| K7RJ |
Rating:  |
2015-10-30 | |
| Extremely good customer service!!! HRD - powerful and easy. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Great program with the best customer service on earth. I had problem with it not tracking awards. Contacted them, they spent a lot of time tracking the problem to my computer and W7 installation, not a problem with their program. They fixed the bug and now it works flawlessly.
I can't say enough good about my experience with the program nor their people.
If you are having problems getting HRD to work correctly, call them, the program is probably not at fault, it likely has to do with your setup, your operating system, or an misunderstanding about the program. If it is a real bug, they want to know and they are quick to respond.
HRD is very easy to use, in spite of the fact that it can run your entire shack. It can be customizable for your operations. You can have lots of windows open, or just the basic log. It can run on multi monitors spread across your operating table or on a laptop in a motel room.
I looked at lots of other software packages, and HRD does everything any of the others do, except it doesn't leave out features.
It has built in a digital mode module that can run virtually every digital mode out there. If you have a different digital mode program you like, use it and transfer your contacts to HRD. It can be set up to run contests, but if you have your favorite contesting program, like N1MM or one of N3FJP's contest loggers, use them and transfer the files over to HRD when you are finished. It can then give you reports about how the contest helped you with your quest for various awards.
It is a good program for working satellites, moon bounce, mountain topping, you name it.
Another nice thing, if you do purchase the program, it will continue to run even if you don't renew (for half price) the continuing service and update options.
Also, HRD is a real company, not just one person who may get tired of supporting his software - as is the case for so many of the logging programs out there. Be careful when you read: "Call xxx, he is always responsive". What happens when xxx is out of town, is tired of taking phone calls, or falls off of his tower?
If you want a very powerful, totally full featured station logging and control program, HRD is great. If you want a simple program to simply replace your pin and spiral ring notepad, HRD may seem an ovekill - but still download the trial version. you will be surprised. You don't need to use all of the features, just keeping track of contacts without any of the fancy rig and rotator control and satellite tracking, etc. is well worth checking out. After you get a few contacts in your log you may find yourself spoiled.
73
See you down the log
Ron
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| K9RJO |
Rating: |
2015-10-13 | |
| Good, not great. Awards tracking is broken in latest release |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I downloaded the trial version a couple of days ago and had no problem with the installation. Unfortunately the awards tracking feature doesn't work and there doesn't appear to be any fix for it. It displays all zeros. If they fix this problem I would consider purchasing the program.. The awards tracking in the last free version, although not great, did actually work. |
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| KF4NC |
Rating: |
2015-08-29 | |
| Good Stuff |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I got to admit, when I started out with this program, I had issues and some rocky road to travel. Mostly self induced. What has sold me on this product is the "Support". Whether it was by email, or telephone all issues were resolved in a timely manner. Most of the issues were with the DM-780 program. The HRD program was not at fault, rather it was the USB interfaces, computer operating system, and user error that caused the problems I was having. I have to give it a (5) because the HRD software does what it says it will do, and the big reason was the product support. I have no problem in recommending this product to any HAM who would like a multi-faceted Radio interface and control. I will caution though, that patience is required during the initial set up. |
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| AA5EP |
Rating: |
2015-05-20 | |
| Good & Getting Better |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
HRD has integrated with my TS-2000 radio seamlessly. To be honest, I do not use it to control my rig as much as I use the Digital Master and Logbook functions. The various features integrate nicely into a working suite of S/W. This S/W does have a bit of a learning curve associated with it, but with all of the online articles, manuals, FAQs, forums, etc.. I have always found the information I am looking for. The two times I have called for support, I have been helped quickly, professionally, and politely.
Is it perfect? Of course not. But with the investment, time, and effort being put into fixing bugs and developing more features, the $99 cost seems reasonable to me. No one should be expected to develop new code, fix existing bugs, provide support, etc... without being compensated. The price buys me 1-year of updates and support. After a year, I will decide if I want to renew at 1/2 price to keep the support and updates.
HRD keep up the good work!
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| K4EEY |
Rating:  |
2015-05-19 | |
| DM780 |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought Ham Radio Deluxe last year and it has never worked properly. DM780 times out in about 15 minutes. I have contacted Ham Radio Deluxe on several occasions and submitted the appropriate trouble request. I have had only one reply and they said to download the latest version. I did and the same problem. I cannot use HRD for PSK31 with HAM Radio Deluxe. I have since started using DIGIPAN for PSK31. It is reliable and does not cost $99.00. Also I sometime use FLDIGI as it is very reliable also. Ham Radio Deluxe has not backed up their promise of Support. I would not recommend them from my experience. |
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| KI6LQL |
Rating: |
2015-04-23 | |
| Great program great support |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The HRD logbook can do almost anything I want it to do and still has unexplored features. When my logbook got corrupted and wouldn't show up, Tim in technical support spent two hours and twenty minutes untangling the problem and then restoring from a backup. I'm an unprofitable but very committed customer. HRD Digital Master is my favorite program from PSK31 and other digital modes, after trying several. |
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| KH6DC |
Rating: |
2015-04-17 | |
| Still Awesome |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| After 2+ years with the paid version, it still rocks. Had several issues/questions and tech support responded within 24 hours. Tried other free software but HRD will always be my first choice. |
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| KG8JF |
Rating: |
2015-04-13 | |
| It pulls me back |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I am a refugee from the old free days. I can't remember all the times I tried other digital programs. There would always be an issue so I would go back to HRD. I was not happy when it became a fee for service situation. I never did upgrade. My setup still works well. I have one of the last upgrades from when the software was free. For me, HRD is still a keeper. |
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| KD8OPI |
Rating: |
2015-04-13 | |
| I tried to leave, but it kept pulling me back in! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Well, its everyone's favorite whipping boy, HRD version 6. I had it when it was free, bought it when it wasn't, tried to leave it for another program, but came back to it after I was dissatisfied. It could be a love story, but its not - its just control software.
Background: 5 year hobbyist, took breaks for personal reasons over the years, but never for more than a year. Elecraft K3, Icom 7000, Yaesu 817nd owner. HRD user for 5 yrs.
Everyone loves to hate HRD, but then everyone has it or has tried it. Its like your cable company. So why are there hundreds of reviews for it compared to other control programs? Well, it once was free and magnificent for what you got for free, and still, even when it was free, people would complain about it. But, when it began to cost $100, people (myself included) began to really bag on it. It never seemed that the promise of the new owners met reality. They were slow in getting upgrades out, and you'd see messages like "Everyone has the flu, we aren't available to help you today" on their website. Not a way to run a business. So I get the frustration with HRD. Not a fanboy.
This weekend, I tried 3 other control programs. Each costs about $100, each has "5.0" reviews from a few dozen people.
Suffice it to say I was unimpressed. Most of these programs lack one of three things: RELATIVELY intuitive control, ease of integration with other programs, and cheapness- they're all expensive.
So after I tried 3 other control programs, (N4PY, TRX, Win4K3) I stopped. I was looking at buying logging programs, downloading software for virtual comports,downloading software for digital modes; and I thought to myself: "Why the hell am I doing this? HRD has all of this integrated, it supports all of your radios, its less expensive by the time you add up the additional programs, and at least the latest version works really well with all of your radios."
So I'm done. I tried the rest, and they did not measure up. I'm sticking with HRD, the other programs I mentioned are 2-4/5 and honestly HRD is a 4.5. Its the best thing you can buy for complete control of your radio, rotor, logbook, digi modes and satcom. Its easier to use than the other programs, and it seems to be working really well. It took the current owners too long to update Simon's program and get it running smoothly for a commercial product for what they charged, but they seem to be in the zone now.
So just like your cable company, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and realize that as much as you may not like paying them, they offer the most services for the best price. Thats HRD.
Caveat, I have a Mac laptop, and MacLogger seems and reviews like it may be a good program, I'll try it and let you know. |
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| AE8J |
Rating: |
2015-04-09 | |
| HRD Review Update |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
This is an update of an earlier review. Ever since I purchased version 6.2.8.324 I had nothing but trouble with digital master. After repeated emails and phone calls to tech support their only answer was that the problems were with my computer. Last week version 6.2.9.355 was posted on the HDR website. After downloading and installing, lo and behold all my so-called computer problems magically went away! Digital Master now works okay.
I can only rate this software a 3 because it still has a lot of bugs but now its at least usable. |
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