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write your own review of the CommCat.
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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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K6JW
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 27, 2003 21:32
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A DXer's best option.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Early amateur radio logging software was pretty much limited to simple, DOS-based databases with minimal report generation capability. With the advent of MS Windows, more sophisticated packages were created which, when they weren't crashing, were still relatively limited and inflexible. With further development and refinement, we saw the appearance of packet interfaces and a host of other grafted-on functions, including rig communication and control, antenna rotation, internet connectivity, label and address generation, and ever more sophisticated contact tracking and reporting functions. With further evolution, programs appeared that were increasingly capable of supporting the needs of contesters and DXers. CommCat, created by Howard Nurse, W6HN, is, arguably, the most highly developed of the currently available, DX-targeted programs.
Before going any farther, let me state that I have no business relationship with W6HN or his software business. I'm a user of CommCat who has acquired enough experience running the program and interacting with Howard to share some thoughts about both with those considering taking the plunge into a very sophisticated and specialized amateur radio software application.
While CommCat can be used for general logging, it is specifically designed to support the DXer. For many years, I used another program for all my logging and, although intrigued by CommCat when I first saw it at the International DX Convention in Visalia in 2002, I wasn't sufficiently motivated to rush into the misery of the data conversion that would be necessary to get my log (dating back to 1958) transferred from the program I was using into CommCat. A few weeks later, however, at the Dayton Hamvention, I once again spoke with Howard and, on "considered impulse", purchased Version 1. For the next six months I played with it, downloading Howard's incremental upgrades from his website as each was issued until, finally, I decided that this work-in-progress had advanced enough that I really had to make the switch from my former logging program in order to support my worsening DX habit. As I encountered some difficulties with the importing of my log, Howard was consistently helpful, working almost in real time with me via volleys of e-mail to get everything properly moved and placed in the correct fields. In the process, Howard's guidance led me to a greater understanding ADIF data interchange and the structure both of my former program and of CommCat. Even more impressive, as I progressively voiced a wish list of capabilities and a number of concerns over program limitations I was encountering, Howard quickly made changes in the program that addressed every one of my issues. Sometimes he accomplished this on the same day but in no case did it take longer than overnight.
I have now been fully up and running on CommCat for several months, during which time Howard has released Version 2 and worked with users, including me, to resolve a few more issues and further polish the program's performance. CommCat functions as it should and provides me with a wealth of supportive information and operating flexibility tailored to my specific needs and desires. Here's pretty much what it does: logging, DX spotting which is highly configurable according to user-set rules and which interfaces with both packet (e.g., PacketCluster, DX Spider) nodes and internet sources, DX plotting by callsign (and other info, if desired) on a visual spectrum, DX stations' operating pattern tracking over time, spectrum monitoring, callsign lookup from CD-ROM or the internet with extensive country information that includes maps, full rig (up to three radios) and rotor interfacing, and complete DX award tracking and reporting. It even includes the ability to track which contacts have been submitted and checked for credit. Many of the screens allow the user a measure of cosmetic customization and control over the actual data elements displayed. For example, the advanced logging screen permits selection of displayed fields, field order, font and color. The spotting screen allows the user to filter spots according to a variety of rules, to display different types of spots in different colors, and it even has a separate packet display screen (i.e., separate from the main packet interface screen) that can be brought up if desired for monitoring purposes. The degree of configurability is greater than this review can detail in limited space.
CommCat in Version 2 is much less a work in progress than it was in Version 1. Nevertheless, it's my guess that Howard will continue make incremental improvements based upon his own ideas as well as those of his users. Support for users is abundant. There is a CommCat user community connected through an e-mail reflector as well as a nicely organized (but not highly accessed, to date) online forum. Howard almost always responds to e-mails within minutes to a few hours.
Wrinkles and shortcomings? Very few. The manual, while excellent for basic operation, still lacks certain details which, if included, would have decreased the amount of e-mail that I've sent to Howard requesting guidance for more advanced setup and operation. Also, I'd like to see the program offer the user the ability to create one or two custom fields. Finally, ongoing use has continued to turn up some very minor issues in report generation. Howard has responded to each of these quickly and comprehensively but one can't help but suspect that there may still be a few undiscovered program flaws lurking out there, waiting for the opportunity to reveal themselves as the program receives increasing use. Still, these shortcomings are clearly minor and far less troublesome than some of those I've encountered with other logging software. For example, one contest logging program I recently had occasion to try was extensively but so poorly documented and personally supported that I finally gave up trying to custom configure it for even the simplest of contest applications.
In summary, while CommCat is still evolving and going through a measure of shake-out in real-world use, it has reached levels of sophistication, capability and reliability that are impressive, and I am very comfortable with the decision I made to switch to CommCat in light of my primary interest in DXing. Although CommCat might not be my first choice as a general logging program, it serves that purpose well enough for me. The one exception to this is contesting, for which a dedicated contest logging program with a full range of contest-specific modules offers significant advantages. If your primary operating interest is DX, however, CommCat is well worth serious consideration. Rating: 5/5.
(NOTE: In fairness to my previous, general logging program, LOGic, and the superior service and support offered by its creator, Dennis Hevener, WN4AZY, I must say that LOGic has served me extraordinarily well for many years and would have continued to do so had CommCat, with its DX-centric focus, not come along to meet my special interest needs. If highly configurable, general logging with some DXing and some contesting capability is what you need, then LOGic has more than enough built into it to keep you happy. Furthermore, Dennis, in the same way as Howard with CommCat, is consistently and readily available with answers to users' questions and for assistance with problem solving. After almost a decade using LOGic, I think it only fair to acknowledge Dennis' great achievement with that program and all of his tremendous help and support. My heart is in DX, though, and for that, CommCat has the edge.)
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RV3APM
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 24, 2003 03:35
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Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It is great and very useful software. I can look all DX on my screen. Great work with my TT Pegasus and TS-2000.
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KC2GUY
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 22, 2003 18:21
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FUN FUN FUN
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I looked into all the computer operating programs out there that are advertised. Many of the so called free (freeware) ones also. I learned quickly, dont waste your time, you get what you pay for. Then I chose CommCat as I have read other reviews and went to the CommCat web site to see the demo. I liked the demo downloads and the movie on the web site, so I jumped in for the complete package.
The disk came after about 4 days from Howard Nurse, the CommCat developer. He was great with any questions I had. Responses were almost immediate!! The program is very intuitive. So if you are afraid of linking your rig to your computer, dont be, as this program makes it seamless. Go to the web site and see what it does. I was "astounded" My yaesu 1000MP is now getting service and my old Icom back up rig doesnt have the level converter in it to operate the Computer interface. Needless to say, I am in cold turkey. I have not been using my rig at all. Awaiting for the Yaesu ft1000MP to return so I can use CommCat. Ham radio is not the same, actually, alot less fun without it. I can rate CommCat a 5. Does it have it all, no, only my wife does. Get CommCat and you will have a blast. Great for Dxing and logging too.
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WA7TT
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 19, 2002 00:57
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Brilliant
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am a bit of a techie when it comes to logging software. There is not a comprehensive logging package I haven't tried thoroughly. Howard Nurse has taken logging software to the next level when he developed Commcat. Howard looked at how the computer based ham operator really works and wrote the program from that paradigm. All the others, Logic, Dx4win, DXBase, Swisslog, and LogWindows are all virtually identical computer adaptations of the old fashioned paper logbook.
Let me be clear. This software is intended for the operator who has a high bandwidth internet connection fulltime. (DSL or better) It is built around the premise that you rely on a DX net as your starting point. Click on a spot and literally everything happens from there. It does it seamlessly, robustly and elegantly. The internet callsign lookup process is surprisingly prompt and everything there is to log gets logged including the operator's email address, the URL of his website, you name it. The interface with DXAtlas is rapid and cleverly displays the callsign of the station on the map. There are some DX tracking features and other innovative methods of graphically displaying the spots These features are unique only to this software. Other unique features include an immediate internet search of the real-time weather report of region of the DX station you are logging.
Most notable, in the short time I have worked with this program Howard Nurse has responded to email requests I have made with prompt rewrites and revisions of the program and emailing me these software revisions within hours or days As a computer geek myself I must say he is a truly creative code crunching guru and a "programming machine".
Every deficiency I have experienced in all the other Biggies have been met and surpassed with this software package. Simply incredible! And from what I see it is a work-in-progress. Enjoy the ride.
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KG4OXE
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Rating: 2/5
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Nov 7, 2002 09:03
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Not what I was looking for
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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An interesting piece of software, but not what I was looking for. Does many things...in fact, maybe too many. The screens seem very busy, and on the trial version I used, it was somewhat confusing. I'm not sure about all of the web-enabled searching - it bogged down my computer. There appear to be many features that are inpkemented more for marketing reasons rather than utility. I think I'll stick with DXbase.
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K2LCA
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 29, 2002 13:22
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Very well done!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've been searching for a good logging program for months. CommCat has great features, is easy to use and fun to operate - especially with the instant web feature.
My only complaint is that it needs an interface to digital modes. Other than that it's great!
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N6OJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 2, 2002 16:12
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Great computer control and logging software
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been beta testing this program for 2+ years and have seen it evolve into a great piece of software from the web for dx spots and addresses to the control of my rotors and radio
it will handle multiple radios and rotors as well as telnet packet and the dx cluster on one page.
The award info tracks countries for all dxcc awards in one grid as well as fills out the papers to send for the awards overall there is to much to tell about here. Howard responds to questions direct or on the reflector very rapidly. JUST TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT
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