Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: DXLab DXKeeper

Category: Ham Logging Software

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : DXLab DXKeeper
Reviews: 34MSRP: free
Description:
Full 32-bit logging with QSL card/label generation, ADIF import/export, and interoperation with Commander, DXView, Pathfinder, SpotCollector, and WinWarbler.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.dxlabsuite.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00344.6
KG7HDP Rating: 2016-03-22
great ham radio software Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I did not find dxkeeper or the dxlab suite that difficult, and I do not have an electronics or a computer background (medical career). Yes I had to read and study the manual and instructions , but I did not find them that hard to understand. I was checking out various software packages when my club suggested this one, I downloaded it and have never looked back. I use N1MM and clublog, and everything else is through dxlabs. On the rare occasion when I could not find my answer in the help material I could find it in previous posts in the forum reflector. When I started with winwarbler I had challenges, but that was due to my not knowing anything about digital. The support from the forum was excellent, Dave's support was patient and fast, many others helped, with some of them sending videos they made, skyping, etc. I am sorry for those who had problems but I do not remember seeing them on the forum asking questions. I would suggest that if you have not used or had a negative experience, try it (again) and look forward to seeing you on the forum.
Ron KF7ZN
W3QT Rating: 2016-03-22
Terrific Logging Program Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Initially I was overwhelmed by DXKeeper. Dave, the developer of DXLab Suite, advises new users to start slowly and move on only as your comfort level increases. As I read some of the negative evaluations of DXKeeper I have to wonder if maybe they aren’t partially derivative of an impatience with having to spend time learning.

I’ve found DXKeeper to be an invaluable resource. More significant is the support FREELY offered by Dave, its developer. It’s reassuring to see the developer occasionally remind everyone on the DXLab Suite group list that any question is welcome, no matter how many times it’s been asked before. Dave, and several others who are well versed in the program, are quick to offer helpful and timely guidance.

I won’t list all DXKeeper does, but consider this. I participate in CQ’s WPX award program. In a matter of a minute or two I can produce a report listing all prefix counters and supporting information. The same applies to DXCC, VUCC, WAZ, WAS, and many, many other awards of interest as well as contests. Long gone are the days with file organizers, note cards, and post-it notes. Want to know how many CW QSOs you’ve had on 17 meters from March 1 to March 15 between the hours of 21:00 and 24:00 that lasted at least 15 minutes and are confirmed by LoTW and/or eQSL? It takes just a minute.

If you’re looking for a terrific logging program, and you’re willing to invest the time to learn how to use it, through trial and error as well as direct contact with the developer and others, try DXLogger or, better yet, the entire DXLab Suite.
N4NW Rating: 2016-03-21
REal DX Logging Program for Real DX'ers Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After 40 plus years of working DX, both chasing and being DX, I have never found a more useful and complete logging package.

Being the core of the DXLab suite of programs it allows complete logging of each and every QSO (DX or not). Included is a simple clear layout of all log data - call, band mode date/time of QSO. Plus additional information can be displayed as to QSL status and interfacing with both LOTW and eQSL.

The tight integration of each module within DXLab allows tracking of QSL status, major DX awards, digital interfacing with all current equipment, DXClusters, and rotor control.

No, it is not for the casual appliance operator. However, for the money (oh yes it is free), it even out-performs all other complete logging programs - no matter the price.

On top of all this there is always a fast friendly support email available from the developer and other users.
W6NWS Rating: 2016-03-21
Excellent Logging suite Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used DXLab for several years. I have tried most of the other logging programs at one time another and for me DXLab is the best as a general logger. My focus is primarily DXing. The response time for questions or issues is phenomenally short. It has a enormous capabilities. It can upload/download QSOs to LoTW, eQSL, and ClubLog if desired. It has award tracking capability for many awards. It can generate QSLs or labels for QSLs. It has modules for propagation prediction, cluster connections, and interfaces for address lookups such as QRZ.com. I use it for CW, RTTY, and PSK. I maintain 5 separate logs with it. The capabilities can be a bit overwhelming to someone new if you try to do everything at once and hence the recommendation is to start simply and work up to the full capability you as a user might need.
AC9GK Rating: 2016-03-21
Great Program & Support Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I upgraded to this program because it was free. It took sometime like any program to learn all the bells and whistles. I still do not use it to the fullest but what I use fits my needs.

Whenever I had a problem many people are willing to help. Dave the owner will answer many of my questions and has personally helped me.

I strongly recommend this program. Great job Dave keep up the great work.
K7EVI Rating: 2016-03-21
not for bimbos, but an excellent part of the suite Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After trying another program for a year, and trying several other programs, I found DXLabs suites. It only took a few days for this OM to start using it. After several years I have found the integration with the others from DXLabs to be extra ordinary. I no longer lose track of my contacts when my old computers quit working. The learning curve is great and the proper uploading to eQSL and LoTW are glitch free for me. I do use N1MM+ for any contests and some general logging, but the more I use Keeper the happier I am with it. It does not mind logging an Emergency Services Net the way some expensive programs have been.
N1KDO Rating: 2016-03-21
works well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
DXKeeper works very well. It is a power tool, for power users. Like any power tool, it takes time to learn to use it properly. I've been using DXKeeper as my primary station log for over 5 years, and I still have not learned all it can do.

I use it for logging, uploading to LoTW, eQSL, and ClubLog as well as updating my log to indicate QSLs on those systems. It helps me manage my QSL-ing and award applications. Recent improvements have added support to track the 2016 ARRL National Parks on The Air program. It can print labels for your QSL cards, print the cards themselves, and print address labels for the envelopes.

Some of the things that are best about it are the support, which is great and usually very fast, and the integration with the rest of the DX Lab suite. It picks up radio frequency and mode from Commander, and instantly updates the unworked list that are shown in Spot Collector.

If you take the time to learn how to use this tool, it will give you a rewarding experience.
KB4CL Rating: 2016-03-21
Outstanding Package Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using the DXLab Suite of software since May 2008. Commander talks to the different packages and ties them to your radio. DXKeeper is the logging program and has a Capture window as part of it. When you see a station you want to talk to (a spot in SpotCollector) you double-click the spot. Your radio changes to the frequency and mode of the station. If you have a supported card and your rotor is plugged into it then your antenna turns toward the station. When you double-click the spot all the fields in the Capture window become populated. It gets the frequency and mode from Commander; name, location and other information is pulled from QRZ.com or some other source of your choosing. When you make the initial contact, you click on "Begin" (on the Capture window) when you start and "End" when you are done then "Log" and it goes into the log. You can't make it much easier than that.

Like with any software there are bumpy roads, but the reflector has a number of people who are very knowledgeable about the Suite and more than willing to help. Dave, who is the author, is also available and has helped me a number of times. There is also a knowledge base that you can use to help troubleshoot problems. A Getting Started that tells you pretty anything you need to know to set things up and of course manuals for each of the different programs.

I am sorry KM4JOJ had such bad luck with the software, but if he had visited the reflector, the knowledge base or even written Dave his problems could have been solved easily enough.
NQ4T Rating: 2016-01-30
Makes me not want to use electronic logging Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Horrible software. Very picky about entries. Spent more time trying to figure out why it'd reject my entries than getting stuff entered. Liked to drop pages of logs, wasting hours having to re-enter.
ON6AB Rating: 2014-11-26
the good, the bad and the ugly one Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The only good module of the DXLab pack.
The rest is slooooow, bulky and ugly.