Ham Radio Deluxe Video Newsletter 20240804

[@purpsage]

I always agree with "Better to have it done correctly, than to have it done quick!" Keep up the good work and we'll look forward to getting it when it's ready. Thanks for the update!

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Thanks for your feedback... appreciated.

[@georgesalinas7206]

Thanks for the update commentary. I just updated my version last night. Keep up the good work. I have tried just about all of the loggers and HRD is my favorite. 73 KD4FJ

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@TA4A-32]

I used HRD 10 years ago when it was free, now I bought it licensed, but nothing has changed in 10 years, there is no innovation, no new add-ons. These are my suggestions and requests. - Covarage map with locator VOCAP - qso count - reverse beacon map - qso map Showing selected QSOs on the map, or daily or weekly QSO map - when type add new dxcc or atno give a alert - chat with other hrd users - qso statistic (per band mounth, mode)

[@GharacDurac]

Station Master by Stu has some social components. A nice idea, but SM is still far from being a complete logbook. Anyway, this is the way for a modern logbook. I am a pensioner myself and I can't confirm that “old” hams don't want changes in the software.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Well, if nothing has changed, then there'd be a whole lot of things many of us couldn't live without - most recently, HRD Alert. The QSO count is there. Chat will come in version 7. QSO stats are generally there. The adding a QSO giving an alert is an interesting idea. But we've added MUCH bigger features/enhancements than these over the past 10 years.

[@crites57]

Maybe you should split out some of the updates and have more releases so people think they are getting their monies worth.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We did that for many years. What happened was that the foundation of the code was never getting fixed/modernized.

[@pbraun2102]

@@HamRadioDeluxe A major code update is a “wait and rip the band-aid off” sort of thing.

[@Jimbo10250]

I like HRD and bought in a couple of year ago. However I don't use it now. HRD is just too complex and tried to do way too much, like the full rig control module. It took forever to add rig control for the ftdx-101 and then I upgraded to a K4, which still isn't implemented as far as I know. My advice for Mike, not that he asked me, is to focus resources on the logger, award tracking and upload/download functionality to LoTW, Club Log etc. I really like the logger once I got it going without crashing. Just dump alot of the other bells and whistles. Just provide a basic rig interface for various other rigs like all other logging programs. I'm not a programmer but I suspect keeping such a feature-laden program maintained and stable is not practical given the income it will produce. Just my humble opinion.

[@rickercss]

you know the interface design was done by Simon in the early 2000s... it seems you arent used to Windows, as many hams are and dont understand how to focus on what you need it for.

[@rickercss]

@@keesvanengelen1521 oh go sit on an egg. You’re nothing but a troublemaker and you always have been because you’re really not a coder. You’re just a loudmouth ham that wants to cause problems and a troll.

[@rickercss]

@@keesvanengelen1521 you know I could really care less about you, you’ve always been a troublemaker, and I’m glad I can live rent free in your head because you are not important in my life, also not important in the community because you’re just a loudmouth troll. Hams like you should not have access to the Internet, because all you are is a keyboard gorilla. You don’t like me and I like you even less, but I could care less about you because you’re just a pimple on the face of ham radio

[@keesvanengelen1521]

​@@rickercssget help Rick. You need it😂

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Interesting perspective... "focus resources on the logger, award tracking and upload/download functionality to LoTW, Club Log etc." First of all... all that stuff already works. It works well in v6.8... and it's fine in 6.9. But because this is done, that doesn't mean it's ready for release. Given the backlog of requests we've got for adding new features, I think it's probably not feature-laden.

[@Greatlefty300]

Every time that you present a video update, I always pick up on something I've never done or wasn't sure how to configure. The videos are extremely helpful to get a birds-eye view of how something works. Keep up the good work. 73s WX2U

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Thanks for watching... much appreciated.

[@pbraun2102]

I'm really looking forward to when I can also run it on my Mac as well as my Windows box, and when you offer cloud-based live syncing. It's encouraging to see the progress being made. I know how much work this is behind the curtain.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Yeah, I'm like a soon-to-be new dad sitting in the waiting room. We all want this to finish up soon.

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Financial suggestion, as HRD is quite popular and you have many users contributing via subscription and most likely many more just using HRD with no financial support, perhaps (if you don't already) open a donation avenue for those who either cannot afford a subscription or can make a "conscience" donation.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Interesting idea. I'm not sure if there are any tax implications of doing that. But I'll entertain the idea.

[@rickercss]

@@HamRadioDeluxe There is Mike, you still have to report it as income

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

@@HamRadioDeluxe Well, that's me good for the rest of the year, I can stand-down my idea genes till 1Jan, 2025! I'm only good for one "good" idea a year! LOL

[@davidfradley12]

Thats it would be grate to make a donation to get a copy of this to see if it's realy what you need the full price his out of my reach shame I like the last free version and would have been happy to donate

[@haroldgretzky8757]

Can we print directly from the QSO panel without doing a screen capture?

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Help me understand what you seek to do.

[@jstrunck]

Thanks for the update. It looks like it will be well worth the wait when you guys complete the new updates. John

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

This will be the most substantial change we've ever made. Thanks for your patience.

[@ham-radio]

Dear Mike and family, please most important of all, take care of yourselves. I know you are under a lot of stress trying to make it happen. But you must take time to just relax and enjoy life. I wish you the best. I look forward to the open beta. 73, Jim Heath W6LG KZbin Elmer

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

I appreciate that. That's always good advice.

[@dr_bnc]

For rig control, you could allow hamlib linking as well, but that GPL... guess not. And I suppose the Icom scope function is DOA.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Hamlib doesn't account for 100% of the on-air commands. That's what we focus on.

[@SteveG4YTK]

Thanks for the update

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

You bet

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

Will Logbook be available for Linux before version 7?

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

All five of the apps have to be rewritten before we'll release a version for Linux.

[@theoldmoose]

I have a mental checklist of things I'd like to see 'fixed'. 1) I find it really annoying that I can't have more than about a dozen station locations. In the POTA age, that's unusable. I keep having to overwrite old station locations and that's bad. 2) Why oh why can't we log more than one station per QSO? That's really archaic. Even simple roundtables with two or more other stations is difficult to log, using that 'one size fits all' dialog box. Why not allow a 'spreadsheet'-like entry in the main log, so I can put a dozen or more stations in, without going through gymnastics?

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

The location limitation is gone in 6.9. As for multiple stations per QSO, please write me and give me some examples.

[@AllanM2e0]

I’m just curious what impact removing Microsoft access will have going forward on the new update where windows is the operating system ??. Will it still be compatible to use with windows 10/11 and will there be any issues with the updated version where some of the functions not be supported

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We already have it running on Windows 10/11. So there's no impact to eliminating Access. There are thousands of database applications running on Windows that use SQLite. It's also much faster. No change in functions. It just eliminates a Microsoft dependency, and a pain-point related to the local installation of the 64-bit version of Office.

[@kicktree]

@@HamRadioDeluxe got it... my biggest complaint about HRD was slow loading and database updating. I will be glad to see that solved... I am supporting with yearly service membership.... Especially since you have talked about your own investment with personal assets... I consider that admirable... even in the business world....

[@ths3900]

Thanks for the update.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

You're welcome!

[@jackass-ph3vh]

where can I download the latest version of hrd, please. On the site there is 6.8.0.372 only. Thank you

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

That's the latest version on the site, Jack.

[@kicktree]

@@HamRadioDeluxe that was a great catch! i mean stopping at Jack. LOL

[@maxrkmrose]

Keep up the good work. I know software development is tough and takes time. Not all bugs are features. You guys take care and Boiler Up!

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Thanks Max... #BoilerUp indeed!

[@watrocket]

Thank you!

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

You're welcome!

[@aimeiz1]

Thanks for update. Nice rewrite. Have you made log to store microwave frequencies? Currently it can not save higher than something below 13cm band, Any chance to have converter / transwerter offsets functionality? Will be possible to get 6.9 update without subscription renewal? To what extend?

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Yes, the microwave frequency limitation is gone in 6.9. We don't sell subscriptions and we don't sell versions. But you can download and install ANY new version without a renewal. We haven't landed on what features will be disabled yet (if any).

[@elberttanner6189]

arcOS Linux compatability with HRD?

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Linux will be supported in v7

[@jamessawyer4625]

sounds good. thanks for the up date ZN

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

You're welcome!

[@ChipEckardt]

Good work. Thank you for the update.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@PaoloFiorelliiw2etr]

Thanks for the info, I'm very curious about the updates and can't wait to start using the new version. HRD number 1 of log software Paolo iw2etr

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Much appreciated.

[@GharacDurac]

I think I'm out of HRD. V 6.9 had the chance to create a modern design when it was rewritten. But that hasn't changed. The completely chaotic interface apparently hasn't been touched. Time to look for something new and modern. As a long-term user, I am disappointed. And as a software developer, I would rather not say what I think of it.

[@Hank_W6IR]

I'm not a programmer (at least on this level) and I think with 20,000 hours by a team of developers you should have some sort of update/release of the new logbook. And you definitely should have a date sort already and not be something you're still working on. Like @GharacDurac I'm starting the process of moving away from HRD.

[@judd_s5643]

I think HRD development is off in the weeds. Why they chose to spend development dollars on Logbook is beyond me! They should have tackled RigControl first followed by DM780 then Logbook. What I find extremely annoying is their advertising suggests radio control when in fact it only controls a small subsets of the available CAT commands. The main reason people buy this software is to control the radio, to bring controls buried in the menu system up front to the computer screen for quick access. I will continue to use the software because I paid for it but no renewals (already did two) until RIG Control is launched. HRD essential requirement is to control the radio, everything is secondary.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

I don't want to make it look different. I want to make it better.

[@NA12495]

Problem with changing the layout or making it look "better" is there would be a lot of people that would freak out. It is like when you grocery store changes its layout and you can't find what you are looking for and get out, a person gets frustrated. Rewriting it alone will take a long time. Simplifying it as he said will be a big plus. My main issue is it is a bit sluggish, though I would bet that their move away from Access will help with that.

[@rickercss]

we tried that in a beta in 2013, everyone freaked out. Hams are older and don't like change in the software. The design Simon did is still fine for 202X. You always code functionality before pretty. Unless you are a top down designer. A good foundation is more important that a new interface. Saying that, why don't you prototype a design and show it to Mike. Of course it must follow the Windows Style Guideline. Simon wrote a good interface and that's why HRD has stuck with it and is improving the foundation.

[@Butch-y8n]

Thanks for the update Dr, Mike. It is looking good from my POV.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@JeffRumsey]

Thank you for the update - it looks nice!

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@stevenb121212]

Have you considered open sourcing it?

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Nope.

[@davidgettman4695]

Thank you for the update. This looks really cool! 73 KA7WOF Dave

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@BartVanAllen]

Thank you sir for the update - very interesting

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@markviers998]

Looking good, working in IT I know what a task a rewrite like this is. Thanks for the update. KU4MP

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

FWIW - Logbook is the most complex of the 5 apps. The others shouldn't require this much effort... AND we can continue releases on Logbook as we work on the other 4.

[@davidfradley12]

May be if it was cheaper to bye then you get more people bye in it

[@kicktree]

that was a very thoughtless comment... if you want cheaper.. there are shareware loggers... your comment lacked complete empathy... and it is not expensive considering the real world developers need to pay a lot of money to bring software products to market... this program HRD was developed by an Italian maybe ten or more years ago. it was simple but needed a good bit of work to make it retail friendly... it was sold once... then sold again to the current owner.... the current owner is not just reinvesting most of his revenue into product development, but also his personal assets. What should HRD cost? Would you finally pull the trigger and buy a copy? BTW the word is BUY not BYE.... Buy a spellchecker or just go bye bye....

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

Yeah, if it were free, everyone would use it and none of these others would exist. But... we're dedicated to making this the best for the long-term.

[@KD9ZHF]

I work for a software company. I'm renewing early. I'd love to have something good that works on a Mac. Keep going! Don't slow down! :-) Good luck!

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@Hank_W6IR]

Yawn. Same story, different month.

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@hamradio3716]

20,000 hours of development is a big investment. Do the math. The software is going multi platform. That is why it is taking a while. This is still the best ham logging software IMHO.

[@douglasbussell2111]

I have great respect for Dr. Mike…But here we go again. Another video saying we are getting close, we are closer blah blah blah. We have been hearing this for well over a year. Nothing new from HRD. You (Dr. Mike) sound like a broken record. In this video you actually bring your wife and your check book into the fray like you have done in emails. If you want cash flow you need to provide something in return. No updates for over a year is going to constrict cash inflow. How about fixing 1 problem at a time (like the rare .999 error) and updating quarterly. Or how about dual channel-one group to fix HRD little things, and one group to do your dream rewrite. Something, anything would be better than the nothing but promises we have now. I love HRD, it is by far the king of Ham software. But I like so many others will not continue to pay for nothing.

[@rickercss]

if you think you can do a better job, buy HRD from him and get your own development staff.

[@rickercss]

@@keesvanengelen1521 as I said before you were nothing in my life and never will be. I was right to block people because they were very abusive as you are. I’m sorry that you are a sad ham, that has nothing else to do to troll people on the Internet. By the way, I left HRD because I was tired of Hams expecting everything for free like you do. so once again, you’re just a keyboard gorilla and you had an opportunity to say that to my face, but you never did. you are a chicken not ever speak to my face. And I don’t have to justify any of my actions to Anytime, especially you. Now go crawl back in your sad life hole .

[@douglasbussell2111]

@@rickercss Nope, never said I could better, nor do I think I can. The fact I cannot do better is why I purchased HRD, the king of Ham Radio software. It is also why I have paid my yearly dues to Dr. Mike. As a paying customer I expect a certain amount of service in return. As it has been over a year now since the last update paying customers have not received anything for their money. Other than newsletters and videos that show a different screen layout and the "we are close" promise. They have been close for over a year with numerous little problems ignored as their engineers work on the ‘total rewrite" Now Dr. Mike is complaining about the dwindling revenues. Is it any surprise the revenue is down when the level of return a customer receives is down. So no I cannot do better, but I know Dr. Mike can do better.

[@keesvanengelen1521]

​​@@rickercsslol. No you were KICKED out dear. I think the liquor is talking Rick. Glad you are not a member anymore of the HRD board. I don't think you're providing a service to Michael with your comments. Know your place and don't interfere with HRD anymore in any way.

[@eagleye490]

I’ve enjoyed (and respected) HRD for years. I spend 5 figures every year maintaining my electronic medical records in my medical office. I suspect that as a result of many of our parents living through the Great Depression, we are all way too cheap. Mike, the transition to SQL is needed and will be a wonderful bit of evolution and I’m willing to keep my subscription current.

[@KentJonsson]

Tnx for the update! Not using all fuctions, but still think its the best software! 73 de SM3LVB-Kent

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.

[@timlarson7351]

This is VERY nice. Love the online manual functionality, since there are so many features. So glad I renewed and thanks so much for your generous efforts. Tim W4TLA

[@HamRadioDeluxe]

We appreciate your patience and your support.