Contest logging software
Encyclopedia
Computer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
programs designed for use by competitors in amateur radio
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
contesting
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
. Most contest logging software is written by individual programmers who are active radio contesters.
Purpose
The primary purpose of contest logging software is to record the details of two-way radio contacts made during amateur radio contests. At a minimum, these details include the time, band or frequency of operation, the call signCall sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
of the other station, and the received "exchange" data. This log data is recorded in a binary
Binary file
A binary file is a computer file which may contain any type of data, encoded in binary form for computer storage and processing purposes; for example, computer document files containing formatted text...
or ASCII
ASCII
The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is a character-encoding scheme based on the ordering of the English alphabet. ASCII codes represent text in computers, communications equipment, and other devices that use text...
format. Most contest logging software packages will also compute a running score for the contest during operation and will help track which multipliers have been "worked" and which have not. Typical contest logging software includes features for post-contest processing of the log to prepare it for submission to the contest sponsor. There is great variation in the features offered and their specific implementation, which can lead to passionate debates among the supporters of specific software packages.
Common features
Many programs offer advanced features for controlling external devices; this can include controlling the frequency of a radio, sending Morse codeMorse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
over a serial port
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
or parallel port
Parallel port
A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
interface, interfacing with sound card
Sound card
A sound card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware...
s used for the transmission
Transmission (telecommunications)
Transmission, in telecommunications, is the process of sending, propagating and receiving an analogue or digital information signal over a physical point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission medium, either wired, optical fiber or wireless...
and reception
Reception
Reception is a noun form of receiving, or to receive something, such as information, art, experience, or people. It is often used in the following contexts:...
of digital modes such as RTTY, or controlling antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
or amplifier
Amplifier
Generally, an amplifier or simply amp, is a device for increasing the power of a signal.In popular use, the term usually describes an electronic amplifier, in which the input "signal" is usually a voltage or a current. In audio applications, amplifiers drive the loudspeakers used in PA systems to...
hardware. Some software programs include specific features for single operator two radios (SO2R) operations. A related market exists for software designed to analyze, convert, or manipulate log data recorded during radio contests.
Contest logging software, whether free or commercial, is available for DOS, Linux, and Windows platforms. Some contesters dedicate older computers specifically to running their favorite contest logging software.
Available software packages
The following contest logging software packages are widely used and available. Some are offered for sale, and others are available without charge under various licenses.Contesting logging software
'Free'
- CT by K1EA
- CQ/X de NO5W GPS Enabled for Mobile Contesting
- MINOS by G0GJV For European VHF/UHF contests
- N1MM Logger
- QARTest Only in Italian
- RCKLog
- TLF by PA0R Linux Based
- Tucnak by OK1ZIA Linux based, for VHF contests
- VHFCONT by KC6TEU
- VHFTEST by WG3E
'Commercial'
- MobileLog by N0HR PocketPC/Windows Mobile PDA
- N3FJP Log
- NA by K8CC DOS Based
- SD by EI5DI
- TR Log by N6TR DOS Based
- VHFCTest4Win by S52AA VHF Reg1Test
- Win-Test by F5MZN
- WriteLog by W5XD
Post-contest log analysis and conversion software