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| Reviews Summary for Win-Test contest logging software |
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Reviews: 21
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $45.00 EU
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Description: Not only another contest software : A real tool to win !
Win-Test is the new contest software written by Olivier F5MZN, the author of Editest (a reference in French contests logging software, now deprecated), and of DXNet, an Open Source DX Cluster system. All major international and many other contests are supported. Its DOS-style QSO window navigation capability in this GUI application will ease your job during the pile-ups !
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More info: http://www.win-test.com
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KB2EOQ
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 9, 2010 01:51
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Nicely designed but limited
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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An update to my initial review a couple of years ago....
The software is very nice in appearance and has some very useful features. Much better looking that N1MM Logger or Writelog . It is however limited in the number of contests it supports (when compared to N1MM Logger, for example) . Additionally, support is rather poor. The author does respond to questions but you are not likely to get responses as quickly as one can get responses from the larger group of hams that use N1MM Logger. There are 3-4 Wintest users that are responsive and helpful, but a question can go unanswered for a few days. With N1MM Logger most questions are answered within minutes.
I initially switched to Wintest because I was frustrated with N1MM Logger's rather old way of configuring things. I did find Wintest easier to set-up in terms of comm ports and RTTY settings. The method of setting up a link to a Dx Cluster was rather odd in Wintest, very confusing.
The Wintest method of issuing a license is annoying. If you need to install it to a different computer, you have to download the trial version and then get a license key re-issued for the new PC. While it does not take too long to get a new key, it can be a pain. I prefer other applications that let you use an existing key on any PC and you can re-enter a key yourself , not have to email for a new one.
Eventually my license was not valid for the latest version and I have not found the software useful enough to consider purchasing the latest version. This mainly due to limited support and many of the lesser contests not being included.
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LA4RT
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 26, 2009 06:23
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Saved our a**es
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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First, don't pay too much attention to the '5' rating. I don't have enough experience with Win-Test. What I *can* say is that the peer to peer log synchronization really saved us when the network started acting up. It got knocked out by RF over and over, and one the computer wouldn't see the other's QSOs. Each time we got the network up again, the logs resynchronized. A huge relief.
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W8JI
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Rating: 1/5
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Mar 2, 2009 19:48
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Just get by software
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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If you want software you have to work around bugs or shortfalls on your own, this is the right software!
We needed to pick software for logging in a new contest station. Two multi-multi contesters recommended Win-test. Win-test was a breeze to network and seemed to be a good fit initially, but as time went on, we discovered it had several shortfalls.
The CW generation and interface looked OK initially. After we used it a while, I discovered it is marginally planned. The weight control is not even a weight control. Whoever wrote the code for CW probably did not know what weight really is, and the weight is actually a “ratio” control. We also had, on some computers, the common problem of erratic CW character generation using the printer port. Someone recommended we purchase USB Winkeyers, so we scrapped several hundred dollars worth of brand new keyers and switched to USB Winkeyers.
The K1EL WinKeyers when standing alone or with N1MM worked flawlessly, but Win-test has a very marginal interface to the K1EL Win keyers. Speed and weight does not interface correctly out of Win-test, but the WinKeyers did fully solve the erratic CW generation issues. The author of Win-test is clearly not going to fix the interface issues, so after spending $1000 on keyers we have a system that is cumbersome to adjust weight, compensation, or speed. We cannot use the full features of the excellent USB keyers, so we paid $1000 for a marginal system. If you never really want a weight control that works properly, and if you do not mind opening and closing programs to adjust weight, and if you do not want full speed control features you will not notice these problems.
It would be nice if Win-test had some features for two radios on one band, to allow better time-sharing while locking out transmitters to keep the system a legal single transmitter. We built an external buffer and lock out to cure that problem. It is not as smooth as could have been done in the logging software. I am puzzled why Win-test does not want to improve the interface since every station using two transmitters on the same band would benefit, but it becomes easier to understand since they are not interested in fixing obvious CW design errors or improving RTTY.
This problem extends to other issues, like covering state QSO parties. While there are far too many of them, the attitude “go buy something else” seems to be an unfriendly attitude.
Recently there was a suggestion for greatly improving the usefulness of Win-test in RTTY contests, and the answer was something along the typical response. “We will not change it. This is a part time project.”
In fairness, if you run a multi-multi and only operate standard CW and SSB contests this software is easy to use and interface.
If you want more advanced software that gives you an edge, or if you are outside the way the software is provided or need a weight adjustment to fine tune the CW signal, don’t look for any hope of improvements with Win-test. It is what it is. If you like it as is, you will like it. If you expect it to get better over time, do not hold your breath while waiting.
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PA2V
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 2, 2009 07:26
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The one that works in a minute.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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For the Dutch PACC contest I used a very VERY old program that did not generate Cabrilio format.
So I looked for something new that could go with me for some time. Tried quite some freeware but that didn't really satisfy me. I am not a very regular contester. So when I need it, it should work without a lot of needed experience. This is for the new ones a easy to learn and a very good program. I can import and export the files I want. And, very happy about it, I can import the contacts in my "normal" logbook too. So QSL-ing want be a job of opening another program. Really worth the euro's.
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G3RXQ
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 1, 2008 02:25
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Great Contest Logging Program
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Started out with CT then SD, N1MM before trying WT. A really good program, however, I can't give it a 5.0 as it does not support SO2V. I am back with N1MM which does.
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NE4EB
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Rating: 5/5
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May 22, 2007 06:39
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This Is How It Should Work
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Great customer support so far. The software is amazing and fun to learn to use. It was a blessing in disguise that the Write-Log folks ignored my order, wouldn't return calls or e-mail, and forced me to file a claim through PayPal to get my money back. This company is refreshing, and it's the best contest logger I have ever used. Keep up the great work.
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K4EC
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 27, 2007 10:29
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Excellent Contest Program
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I operate at the NR4M contest station in Orange County Virginia. We are in the process of putting a multi-multi on the air from a new location with 68 acres. Previously we had limited capabilities for antennas.
The team had used NA as the logging program for a number of years, but the serial port problem was just that - a problem.
We operated for a few years using Writelog and that program worked well, except we had continual network issues. Last year we tried N1MM Logger and it worked fairly well, but we still experienced network problems and it was not as easy to setup for each contest.
To get ready for the 2007 ARRL DX CW, we obtained Win-Test, setup the ethernet network with 5 PCs all running WIn-Test and let it run for 2 weeks. Not a burp, no problems, it worked well.
So we decided to run Win-test for the contest. What a joy to work a 48 hour contest with 5 PCs running simultaneously with a DX cluster telnet connection and not have any problems.
Finally, because the program uses the same primary keys as CT, the learning curve for the ops was minimal.
Only down side is that it does not have the templates for all of the contests that Writelog has.
Highly recommended to the single op, the SO2R, or the big multi-multi station.
73,
Frank, K4EC
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N1TX
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 26, 2007 22:15
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Deserves to be with you in the winner's circle!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Six months ago I migrated to Win-Test after many years of CT and later TRLog. It is a true powerhouse and a superb fit for any contest station, single or multi. This is in large part due to its customizable features. Win-Test is not a PC resource hog and will gallop comfortably on an old Pentium box. Minimum requirements are P166 and 32 MB RAM running any 32-bit Windows O/S.
Those users familiar with the other contesting software mentioned above will find a familiar feel to Win-Test. Learning curve is very short for SO and SO2R. Four contests and 2400 contacts later, the KL2R contest gang are still in love with Win-Test. We can't wait to try multi-multi with it.
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SP8HPW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 30, 2006 09:29
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Great programme
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I use it for more than 12 months. The most short evaluation is as follows:
Contest features: Very good.
Interface: User Friendly and easy
Support: Excellent
Payment: very convenient
Features: covers all contests I am interested in
Export-import: very good.
I used some other programmes before I bought Win-Test (including paid and free ones). However this programme meets my all expectations. I really enjoy this programme.
Jerzy, SP8HPW
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