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Reviews For: Ham Radio Deluxe

Category: Ham Logging Software

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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
WB3BIQ Rating: 2020-05-23
Excellent Support from HRD staff Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, if you own an Icom 7300, you owe it to yourself to get the paid version of HRD for rig control and the accompanying HRDLogbook. HRD is my “rig” that controls the WSJT-X software for both my 817 / SignaLink / Laptop portable field station, as well as my 7300 PC Main Frame station. With the WSJT-X digimodes, especially FT-8 setup, it is a “marriage made in heaven.” The interlinked HRD Logbook With all of its amenities and QRZ lookup is a huge separate selling feature.

When you pay the $99 for the permanent license, it is clearly explained that the fee INCLUDES tech support anytime and every time you need it for the first year to get everything running perfectly—even with the 30-day trial version! Here is where a HRD excels! Ferry and Kevin, my two techs for two separate issues, contacted me within a half day to one day at most, to give me the support needed to have everything running perfectly. (They actually fixed the problem by remote control with Team Viewer.) Then, after the tech support I received a polite extra email letting me know that if I had any other questions or problems they would be right there to help.

Thanks and Kudos to both of them for their knowledgeable and quick support. This kind of quick support is today very rare indeed.

Is it worth the $99—you better believe it!
K6DHP Rating: 2020-05-22
Still No Support for Yaesu FTDX-101D/MP Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Update: Mike has personally contacted me about this issue. 5-21-2020

As a long time subscriber to the paid version, I am very disappointed that the developers have not yet provided a way for this software to control the Yaesu FTDX-101D / MP radios. A new version came out today and still no support for this radio. They offered an inadequate workaround (use the FT-991 definition) but that is not acceptable. They have been carrying this issue (0003257: Add support for Yaesu FTDX-101D, This radio received FCC approval on 2019-02-20) for over a year and nothing has been done. Their response has been "we will fix this when we get an FTDX-101" is getting pretty lame. Many users have offered to be testers on their forums.
K2BOB Rating: 2020-05-18
Fabulous Support Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is an addition to the earlier review that is just below. Since my last favorable dealings with support, I had two additional issues as I first upgraded to a new computer and couldn't get it working, then I upgraded from my Icom 738 to an Icom 7610 and also encountered problems I couldn't deal with. On both issues, I got the help I needed. Actually on 3 separate occasions they took control of my computer and fixed the problems that I was hopelessly lost with. I dealt with Tim, the lead support specialist, and Kevin another support specialist. These people were a pleasure to deal with. The Elmers that you wish were your neighbors! The help I got far exceeded the price I paid for the subscription. I will be a loyal customer on the strength of the support alone, but I'm quite happy with the program and it's interface with LoTW, QRZ and WSJT-X. I couldn't have moved into the digital world without HRDs help and support. (original review follows):
Although I'm an old ham, I'm new to digital and I'm limited with my computer knowledge. Not surprising, I had many problems getting things up and running with my interface and HRD. I contacted HRD support quite a few times and they were extremely helpful every time. They often contacted me by phone and then "took control" of my computer and set things up. I could never have done it on my own.
The HRD program is also incredibly proficient. It did things I had no idea were possible. Rig control, logging, call sign information, etc. It's all integrated, and although there is a big learning curve as can only be expected by this level of sophistication, I'm more than pleased with it and constantly surprised by features I wasn't first aware of.
This program is worth every penny and it is a major asset to the Ham Radio community.
W9KXI Rating: 2020-05-15
What GREAT software! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I never thought that I'd enjoy HRD ver6 more than I had enjoyed Simon Brown's ver5 but…I do. My experience has been like buying a new BMW and telling the store's expert that you don't need any orientation to the car…"I know where everything is…you don't need to show me anything." Well…I recently saw Mike's YouTube video regarding the direct transfer of logging information from WSJT-X into the HRD logbook. Wow! What a time saver.

I know that, in the past, HRD had a few "bumps in the road", I'm glad that has been fixed.

Thanks for the truly great product. Al - W9KXI FN12ne
WA1UZO Rating: 2020-04-23
BEST RIG& LOGGING PACKAGE Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is by far the BEST software for radio control and logging! Now that it has FT4 logging, it takes operating to a whole new level!!
Customer support is second to none where a tech will answer you no matter what the day or the hour. I gad a problem after i updated tQSL, Jtalert & HRD. Tim, a Senior Support Technician, stayed on line with my computer until HE was satisfied that the problems were taken care of (turns out the trouble was with tQSL) !!!
In this day, where radios are middle 4 figures & computers are running 2,3 or 4 monitors, the cost of HRD is not an issue!
If you want the BEST, buy Ham Radio Deluxe !!!
G4BEE Rating: 2020-04-12
Fantastic Support !! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been a user since the days when Simon first produced it and updated to V6 when it became available. Mainly use it for logging and PSK/RTTY so a vast array of the features I don't use. I recently had a problem with connection to both my IC7610 & FT991 when using DM780. My dabbling only made it worse so eventually contacted HRD. Response via email was quick and they set up a TeamViewer session for Good Friday. Kevin had it sorted within 5 minutes and explained what the problem was. So I'm back up and running on both rigs, many thanks to Kevin and HRD - outstanding support even on a holiday!
KA3ZAI Rating: 2020-04-09
Flawless Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The best all around Ham Radio software out there!
Customer service is Tops too. Well worth the bucks.

Update:
After using HRD for over 2 years now, it's still tops!
IT is very responsive with every bug that may arise with all
of the updates that come out.
KN4AMX Rating: 2020-04-08
Great Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
ALL software needs bug and error fixes from time to time and these guys really stay on top of that not to mention upgrades. Technical support is second to none that I have experienced.
DK2WL Rating: 2020-03-02
Problem with the Logbook Time Owned: more than 12 months.
For some reason, my log program no longer started.
Thanks to the very quick and competent help from the support, here Ferry (PD9FER), the problem was solved via remote switching.
Thanks a lot! Can only recommend HRD. It is a pleasure to work with this program.
TNX Ferry and best 73 de Peter (DK2WL)
N7MEK Rating: 2020-02-20
Great support at Ham Radio Deluxe for an excellent product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I just finished a Team Viewer session with Ferry (PD9FER) at HRD. It was an excellent call with a good outcome. I had a logging problem using WSJT-X to HRD. Ferry worked with my system, found the problem, and ascertained it was a bug in the software. He then logged the bug and sent me the tracking number so I could follow it over the next weeks.

Many companies would have stopped there.

Ferry did not stop. He then went ahead, with my permission, to load JTAlert, configured it with me, showed some of the important features, AND how it was a workaround for the problems I had. He then encouraged me to go learn more about JTAlert...

Great support call!

I've been using the new version of HRD for over a year and am very pleased with it's capabilities, from remote access to digital modes, et al. It is well worth the cost of the package.

Mark - N7MEK