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write your own review of the DXBase 2000 and later versions.
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W8JI
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Rating: 2/5
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May 1, 2005 18:52
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Older version not so hot
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought DX base a few years ago, and never did get to use it. I couldn't import files from DX4WIN, and the only support was a suggestion I enter the 30,000 contacts manually.
I'll stick with DX4WIN! It works fine for me.
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W2IRT
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Rating: 5/5
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May 1, 2005 14:17
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DX Base 2006 is MUCH better!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After 2005's somewhat disappointing release of DX Base, this new version -- always dated a year ahead -- was released the weekend of May 1st and is very satisfying. It contains some significant changes that will make DX Base fans very happy, but still has a few annoyances too.
Most notably, the old column-order utility is gone, dead and buried -- and replaced with an all new column order designer. Still not drag-and-drop as it should be -- like just about every other Win 32 program out there - but at least now you can edit and tweak column order files. It's still somewhat annoying to use, but 1000000% better than the way is was before! One caveat, though, it crashes if you try to edit an old DXB-2005 or earlier .CO file, so you will have to create all new ones. Hopefully for the last time!
There's a database compaction utility, a backup utility and a marvellous little feature that lets you retroactively populate log fields from your CD or hard drive-based callbook. This is great if you've just imported 1500 QSOs from your contest logger after CQ-WW; it will fill in name, QTH, grid, IOTA, etc. Nice and well worth the price of the upgrade to me right there.
All the aforementioned utilities are in a separate application that must be launched when DX Base itself isn't running, since DX Base requires exclusive use of the database (.MDB) file.
There have been 60 changes to the 2006 edition, most of which I find are very satisfying and have been asked for for a couple of years. Biggest changes are most windows that were not resizable in the past now are (such as the Previous QSO window, the Pending Labels window and so forth). You can now copy-paste into the active log which you never could before. There's now a provision to see the local time at the DX station's location (something I've begged for for years).
For users in the U.K. and other places that require a QSO end time, this is now available as a separate field.
But there are still some annoyances, alas. Upgrading from 2005 to 2006 is not a trivial exercise, especially not if you have custom column orders, custom colours, etc. This is the number-one improvement I hope Jack looks into for next time. What was especially annoying was having it re-write my carefully edited (but sadly, not backed-up) hosts file. I connect to the cluster network through AR Config on port 7300, as defined in the hosts file and from within all my logging apps. It was NOT appreciated to see that rewritten!
Speaking of connecting to the clusters, thankfully, now you no longer have to keep the unneded TNC window open-but-minimized as in the past, and if you so choose, you can elect to have DX Base open your Telnet connection when the program launches (provided you're already online). What you still can't do, though, is auto-reconnect (at least not that I have seen yet).
You still can't use a scroll wheel to scroll up or down if a line in the log is highlighted and visible (you have to mouse up/down till the highlighted line isn't on the screen). You still can't remove "announce" messages except by closing the app entirely. Still can't highlight and copy a message's text (for example, say someone announces a new online log with URL, you can't copy the URL and paste it into your browser). Another little annoyance, the internal UTC clock within DX Base freezes when you open a report or other window. Why?? Luckily, the Windows system tray clock still works.
All in all, DX Base 2006 is well worth the $35 upgrade price from 2005 (and definitely worth the $65 upgrade price from 2002-2004 versions). In my opinion, it's matured considerably in the last 12 months, and although it still has a lot to do to get me raving about it (as I would if there was a bandmap), it's good enough now for me to warrant upgrading it from a 4 to a 5 (though I'd prefer to give it 4 1/2).
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EDDIE
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 15, 2005 03:55
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Probably the best, but ...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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First of all, DXBase is probably the best piece of logging software there is. I have tried many other programs, and none come really near. That being said, I have to add a few remarks.
First of all, the so called upgrades that seem to come annually are quite minute. The changes are few, and the bugs never seem to get addressed. In the last version (2005) they presented a long list of new "features". The only new feature I found however, was the ability to have colours in the "DX Info" window. The rest were bug fixes and adaptations to lotw and digital submodes. None of them were useful to me at all. I'd say the programmer perhaps spent one evening making the new version. That is not much work done for the price of the software.
Yes there are bugs, not big nasty ones, just small intensly irritating ones. That is my main concern regarding the DXBase package, all the tiny but VERY irritating quirks. Like for instance when exporting ADIF, every single time you do it, a dialog windows flashes into your face and asks if DXBase should mark all QSO's as submitted to LOTW. Default answer is YES, and if you press the wrong button or just wave it away, suddenly all your database entries are marked as QSL sent via lotw.
Needless to say, all my entries are marked as sent via lotw although none actually has been sent.
Another thing is the reports. They say there are reports for every need. This is not true. You can make your own reports, if you are a programmer. However most of us are not programmers so we have to stick with what they give us. For example there is no real report telling you what countries (DXCC entities) you have actually worked. The ones there, present you with a list of all entities, with the ones worked marked as worked. Needless to say this is impossible to read. Also reports for country counting list your entire log sorted by prefix, leaving it to you to do the counting. That being said, there are many MANY other reports.
Another issue is the keymapping. Windows default keys do not work as expected. Prepare to do a fair share of mouse work. Deleting a database entry requires you to click to the left of row in the log, and press F7 ! If you're i a pileup you will loose qso's because of the strange key mappings. Also, it is not possble to add a shortcut key to "add new entry in database", so you have to do a fair bit of clicking and keypressing just to be able to log an entry (if focus is in another part of the app).
Yet another issue is the processor gobbling. This app is processor hungry ! Sometimes after doing some list work, it starts eating CPU cycles, and slows down the whole computer. Especially if the telnet cluster is disconnected remotely. Speaking of telnet clusters. If you are on a fast broadband connection the telnet cluster feature might actually not work. It is impossible to connect to a telnet cluster on my own subnet with a fast computer. It does work when I am on another subnet (same cluster).
Also the database grows into insane proportions without you actually adding much. This is due to the nature of the Access database. For some strange reason the author has not added a feature to compress/rebuild the database, but refers you to som obscure app available somewhere on the net.
This really means that most of us are stuck with an ever growing database. Mine actually grew to almost 200 Megabytes ! After rebulding it, it shrank to 12 Magabytes !
I have used this app for a couple of years now, and know all it's bugs and quirks. As I said earlier, and as another fellow pointed out it is in dire need of quite a few bugfixes and upgrades. The author cannot continue surfing along on work done years ago. The application is much to expensive for that.
But to repeat myself, this is probably the best DX logging program there is,and QSL management/creating/printing is outstanding !
But prepare yourself to be very frustrated about the quirks.
Is it worth the upgrade from 2003/2004 to 2005 ? No, absolutely not. I hope the 2006 version will be more than just a minor maintenance release.
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KY6R
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2004 04:47
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DXBase 2005 Super
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just (finally) switched from a Yaesu FT-1000MP MK V station to a Ten Tec Orion, and it made sense to switch logs for a number of reasons (easy Orion control and reporting mainly).
I used to be a DXBase user, but switched to Commcat for a while, but now am back to DXBase. Why? For a while, Commcat had a better cluster "rules based" filter. At my stage in DXCC chasing I needed to filter out much more than what I needed to see. But I really missed DXBase's superb reporting feature.
Anyway, DXBase 2005's color coded spotting and rules are superb, and I can't imagine another logging program that has better reporting (Crystal reports with many superb user created reports available via their reflector).
The upgrade from 2002 to 2005 was a piece of cake.
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NI0C
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 4, 2004 20:17
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Just keeps getting better
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I recently upgraded to DXB2005 and as always the import from the earlier version went as smooth as silk. This latest version supports the K1EL WinKey, a superb keyer (see my review of it under keyers) that supports keyboard CW as well as stored message and paddle inputs. This alone was worth the upgrade for me. Also new are some new reports indispensable for chasing the ARRL DXCC Challenge award.
Like W2IRT, I find the arrangement of field order tedious, but you only have to do it once. I appreciate this feature which allows you to customize your log display (for instance, I don't give a hoot about IOTA's, counties, or 10-10 numbers, so I either don't display those columns or give them a low priority).
You couldn't ask for better customer service and support than that provided by Jack and Courtney, as well as the nice folks on the DXBASE reflector who are always there to help.
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N4TL
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Rating: 5/5
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May 4, 2004 14:00
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Great program
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been using DXBase for 4 years now. Its a great program for logging, tracking DXCC and other awards. In 2005 there have been many reports added, one that I requested. I use to use a DOS based program and was able to import all the information from that program to DXBase.
I just started tracking VUCC on 6 meters with it, I had to enter 130 older contacts from QSL cards. It was not hard to get DXBase in sync with the cards I have submitted to the ARRL and the ones I have not.
Great program.
Tom N4TL
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W2IRT
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Rating: 4/5
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May 4, 2004 12:21
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Best there is - but it could be better
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Having tried all of the 800-pound gorillas of the logging world in the last 3 years, I've settled on DX Base -- at least for now -- because quite simply it's the most powerful logger there is at the moment.
The Windows "look and feel" is something missing in a great many other loggers and is one of DX Base's biggest strengths. It boasts a seamless integration of packet and internet cluster spots with transceiver and rotor control for two radios and two rotors making instant-QSYing to a needed spot simple and painless.
It integrates all of the call book CDs (Flying Horse, QRZ and Buckmaster), the GO List and QSL Manager Pro for QSL routes, integration with DX Atlas (worth the price of admission right there, though integration with DX Atlas' sister program, IonoProbe, would be miraculous). Grey line management is built in as are two toolbar buttons that allow you to instantly look up a highlighted call on either QRZ.COM alone, or in the Pathfinder system.
QSL management is very powerful though somewhat arcane. A thorough understanding of the manual is necessary to comprehend the QSL and awards tracking mechanisms but once you "get it," you'll be a wizard in no time. You can design your own QSLs, QSO labels and address labels for outgoing and return envelopes, but be forewarned - designing your own lables is NOT for the feint of heart. Don't worry, though, there are dozens of wonderful pre-designed lables that can easily be tweaked and customized with little fuss.
DX Base also features a tremendous number of reports so you can slice and dice your QSO data however you want. This is a graeat way to see which cards are still outstanding, etc. You can also create your own custom reports if you're so inclined.
So why am I not giving it a 5? DX Base has the potential to be even better, and there are still some very maddening aspects to it. Mostly little things that have been requested for years and have never been developed. Setting column orders is frustrating beyond belief and can only be done from outside the app - and if you make a mistake, you have to start all over (you can't "correct" an existing column-order file). Importing ADIF or other logs must also be done from outside DX Base using one of two external applications. There's no backup routine built into DX Base; you must manually backup your files. All of the above should be done through menu items, and after all these years, I've yet to understand why they aren't. Maybe they're limitations of Access 97, around which this app was written.
There's nothing to indicate the DX station's local time. Upgrading from one years's version to the next loses all your customizations. Many Windows keyboarding shortcuts don't work in DX Base as they do in every other Windows application out there. There are many others as well.
All these are "little things," but there are a lot of them - enough of them to keep me looking for the next "killer app" logger. Nothing comes close, however, and even with its failings, DX Base is by far and away the best DX logger I've ever used. I'd venture to say that DX Base will continue to rule the roost until an open-source or collaborative DX logger is launched and perfected. There's NOTHING in its class at present, though Logger32 and DX4WIN come pretty close in certain respects.
2005's release so far appears to work well and supports more transceivers than 2004 did (and the revised support for my Kenwood TS-570 is nothing short of excellent).
On the product's mailing list reflector, over the last year, there have been quite literally hundreds of asked-for improvements that I had hoped we would see in 2005. Sadly, the 2005 release was little more than a minor upgrade, IMHO - certainly less ambitious than the 2004 version was. The only serious changes related to LoTW implementation, keyboard CW keying (still can't use a RigBlaster, though) and logging of various arcane digital modes. 60M support was added as well. Very few of the other recommendations were implemented. Well, there's always DX Base 2006, I guess....
The intial price of $99 may seem steep at first, but once you experience the power of the program I think you'll see it's worth the investment. Yearly upgrades have remained at $35, and as you can see by these reviews, a new version usually hits within a few weeks of Hamvention. This software will take some time to learn and even longer to master, but it's well worth the investment.
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WA6AXE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 3, 2004 19:11
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The Cadillac of Logging Software!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I just installed DXbase 2005 and everything went very smooth! The program has ALL of the features that I would need to make the Logging of QSOs absolutely heavenly.. The Reports and Labels are Top-Notch! This is a MUST program for anyone who is wanting to own the Cadillac of the logging softwares.
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OH2GBA
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2004 19:14
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High Power
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Yes indeed high-power is what I think about the program now. I obtained the programm just yesterday and wanna share my impression of the program with you now. I'll make one more review after a much longer time of use.
When I first installed the program it seemed a bit complex and I was thinking "Ah just one more logging-program!". I have tried many logging programmes, but never found THE one, until now!
OK it will take you some getting-used-to-time, actually I spend quite many hours with the program now. But am at the point of having designed my own QSO-card now, and printed out a whole lot. If you want to design your own QSO card from bottom to top, it is good to have some experience with computers. But if you don't wanna bother about formula's and things just choose one of the pre-programmed QSO-cards (one hint to the designers of Dxbase "this could be more!")
The help file is a real helping-file, if you just take ur time to read it!
Bottom line: Yes it is a very powerfull program and Yes you'll need time to get used to it!
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