Logging

Related wiki pages ADIF, Awards and Certificates, Callsign Databases, Contesting, DXCC, DX Cluster,  QSL Bureaus, Software,

Logging is the recording of a contact between operators. Logging is done by the operators and any listeners.

Minimum details that should be recorded are; callsign, date and time (typically in UTC), band, frequency, signal strength and readability.

Logging software makes the task easier, by capturing the date and time automatically, and using entered default values for other data.

Some logging software provides control of radios, making it even easier, since values can be captured for band, frequency and signal strength.

Software for contesting can calculate a running score, and produce log files in the format required by contest controllers. Some contest controllers recommend certain software.

A number of websites specialise in providing online interactive logging facilities. These are extensively used in propagation prediction and recording of DX communications, either one or two way. A sample of these sites can be found on the related wiki page [here]

Software for Microsoft Windows or MS-DOS

 * Logger32 Amateur Radio logging program, a highly user-configurable general purpose logbook with computer control support for many radios and antenna rotators. It is not a contesting log, although there is no real reason why it could not be used for such, and does not contain some features that might be found in software specifically designed for contesting.


 * win-Test

Software for Macintosh
Aether for OS 10.4 and above, Power PC or Intel.

jLog available for mac, Linux and windows. Offers CAT control for popular rigs. A usergroup can be found here

Software for Linux

 * KLog logging software for Linux/KDE. Supports DXCC, WAZ, personal awards, integrated DXCluster client. ADIF default support.


 * Xlog Xlog supports cabrillo, ADIF, trlog (format also used by tlf), and EDI (ARRL VHF/UHF contest format) and can import twlog, editest and OH1AA logbook files.


 * See also Debian GNU/Linux packages tucnak1, tucnak2, twlog and xlog.

Other logging software

 * LoTW: Logbook of the world. Online repository of logbooks. Especially useful for verifying certificates and awards such as DXCC
 * Yfklog a perl/curses program that works on multiple platforms
 * Yfktest is a logging program for contesting