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Author Topic: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING  (Read 14832 times)

4X6TT

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LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« on: February 25, 2015, 11:16:49 PM »

Can any one recommend of a good software for contesting
I have been using  TR4W AND N1MM , not so friendly , would highly appreciate any input and reccomendations.

73s
Amir 4X6TT

see you soon on WPX
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K3TN

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2015, 02:10:38 AM »

Hi, Amir - I've ended up on N1MM but if you don't need all those features and don't need to have every possible contest, I found EI5DI's SD very easy to get going and to use and good enough for basic contesting.

WinTest and WriteLog are the other widely used ones but I don't know that they are any easier to use than N1MM.

N3FJP has a general logging program that has contest capabilities but I don't think it has a lot of the features of the above.

Hope that helps - 73 John K3TN
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John K3TN

N0IU

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2015, 03:06:54 AM »

I will admit that there is a bit of a steep learning curve for N1MM+, but now I wouldn't enter a contest without it. And while N1MM+ has lots of features, I have pretty much kept everything at their default values.
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VE3CX

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2015, 05:40:20 AM »

Lets see:

Contest logging software is supposted to make it easy to select the contest you want to enter, and allow you to quickly and easily enter the other stations callsign and exchange info.  After the contest, generate a cabrillo file to send to the contest sponsor.

N1MM supports *every* contest.  Supports pretty much all hardware imaginable.  Supports all modes.  Supports signgle op, SO2R, and multi-op, - all configurations.  The flip side is- there is a bit of a learning curve, but there is EXTENSIVE documention as well as a support forum where you can ask for help with any issue you might have.  It does more, but the point is - it does what you NEED it to do, and it does it very well.

Does not get any better than that :-)  N1MM is what you are looking for.

Tom - VE3CX
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KE4KY

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2015, 01:47:30 PM »

I echo the prior sentiments that N1MM+ has been very good for me.

The N3FJP complete suite of programs is good, and with his updates of late, he incorporates some comparable features of the N1MM+ program. The N3FJP program is very easy to learn, but I will state I have not used the program for any digital format, so I cannot speak to how good this side of the program is to utilize.

Learn N1MM+ and don't look back.
« Last Edit: February 26, 2015, 01:49:50 PM by KE4KY »
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Glenn KE4KY - Amateur Radio since 1975; Definitely, one of the deserving...

NN3W

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2015, 05:14:05 AM »

I think the contesting world has coalesced around either N1MM or Wintest....
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VE3CX

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2015, 08:29:34 PM »


The N3FJP complete suite of programs is good, and with his updates of late, he incorporates some comparable features of the N1MM+ program. The N3FJP program is very easy to learn, but I will state I have not used the program for any digital format, so I cannot speak to how good this side of the program is to utilize.

I have used N3FJP in the past, and while his interface was very colourful/easy to use, I did run into some issues:

Every contest requires a separate program.  A few years ago, I was looking for support for several contests that were important *to me*, and the answer was "not much interest/low participation/not supported/no plans to support".  He has made an effort of late to add some contests, but for me, it is a case of "too little, too late".  I have grown over the years, and my needs have also grown.  For me, I have outgrown N3FJP, and I ended up in the N1MM camp, and have not looked back.

At this point, I think it boils down to two choices: N1MM or Win-Test.  One needs to pay for Win-Test, but there are a lot of contests it does not support.  So - we are back to the default choice of N1MM.  Yes - there is a learning curve, but once you master that, there really is no looking back.  There is also a learning curve to Win-Test, so for me, it seems like an easy choice :-)

Tom - VE3CX
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K7ABV

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2015, 08:44:36 AM »

FWIW...I like N3FJP contest programs...Being an old contester, first test was 1957...I use CW/SSB and that's all...use a MM3 AEA contest keyer and the radio's remote control voice keyer for SSB and only use the computer to log and enter the contest results..I turn the rotator by the control on the rotator..and turn the knobs on the FTDX5000D by hand, not with a keyboard, I know it would be faster or maybe easier, but, I am happy doing it by hand..I enter only the Major tests, ARRL, and CQWW, WPX etc..so not more than 8-10 at most a year..For these N3FJP is easy to use and for the many years I have used it never a problem..Scott is as fast as possible with a reply if I have a question..my vote is for Scott N3FJP..I am sure N1MM for many is the right choice, good for them..main thing , have fun..I enjoy the simplier aspect of computer logging, as they say , use the KISS principal..hi..73 K7ABV
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KE4KY

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2015, 11:12:36 AM »


I have used N3FJP in the past, and while his interface was very colourful/easy to use, I did run into some issues:

Every contest requires a separate program.  A few years ago, I was looking for support for several contests that were important *to me*, and the answer was "not much interest/low participation/not supported/no plans to support".  He has made an effort of late to add some contests, but for me, it is a case of "too little, too late".  I have grown over the years, and my needs have also grown.  For me, I have outgrown N3FJP, and I ended up in the N1MM camp, and have not looked back.

At this point, I think it boils down to two choices: N1MM or Win-Test.  One needs to pay for Win-Test, but there are a lot of contests it does not support.  So - we are back to the default choice of N1MM.  Yes - there is a learning curve, but once you master that, there really is no looking back.  There is also a learning curve to Win-Test, so for me, it seems like an easy choice :-)

Tom - VE3CX


Yes, you are right. One can easily see on the webpage which contests are supported. I learned with, and developed my taste for contesting on the N3FJP suite of programs. When I did decide to switch to N1MM, I never looked back.

Used N1MM on two dxpeditions, it worked flawlessly in that situation as well.
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Glenn KE4KY - Amateur Radio since 1975; Definitely, one of the deserving...

4X6TT

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2015, 04:30:07 AM »

Good Morning All

Thank you all much for all your inputs, I do highly appreciate it .
it seems that i have no choice but to go with N1MM.

hi hi.

p.s. can any one advise if there is any way to set alert on eham forums, once a new message is received ??

73s shalom

Amir
4X6TT
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N0IU

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2015, 06:04:04 AM »

p.s. can any one advise if there is any way to set alert on eham forums, once a new message is received ??

73s shalom

Amir
4X6TT

When you reply, click where it says "Additional Options..." below the text box and select "Notify me of replies."
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4X6TT

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RE: LOOKING FOR BEST SOFTWARE FOR CONTESTING
« Reply #11 on: March 31, 2015, 04:29:08 AM »

wow thanks much
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