) for
•
not supported contests.
RTTY and PSK31 Support (via Soundcard)
Writelog...
• SO2R Support
• Keyboard functionality like in CT
• No different CQ/S&P modes
– Function key functionality remains same...
• CW&PTT Keying (COM/LPT)
• Antenna relay control (via LPT)
• Radio control support (Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom,
•
Ten-Tec, JRC)
Support major contests
Writelog...
Networking possibilities for Multi contesting (NetBEUI
protocol)
– Automatic log sync.
• All basic functionality (Packet, Telnet, CTY database,
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bandmaps, Partials etc.)
CT super check / country database format
Soundcard DVK (Same features as K1EA DVK)
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Support operator specific recordings
Writelog Sound mixer level controller (picture)
Support for different Audio file codecs (e.g. MP3)
Support ”listen this Qso” functionality
When using SO2R SW based mic ”switching used”
Writelog...
• Possibility to share logbook using the internet
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(needs some extra software)
Support up to 4 rigs (SO4R ;)
Rotator Control support (COM)
Search and Pounce Frequency Mem (1-4)
QSL Handling
”Funny” Logging Simulator (ADIF)
Support Wheel Mouse (Tune your Rig with
wheel)
Writelog conclusion
• Pros:
– ”Configurable” UI, Overall design
– Versatile: Modules
– DVK, RTTY
• Cons:
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Lack of good post-contest statistics tool
SO2R Functionality could be better
No demo version available
User cannot do all configuration using Graphical UI (if
INI file editing is needed, manual needed)
RCKLog
• Windows (95-XP) based logging SW by DL4RCK
• License costs 50Euro/US$
– +5/10 Euro/US$ depending delivery/payment issues
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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)
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)
RCKLog...
• Support for Callbook CD-ROM’s
– RAC, HamCall, Buckmaster
• S&P and CQ modes
• Supports Quick Qso Entry functionality
(ESM in N1MM).
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)
TRLog by N6TR
• DOS-software (Programmed with Turbo Pascal?)
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– 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
TRLog
• CW & PTT Keying (COM&LPT)
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– 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
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)
TRLog conclusion
• Pros:
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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
CT by K1EA
• Has been one of the most famous logging SW
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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
CT by K1EA
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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)
CT By K1EA
• All basic functionality (CTY database,
bandmaps, Partials etc.)
• Telnet support available with external
software (Windows SW)
CT Conclusion
• Pros:
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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)
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
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
SD
• CW-Keying via serial ports
– parallel in DOS
• Cabrillo/ADIF support
SD
• Pros:
– Simple
– Screen space is efficiently used
– Demo version available
• Cons:
– No support for packet/network
– No SO2R support
Feature Comparison
DOS SW
Windows SW
Multi support
RTTY Support
TNC Support
Telnet Support
SO2R Support
Sound Card DVK
Audio Recording
CT N6TR WL N1MM RC
K
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
*
x
x
x
?
x
x
x
x
x
*
*
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
*
x
x
x
-
-
x
x
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SD
x
x
-
Feature Comparison
CT
Rig Control
CW+PTT
LPT Interface
Cabrillo Support
Rotator Control
External Keyer Support
CQ / S&P Modes
Free Demo / full
version
x
x
x
x
x
?
x
N6TR WL N1MM RCK S
D
x
x
x
x x
x
x
x
x x*
x
x
x
x x*
x
x
x
x x
x
x
x
?
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x x
Feature Comparison
CT
Paddle input
Price
N6TR WL N1M RC SD
M
K
x
x
x*
Free $75 $75 Free $50 £25
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.
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