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Reviews For: WriteLog by W5XD

Category: Ham Logging Software

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Review Summary For : WriteLog by W5XD
Reviews: 46MSRP: 30.00 USD
Description:
Contest logging software for CW, SSB, RTTY, and PSK31.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.writelog.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
12464.2
K9OM Rating: 2005-11-15
Very Poor Documentation Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased WriteLog over a year ago and haven't had the time to get it running yet. Almost no documentation comes with the program. After you purchase the program you are advised to visit multiple websites to glean the information needed to get it running. In addition to very poor documentation the software is not complete and will not allow you to run CW with Windows XP. Therefore, off to a 3rd Party site you go again to download 3rd party software. I downloaded the 3rd Party CW driver but didn't have time to search the net for instructions on how to install and configure it. When I found all this out I asked WriteLog for a refund... but was yelled at for even considering the idea... and then was told "no refunds".

Perhaps when I retire I'll have time to fool with WriteLog. Working 60 hour weeks and fooling with WriteLog is not compatible. For now, when I have some spare time I love working on antennas and operating. In the meantime... NA, CT, TR, and LOG-EQF all work just fine and are a pleasure to use.

Since they charge a healthy price for WriteLog I see no excuse for them not to include a well documented Owners Manual. They charge a healthy price for WriteLog but act like the program is free.

So buyer beware! Don't purchase WriteLog unless you have lots of time to spend searching the net for installation and user information. If I had known this I wouldn't have purchased WriteLog at this time.

Best 73!
KD8BIZ Rating: 2005-10-27
Great contest logger Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm new to Ham, new to contesting, new to everyting.

I got WriteLog and started doing RTTY contests - this is the best RTTY contest software ever - now I'm hooked on RTTY.

This weekend I will try a SSB contest - this thing makes contesting feasible - now if I just had a tower, and decent set of antennas, and an amp.

Not a great general logger - for that I use DXKeeper, but a great contest logger, and you need both.

Dennis
N4LQ Rating: 2004-11-28
Buyer Beware Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In order to try this software, you must purchase it. I purchased it via PayPal. It took 3 days to the "download instructions" to arrive via Email. I received an 11 page Email consisting of a disorganized jumble of instructions wherein was hidden the security key. Several attempts to install were needed. I managed to get WL to run my Omni VI but not the Jupiter. CW keying through the LPT port was horrible. In frustration, I asked for a refund. The sales person would not respond to my refund request. I went directly to W5XD who apparently forced the sales person to refund my money. The sales person was relunctant to process the refund and in so many words accused me of wrong doing.
If you like the reviews of this software and want to try it, just keep in mind that basically, you're stuck with it. $75 is a lot of money just to try something. I would recommend trying other logging programs that provide a shareware or demo version before you take the plunge.
RV3APM Rating: 2004-01-02
SuperB Contest Software Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use WriteLog almost 4 years. WL have many useful functions , very quality with good interface. Support many RTTY-SSB-CW contests.
Very nice job!
VE3YF Rating: 2003-07-30
Great Contest Software Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Up till now I have been using a couple of DOS based software programs for all of my contest needs. While they worked good, I wanted something that would work under the Windows Platform. I came to eHam to find reviews of various programs and found this program and I thought I would give WL a try. I got everything to work on the first go and it installed with no problems. I have used it for 2 x RTTY Contests and haven't had a single problem. Plenty of support around for contests that are not self contained. I feel that I am NOT going to go back to DOS! Working in the Windows environment is much better and simpler than DOS! I have also tryed the network feature with the program and I find that it also works great or at least close to great. Great support for Writelog.
N3MX Rating: 2003-05-30
Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great contesting software! I have used CT (which is also good but dated)and others and nothing comes close. Very good support too! I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed!
N9OH Rating: 2002-12-02
Works Great Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Works great for contesting. Recently used the voice-keyer feature during Nov. SS (ssb) and have used the cw keying for much longer.

Folks on the WriteLog mailing list are generally very helpful and go out of their way to assist you when they can.

Third party contest plug-ins add even more contest support to this great program. Check out the 3rd party downloads page on www.writelog.com.

If you're looking to build a rig/computer interface to use WriteLog for rig control and/or ptt/cw keying - AND if you need help, let me know. I recently built a combo cw keying + serial PTT + icom ci-v clone interface to use with WriteLog.
N4PSE Rating: 2001-11-19
Works - even for me! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've used it for casual contesting over the past few months. Works like a charm - cw,rtty and ssb. Built-in voice keyer option is superb. Works FB with my Rigblaster. Much more flexible than my old CT-DOS program and far better support if you do have questions. I even use the DXpedition mode for general logging duties. Setting up Cabrillo format file for log submission takes about two seconds! Interface to Mmtty program is really slick; working rtty contest is truly arm chair copy! Just sit back and watch the computer do your work for you. I highly recommend this flexible, state of the art program.
ES7AAZ Rating: 2001-03-05
The first choice of my contest logging s/w Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using WL for over the year. All I can say is: "Just great!!!" All U need during contest time is there. No crashes. Ecxellent support by, Ron K5DJ. E-mail him and you got quick response. Take a look and U never return back to DOS based logging. Multitask is a part of nowadays contester. The best money I have spent for Ham gear.
WA0SXV Rating: 2001-02-20
Fantastic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Outstanding contesting software with a variety of hardware and modes supported. Support available via small annual subscription. Solid on Windows 2000. Internal RTTY and PSK31 decoders. Good response from author to suggestions. Great for SO2R contesting.