| WE5ST |
Rating:  |
2012-05-11 | |
| Class A software, A++ support |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
DXLabs seems a little cryptic at first but if you give it one month you'll be sold. It is actually an easy set of modules to use but it takes just a little use to learn the ropes.
Two things stuck me about DXLabs early on. First, it's not a glitzy program resembling the latest video game. Second, each module is so well integrated you never have to worry about your data.
Nothing is missing, nothing has been overlooked - at least in my six months of use. On several occasions I thought I found something the suite of programs didn't handle but when quickly found it had already been cooked in.
There are a few reviews here that mention contesting and digital modes. DXLabs has those bases covered suitably for many operators but for those who need the most power in contesting or digi - DXLabs inter-operates perfectly with the big guns in these areas.
Support! Dave (AA6YQ) never sleeps and neither does the Yahoo! user group of experts. As fast as electrons move, you'll have answers and very often from Dave or one of the programming team. And if you discover an opportunity for improvement, pass it on. The team issues frequent upgrades including use suggested improvements and new features. |
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| W6IZT |
Rating: |
2012-04-08 | |
| Great suite of applications |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I had been a user of DXBase for many years.
Over time I wanted more from my logging application, specifically in the area of station management. DXLab offered the features that I wanted. DXLab consists of a number of closely coupled applications. The user can select only the applications that he needs. The feature set is very rich, and it takes a while to learn all of the capabilities. LoTW integration is exellent. Notifications of available upgrades is automatic. Support through the email reflector is first rate. |
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| W1WRH |
Rating: |
2012-03-21 | |
| Swiss Army Knife for Jupiter |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I use DxLab and specifically the Commander module with my Jupiter every day. When I first started to use Commander, I asked the author Dave AA6YQ for some help to allow Commander to control my Jupiter. I wanted to learn about rig control and since I had been using DxLabs for a long time, it seemed like a good place to start.
He was immediately helpful, and showed me a template of one control for the Jupiter that existed, and worked with me on testing a group of them that I was able to build. I now have Commander controlling on my Jupiter:
AF gain with a slider- already existed
AGC with a button
Attenuator with a button
Bandwidth filter with a slider
RF gain with a slider
Squelch with a slider.
All of these were uploaded into the files section of the Yahoo DxLab group so any and all Jupiter users can share with the results.
I realize that there is not one program that works for everyone, but if you want a freeware program to run your radio, show you whom is on the air, where they are in the world, and then log it for LOtW, eQsl and printing your own custom QSL cards, this is number 1 on my list! If the included Winwarbler doesn't have enough digital modes, DXLAb even interacts with other popular digital programs like Fldigi and Multipsk.
And on top of that, you have Dave AA6YQ support at all hours. I do not know when he sleeps, but he answers questions on the Yahoo users group at all hours.
73
Bill
W1WRH |
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| K0GJ |
Rating: |
2012-03-15 | |
| May not be for the Jupiter |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
It appears that TenTec no longer supports the Jupiter with radio control software, even though the radio is still in production. Their Pegasus control software doesn’t work with Windows 7 and I assume it won’t work with the upcoming win8. I have my radio on one desk and my computer on another so I wanted better software control. I have been using Ham Radio Deluxe but it doesn’t fully support the Jupiter. Only three sliders work, the AF Gain, Bandwidth, & Pass-band tuning, you can also turn on the AN, ATTN, NB, select AGC speed, and you can select BW via a drop down menu in HRD. So I went looking for an alternative. DXLABS had glowing reports and claimed to support the Jupiter. I downloaded the software and started with Commander. I was disappointed to see that its support of the Jupiter was even worse than HRD. It did support the frequency display and control, the Mode and the Memories and that was about it. The memories don’t save the bandwidth setting which is handy when moving between AM and CW. I did discover that there was some User-Defined Controls. I spent half a day trying to get them to work and did with the selection of the Auto-Notch, Noise Reduction, and the Attenuator controls. I could not get the slider controls to work. I wanted the AF Gain, RF Gain, Pass Band Tuning, and the Bandwidth, TX Power, and Mic gain slider controls. The documentation isn’t that great with several references to CI-V commands, with the assumption that you would know what that was. A quick search of the internet proved CI-V to be the Computer Interface for the ICOM so I assume better support for that radio. You can download a programmers reference for the Jupiter from TenTec but it isn’t that great either, it’s for an older firmware version, but you can see for example the command to set the AF-Gain is “*U” then a number between 0 & 127. Well I couldn’t get that to work with the sliders. I needed a way to query the radio settings every so often, for example the AF-Gain query is “?U” but I could not see a way to use this then get the results to move the slider on the Commander screen when turning the knob on the radio so if the radio’s control is setting gain to one thing and the software is trying to set it to something else a problem exists. I’m sure there is a way to do this since other software successfully operate these controls including HRD without going into the Pegasus mode. I didn’t want to spend that much time learning how to do it for just a onetime deal when I had software that already does this. I’m not a programmer so this would probably be easy for someone else to figure out I’m sure. If you enjoy programming this could be a fun project but I think you need more info than the help screen provides.
I applaud the developer for his time and offering this software to the public for free! But if your time is worth anything be informed that the claimed support for the Jupiter is very limited. I didn’t try other modules and could have done a better job of studying the documentation so my failure could easily be my fault so give it a try and maybe you will breeze right through it. Meanwhile I'll stick with HRD since it works a little better.
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|
| AJ4CG |
Rating: |
2012-03-12 | |
| Solved some real problems for me |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
DM780 is great program, but when integrated with Ham Radio Deluxe, it does not log the correct VFO or split operation from my TS-870 resulting in incorrect log entries (example: if you have a QSO using VFOB, VFOA's frequency gets logged).
MMTTY is great for FSK RTTY (DM780 does not support FSK) but does not log the QSO frequency automatically, once again resulting in incorrect log entries.
Both of these programs integrate flawlessly with DXLab, allowing me to use the programs I like with complete and accurate logging.
I have had trouble importing adif logs from contest loggers into the HRD logger, but DXLab does it correctly.
The DXLab capture window is great for everyday logging of CW and SSB contacts.
SpotKeeper has really powerful filtering so that you only see the spots you want (example: I normally only want to see spots from east coast of North America).
DXLab does have a lot of functionality, so it is best to learn it incrementally. The online help is excellent, and the Yahoo support group is friendly and helpfull. eQsl and LOTW support is easy to use and understand.
I continue to use N1MM Logger for contesting (DXLab is not a contest logger and N1MM is not for everyday QSOs). After a contest I import the N1MM log into DXLab to handle eQsl, LOTW, QSL label printing, and award tracking)
I have tried a number of general purpose logging programs and I think DXLab is the best. |
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| K8RWH |
Rating: |
2012-02-28 | |
| Good 4 Seniors, too |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I've found the software to be daunting, but as others have said, just take it slowly, one module at a time. This walk through the caverns of your mind is very enjoyable with each curve presenting new, but conquerable, challenges. Join the user's group, for sure, even if you just read them, like I do. Since I'm computer challenged, I appreciate the seasoned users' patience. I tried WA0H's MicroLog, but never could get it to track my 746 Pro frequency. DX Lab worked flawlessly right off, so that encouraged me. AA6YQ has incredible integrity and has attracted some of the best programmer minds around to solve problems I'll never face. You can't go wrong, seniors. |
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| KK1W |
Rating: |
2012-02-27 | |
| Powerful, complete but complex |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've been using most of the DXLab suite of programs for many years now. Prior to this I was a long time user of DXbase. Over the years I've tried many logging programs, some purchased, many free like DXLab. I have found DXLab suits my needs the best of all I've tried.
A quick look at the suite pretty much says it all. It really does most everything, from logging, LotW interface, award tracking, DXcluster, propagation, call lookup and digital modes. For me the standout program in the suite is "Spot Collector". Dave's implementation of DXclusters is the best I have seen. Spots from multiple sources (up to six) and best of all you don't need to learn how to set the filters on the clusters - Spot Collector has its own way of showing you just what you need.
All this complexity comes with a price (even though the software is free). The learning curve can be steep, especially at the beginning. Dave recommends starting slowly, one module at a time, and that makes a lot of sense. There is a Wiki to walk you through your first steps and I highly recommend it. Also if you use most of the program modules expect it to eat up screen real estate. Many find it more comfortable to use two monitors.
That being said the support provided by Dave and a few others on the Yahoo group is better than any I've encountered for software, retail or freeware. Questions asked are answered (usually within 24 hours), suggestions are taken and integrated into the program, bugs are fixed but most importantly the program is always 'up to date' with the latest country lists and award requirements. And did I mention this is free software!
If you're just beginning to try computer logging or have been doing so for some time and haven't tried DXLabs yet you should give it a try. It won't cost you anything but a little bit of your time and you just might find it really is worth the effort to make the change. |
|
| W2WG |
Rating: |
2012-02-27 | |
| Fantastic Product |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have been using DXLab for about four years. I moved to it from another product which had fallen into a state of non-maintenance. I am a finicky DXer and DXLab had VERY feature I wanted to see in a logging product. I particularly like the JoeDX voice synthesizer which alearts me to spots for a station I need for various awards, particularly Challenge and 160m. I find it to be a very reliable package and can't recall ever seeing a bug or having an installation issue. Some have said they found it to be a compelx paackage but I don't belive that to be the case. If any issue comes up, a post to the reflector brings a quick response from a knowledgable reflector member, a software team member or the author AA6YQ. I have used just about every package out there, and for me this is the best. It is primarily for DXers and general logging. By design it provides some basic contesting support but is not for serious contesting. It supports digital modes nicely, makes LOTW/EQSL very easy, handles propgation and spots excellently--it's everything you need.
Bob W2WG |
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| K4QE |
Rating: |
2012-02-18 | |
| The Ultimate DX Logging Suite |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have been using DXLab for over five years. During that time, DXLab has rapidly kept up with all the changes that have occurred with LoTW, eQSL, and even the new Club Log. New scripts are created both by AA6YQ and by users of the program to expand its functionality and usefulness. The features are well thought out, tested, and deployed as soon as they are ready.
Yes, it takes more effort to set up DXLab than other programs. The benefits are power and flexibility both in maintenance for the developer and usability for the users.
I have tried other software just to see if I'm missing something. I keep returning to DXLab. I'm beginning to wonder why I ever bother looking at the others. They ALWAYS disappoint.
Keep up the great work, Dave!
73, Tony K4QE |
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| 3A2MW |
Rating: |
2012-02-18 | |
| The software a DXer needs!! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
On my opinion, DXLab is the best ham software I ever used.It is so powerful, and so easy to use, that my DXCC absolute score and challenge results went up incredibly, since I use this Suite. I think that Spot Collector is the masterpiece, filtering spots coming from different sources and displaying exactly the ones you need.
I had no problems in installing and starting the use of the software, because documentation is complete and up-to-date, and the support is great and incredibly quick.
If you are interested to DX, and want the best results, you need the DXLab Suite of Hamware! |
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