I Switched to a Different Logging Program (video #2)

#hamradio #contact #logging #software
In my early days of amateur radio, I used the ARRL paper logbook. In 1996, I created my own logbook software application, built on MS Access. I used that logging program until a few years ago, when I switched to Ham Radio Deluxe. But there was another logging program I tried just before switching to HRD. I really liked that one. The logging portion of that program was superior to HRD. But HRD had the ability to control my radio, mimicking the buttons and knobs. I have since found that I rarely ever use those features. I prefer to press buttons and turn knobs. So, I decided to go back to the program that provides better logging. You will see it in this video. In fact, I conducted a poll of my Patreon team members and this program was a runaway favorite.
Note: The only limitation I have noted thus far is that I can only post a DX Cluster spot for the last entry in my logbook, and there is no option to post a comment related to the spot, such as “up 1.2kHz” or “59 to Eastern USA”, etc.
At the end of this video, you will be able to see a listing of some of the supporters of this channel who made this video possible. These are people who have supported the channel via Patreon membership, as what I call long-haulers. Long-haulers have supported the channel on a long-term basis. There are 4 levels of Patreon membership, including S5 (Associate), S7 (Executive), S9 (VIP), and S9+ (VIP+). S9+ (VIP+) denotes an S9 (VIP) member who voluntarily chooses to give over and above the amount for S9 (VIP) membership. They help me continue to produce videos even though most people do not contribute toward the cost of my mission. Without their support, I cannot bring my viewers uncensored content.
I hope you enjoy this video and find it helpful. If you find my channel informative and entertaining, I hope you will consider joining my support group by clicking on: www.patreon.com/N4HNH There are 3 levels of support, including exclusive content. Visibility of premium content is determined by the level of membership you choose. The higher the membership level, the more content you have access to. VIP members are invited to participate in periodic Zoom meetings.
Most videos are visible to the Patreon team members long before they are released for public viewing. Some videos are never released for public viewing. Yearly S7 (Executive) and S9 (VIP) members have access to the menu optimizations PDFs I’ve written for the FT-891, FT-991A, FTdx5000MP, FTdx101D/MP, FTdx10, and FT-710 AESS. Yearly S7 (Executive) members can receive one menu optimizations PDF while yearly S9 (VIP) members can receive multiple menu optimizations documents, plus my FT8 configuration guide for either the FTdx10 or the FT-710 AESS. Future radios might be added. The documents are copyrighted. They shall not be divulged to anyone else without written permission from Doug McAlexander, callsign N4HNH.
N4HNH Radio has a Web site where you can purchase T-shirts with some of the sayings you might hear in the videos. Some of the more prominent videos are featured there as well as a page geared toward ham radio training. Go to: www.n4hnhradio.com
Another great way to help support this channel is to click like and subscribe.
73, de N4HNH

[@W4KWS]

Excellent video, I just wanted to let you know you were a great inspiration for me to start my own KZbin channel, with your help my FTDX-10 has been sounding incredible and breaking pileups like a sledgehammer. Thank you. From Key West Florida W4KWS

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m glad you found my videos inspiring. 73

[@Affirmatech]

Sending a big "Thank You!" for your coverage of N3FJP Software's AC Log! All of us here appreciate it and it's always helpful to see the workflows of our customers and the features that bring value to their logging experience. Thanks again and 73!

[@n4hnhradio]

I appreciate your attention to detail while at the same time making the software easy and intuitive to set up and use. I’m currently using the demo but I intend to pay for the entire suite. 73, de N4HNH P.S. I got busy logging a couple of DX stations. I was able to spot the last contact by using the button labeled as such. How do I spot the one before the last contact?

[@Affirmatech]

@@n4hnhradio Currently, we don't have a quick method to spot stations prior to the last contact, but we will certainly take note of the idea!

[@n4hnhradio]

Thank you! With my previous logging software, I was able to edit the entry and click Spot. A dialog would popup with the callsign, frequency/mode and a field to type in an optional note, such as “59 to the Eastern USA” or “up 1.2kHz”, etc. After clicking OK, the Spot was sent to the DX Cluster.

[@johnm0jfe]

I use logger32 for normal and n1nmm for contest. Some good programs out there now.

[@luisedwards5982]

Love this software for my general logging. I like the ability to set it up for pota on my laptop for portable use. Then there is the different logs for various contests and events. For a one time Fee. Thanks for the Video Doug, awesome as always. Happy New Year, De KE4OPI

[@n4hnhradio]

Happy New Year, Luis!

[@dansackrider1094]

I use the same software. Within it I use the DX spotting feature which you can just click on the spot and it will take you right to the frequency if rig if you're using rig control. Also if you type a frequency in the Call field and hit enter, this will also take you to that frequency. Lots of goodies with this software!!

[@KA4UPW]

Make a video showing that feature

[@allenpamscofield]

I've used AC Log since getting on HF in 2007. It's very easy to use and I love the DX spotting.

[@SteveWaterhouse]

Thanks for showing me the N3FJP program. The Contact Log is great, but the contest logs that come with it are amazing.

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m glad you like it. I’m pleased with it myself.

[@geod3589]

I have both HRD and N4FJP, plus 2 others and have demo's just about all logging programs. HRD sure does a lot but it is far too busy for me; almost like it tries to do too much with redundant buttons, etc. I use N3FJP contest programs mainly, N1MM such a pain to set up and keep going. However, my all-time favorite logger is DXKeeper. I just enjoy the ease of the N3FJP contest programs. Thumbs up!

[@BradBarrone]

For DX Spotting and contesting it is a great tool. Very easy to use and Juliet can answer a ton of questions quick and simple. I am a big fan!

[@n4hnhradio]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jerryKB2GCG]

I use N3FJP on occasion for special needs, but use HRD regularly and HAMRS for POTA

[@truckinguy92]

I use HAMRS for POTA as well. It just flows with this particular activity so well. But it hasn’t been updated in quite some time and is missing all of the new park numbers so it doesn’t tell you what park it is or its grid square for putting points on the map. I looked at the support page and it’s a ghost town, so it appears there’s no longer support for it. I tried to use N3FJP, although it has a POTA template it doesn’t tell you what park it is or grid square that it’s in. This requires you to go to the POTA page and hunt the grid square down.

[@jimbragg8909]

@@truckinguy92 I understand HAMRS is being updated, but as a work a round, put in the K number, this brings up the grid square, then manually change the K to US and you are golden. Hope this helps

[@truckinguy92]

@@jimbragg8909 thanks for the tip. It’s already been updated with the new park numbers since Tuesday. I’ve been beta testing a new app so haven’t had to use HAMRS since the update.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

@@jimbragg8909 It’s updated, no reason for a work around

[@dondemarcus7937]

I just got into logging and purchased this program after researching for sometime. I like that it can be feature rich or as simple as you want. i think a great software for beginners.

[@n4hnhradio]

Totally agree!

[@mainetomass99]

I changed from AC Log to MacLogger DX. I would not have switched if AC log was available for Macs.

[@truckinguy92]

Or iPad/iPhone. My MacBook Pro is just too big to take into the field.

[@dougrea]

That's what I use.

[@n4hnhradio]

Great software from fine folks.

[@NSNorfolk]

I've got both. I bought the N3FJP suite a number of years ago and logged my first POTA activations with it. I far prefer Ham Radio Delux as I am first a DX'er and am on the Honor Roll. HRD sorts the countries and has a built in upload path to LOTW.

[@joelraf]

Very clean look. This software is big with contest stations. I believe you can load a master file of data on contesters that helps populate some of the typical exchange data. I am not well versed, so terminology may be off. Great job Doug!

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m liking it. The logging part beats HRD.

[@johnjeffrey3660]

@@n4hnhradioplease pardon my ignorance Doug. What is the process like exporting/importing to QRZ log?

[@n4hnhradio]

You can set it up to automatically add each new contact to QRZ. Or you can use the ADIF export to make an ADIF file to import into QRZ. Or you can export an ADIF file from QRZ into AC Log.

[@mark12.31]

I bought it and have used it. I also own HRD. I keep going back to HRD because I can run it with rig control AND logger at the same time. Not saying anything bad about N3FJP but this is why I tend to use HRD more. Rig control is handy for 'spinning the dial' by 1 kHz or 10 kHz or even 100 kHz at a time (or even MHz, of course) whereas the VFO knob is much more granular and takes a while to get to the same point. I hunt POTA a lot and sometimes those stations are all over the band. Anyway, just an example of "every operator operates in their own way". And, who knows, I may change my operating style at some point. N3FJP has some great features for sure. And the developers are great folks.

[@n4hnhradio]

I prefer to press buttons and rotate knobs, so abandoning Ham Radio Deluxe was no problem. I am primarily interested in logging and the N3FJP software wins for logging without question.

[@peterfulton3834]

You can add notes to your spot last by right clicking the button.

[@n4hnhradio]

I will try right-clicking over the icon for spot last? What I actually asked the developer for was to be able to spot any record by right-clicking over the record.

[@KA4UPW]

I think this is the one for me..

[@n4hnhradio]

I’m very pleased with it. I did reach out to them about one improvement idea. They liked the idea.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Another great Video. Right now the biggest issue I have with HRD is that it doesn’t get radio data from VFO B on my DX-10. Is that a Yaesu shortcoming or is N3FJP able to get that data? Yes, it’s a 1 time fee to use forever. We use them for Fd and I use them for the Delaware qso party.

[@n4hnhradio]

According to Dr. Carper, from HRD, it’s a known issue between his software and the FTdx10. But that is for rig control. N3FJP doesn’t do rig control. That said, it only reads VFO-A.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

@@n4hnhradio yup, was wondering if it could read VFO B.

[@sparty837]

I have been using AC Log for years as my main logging program and then N1MM for everything else, including POTA. Why spend a ton of money on logging when you can spend it antennas and radios.

[@EricFullwood]

Two big flaws for N3FJP: 1. No Hamlib support 2. Windows only

[@n4hnhradio]

You left out one flaw. We can only post a spot for the last station logged. Are you looking for perfect software? Perfect software is like perfect radios. Neither exists.

[@EricFullwood]

Your SWR on 20 is not great

[@n4hnhradio]

It isn’t? The SWR is usually around 1.7:1 on the lower end of the 20m band. It’s optimized for the middle of the band, which is preferable. But I work across the entire band, on every band. Less than a 2:1 SWR is okay and 1.5:1 or less is ideal. No one on the receiving end can discern the difference between a 1.1:1 and a 2:1 SWR. The only reason we try to achieve less than a 2:1 SWR is because of solid-state final transistors. Tube finals don’t care about a 2:1 SWR. Too many hams obsess over SWR. It’s impractical to think that you can have less than a 1.5:1 SWR across the entire band from 14MHz and lower. The best you can do is adjust the antenna for the middle of the band, and, if the SWR exceeds 2:1 at the band edges, touch it up with an antenna matching unit. I’m afraid that you might have been subjected to misinformation.