| W2JU |
Rating:  |
2012-02-16 | |
| Great software, incredible support! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Unlike the prior reviewer, I cannot compare the DXLab Suite to HRD, having never used HRD. I can only echo the many positive comments by the many satisfied users. Installation on XP was straightforward, and updates are easily installed with a few mouse clicks. But to me, the most important feature of this free, powerful and versatile suite of programs is the incredible support available from AA6YQ and other members of the Yahoo group. Dave responds quickly, both to email inquiries and forum postings, and he doesn't care if the question has been asked hundreds of times before. My only regret is that I waited so long to hop on the DXLab bandwagon. |
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| N8DV |
Rating: |
2012-02-15 | |
| Too much trouble.. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Well I downloaded and tried the DXLab suite that many people reviewing as better than Ham Radio Deluxe. The first thing software should be is easy to install. HRD was a breeze. DXLab was not very intuitive and very clumsy to install on my Windows 7 machine. Software should be easy to configure. HRD does take a little time to setup but much less the hassle than DXLab. Finally, HRD is more elegant in it's execution of all round digital software. DXLab needs a definite makeover to bring it's DUI (digital user interface) into the 21st century from the windows 3.1 era. Even though HRD has issues with QRZ, it still beats DXLab hands down as software for the digital modes. In HRD, you can set up favorite frequences with buttons and using say PSK31 just press the buttons and if you are running computer assisted tuning (CAT) for your transceiver, tuning is a breeze.
In conclusion, I don't understand why many hams feel that DXLab is superior to Ham Radio Deluxe in ease of operation and performance. I have been using HRD since version 3 it's the best out there. |
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| WB4YDY |
Rating: |
2012-02-15 | |
| Great Set of Programs! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I made the change to the DXLab suite of programs about 8 weeks ago and wish I had done it a long time ago! Having used HRD for several years and MixW before that, it was time for a change.
I was amazed at how easy it really was! Every program has a learning curve, but Dave has made everything very intuitive and easy to learn.
The help files are current and really do help!
I now run 4 or 5 of the DXLab programs while on the air and I can do much more with them than the old program. I have really enjoyed what DXKeeper can do with LoTW and eQSL. It's almost an automatic sync for me now. SO much easier. And you can search the log for just about anything very quickly.
Dave has also made program and database updates very simple and easy. Again, almost automatic.
Even the most basic questions are answered quickly and completely by Dave or others on the Yahoo group. No talking down to anyone in this group.
Thanks for a great program and terrific support, Dave!
Pete, WB4YDY
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| NT5DX |
Rating: |
2012-02-14 | |
| The BEST THERE IS!!! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Total integration, BEST SUPPORT and Upgrade / Updates. I've used most all of the competition and nothing comes close. (I changed from other programs to DXLab) |
|
| AC0X |
Rating: |
2012-02-14 | |
| Still in Love - one of the BEST pieces of Freeware ANYWHERE |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I know, I know, I hate it too when people post multiple reviews of the same product. But I had to for DXLab. After all these years, I still love it. A super-versatile logging/lookup/propagation/rig control software thats ***FREE*** (yup I know that word makes hams eyes light up) that has features being added ALL the time and a programmer who actively and even enthusiastically participates in the support forum. Probably one of the BEST pieces of freeware ANYWHERE for ANYTHING. |
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| EA3GLV |
Rating: |
2011-12-05 | |
| Excellent Product, not much more to say! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have used Trx-Manager and latterly Ham Radio Deluxe for years. I changed to DXlab 2 weeks ago out of desperation with HRD's current situation and the fact that it failed to work with the changes within QRZ. I found the transfer to Dxlabsuite very easy to do. In all 2 hrs to download the software and change over (Ok I'm a bit slow these days)
It was simple, intuitive and, if needed, the Help files generally easy to understand. Everything I have tried has worked properly. The semi automatic update process works very differently from all other software I have seen. Having said that I works very well and updates are issued as soon as possible.
There are simple things that make me smile. Like simply putting a Legend on the screen so you know what the different colours mean. Everything is in its right place. The Author has gone to great trouble in making this software as flexible and easy to use as possible. I recommend this logging and cat program to all. It ticks all my boxes. |
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| former_KO0Q |
Rating: |
2011-11-18 | |
| Superb Product |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I switched from DX4Win to DXLab. DX4Win is a very good product but getting a little long in the tooth, but I've found DXLab to be much more complete and up to date.
Tremendous support from Dave and the reflector. |
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| K3DCW |
Rating: |
2011-11-07 | |
| Great program, flexible, lots of capability!! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Since I got my license, I have been a Ham Radio Deluxe user on Windows XP/7; and while I switched to OS X for awhile and tried RUMlog/Aether/MacLoggerDX, I ultimately switched back to Windows 7 and HRD for my ham radio needs.
I had previously played with DXLab a bit but had fairly-well ignored it because it wasn't as ‘attractive’ as the other offerings; reminding me of Win98 or 2000; and it seemed like it wasn’t quite as ‘professional’ as HRD. Ultimately, I had written off DXLab as a ‘non-starter’ in my shack.
Let me say now, “What a mistake!”
What does DXLab offer?
- Commander: Rock-steady CAT control supporting many rigs, and is the heart of the system.
- DXKeeper: I don’t know if there is a finer logbook/QSL-LoTW-eQSL tracking program out there. Want to print your own QSL Cards OR Labels? Done! Want to print envelopes? Done! Fully supports QSL tracking and processing via Paper, LoTW, or eQSL. It is a great program and I’ve only scratched the surface of what all it can do.
- SpotCollector: A fantastic interface supporting multiple DX Clusters simultaneously, including combinations of Telnet and Packet. LoTW/eQSL member marking and much more make this a top-notch client.
- DXView / Pathfinder / PropView – Great supporting programs that add important functionality to the other applications, on-demand when needed.
The only part I haven't played with too much yet is WinWarbler, the digital signals software, but that is coming up soon. Although I am a big fan of Fldigi, and I use it with DXLab via the Fldigi-DXLab bridge software, I can see where WinWarbler has a lot to offer the PSK aficionado, and I look forward to giving it a good test run too.
Add to this the support for a variety of extensions, bridges and tools that can interface directly with the DXLab suite, and you’ve got a real winner. You want to run JT65-HF and JT-Alert, and log directly to the database? It works. You want to run Fldigi instead of WinWarbler? No problem; there is the Fldigi-DXLab bridge. You prefer DM780 to other programs? There is a bridge for that too, and much, much more.
DXLab offers SO MUCH in the way of performance, capability, flexibility. Once I made the commitment to give DXLab a fair shake, to set it up, and to run with it for a while, I found that although perhaps not the prettiest car on the lot, it definitely is the one with the most horsepower and the one that will run circles around everything else. And, unlike many of the prettier models out there, there are ZERO (0) (ZIP, ZILCH, NADA) bugs outstanding on the support list. Dave takes great pride in fixing any bugs that may pop up immediately; however, those are few and far between due to the quality of his programming.
As a final selling point, add in great support from the author via his Yahoo Groups mailing list, and you’ve got a winning suite of software that you just HAVE TO TRY.
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| K7FDX |
Rating: |
2011-10-01 | |
| Professional Software for Free |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Just uninstalled HRD, which I like and have been using for two years.
I installed DXLab some time ago, and dismissed it because it wasn't "plug-n-play"; I was too busy to figure it out at the time.
I gave it another try starting a week ago (I have about ten hours invested so far), and am very happy I did. As a professional analyst, I am shocked that one can obtain such a fine suite of software free. HRD fits this mold also, as do many open source projects.
What sets DXLab apart from other packages is:
-Solid Coding.
-Professional Documentation.
-Superb Integration.
-Advanced Capabilities.
-Professional Support.
At first, DXLab seems over complicated, but it's definitely not. Once I took the time to explore the options and set them to my liking, I can't imagine using anything else. Setup takes longer than some packages, but the payoff is very rewarding.
My final hurdle was WinWarbler. I LOVE DM780, and its waterfall is the best. However, WinWarbler is the better tool for PSK, once all of its capabilities are explored.
The same is true of all the DXLab modules. If you want very pretty and almost plug-n-play, HRD is good. If you want the right tool for the passion that is DXing, DXLab is better. |
|
| F1MQJ |
Rating: |
2011-09-22 | |
| Great suite |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
A full suite including : rig conexion, log -automatic link to eQSL and LotW- printing labels and QSL, good ADIF, cabrillo and request abilities, contests, award, spot/cluster information -agregated with needed from the logbook-, digital modes, rotor control, beacons tracking and opening detection ... and so more i can't put it all there
Not always the best in each part (you can find better for contest only, or for digital only) but the best in Whole, and good integration with other products even realtime by add-in (fldigi, multipsk, dxatlas, n1mm, cwskimmer, cwget, ...).
And Icing on the cake : a very good online support (yahoo group) with less than a day answer by the creator (or other users) - professional products haven't the same support...
And the product is so wide ofering that often the answer is : it already exist check this menu or parameter, try this script ...
The only minus is some learning time (there is so many function that you need to experiment to find how to use the product as you want) |
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