| W8DH |
Rating:  |
2010-07-20 | |
| If DXLab doesn't do it, you don't need it |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I've tried several different logging programs, both Freeware and $$ware. DXLab is BY FAR THE BEST. When I had a problem getting the computer control to run on a 17 year old Icom, I posted to DXLab's Yahoo group. Dave responded within an hour. When that didn't work, he tracked down my phone number, and called me at home, to talk me through it. GREAT SERVICE especially at the price hi. (When's the last time Bill Gates called you at home for your Windows problem?) Best of all, it does EVERYTHING. |
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| KC5GB |
Rating: |
2010-02-01 | |
| Best working suite of ham software. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I have considered, and in the case of the 'finalists', have evaluated the more popular ham software programs. Without a doubt DXLab is better than the rest.
Dave, hasn't spent time on eye candy and seductive features that are poorly implemented.
What he has done is to design a system with powerful logging, solid PSK/CW/RTTY implementation, full callsign info through QRZ.com and internal programs, propagation prediction, and excellent award tracking, etc. etc. Tight integration with QRZ.com, LoTW and eQSL and complete QSL'ing application help round out the benefits.
If you're looking for good ham software that can be used in a variety of ways with great support, try it. |
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| W4HLD |
Rating: |
2010-01-21 | |
| Great Program |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently spent time researching Ham Radio software tools. After reviewing, downloading, and using several software packages in my opinion the DXLab suite is the best program for all around day to day operating. I have learned for contesting there are other programs that offer contesting specific functionality that is superior. But again for normal operational requirements I believe DXLabs is tough to beat.
I have also found Dave, AA6YQ, to be very responsive when it comes to answering questions and giving his honest non-biased guidance when I ask for his opinions about software products.
Finally I found that adding software operating tools really adds to my operating fun/enjoyment.
Check out DXLabs and enjoy!
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| N1TX |
Rating: |
2010-01-12 | |
| A universal radio operator's toolkit |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've been using DXLab Suite for over three years. For many years, Log-EQF and then Win-EQF was the shack mainstay, but I really needed more capability to manage large numbers of QSOs at the KL2R contest shack. I searched long and hard for a package with all the right features and still be (relatively) easy to use, including freeware programs and spendy alternatives. In the end, I had a "playoff" between HRD and DXL. It was a hard choice until I discovered the beauty and power in the SQL queries and database manipulations with the DXKeeper module. I decided to commit.
Of all the modules included in DXLab, DXKeeper, Commander, and Pathfinder are the most important to me. I spend a little time with casual DXing and ragchewing, but 90% of the work is done post-contest with importing, exporting, QSLing, and award tracking. With over 16,100 QSOs in the KL2R log alone, DXLab doesn't even breathe hard on a 1 GHz CPU with 768 MB of RAM under Windows 2000.
WinWarbler is fairly resource-intensive, and for that and a couple of personal preferences, I like to use Digital Master 780 for the digital modes. No longer do I need to start HRD and DM780, then export the log and import it into DXKeeper. The DM780-DXL add-on enables a DM780 user to log QSOs directly to DXKeeper, perform lookups in DXView and Pathfinder, and use either Commander or Ham Radio Deluxe for transceiver control. There are more than a dozen other add-ons to interface with and extend functionality of the DXLab Suite. Powerful stuff.
Many here have mentioned the learning curve to become comfortable with DXLab Suite, and I agree there is one. I'm still learning as I push into new areas of interest. Take care to follow the instructions closely, read the help files, and soon you'll be confident with basic operations. Help is also readily at hand through the on-line reflector at Yahoo Groups. Every one of a handful of issues I have ever brought up turned out to be my error. I can't say enough good things about the support and responsiveness of Dave AA6YQ, author of DXLab. Updates to programs and databases occur frequently, and these incorporate new requested features as well as bug fixes.
Three thumbs up! |
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| W5TFW |
Rating: |
2009-10-01 | |
| Best thing going ! & FREE !!! :-) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
DX Lab, Does have a learning curve, I suggest,
That one open and learn one program at a time.
its NOT perfect, it still needs some work in the WAS,.. Portion so far as I am concerned. BUt its the BEST program for my needs. I am sure its NOT for everyone, but what is ? some of us like Apples, some are more into Bananas...
Good luck ! Joey |
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| PE1FZK |
Rating: |
2009-09-16 | |
| Excellent piece of SW |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
More than a year ago, i was looking for a program that could control my Rig FT990 (old ROM version 1.2), as many programs do not work correctly with this old ROM version.
I found Commander on the internet, installed it, and selected Yeasu FT990_12, set the correct settings and YES, i could control my FT990!!
So very easy installation and setup, and working like a charm!
Some days later i found out that Commander was part of the DXLab suite. So i decided downloading te launcher software, and within a couple of minutes all applications (Commander, DXKeeper, DXView, Pathfinder,PropView, Spotcollector, and Winwarbler) were installed.
Also setting up the other programs was a piece of a cake, and for my feeling very intelligible.
I have been working with DXLab suiteapplications for over a year now, and it is amazing how the programs work together. I never encountered any problem nor an error or whatsoever.
Indeed you may need to have a big screen (or even two of them) in order to have all info in front of you.
All the programs are updated very regularly, so that is a very good sign because the programs stay up-to-date within this rapidly changing world.
Yes maybe the windows are not having nice colors, and no fancy animations, but i believe thats what we don't need, it is important that the programs do what they should do!!
And what to say IT IS IS FOR FREE, so i would all of you recommend to try this excellent piece of software.
John
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| RA3CO |
Rating: |
2009-01-03 | |
| The Best Logger out there |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I should've done it earlier - DX Lab is the best logger and Dave does a tremendous job both developing and supporting the product.
I have been a very satisfied user for about a year. No problems installing or using.
Many many thanks to Dave for this great FREE products. |
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| N7DC |
Rating: |
2008-11-02 | |
| GREAT - IS THERE AN 11? |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Needless to say- after giving it an 11. I have no problems at all with the software as it is, and when there is an extra bit someone wants, Dave puts it out for the group to comment on. If its a go - he usually has important changes made, the same day. No better support ANYWHERE.
I have used it for years. Its what got me off my duff to determine where my cards were, what was available, and how to turn them in for DXCC. I now have 9 band DXCC- Honor Roll, etc. due to this softwares easy tracking of contacts/cards/LOTW.
Previously, I used 4 or 5 different software packages, both free and commercial, and this one tops them all -BY A HUGE AMOUNT. You can use just one portion of the suite, get comfortable with that, and then go ahead and add the next. It interfaces with several other packages/individual programs, such as MixW etc. for additional modes, etc. And does it well.
You can run with only one or two portions on the screen, with the rest minimized, so you dont have a trashy looking, overworked screen.
As a matter of fact is there a 12?
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| N6FD |
Rating: |
2008-10-12 | |
| Great log - not for contesting |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Others here have sung the praises of DXLab. I use it regularly and enjoy many of the features it incorporates. Only a few things make me give it less than a 5. Some of these things are due to my station set up, but would not be uncommon in ham radio.
Setup- It took me quite a while and a lot of searching to understand that DXLab wants its own directory in the root directory for setup. Once I figured that out, setup went smoothly.
Contesting- DXLab is definitely not designed for contesting. It has very little support for Cabrillo logs; either inport or export. The program logs a QSO start time when you first click in the callsign box. This is a problem with me in that I have small children and often have to step away for a few minutes. When I come back I have to clear and then reenter the QSO data to get a new start time. If you don't do that, the time you orginally clicked in the callsign box is logged as the QSO time. This has lead to a few busted QSOs when I forgot to do that.
Interfacing- Support for older Kenwood rigs is rudimentary. It also seems to lose contact with my SignalLink USB sound interface often when I close the software. It then defaults back to my laptop's internal sound card.
WinWarbler- Some conflict between my mousepad and the software causes the mouse to freeze if I try to move it while in transmit mode. I have to reboot or hibernate to get mouse function back.
Despite these issues, I like most of the features of DXLab. It is great for casual operating or for DXing. I will continue to use it as my main logging and PSK31 program.
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| VE1DX |
Rating: |
2008-09-02 | |
| Best software I ever used |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I was the definition of an “old curmudgeon” when it came to electronic logging and using computers for my DXing. Everything was done on paper logs and with traditional QSLs. Then I discovered Dave Bernstein - AA6YQ’s DXLab Suite of programs. Wow! It took me about a week to get up to speed, and I’ll NEVER go back to paper logs. I tried other packages off and on over the years, but none of them were what I wanted. The DXLab Suite does everything! Dave offers support via an Internet list that commercial vendors ought to use as a guide for customer support. He answers questions almost immediately, and treats the new comers with equal patience and professionalism as computer gurus who are trying to figure out the last intricate details of his software. And he does this for free!
Because of Dave, I was inspired to type in my historical logs. I learned to use LoTW and eQSL. I won’t repeat what other reviewers have said regarding the details of his package, as they are well described below. What I want to convey here is a heartfelt thanks to AA6YQ for his contribution to the Ham radio fraternity. He’s made it simple for computer logging newbees and those who have been doing so for years to truly move into the 21st century.
This package is a labor of love, and Dave’s expertise as a software developer combined with his in depth knowledge of DXing and award chasing makes his software a must have for any serious DXer. He recently was awarded the 2008 ARRL Technical Innovation Award. The only question I ask the ARRL is, “what took you so long?” Try this package. You will not be disappointed.
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