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| Reviews Summary for CommCat |
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Reviews: 20
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $49.95 d/l Demo d/l free
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Description: DX/Logging program
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More info: http://www.commcat.com
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You can
write your own review of the CommCat.
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N9QGU
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 20:32
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4 months later
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have been using Commcat for four months now. I continue to be impressed with its power and flexibility. In addition, the author, Howard Nurse is remarkably fast in his response to support questions. In many instances his responses come within minutes of my requests for help. I would not hesitate to recommend this program to other hams. If you have specific questions see the excellent review in the June 2008 QST.
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KF4HR
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 25, 2007 04:02
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My shack's focal point!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I found myself getting interested in chasing DX again, after several years of enjoying other aspects of the hobby. Unfortunately my shack was behind the technical curve a bit, so upgrades where in order. A SteppIR yagi went up. New state-of-the-art transceivers replaced older gear. A new rotator with computer control. NCS Radio switching boxes made quick work of microphone and speaker distribution between the rigs. Best of all, many components had the ability to be controlled by my PC (numerous serial ports were required - thank you Byterunner). Also a dial-up internet service made way for a high speed cable connection.
But something was missing. I needed a software package that could tie everything together. I downloaded demo's of various do-it-all programs and purchased a few hoping to find that magic combination I was looking for, but nothing seemed to click for me. Worse yet, after sales support questions either went unanswered, or their responses assumed I already owned an older version of the program. Then I ran across a Commcat ad and downloaded the demo. Everything instantly started falling in place and it didn't take long before I knew this was the program I had been searching for. I ordered it. Looking back, it was one of the best amateur purchase decisions I've ever made (and a steal at the price!).
There are many features of this program, too numerous for this review, but I'll touch on a few.
First, assuming you have your equipment properly interfaced to your PC, setting up Commcat to link to your radios (up to 4) and rotators (up to 3), is very easy. DX Spots are clearly displayed and constantly updated. A World Map points to the DX station and shows the general trend of where band openings are occurring in the world. Graphical interfaces show your radio's frequency range and lists the DX, right on the graphical dial. See a DX station you want to work? Click on it, and your radio instantly changes to the proper frequency and all the necessary data is displayed; azimuth, reverse azimuth, CQ Zone, Local time, etc. Another click and your rotator points your antenna to the DX station. This assumes your gear is interfaced properly of course, but Commcat takes full advantage of current equipment automation availability.
Commcat also lets you quickly determine where you stand with your DX count, along with your standing on various Awards; WAS, 5BWAS, DXCC, 5BDXCC, WAC, along with all the various endorsements for these awards. Being able to instantly determine if you need a particular state or country, on a particular band, is great! All these aspects of this program are very well thought out.
But this program takes DX'ing many steps further than simply identifying DX spots. For example; identify a DX Spot and click on "Web" and Commcat links you to a wealth of information about the DX station and his/her country; personal information about the DX station, their local weather, country information, maps of the DX location, etc. Commcat will let you know just about anything you need to know; country background, geography details, population data, government data, economy data, and on and on! Ever work a new DX station and wonder exactly where it is or other aspects of the country? Well, wonder no more!
The logging features of Commcat are very automatic. When properly interfaced to your equipment, numerous pieces of data are automatically written into the log (time, date, frequency), with only a single click of the mouse. And the "lookup" feature fills in even more data (full name, qsl mgr info, etc).
Like with all software there's a learning curve, but Commcat is so well documented and designed, I found that I took to the program quickly. The next thing I knew DX'ing was fun again, but even more so than before. It's obvious the author took great efforts to ensure this program has every feature needed to ensure DX'ing success.
Perhaps the best aspect of Commcat is its product support. Howard stands behind his product and is quick to respond to user questions. I can't say enough about Howard's support. It's fantastic.
As I stated above, my review doesn't begin to touch on the many features of this program. The more you use it, the more interesting and fun it becomes. Commcat is not designed as contesting program, but if you are considering a DX'ing and logging software package, download the Commcat demo and give it a try. In short order you'll want this software in your shack!
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WO5I
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2006 18:47
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Best I've Ever Used!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Howard Nurse, creator, author, and demi-god of database construction who produced the product known as CommCat, should be enshrined in the Ham Radio Hall of Fame! Let me explain...
In 2002, after a brief hiatus from ham radio, I purchased a Yaesu FT-100D, put up my old Butternut vertical, and re-entered the greatest hobby since sex (or are they both "services"?)
Before my hiatus in 1994, ham radio and computers weren't really doing much together except for packet, with some RTTY / AMTOR etc. for flavor. I had a Macintosh then, and had toyed with writing my own simple database program for logging. In the end, my program worked, but my limited experience with trying to speak computer-ese didn't serve me well enough to keep using it.
Back to 2002, several very good logging programs were available, and others were popping up every week, or so it seemed. I tried Logger (which has now morphed into Logger32), and several others -- some free, some cheap, some pricy. Then I came upon an ad for Comm Cat. I checked out the website and, while intrigued, saw that the program did not (yet) support my Yaesu FT-100D.
I sent a note asking Howard if anything was in the works to put the -100D on the program. His response was an example in generosity and cooperation that should be known far and wide: he said that if I'd send him a copy of the Yaesu CAT codes (from the manual), he'd work on the rig control and give me a fully-functional BETA to play with. True to his word, I received the program with all the modifications needed to make it run my Yaesu. After a couple of weeks of tinkering, with some feedback his guinea pig (me!), he was able to offer a fully functional version to support the -100D. As an added bonus, he let me keep the Comm Cat copy I had as a gift for helping him test a newer, better version.
Between that incident and early 2005, I had used Comm Cat, and occasionally tried competators software just so see if I was missing anything. In short, CommCat is still 1) easiest to use, 2) most DX-er friendly, and 3) best supported logging / rig control / cluster / award tracking software I've run across yet.
As I became engrossed in chasing new DXCC "band-countries" for the DXCC Challenge award, I began looking for easier ways to QSL. I had never really taken advantage of CommCat's ability to produce QSL cards (and still don't understand how it works, so I will abstain from any review of that feature). However, I had just come into posession of a Dymo LabelWriter 330 label printer. I wrote posted a note on the CommCat email discussion board asking if anyone knew how to make the Dymo printer work with CommCat. Howard, again just to prove he is Superman (show-off) went out and bought one of these printers at an office supply store, wrote a module to make it work, and VOILA! CommCat now supports Dymo label printers for printing QSL labels. Just like that.
Plenty of reviews have been written on how good the program is...and it certainly is a great program. It lives up to the billing it gets on this board. However, I just can't say enough about the man who stands behind this product! If you want a logging program, many will suffice. But if you want a fully satisfying experience with the program and the man who will bend over backward to help you, go with CommCat. For that reason alone, it's a bargain at 10 times the price.
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K9RX
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 22, 2005 10:59
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A pleasure to use...
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have been out of radio for almost 9 years. I am now getting back into it. After having designed my own logging programs in the early 80's I knew some of the things I wanted. I did lots of research on the available programs... the most popular ones with 20+ responses and ratings greater than a 4.4 or so. Downloaded many demos. MOST were buggy... all seemed - well not intuitive and rather difficult to get from here to there. This includes the "big boys" but does not include purely contesting software (which I have yet to work on). They range in price from free to well into the hundreds. None of them suited me due to lacking features and/or just poor UI design.
Then I happened upon CommCAT. Only 16 reviews but all great. So I downloaded its demo. WOW! This is very well done! Very well thoughtout. A pleasure to use and for the most part easy to set up. Response from the company were quick (to VERY quick - instant), polite and helpful. The features are truely well thought out.
It is stated to be a DX-ers logging program and for the most part this is true - but even if your only a casual DXer this is the one for you.
My hunt is FINALLY over (and the frustration!).
g.
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W6WYB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 29, 2005 21:02
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For the DXer, it is simply the best!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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After 40 plus years as a ham, having written simple duping programs for an Atari 800 computer back in the mid 70's and having chased DX almost continously since I was 14 years old I think my qualifications to review a DX related product are in order. I have been using CommCat for close to a year and am now ready to give you my impressions. I have, with virtually no exceptions, thoroughly enjoyed this program. Any minor glitches that operating disclosed were quickly, but more importantly, enthusiastically addressed and corrected by Howard. I have exchanged numerous emails with him and I assure you he really wants to make his customers happy and make CommCat the best DX program on the market. I have no reservations endorsing this program.
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VU3SPQ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 13, 2005 11:02
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REVISITED
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I came back to post some more info on Commcat. I have been extremly powerful on the Radio because of Commcat. While I enjoy pile-ups, i complete the call in one or maximum two over just because commcat brings all the info right on the screen the moment i enter the call sign of any station.
This is just excellent. Helped in keeping close track of my WAS.
Howard will be able add couple of more additions I have requested earlier and make the software better than any other.
I see that some improvement is needed on the RIG control, QSL designing and managing, and compatibility to other printers.
I was able to integrate my Seiko SLP 200 Label printer to a great extent recently. With the help of Howard, I am sure I will be able to complete that too.
I am sure Howard is working on the same now.
Keep going Howard.
DE VU3SPQ
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KY6R
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 21, 2004 11:23
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Superb
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My main ham activity is chasing DXCC entities, and this logging program is the absolute best for this.
I have been using DXBase for 3 years, and while I still think its a great program, I must admit - Commcat approaches DX-ing and DXCC chasing exactly the way I do.
I'm at the point where I have 5BDXCC and DXCC Challenge, and this means it is getting really hard to figure out what is on and what I still need as far as band / mode slots are concerned. This is where Commcat's rule based cluster spotting is supreme. I also love the way you can search the log and narrow your searches to just what you want.
The color coded entity / band / mode graph is super, and it even fills in a pdf version of an ARRL DXCC award form for you! The CAT control for my FT-1000MP MK V is excellent, and it can control multiple rigs, rotors, etc.
The DXCC-ers logbook for sure - thanks to N6OJ for a really great tip, and to Howard for such friendly and fast support.
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KB3FJL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 27, 2003 17:03
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you won't find a better program
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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As you all may of done, I looked over all the logging programs here on eham and others I could find. Prices ranged from freeware to over 100.00 . I found the 1 program that could do all I wanted and had a learning curve such that after 1 night (about 4 hours), I was very comfortable with all aspects of it... Commcat!! I can't stress the ease of use enough ... AS for functionality ... well imagine what you would want and it's here ... I really luv the DX tracker ... It scans previously selected targets and if you're rig feeds S-meter readings, you can set alarms as well. From basic logging to spectrum analyzers it's here for you . I can't recommend this product enough ...
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GI4VIV
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 30, 2003 23:07
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CommCat , The cultured approach to DX Logging
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have used CommCat for nearly a year now,and find it to be Excellent in every way.
I run 3 Rigs all are linked to the Programme.
FT100/IC746/FT1000mp mk5 all are used on different Bands 70cm/2m/HF it is so easy just to change Rigs for logging at the touch of a button.
I also Run weekly net for our Local Club and find it excellent as a Net logging Programme, something very rare these days
However dont think for one minute I am suggesting that CommCat is only a Net Logging Programme not at all, for DX working and especially split frequency working it is outstanding, its ability to recognise split Freq/DX and if submitted properly by the originator on the DX Cluster, at the click of a mouse your on the split freq and working the station "Its really very smooth and so impressive to anyone in the shack".
Here in the UK we have been allocated frequencies in the 60M (5Mhz) band on a limited basis to experiment with NVIS antennas, and with 5Mhz not being part of the BandPlan in fact any bandplan I thought that it would render the programme unusable from that point of view, I could not have been more wrong, I mentioned it to Howard by Email and by return he asked me for the band edges and within 48 hours the programme had been modified and I was able to obtain an update and Log QSOs on 60m USB.
I really have only submitted my impressions on a very small part of CommCat, a programme that in my view is outstanding.
I have used many logging programmes and in each one have found something outstanding but individual that programme.
Howard in my view has taken all the outstanding features from the various other Logging programmes and incorporated them into CommCat
well done Howard a great contribution to Amateur Radio.
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AA7JC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2003 23:21
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Great program
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am not much of a DX hound and I have not compared these types of programs before, but the 30 day trial version of the program impressed me enough (connected with my Elecraft K2) to lay out the bucks on the very first day.
One of its coolest tricks is a twist inside the Spectrum Analyzer .. If you click on a "blip", it will *zero* beat the K2 to the blip.. Kinda fun with CW!
It uses DX cluster integration and will automatically tune in all the DX "spots" as they are reported. It also integrates with the "DX Atlas" program (www.dxatlas.com) to show the path in beat with the info from the DX cluster. Ya gotta see it to believe it!
Wow!
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