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Reviews For: N3FJP Contesting Software

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : N3FJP Contesting Software
Reviews: 85MSRP: 6.00
Description:
A collection of Contesting modules that work with or without N3FJP's AC
Log software to make contesting almost run itself! November
Sweepstakes Log 3.8 (System Requirements - MS Windows 95, 98, NT,
ME, 2000, XP or Macintosh under Virtual PC!)
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.n3fjp.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00854.8
WU5E Rating: 2010-03-26
super! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used his contest software for 6 years. No issues. What so ever!

Jim
WU5E
N8RGQ Rating: 2010-03-25
WARNING !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I tired to use his Virginia QSO Party software for last weekends Contest and found A big problem !It won't support any bands above SIX meters ! When I brought this up to him to fix the problem his response to me was basicly he wasn't going to fix any problems with his software until at least 2017 ! I have had many Friends around here trying to run it for last weekends contest and have had problem after problem with it ! Save your money and A "BIG HEADACHE ! " go with someone that is willing to back up there software when they sell it to you !

73 ,
Terry
N8RGQ

Here is the E-MAIL he sent me !

Hi Terry,

Thanks for your e-mail. The additional bands were a rule change after release of the software. What follows is a summary of where we are regarding the addition of new programs and/or features:

Prior to the release of Vista, there was a lot of uncertainty about whether programs written in VB6 would run on the Vista operating system. Thankfully, Microsoft decided to support VB6 programs with Vista, and so far we've received lots of good reports from users running Vista. There isn't any certainty, however, that VB6 programs will run on operating systems after Vista. That sequence of events, along with many other life considerations, helped Kimberly and me to realize that we had reached a crossroads with our software.

We considered a lot of different factors, but in reality, our only two paths are either to stay with VB6 and hope that Microsoft continues to support VB6 programs, or commit the time to rewrite approximately 50 programs in the new VB.NET language that Microsoft is promoting for the future. I've been learning VB.NET (it is quite a bit different than VB6), I like it, but the rewrite time would be very extensive. It took approximately 8 years to write the 50 programs in the package. In addition, since the .NET programs will perform the same functions currently available now, and there is reasonable hope that Microsoft will continue to support VB6 programs, a multi-year rewrite time commitment could wind up to be largely a wasted effort. On the other hand, the fear that VB6 programs may be rendered obsolete with the next operating system can't be ignored.

The decisions for the software come back to time. Right now, with my "real" job, wife, two boys, all the support time that N3FJP software now takes along with other family and life commitments, there just isn't time to do the rewrite in VB.NET. Lord willing, I should be able to retire from my "real" job in 2017. In the mean time, Chris and Bradley will have finished college and probably not be nearly as interested in hanging with their dad as they are now. When that time comes, I should have plenty of opportunity to devote to the software. Vista should get us most of the way there, and if the next OS supports VB6 programs, we are there.

So, with that all being said, and again Lord willing, here is the current plan and thinking for N3FJP Software:

For the next few years:

- The overall package will probably stay pretty much as it is now, with programs written in VB6.
- Any additional programs will be rare. They will be focused on contests that are well established and similar to an existing program.
- Enhancements to existing programs will be relatively infrequent and determined largely by the coding and testing time required.
- Contests requiring significant coding changes as a result of rule changes will probably be dropped from the package.

Longer Term:

- If / when it becomes clear that rewriting the programs in VB.NET will be necessary to run on a future operating system and life circumstances afford the time, I plan and look forward to doing the rewrite. I hope to add more in the way of enhancements and possibly new programs.

In Summary:

My enthusiasm for N3FJP Software and enjoyment of coding in general is as strong as ever. N3FJP Software has been around for over a decade now and I hope that this is just the beginning. I wish that I had as much time as I have ambition to continue writing new programs and adding features, but hopefully that time will become available in the future.


73, Scott
N3FJP
http://www.n3fjp.com/

Serving the Amateur Radio Community with contesting and general logging software since 1997.
W5JON Rating: 2009-10-28
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the N3FJP Contest Software several years ago, but just decided to use it for the first time this past weekend while operating the CQWW Phone Contest, from the St. Lucia QTH as J68JA. I can only say it is easy, helpfull, and a great contest aid. The instant duplicate contact checking is great. Even us old contest goats can learn some new contest tricks. I will for sure be using it again in ARRL Int. DX Contest in March from down here. Thanks for an excellent product.

73,
John W5JON / J68JA
K4XZ Rating: 2009-04-27
One of the best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'e been running This software for 4 years and never a problem.Customer service the best. I've got e-mail relies during contests. If you want to spend your money on something you will be very happy with then spend the money and get the CD you won't be dissapointed.

73 Joe K4XZ

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K4XZ on 2006-09-04

I've run these programs in contests and use it for general logging.It's a great product,great customer service,and easy to set up and use.I really like the features and the ease of using them.They used to have a trial peroid so you can try it first.I would buy this again and highly recomend it.

73 Joe K4XZ
WA9BXB Rating: 2009-04-27
A Great Program! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A great, easy to use software program. I just used it in the Florida QSO Party contest and it worked flawlessly. I have already recommended this program to several of my Ham friends. The every day logging program is a pleasure to use.
This product beats all the other logging programs I have used.
N0AH Rating: 2008-10-27
Thanks for setting the New Standard! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Speechless. Works as good as ANY amateur radio product I have ever bought. It got me through CQWWSSB with about a 5 minute set-up.

Can't wait to dive into all of the other programs and features that come with the entire software package.

FB Scott and Kim!

73 Paul N0AH
K6WSC Rating: 2008-10-08
Fantastic, flawless, and fun. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I started using the N3FJP Field Day Contest Log in 2005. I purchased the N3FJP Software Package (without CD) in 2007, and began using the N3FJP Amateur Contact Log. I created log files for each of the calls I have had, and began using the ARRL Logbook of The World. Then I got bit by the radio sport bug (contesting), and have used many of the N3FJP Contest Logs since. After a contest, the N3FJP software makes reporting your contest results to the contest sponsor and transferring the contest log to the main Amateur Contact Log a snap. From there, uploading to the Logbook of The World is a trivial task with the Amateur Contact Log. The N3FJP logs are flawless, no hassle, easy and fun to use. N3FJP easily earns the five (5) rating.
NT4Z Rating: 2008-07-17
Great program and even greater support Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used N3FJP's logging programs for approximately a couple of years. I know I have done at least two IARU HF contests which includes the most recent. I have used it on Windows XP Professional and now I am using it on Windows Vista Home premium. I had a minor problem with sending a cabrillo file this past IARU contest but after emailing N3FJP, I received the exact directions on how to remedy the situation. It was quite easy once I understood what was written. I am quite challenged when it comes to computers so that is why I had to have them explain and show me a picture. I am not joking about a picture either. Scott and Kimberly worked with me very well. I am very grateful to them for their support. I also was able to import from my IARU contest log to my AC log by just following directions. Great software.
NM4K Rating: 2008-03-31
Great Software & Support Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I first saw the N3FJP software at last years field day operation and was really impressed how easy it was to use. I immediately purchased the CD with ALL of the contesting programs and the AC Log. I have been using the contesting software now for almost a year and love it. It is easy to use and setup. The rig interface is easy and the support that Scott gives is great. If I had any questions at all, he always returned my e-mail promply and was very helpful. It's a great software package at a very reasonable price. If you like to contest either seriously or just for fun, this software will make it easy. Go to Scott's website at http://www.n3fjp.com and check it out for yourself. 73's, Bill NM4K
N3GOO Rating: 2007-07-08
Good Value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
We've used Field Day log (network) version for two years now at HEMARC and have no complaints. It is extremely easy for the casual and first time ops (which we have a lot of at FD) to learn how to use. The networking functions are the icing on the cake, and even if you don't or can't run a network on FD combining log files is simple. Highly recommended