Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Ham Radio Deluxe

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 : Ham Radio Deluxe
Reviews: 451MSRP: 99.95
Description:
Control software for a variety of radios.

Note: Product reviews contained here cover both previous Freeware versions of this product by Simon Brown HB9DRV and current paid license versions owned by HRD Software LLC. The Freeware version rights were sold to HRD in fall of 2011.

New reviews should focus only on HRD's paid license versions.

Product is in production
More Info: https://www.HamRadioDeluxe.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
154514.3
K4KFN Rating: 2016-05-02
Great Results Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using HRD since Simone Brown first made it available years ago. I am running the latest version using Windows 10. I am controlling my TS590S and TS-B2000. I use it for CW, SSB, PSK31, and control my JT65 program . I am having great results. No crashes and I like the way it works with LOTW and Eqsl.I don't mind paying to keep the product updated and alive. I have used other control and logging programs but I keep coming back to HRD. In my opinion, for my use, it is the best.
FORMER_N9KX_SM Rating: 2016-05-02
Expensive for what it is – Lacks enhancements Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had been using this package a long time and finally decided it was time to pony up the $99 bucks for the paid version about a year ago. I thought it might be worth having the support… and maybe they will come out with a new improved version or add features to the software? -Yeah right.

Be warned - If you purchase HRD there are no notable improvements to justify the cost over the free version 5. In my experience the new version of the program seems to be a bit unstable and crashes out of the blue. This problem has been well documented and has yet to be fixed. If you want updates, upgrades and the country lists, keep paying year after year for the privilege at $45.

I have been tinkering with the DXLAB suite of programs for quite some time. Although the GUI is not quite as polished, it blows HRD away in functionality and flexibility and it’s FREE with support and updates. There is a learning curve however. If all you need is a good logger, have a good look at the N3FJP package for a small fraction of the price of HRD. Pay once and the updates are FREE for life.

With all that considered I’m moving away from HRD to something else. I’m giving HRD a 1 because of poor support and lack of product development.
KE0CU Rating: 2016-04-12
Very good software with excellent product support Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used the Simon Brown version for several years and found it to be my favorite of all the others I have tried. Not too long ago I bought the paid HRD Software, LLC version and currently I am at v6.3.0.501.I have used it with very little trouble for about 3 months. It isn't perfect but like I said, better (IMHO) than the others. What is really great is the support. I have submitted tickets for two minor issues I was having and they immediately contacted me and took care of the problem. Very fast and friendly. All in all a great experience.
W8VKD Rating: 2016-03-18
Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been running the free version 5.x package for years now and have migrated it to a newer computer running Win 10. No problems so far. I did try the 30 day trial of version 6.x and couldn't see the point of paying for it. It seemed to be a "stripped down" version of the free version. No Themes and no skins on the new version. How boring. I don't mind having to do my own tech support as the internet provides most solutions for problems you may encounter.

Even in it's original form this product works well if your radio is on the support list. I've tried TRX manager and others and I keep coming back to HRD.
PA3KVE Rating: 2016-03-09
What is the added value over the free version? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Trying several times a 6.x version (from 6.0-6.3), but still cannot find a justification of paying that much money for a product that has not evolved much.
Still working with the free version of Simon (still available) and that fits my needs.
You can make a lot of things yourselves (CAT manager, etc) if they are not in the free version.
Giving it a 1 for the courage of trying to make something better out of it. To no avail. Pity.
KM4VX Rating: 2016-01-30
Great Free Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used the free version of Ham Radio Deluxe now for many years. I have never had a single issue with the free version. Based on what I read here on EHam I can't imagine why I would want to buy a for-fee version of the same software that has served me so well and which costs nothing.
WI0T Rating: 2016-01-22
Good software package Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased HRD several years ago at Dayton, where
it was discounted. Previously I had used many
different free software packages and I found
this to to be the best digital program out there.

I still have a few other programs on my computer
(Fldigi, JT-65), but I seldom use them as HRD
is so much better.

I don't think it is fair to down-rate this
package based on it's price and it's impact to
your financials. Not everyone has the same
financial circumstances. The package is great.

If the $99 is too much, just wait for a sale.

73,
Rod
VK4NAO Rating: 2015-12-07
Good Software Package Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have tried several Ham Radio software packages of this kind and personally I found HRD + DM780 the best for my use.

Initially I downloaded the Version 6 free trial and to be honest I struggled with it for 2 days before I got it to fire up on my rig. Once fired up I quickly learned to appreciate the complexity of it, I could control my rig remotely, send and receive digital modes, it could look after my logbook, including create ADIF files and easily forward them to LOTW or eQSL what more could you wish for?

The free trial was a great learning curve giving time to appreciate the value of the package. However, as the saying goes "all good things must come to an end" it was now time to make the purchase.

As a retiree US$99.95 (around AU$137.55) is not easily come by, sadly it left me no alternative but to look for alternatives. yes I did find alternatives, many of them were free, some of those packages were very good too and I can only admire the authors of those packages who have spent a great deal of their time and energy to offer their works at no cost.

But all is not lost, I was told that an earlier version of HRD is still available for free whereupon I promptly downloaded the last of Version 5. this version does not fully support my radio like V6 does but it does work emulating a similar radio. everything works fine except i don't have full control of my Radio, but that's not a great loss, I prefer the feel of my radio which is right in front of me anyway. Version 5 even works using Windows 10.

In conclusion. I believe HRD and its associated packages is the finest Ham Radio software package of its kind available at this point in time and I am saving my pennies in the hope of being able to purchase V6 in the future. I have rated this lower purely on the cost of the package and an extra cost for updates.





KK0DJ Rating: 2015-12-01
Extremely Good Buy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
For several years I used the older 5.x versions of HRD. When free, it was a smash hit - a brilliant compilation of ham-apps. I couldn't believe all of that was free either! Well some enterprising fellows and gals saw an opportunity for a great amateur radio product business and purchased I believe the whole 9 yards from the original coder who put it all together. At first I was a bit skeptical since some software companies when they change hands become worse... but as I read the reviews here and elsewhere - especially their customer service, I thought I would take the plunge. That was December of 2014. My license expires here this week and low and behold... a Cyber Monday surprise from HRD! As I was pinching my pennies, I was so happy to see their offer this year of 50% off for another year of support, or 50% off for new customers as well. Now THAT is a deal! So, I'm supported and will have all the updates this coming year. Now let me tell you about the applications that come with HRD. I use HRD with the following rigs - an Icom 751a, an Icom 706MkIIg, a Yaesu FT817ND and a Yaesu FT-107M. Rig Control is done on the 706 and the 817ND, but not on the 751A or the 107M - not that there isn't facility to do them, just that I am happy to use other-than-rig-control on those two rigs. For rig control on the 817ND and the 706, I couldn't be happier. I have added "buttons" to control various things on each but find that the 'stock' buttons are pretty sufficient in themselves. HRD would be pretty good with just Rig Control, but they package in the Digital Master 780 with it too. This digital mode application is easy to use, has more ways to configure things your own way than you'd expect. I have been able to use it for QSOs on PSK, RTTY, CW, Contestia, Hell, Olivia and Throb. Still yet to try others! The functionality of this app alone is wonderful. I use the Log application exclusively now - no matter what I am using for a rig or what mode. I must say that in the "free" years I had more trouble than it was worth trying to get it to work with the ARRL's antiquated and clumsy LOTW. It works now since the new management and owners saw fit to fix it. For you guys that use the older free version and cannot get LOTW to work with the log app, you may want to consider upgrading to the supported edition. I haven't used the Satellite or Rotor control apps in HRD but I think others have and they have written up their remarks here on eHam. If all that doesn't convince you to consider HRD, think about talking with support at HRD. There is a small staff, but they're very cordial. They answer the phone in person. They take the time to make sure your issue is solved before cutting you loose too. I have had several issues that I needed help with initially and the support staff contacted me to make sure I was good to go. Good customer service is found in other applications, but I would say the HRD staff is a cut above. These aren't propeller-headed uber-dweebies, they're hams like you and I. They use the product and support it for their bread and butter. So don't call them up and expect free support! I think that's a little impolite anyway... don't you? A well known podcast personality awaits your calls too - Katie WY7YL who is a podcast personality on 100 Watts and a Wire (http://100wattsandawire.com) and she aids Christian with the Facebook presence of 100 watts also at www.facebook.com/groups/100wattsandawire. I am thinking you won't be displeased with the HRD product. If you are, you may just be too finicky! hi hi
73 from the heart of the Midwest
KK0DJ
Dennis
N8MGQ Rating: 2015-11-16
Simply Wonderful Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have an old Yaesu FT-840. It has a CAT system, so I ordered HRD. I initially could not get a connection from the PC to radio.

I placed a trouble ticket with HRD. With a couple of emails traded, the rig is now operational with HRD.
This software added new life to my old HF rig. Couldn't be more pleased.